A lawyer, with blackmail in mind, meets with a famed detective to prove he convicted an innocent man.A lawyer, with blackmail in mind, meets with a famed detective to prove he convicted an innocent man.A lawyer, with blackmail in mind, meets with a famed detective to prove he convicted an innocent man.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAmong the items in Charles Courtney's (Vincent Price) trophy cabinet is an alarm clock labeled "Cockrell 1905." This seems to be a nod to Francis M. Cockrell (and his wife Marian Cockrell) who wrote many scripts for Alfred Hitchcock Presents. In fact, Francis M. Cockrell wrote the first four episodes personally directed by Hitchcock. In addition, the clock is stopped at 4 o'clock, alluding to the premiere episode of the "spin-off" series Suspicion entitled "Four O'Clock" directed by Hitchcock and scripted by Cockrell.
- GoofsThe gun that Courtney refers to as a revolver is actually a semi-automatic pistol.
- Quotes
[introduction, Hitchcock is in an armchair with a side table next to him, wearing a Sherlock Holmes cap, and smoking bubbles out of a pipe]
Alfred Hitchcock: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and Dr. Watson, wherever you are. Tonight's case is er...
[blows more bubbles]
Alfred Hitchcock: Tonight's case is called "The Perfect Crime". I'm not sure who it was who said, "A perfect crime is like a perfect marriage - their being perfect depends on your not being caught." Tonight we plan...
[swats at bubbles in annoyance]
Alfred Hitchcock: This is why I never take my pipe to bed. If you fall asleep, you could be bubbled to death. And now join me if you will, as we contemplate "The Perfect Crime."
- ConnectionsFeatured in In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy (2008)
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
There are two problems with this episode, though the acting is quite good. First, it is VERY talky and Charles and John talk and talk and talk through most of the episode. This is a minor issue. But the big problem is the network or sponsors' insistence that evil MUST be punished, so after presenting a seemingly perfect crime, Hitchcock does an epilogue where he explains how the man WAS captured and prosecuted...though there is zero indication of this in the episode itself. It really is frustrating to watch. Although I usually love Hitchcock's little intros and epilogues, in cases of murderers, he would often explain that the audience didn't see it in the story, but the killer was caught and punished...which is REALLY annoying and essentially ruins the episode. Without this stupid ending, I might have scored this one a 7...it really ruins an otherwise decent episode.
- planktonrules
- Mar 8, 2021
Details
- Runtime25 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1