Am going to start with what "De Mortuis" could have done better. "De Mortuis" is indeed in the top middle category to me, with the cast being the biggest interest point and being more interesting than the story. There are better Stevens-directed episodes before and since, but also a good deal worse on both counts. Of the three Season 2 episodes up to this early point, it is the best of the three while not being great let alone exceptional itself. It didn't quite live up to high expectations or its attention-grabbing and foreboding title, but it didn't waste them. So quite a bit was expected, especially with an intriguing premise that is akin to early Hitchcock. His episodes from Season 1 mostly ranged between decent and great, with big hits including "Momentum" and "Our Cook's a Treasure" and big lows including "Shopping for Death" and "The Hidden Thing". It is also Robert Stevens' first directing credit for Season 2. "De Mortuis" is the third episode of Season 2's 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', the season started very disappointingly but a much better if not mind-blowing second episode followed. Anyway, this 30 minutes is a rare opportunity to watch a very unusual and distinguished cast in a fairly interesting story. Seeing all three acting normally in this episode makes you realize how much skill went into their usual off-putting characters. The third cast member, eagle-beaked Philip Coolidge, also specialized in off-beat roles, often as a sneaky busy-body of some sort, but he never rose to the heights of a Jones or Emhardt. There's been nobody quite like him before or since. Despite the many malicious roles, he was expert at droll comedy where his Cheshire-cat grin could inspire uneasy laughter and instant mistrust. More eccentric than repulsive, he nevertheless specialized in characterizations that caused the audience to wonder just what he might be hiding in his own cellar. Short and scrawny, with an overlarge mouth and no chin, he seemed forever bemused by some private joke. Henry Jones too is immediately recognizable. In this episode, his acting skill shows that despite the off-putting appearance, he could draw a sympathetic response when given the opportunity. Moreover, long after the many pretty-boy leads of the day have faded away, Emhardt remains distinctively memorable to anyone familiar with that era. Rather it's to pay tribute to a fine actor who lent color and authority to every thankless character he played. His rotund shape, high-domed forehead, and softly sinister manner, made up one of the most unusual screen presences allowed on 50's TV. Perhaps no one of the time was more expert at playing moral degenerates of one type or another than the obese Robert Emhardt. What is noteworthy, however, is the cast of three villainous characters who for once get to play ordinary, sympathetic folks. Not exactly cutting edge material for a series that trafficked in domestic mayhem. The story itself is unexceptional Hitchcock fare- a faithless young wife, an older husband, and a hole in the cellar.
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