Tag: David’s crystal ball

Episode 53: Our Caretaker’s a Real Gem

Caretaker's a gem GIF_ep53

“Oh, good eve – or rather, good afternoon.”

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (1)_ep53

“My sense of time has been somewhat confused of late, what with an apparent influence from my nighttime program having taken hold here in this particular half-hour of daytime television. Naturally I find this little known fact most flattering.”

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (2)_ep53

“I was about to select a wine for today’s story.”

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (3)_ep53

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (4)_ep53

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (7)_ep53

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (8)_ep53

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (9)_ep53

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (10)_ep53

“As you can see, I’m selecting from three varieties, as I’m quite unaccustomed to partaking in the late afternoon. After all, my brand of subject matter is so much better suited to the later part of the evening.”

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (11)_ep53

“Today’s teleplay presents a rather compelling story built on the themes of trust and loyalty put to the test in the face of suspicion. The more entertaining scenes are centered around a mischievous young boy, and an even more mischievous grown-up caretaker.”

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (12)_ep53

“To help this fledgling daytime program along in its evolution of adopting the style of story content seen much later on most of those other stations, I’ve even brought along one of my sponsors. After the opening theme, you will as always be subjected to that inevitable minute with the sponsor, but fortunately the one I’ve brought you this afternoon goes considerably well with whatever it is you happen to be drinking. Which reminds me, I have now selected a wine…”

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (13)_ep53

“…and I shall just leave you to your allotted minute with the sponsor, so that you may select whichever type of drink you find is best suited for this next half-hour.”

Alfred Hitchcock Presents_Our Cook's a Treasure_S1 E8 (6)_ep53

Continue reading “Episode 53: Our Caretaker’s a Real Gem”

Episode 51: The Mind Plays Tricks

Mind plays tricks GIF_ep51

 

David had warned Vicki and Carolyn what they would find if they ventured back out to Widow’s Hill that night: death.

 

With David’s favorite new hobby being crystal ball gazing, his penchant as a misfortune teller is proving disturbingly accurate.

 

Running back to Collinwood in a fit of hysterics, Vicki and Carolyn are certain of what they saw: a dead man at the bottom of the cliff.

 

Accompanied by caretaker Matthew Morgan, Mrs. Stoddard eventually journeys out to the edge of Widow’s Hill and at first isn’t sure of what she sees along the rocks below.

 

Before long Vicki and Carolyn can no longer be certain of what they saw.

 

As the mystery surrounding Bill Malloy’s disappearance deepens, the only thing one can be certain of at this point on Dark Shadows is that there’s really nothing one can be certain of.

 

Continue reading “Episode 51: The Mind Plays Tricks”

Episode 50: What The Tide Brought In

Frank Schofield in the water GIF_ep50

 

It almost feels like the supernatural era of Dark Shadows starts right here in episode 50.

 

Aside from the fact that a man Elizabeth Stoddard has known for twenty-five years is still missing, these late evening scenes in and around the Collinwood estate carry a decidedly ominous tone throughout.

 

There’s talk of ghosts and tragic family legends, the Wailing Widows, and premonitions of death courtesy of a nine-year-old boy with a crystal ball who seems to know for certain what grim and deathly portents this night will bring forth and for whom.

 

Lately daytime television’s first gothic serial drama has been branching into mystery and suspense, and here in this episode story creator and developer Art Wallace is reaching back for the supernatural and noirish mid-1940s inspirations of Dark Shadows to bring a kind of otherworldly atmosphere to the current story, enough so that the viewer would possibly be wondering whether Bill Malloy’s disappearance may be the result of darker, more paranormal forces at work.

 

Episode 50 is about as close to the supernatural as Dark Shadows has gotten thus far without actually crossing over; it will be in one of next week’s episodes when the lines between the physical and spirit worlds really begin to blur.

 

Continue reading “Episode 50: What The Tide Brought In”

Episode 48: The Case of the Vanishing Man: Part 1, Questions and Theories

David looking into crystal ball_lead photo_ep48

It was in episode 45 that Bill Malloy stormed into Roger’s office at the cannery to present an ultimatum: either go to the police and confess his guilt for wrongfully sending Burke Devlin to prison on a manslaughter conviction ten years ago, or let Sam Evans reveal that he’s the only thing standing between Roger Collins and a prison sentence.

This option was reiterated in episode 46 when Bill showed up at Collinwood at ten that night, during which time Roger practically admitted to Malloy that Burke was not guilty but that because it was a long time ago and Burke was now a rich man, Bill should just let the matter slide for the sake of the Collins family.

So when in episode 47 Malloy fails to show up at the meeting he arranged between himself, Roger, Burke, and Sam in Roger’s office for eleven on the dot, Roger begins to relax; just after midnight, he’s positively buoyant as he returns home and strolls into the drawing room for a late brandy before turning in. You have to wonder why in those moments he would seem so carefree. Despite that Bill didn’t show up for the meeting, surely the ultimatum regarding Roger and going to the police would still stand the following day.

So here it is episode 48 and the next day; Bill Malloy has evidently disappeared, and people are starting to ask questions. Now it looks like Roger will have to face a threat even more terrifying than the police – his sister Elizabeth.

Continue reading “Episode 48: The Case of the Vanishing Man: Part 1, Questions and Theories”