Whenever I hear the name of something I'm unfamiliar with, I tend to look it up. The drug phenylthalamine mentioned in this story that was being used to poison Elizabeth Bourdon (Shirley Knight), has about the same effect as amphetamine, which if taken on a daily basis, would cause rapid heart rate, anxiety, or agitation. It's not necessarily poisonous although it could do some damage, which is what Arnold Bourdon (Anthony Franciosa) and Miss Grecco (Deborah Geffner) were counting on. There was probably something more potent they could have used, but that's what the screenwriters came up with. As for the anxiety and agitation, Mrs. Bourdon seemed to have that in spades to begin with, what with her constantly ringing the bell and nagging everyone in sight. She also held the purse strings as well, which is why husband Arnold didn't put up much of a fuss when the newest housemaid was sent on her merry way. I thought the hook with the homely looking replacement was a good way to put the ball back in Arnold's court, with a mom who would do anything for her son.
Review of A Woman's Help
