Salvage Alfred Hitchcock Presents Season 1, Episode 6 Episode #6 First aired: 06 November 1955 Hitchcock time: 1:35 Story time: 21:30 Total episode time: 24:35 My rating: 6/10

Director: Justus Addis    Teleplay: Fred Freiberger, Dick Carr    Story: Fred Freiberger    Associate producer: Joan Harrison    Director of photography: Lester Shorr    Art director: Martin Obzina    Editorial supervisor: Richard G. Wray    Film editor: Edward W. Williams    Music supervisor: Stanley Wilson    Assistant director: James Hogan    Set decorator: James S. Redd    Sound: Hugh McDowell    Wardrobe supervisor: Vincent Dee    Makeup: Ted Coodley    Cast: Gene Barry, Nancy Gates.

Plot summary: Years ago, Dan Varrel takes the rap to save his kid brother Richie and ends up serving 5 years in prison. During Dan's prison stretch, Richie is talked into pulling another job by nightclub singer Lois Williams (NANCY GATES) but when the plan goes pear-shaped, Lois snitches to the cops to save herself and the brother ends up getting killed by the cops in the ensuing shootout. Now, Dan is released from prison and he immediately goes looking for Lois. Nightclub owner Lou Henry warns Lois that Dan will be paying her a visit shortly. Lois then goes to see her friend Tim (PETER ADAMS) to express her fears over what might happen to her when Dan catches up with her. Tim offers to give her some money to get out of town but she becomes resigned to the fact no matter what she does Dan will catch up with her. Dan Varrel (GENE BARRY) shows up as predicted and confronts Lois. Despite initially giving Lois a hard time, Dan decides to show leniency and instead proposes a deal where if he can put up the money she will run a legitimate business for him so that he can prove to his parole that he has gone straight. Lois agrees to help him and sets up a dress shop. Business is doing okay when Dan pays Lois a visit. She tells him she needs more money for advertising and Dan agrees to get it for her. Dan visits Lou to borrow the $5,000 required for the business but Lou expresses his surprise and concerns that Dan is now in business with the woman who double-crossed him before giving him the money. At a party Dan leans on Lois in a romantic way but she brushes him off in favour of pursuing Tim, whom she visited earlier. Dan goes to Tim's apartment in the middle of the night to have a talk with him. Dan says he is pulling out of the partneship with Lois and that Tim should ask her to marry him. All goes smoothly and the viewer is puzzled by his "what is he up to?" routine. The next morning Dan visits Lois and she tells him how happy with life she is and how everything is going so well for her. And that is when Dan reveals his true plan.

Hitchcock's prologue: (1 minute 7 secs) [Hitch is sitting in a director's chair with his back to the camera, surrounded by several film crew.] "Hold it, hold it. Wait a minute, look, I object. I think you got much too much fill-light. I mean, look. This is supposed to be a night scene, yet it's full of daylight. Quiet, quiet back there. [Hitch turns around to face the camera] Oh, oh I beg your pardon. Oh, oh good evening. We wanted to take you behind the scenes for a moment to show you how we make our films. The friendly co-operation of many, many people is needed to bring you these stories. Prop men, make-up men, electricians, cameramen. [Hitch gets up from his chair] All part of a team. I'm very proud of them, and they in turn... [a spotlight falls and crashes onto the chair Hitch was just sitting in] You know, I sometimes consider getting out of this business. Now about tonight's show. Our story is entitled, oh well, the title's unimportant. Tonight's story concerns, well... a small matter. I'm sure that you're... I'm sure you will enjoy out story but first... But first, well if you've been watching this program, I'm certain you always know when we have, but first. Here it is." Hitchcock's epilogue: (28 secs) "Isn't it lovely? All my fellow workers. Prop men, electricians and so on. Bought this [shows a chair with MR. HITCHCOCK on it and a target painted on the seat] and presented it to me. Next week we should be back with another story. Join us then. That is, if you have nothing better to do."

My opinion: A slow burner of an episode. Throughout the story we are left confused as to what Dan's motives are, as they seem out of character for a man who has every right to want to exact revenge on Lois. Surely there has to be a plot twist? Surely? Don't worry, there is! There's a delightful comical moment in the opening segment when Hitchcock gets up out of his chair and praises his staff for their involvement in the making of the films, when all of a sudden a large prop falls from above and crushes the chair.

! SPOILERS ! When Nancy confesses to Dan she has nothing to live for after he initially confronts her, Dan decides it is too easy just to kill her, as it would appear his actions would be doing her a favour. He bides his time and waits until her business is thriving and she is on the verge of marriage and has everything to live for - then Dan makes his move. Twisted!

Trivia: •Gene Barry makes his second appearance of the series (he was one of the gunmen in "Triggers In Leash"). •Lois lives in room 5. Her phone number is SKYLAR 48599.

	Gene Barry Dan Varrel
	Nancy Gates Lois Williams
	Maxine Cooper Mary
	Peter Adams Tim Grady
	Elisha Cook Jr. Shorty
	Paul Bryar Lou Henry
	Edit Angold Hilda
	Virginia Christine Model
	Ralph Montgomery Drunk
	Billy Wayne Bartender
	Ralph Brooks Party guest
	Franklyn Farnum Party guest

CREDITS This page was last updated on: 06 October 2026