The Hitchcock Project-Roald Dahl Part Six: "The Landlady" [6.19], overview, episode guide

by Jack Seabrook

"The Landlady"

The Landlady

The sixth and final Roald Dahl story to be adapted for Alfred Hitchcock Presents was "The Landlady," which aired on February 21, 1961. Since Robert Bloch wrote the teleplay, this episode is discussed here, as part of the "Robert Bloch on TV" series.

Overview

The Roald Dahl episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents represent a special group.

"Lamb to the Slaughter," the first, was adapted for television by Dahl himself and directed by Hitchcock. It features a fine performance by Barbara Bel Geddes and its mix of murder and humor have made it one of the most well known episodes of the entire series.

"Dip in the Pool" came next, also directed by Hitchcock and starring Keenan Wynn in a story that features more humor but no murder, just an accidental suicide.

"Poison"

In "Poison," the third Dahl adaptation to be directed by Hitchcock, the story is one of extreme suspense in a confined space, where the televised version features a significant change in focus from the original story.

Best of the lot is "Man From the South," one of the finest examples of suspense ever produced for television. It has been remade, imitated and parodied, but it has never been equaled. Steve McQueen and Peter Lorre turn in superb performances and the direction by Norman Lloyd ratchets up the tension until the surprising climax.

Hitchcock returned to direct "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat," which tells a tale of humor, revenge and deception while painting an unflattering portrait of a marriage. There are no standouts but cast and crew work together to produce solid entertainment.

"Dip in the Pool"

Finally, Paul Henreid directed "The Landlady" from a teleplay by Robert Bloch. Dean Stockwell and Patricia Collinge are well cast in a dreamlike episode with an unforgettable ending.

The fact that Hitchcock himself chose to direct four of the six Dahl episodes shows that they were considered special, and Dahl's short stories were a perfect fit for the sensibilities of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Here is an episode guide to the Roald Dahl episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, with links that lead back to the posts discussing each episode.

ROALD DAHL ON ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS EPISODE GUIDE

Episode title-“Lamb to the Slaughter” [3.28]

Broadcast date-13 Apr. 1958

Teleplay by-Dahl

Based on-"Lamb to the Slaughter" by Dahl

First print appearance-Harper's, Sept. 1953

Notes

Watch episode-here

Available on DVD?-here

"Lamb to the Slaughter"

Episode title-“Dip in the Pool” [3.35]

Broadcast date-1 June 1958

Teleplay by-Robert C. Dennis

Based on-"Dip in the Pool" by Dahl

First print appearance-The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 1952

Notes

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Available on DVD?-here

Episode title-“Poison” [4.1]

Broadcast date-5 Oct. 1958

Teleplay by-Casey Robinson

Based on-"Poison" by Dahl

First print appearance-Collier's, 3 June 1950

Notes

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Available on DVD?-here

"Man From the South"

Episode title-“Man From the South” [5.15]

Broadcast date-13 Mar. 1960

Teleplay by-William Fay

Based on-"Collector's Item" by Dahl

First print appearance-Collier's, 4 Sept. 1948

Notes

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Episode title-“Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat” [6.1]

Broadcast date-27 Sept. 1960

Teleplay by-Halsted Welles

Based on-"Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat" by Dahl

First print appearance-Nugget, December 1959
Notes

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"Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat"

Episode title-“The Landlady” [6.19]

Broadcast date-21 Feb. 1961

Teleplay by-Robert Bloch

Based on-"The Landlady" by Dahl

First print appearance-The New Yorker, 28 November 1959

Notes

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Available on DVD?-here

IN TWO WEEKS, A SERIES ON CORNELL WOOLRICH'S STORIES ON THE HITCHCOCK SERIES BEGINS WITH AN ANALYSIS OF "THE BIG SWITCH"!