Alfred Hitchcock Presents began its seven-year run in October 1955 with "Revenge" and ended in June 1962 with another tale of revenge, "Where Beauty Lies." The teleplay is by James P. Cavanagh and the title card says it is based on a story by Henry Farrell, but no such short story was ever published. Instead, it appears that Farrell wrote a teleplay and sold it to the TV show, where James P. Cavanagh revised it. Two copies of Farrell's original script are in the collection of his papers at Boston University; they are dated March 22, 1962, and to review them one would have to go to Boston and visit the library in person, since they are under copyright and the library staff will not make copies nor allow copies to be made.
The final version of the script, as by Cavanagh and as filmed and directed by Robert Florey, aired on NBC on Tuesday, June 26, 1962, and was the last new episode of the half-hour series to air on network television. The unaired episode, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," later turned up in syndication packages.
Cloris Leachman as Caroline |
George Nader as Collin |
The next week, Caroline is at home supervising a man who is repainting the interior walls. Collin comes home and informs her that she is not going to Boston with him, where he is about to star in a play. Caroline had been angry at not being included in the party after their dinner together, and now, once Collin is gone, she makes a telephone call to confirm her suspicion that Joan is going with him. Caroline smashes a framed photo of Collin on the floor and we see his face being obliterated by paint thinner that spills from a can that tipped over on the floor.
One day soon after that, Caroline receives a telegram that reports that Collin will arrive home on the late train. She looks at his partially destroyed photo and asks the painter to start working on the walls in Collin's study. That night, she prepares the study and pours the flammable paint thinner all over the logs in the fireplace. She leaves a note for her brother, telling him that she was tired and went to bed and instructing him to "put a light under the soup." Later, Collin arrives home and she listens from another room as he enters the study, closes an open window to keep out the cold, and bends down to light the fire in the fireplace. He lights the fire and suddenly the flames roar up from the paint thinner that was poured on the logs; he screams as his face is burned.
We next see Collin and Caroline in his hospital room, where he lies in bed with his face wrapped in bandages. The doctor asks Caroline to speak to him in the hallway and tells her that her brother will be blind; his face will be disfigured but plastic surgery may help.
The show's final scene takes place back at Collin's home, where Caroline serves him lunch on a tray that he angrily knocks to the floor. Blind and bitter, he wants to be left alone and has shut himself away from other people for weeks. Collin keeps his face hidden and turns away from the camera. Distraught at losing his good looks, the former leading man laments that "'I'm only fit to play in horror pictures.'" Throughout the scene, he keeps his face turned away, building up suspense and making the viewer yearn to experience the full horror of his disfigurement. Caroline seems to comfort him, insisting that he does not look bad, but he tells her that he knows he is "'grotesque.'" Finally, he turns, and the real horror is revealed: Collin's face looks perfectly normal and he is as handsome as ever! His sister has tricked him into thinking he is deformed as punishment for his treatment of her, and now she can have him all to herself.
Collin hides his face from view, thinking himself deformed. |
Cavanagh's script is well-written and both plotting and dialogue work to tell the story clearly and effectively. The two lead actors are perfect for their roles; both George Nader (as Collin) and Cloris Leachman (as Caroline) are utterly believable as two siblings with a close relationship that is ultimately destructive.
None are so blind-- |
George Nader (1921-2002) served in WWII and then starred in film and on TV from 1950 to 1974. He was in Robot Monster (1953) and he was seen in two episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Nader and his partner Mark Miller were close friends with Rock Hudson and inherited the interest from the actor's large estate when he died of AIDS. Nader also wrote a science fiction novel titled Chrome (1987).
Vanity of vanities... |
In smaller roles:
- Pamela Curran (1930- ) plays Joan Blake, Collin's beautiful actress/girlfriend; she was on screen from 1958 to 1971, appeared three times on Thriller, and was seen twice on the Hitchcock show.
Pamela Curran as Joan |
- Charles Carlson plays Paul, the man who passionately kisses Caroline in the opening scene before his wife shows up; he had a brief TV career from 1960 to 1964 but managed to show up on The Twilight Zone and on five episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, including "The Greatest Monster of Them All."
- Raymond Bailey (1904-1980) was a busy character actor who appeared in eleven episodes of the Hitchcock show, including the very first one filmed, "Breakdown." A busy character actor, he is best known as Mr. Drysdale on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962 to 1971).
- Marilyn Clark (1929- ) plays Julie, the wife who shows up in the first scene to collect her straying husband; she was on screen from 1950 to 1980 but only has eight credits on IMDb in the course of three decades.
- Norman Leavitt (1913-2005) is another character actor with a familiar face; he was on screen from 1946 to 1978 and was seen in seven episodes of the Hitchcock series, including "One More Mile to Go."
Marilyn Clark as Julie |
Norman Leavitt as the painter |
Henry Farrell (1920-2006), who wrote the original teleplay that Cavanagh revised, was born Charles Farrell Myers. He wrote novels, short stories, teleplays, and screenplays and also used the pseudonym, Charles F. Myer. While this was the only episode of the Hitchcock TV show to be based on his writing, he is best remembered today for his novel, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1960), that served as the basis for a popular film of the same title that was released in 1962. Farrell seems to have thought highly of "Where Beauty Lies," since the collection of his papers at Boston University also includes a 300-page typescript of a screenplay with the same title that he wrote in 1968-1969; no film was ever produced of this story, however.
Watch "Where Beauty Lies" online here. The seventh season is still not available on DVD. If anyone happens to go to Boston University and read Farrell's original teleplay, I would be interested to hear how it differs from the version that was produced.
Sources:
The FictionMags Index, www.philsp.com/homeville/FMI/0start.htm.
IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/.
The Inventory of the Henry Farrell Collection #1371. archives.bu.edu/finding-aid/finding_aid_121953.pdf.
“Where Beauty Lies.” Alfred Hitchcock Presents, season 7, episode 38, NBC, 26 June 1962.
Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, www.wikipedia.org/.
James P. Cavanagh on Alfred Hitchcock Presents: An Overview and Episode Guide
James P. Cavanagh wrote the teleplays for 15 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, all based on stories written by others. Eleven episodes were based on published short stories, while two were based on unpublished stories, one on a radio play, and one on a stage play. Two of the shows he wrote, "One More Mile to Go" and "Arthur," were directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
His 15 episodes were spread out over six of the show's seven seasons, with two coming near the end of season one, five spanning the entire run of season two, three in season three, none at all in season four, two in season five, just one in season six, and two in the final season, including the last episode to air on the network. Cavanagh was skilled at translating stories from page to screen, often turning extended bits of narrative into lively dialogue.
EPISODE GUIDE-JAMES P. CAVANAGH ON ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS
Episode title-"The Hidden Thing" [1.37]
Broadcast date-20 May 1956
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on an unpublished story by A.J. Russell
First print appearance-none
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"The Creeper" [1.38]
Broadcast date-17 June 1956
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "The Creeper," a radio play by Joseph Ruscoll
First print appearance-none; radio play first broadcast March 29, 1946
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"Fog Closing In" [1.38]
Broadcast date-7 October 1956
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "The Fog Closing In" by Martin Brooke
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, April 1956
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"None Are So Blind" [2.5]
Broadcast date-28 October 1956
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "None Are So Blind" by John Collier
First print appearance-The New Yorker, 31 March 1956
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"The End of Indian Summer" [2.22]
Broadcast date-24 February 1957
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "The End of Indian Summer" by Maurice Baudin Jr.
First print appearance-Esquire, April 1945
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"One More Mile to Go" [2.28]
Broadcast date-7 April 1957
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "One More Mile to Go" by F.J. Smith
First print appearance-Manhunt, June 1956
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"Heart of Gold" [3.4]
Broadcast date-27 October 1957
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "M is for the Many" by Henry Slesar
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March 1957
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"Sylvia" [3.16]
Broadcast date-19 January 1958
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Sylvia" by Ira Levin
First print appearance-Manhunt, April 1955
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"The Festive Season" [3.31]
Broadcast date-4 May 1958
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Death on Christmas Eve" by Stanley Ellin
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January 1950
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"Arthur" [5.1]
Broadcast date-27 September 1959
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Being a Murderer Myself" by Arthur Williams
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, August 1948
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"Mother, May I Go Out to Swim?" [5.26]
Broadcast date-10 April 1960
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Mother, May I Go Out to Swim?" by Q. Patrick (Hugh C. Wheeler and Richard C. Webb)
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July 1948
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"Coming, Mama" [6.26]
Broadcast date-11 April 1961
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Coming, Mama" by Henriette McClelland
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September 1960
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"A Jury of Her Peers" [7.12]
Broadcast date-26 December 1961
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on Trifles by Susan Glaspell
First print appearance-play first performed 8 August 1916
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-no
Episode title-"Where Beauty Lies" [7.38]
Broadcast date-26 June 1962
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Where Beauty Lies" by Henry Farrell
First print appearance-none
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-no
In two weeks: Our series on Arthur Ross begins with "Three Wives Too Many," starring Teresa Wright and Dan Duryea!
Listen to two great podcasts on Alfred Hitchcock Presents:
Presenting Alfred Hitchcock Presents (website here)
Good Evening: An Alfred Hitchcock Presents Podcast (website here)
Both are highly recommended!
James P. Cavanagh wrote the teleplays for 15 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, all based on stories written by others. Eleven episodes were based on published short stories, while two were based on unpublished stories, one on a radio play, and one on a stage play. Two of the shows he wrote, "One More Mile to Go" and "Arthur," were directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
His 15 episodes were spread out over six of the show's seven seasons, with two coming near the end of season one, five spanning the entire run of season two, three in season three, none at all in season four, two in season five, just one in season six, and two in the final season, including the last episode to air on the network. Cavanagh was skilled at translating stories from page to screen, often turning extended bits of narrative into lively dialogue.
EPISODE GUIDE-JAMES P. CAVANAGH ON ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS
Episode title-"The Hidden Thing" [1.37]
Broadcast date-20 May 1956
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on an unpublished story by A.J. Russell
First print appearance-none
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"The Creeper" [1.38]
Broadcast date-17 June 1956
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "The Creeper," a radio play by Joseph Ruscoll
First print appearance-none; radio play first broadcast March 29, 1946
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"Fog Closing In" [1.38]
Broadcast date-7 October 1956
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "The Fog Closing In" by Martin Brooke
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, April 1956
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
"Fog Closing In" |
Episode title-"None Are So Blind" [2.5]
Broadcast date-28 October 1956
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "None Are So Blind" by John Collier
First print appearance-The New Yorker, 31 March 1956
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"The End of Indian Summer" [2.22]
Broadcast date-24 February 1957
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "The End of Indian Summer" by Maurice Baudin Jr.
First print appearance-Esquire, April 1945
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"One More Mile to Go" [2.28]
Broadcast date-7 April 1957
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "One More Mile to Go" by F.J. Smith
First print appearance-Manhunt, June 1956
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
"One More Mile to Go" |
Episode title-"Father and Son" [2.36]
Broadcast date-2 June 1957
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Father and Son" by Thomas Burke
First print appearance-Vanity Fair, August 1934
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Broadcast date-2 June 1957
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Father and Son" by Thomas Burke
First print appearance-Vanity Fair, August 1934
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Broadcast date-27 October 1957
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "M is for the Many" by Henry Slesar
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March 1957
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
"Heart of Gold" |
Episode title-"Sylvia" [3.16]
Broadcast date-19 January 1958
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Sylvia" by Ira Levin
First print appearance-Manhunt, April 1955
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"The Festive Season" [3.31]
Broadcast date-4 May 1958
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Death on Christmas Eve" by Stanley Ellin
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January 1950
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Broadcast date-27 September 1959
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Being a Murderer Myself" by Arthur Williams
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, August 1948
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Arthur |
Episode title-"Mother, May I Go Out to Swim?" [5.26]
Broadcast date-10 April 1960
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Mother, May I Go Out to Swim?" by Q. Patrick (Hugh C. Wheeler and Richard C. Webb)
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July 1948
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
Episode title-"Coming, Mama" [6.26]
Broadcast date-11 April 1961
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Coming, Mama" by Henriette McClelland
First print appearance-Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September 1960
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-here
"Coming, Mama" |
Episode title-"A Jury of Her Peers" [7.12]
Broadcast date-26 December 1961
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on Trifles by Susan Glaspell
First print appearance-play first performed 8 August 1916
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-no
Episode title-"Where Beauty Lies" [7.38]
Broadcast date-26 June 1962
Teleplay by-James P. Cavanagh
Based on "Where Beauty Lies" by Henry Farrell
First print appearance-none
Notes
Watch episode-here
Available on DVD?-no
In two weeks: Our series on Arthur Ross begins with "Three Wives Too Many," starring Teresa Wright and Dan Duryea!
Listen to two great podcasts on Alfred Hitchcock Presents:
Presenting Alfred Hitchcock Presents (website here)
Good Evening: An Alfred Hitchcock Presents Podcast (website here)
Both are highly recommended!
2 comments:
Wow, that's great! I need to resist the temptation to read your posts before I watch the episodes.
Thanks, Don. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
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