Harry Pope is lying in bed and discovers that there is a sleeping snake on his stomach.Harry Pope is lying in bed and discovers that there is a sleeping snake on his stomach.Harry Pope is lying in bed and discovers that there is a sleeping snake on his stomach.
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Storyline
Did you know
- Trivia21 years later, this same Roald Dahl story, appeared in season 2 episode 5 of Tales of the Unexpected.
- Quotes
[introduction, Hitchcock is sitting on a park bench reading a newspaper]
Himself - Host: Good evening. Here we are in orbit once again. Most of tonight's program will be taken up with a story called 'Poison'.
[a hissing is heard and the camera cuts to Hitchcock's back pocket that happens to be...]
Himself - Host: A rattlesnake. It's a new warning device I've instituted to sound an alarm when a pickpocket is at work. He comes in several sizes, including very small ones for ladies' purses.
[Hitchcock pokes at the rattlesnake making it hiss again]
Himself - Host: He's very alert. This is far superior to ordinary burglar alarms, for if the thief is foolhardy enough to put his hand in the pocket...
[shrugs]
Himself - Host: There are a few bugs in it. Once when a thief put a hand in my pocket, the snake became confused and struck in the wrong direction. The doctor had to put a tourniquet around my stomach. Unfortunately, that proved to be the wrong stomach. It was the snake who died. I see that it is now what my sponsor calls 'high time' and here is what he thinks it is high time for.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Trouble with Harry Isn't Over (2001)
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
10 Plus Stars.
This was the first episode of the fourth season, the perfect premier story. As was the tradition, the master of suspense would occasionally direct one of the episodes himself. Hitch does a fine job here, replete with some unique chills.
Wendell Corey (one heck of a bad guy) comes off best as the arrogant co-owner of a plantation -- in the middle of no where(!)-- whose alcoholic partner believes he's "sleeping" with a poisonous snake in his bed? Best of all, these two despise each other.
The proverbial Hitchcock story that keeps on giving. Arnold Moss, plays the country doctor, recruited in the nick of time, to administer a poison to kill the snake. Watching Moss administer the drug, funneling it ever so GENTLY under the covers is shear torture. This scene will give you the creeps.
Arnold Moss, long-time stage star, was a top radio announcer and actor in his days before tv, and at one time the youngest announcer at CBS in the 1930s.
Roald Dahl wrote this gem especially for Hitchcock, who actually penned childrens books, including WILLY WONKA and the Chocolate Factory. Dahl's trademark were eccentric villains, and he created two very interesting characters here.
How this all ends... will give you a nervous chuckle.
Dedicated to us thrill seekers. SEASON 4 EPISODE 1 remastered Universal dvd box set. 4 dvds. 15 hrs 30 min. Released 2008.
- tcchelsey
- Jan 5, 2023
Details
- Runtime26 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1