Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series)

The Percentage (1958)

Alfred Hitchcock: Self - Host

Photos 

Quotes 

• [introduction] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : [a loose wire is dangling next to Hitchcock's head]  Oh, good evening. I bring good news to those of you who are plagued with faulty television sets.

  [holds up a very long screwdriver] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : I am prepared to repair your set. It only stands to reason, more can be accomplished working from the inside out than from the outside in. Let's see. Perhaps I shall tighten this a bit.

  [leans forward with screwdriver and adjusts something off-screen, but the screen becomes blurry] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : On second thought, it looked very good the way it was.

  [adjusts again and the screen sharpens; Hitchcock leans back, then looks to his right at the dangling wire] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : Oh, here's the trouble. We can't have loose wires hanging around.

  [starts pulling down the wire which seems to widen gradually; the camera pulls back to reveal a whole mess of television parts, wires, and more on a table in front of him] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : Tonight's playlet is called, 'The Percentage', and is about a professional hoodlum named Big Eddie who meets up with a television repair man.

  [Hitchcock pulls down the last of the wire to reveal an antenna at the end of it] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : As you see, it has exciting prospects.

  [indicates antenna] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : Someone has sent me the bird. But let's go on with the show. Perhaps we shall get some ideas from the repairman in the story.

• [afterword] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : [There is some reflection in the screen where Hitchcock is standing]  Well, that's the way the old body bounces. I can't seem to find out what's the matter with your set.

  [Looks around, frowns, then leans forward to pick up a shoe] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : What's this? No wonder so many television tubes are broken. If you don't care for the program, turn off the set. Don't turn your shoes at it.

  [puts down shoe and picks up a horseshoe] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : Of course, I realise that there are some of you who can't turn the knob. Your present tube seems to be in fine shape however.

  [picks up a small club and strikes the screen; it shatters, startling Hitchcock] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : Oh, I'm afraid you shall have to wait until next time when we return with a new story and a new tube. Until then, good night.