Our Cook's a Treasure
- Episode aired Nov 20, 1955
- TV-14
- 30m
A serial-murderess maid is on the loose in the city. Ralph becomes suspicious of his wife Ethel's housemaid Mrs. Sutton.A serial-murderess maid is on the loose in the city. Ralph becomes suspicious of his wife Ethel's housemaid Mrs. Sutton.A serial-murderess maid is on the loose in the city. Ralph becomes suspicious of his wife Ethel's housemaid Mrs. Sutton.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe skin around Everett Sloane's right eye is noticeably swollen in many scenes, particularly those in the Montgomery house.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Himself - Host: That was a warm and touching little fable, wasn't it? The kind of story that gets you right here. Oh, about my wine-testing. I'm afraid I was very much mistaken about brand Z. You will be relieved to hear there was nothing wrong with it. Nothing had been added. You see, it wasn't wine. It was mosquito spray. The arsenic belonged there. Apparently, the mosquitoes prefer their spray very dry. Next week at this same time, I shall invade your living rooms again, provided your television set holds up. Good night.
- ConnectionsVersion of Suspense: Suspicion (1949)
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
It must have been very daunting following on from one of Season 1's, and the series', best entries "Breakdown" and be as good. While not quite on the same level as that episode "Our Cook's a Treasure" is still extremely good and one of the best outings of the first half of the season. As well as continuing the back on track quality seen from "Salvage", after a three episode dip in quality beforehand. A very strong example of why 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' was such an interesting series.
Not much wrong here actually, it just doesn't quite have the same extra something that made "Breakdown" so special. With it not being as creepy or suspense-laden for instance. The plot twist is well executed and clever, though it didn't leave me floored as such.
Having said all of this, "Our Cook's a Treasure" is well crafted visually, with some stylish and atmospheric shots on display. Stevens' direction is accomplished and is more inspired than his still solid direction in "Premonition", he has a good sense of style and keeps the momentum and tension going enough. The music is suitably haunting and have always loved the series' choice of theme tune, suggested by Hitchcock favourite Bernard Hermann and a good move.
Furthermore, Hitchcock's bookending at this point became better and better generally with each episode. These scenes varied in the series, some rambled and others were wonderfully droll and acerbic, the latter being the case here. He also has a priceless wine tasting scene. The script is thought-provoking and taut enough and considering that the source material is a short story the episode fares better than most in the series of lending itself well to not having a long running time. A lot happens without being too much and there isn't any fat. The characters are psychologically fascinating.
Everett Sloane is excellent, bringing class and edge to a challenging role from a psychological standpoint. Bondi is every bit as excellent, suitably unsettling and one is throughout unsure of whether she is guilty or not. The supporting roles are solidly filled.
Concluding, extremely good. 9/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 1, 2022
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1