I agree with the last reviewer; legendary sci fi writer Ray Bradbury, who penned this episode, was an observer of people, particularly how they conducted themselves in unique situations. Not too long after this episode, he wrote the screenplay for MOBY DICK, based on the iconic story by Melville, starring Gregory Peck.
Two Hitchcock regulars, John Qualen and Robert H. Harris play retired insurance salesmen who seem to be preoccupied with people who are a danger to themselves? Their bizarre journey delibertly takes them into the city on a miserably hot day, only to have the good fortune to run into a middle-age woman called Mrs. Shrike (don't y'all love that name), who is certain to have a fatal encounter, largely due to the atmospherics.
The story, while original, is only average to the outstanding performance of Oscar winner Jo Van Fleet, who turns this into a poignant one woman show. Her life is a disaster, past her prime and having not much else to look forward to but a date with death. The macabre question, a la Hitchcock, is not if she will meet a horrible demise, but WHEN?
Her son, in later years after her death, wrote that his mom was frustrated with scores of roles in which she played older, forgotten woman, sometimes much older than her actual age. At times she was insulted, but that's Hollywood and stereotypes. To her credit, Jo Van Fleet was a master at what she did, an actors actor, who became the very character she played, regardless of age. That is a rare talent.
Jo Van Fleet next co-starred opposite Clark Gable in A KING AND FOUR QUEENS, set in a western ghost town.
Fact; the stats are right. 92 degrees is documented as the perfect temp. When most murders are committed, again documented in 2022.
Recommended and a tale that will stick with you for awhile. From Season 1 remastered Universal dvd box set.
Two Hitchcock regulars, John Qualen and Robert H. Harris play retired insurance salesmen who seem to be preoccupied with people who are a danger to themselves? Their bizarre journey delibertly takes them into the city on a miserably hot day, only to have the good fortune to run into a middle-age woman called Mrs. Shrike (don't y'all love that name), who is certain to have a fatal encounter, largely due to the atmospherics.
The story, while original, is only average to the outstanding performance of Oscar winner Jo Van Fleet, who turns this into a poignant one woman show. Her life is a disaster, past her prime and having not much else to look forward to but a date with death. The macabre question, a la Hitchcock, is not if she will meet a horrible demise, but WHEN?
Her son, in later years after her death, wrote that his mom was frustrated with scores of roles in which she played older, forgotten woman, sometimes much older than her actual age. At times she was insulted, but that's Hollywood and stereotypes. To her credit, Jo Van Fleet was a master at what she did, an actors actor, who became the very character she played, regardless of age. That is a rare talent.
Jo Van Fleet next co-starred opposite Clark Gable in A KING AND FOUR QUEENS, set in a western ghost town.
Fact; the stats are right. 92 degrees is documented as the perfect temp. When most murders are committed, again documented in 2022.
Recommended and a tale that will stick with you for awhile. From Season 1 remastered Universal dvd box set.