The Alfred Hitchcock Hour - A Piece of the Action
| A Piece of the Action | |
Introduction
"A Piece of the Action" was originally broadcast on 20/Sep/1962 as part of the first season of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.
Synopsis
Duke Marsden is about to lose his wife because of his compulsive gambling. She gives him an ultimatum: either give up poker or lose her. He decides to give up poker. Duke's younger brother Chuck arrives looking for a high-stakes game of poker. Duke arranges to have his brother play a couple of his old poker buddies, who would love to fleece a newcomer. The plan goes awry, however, when Chuck starts to clean house. After the losers call Duke to complain, he realizes that he must deal with the situation. He goes to the game and uses a marked deck to clean out Chuck. Chuck leaves, bitter and broke. Duke's old gambling buddies, however, eye him suspiciously even after he offers them their lost money. They believe that Duke, who just cheated his own brother, probably did the same to them in the past. Duke arrives home mortally wounded. He apologizes to his wife and dies in her arms. (TV.com)
Hitch Says...
Introduction
Hitchcock is holding a giant key.
Good evening. I am organising a "key club" — it seems to be the thing to do. For the uninitiated, a "key club" is one which members can enter only if they process a key. These clubs are terribly exclusive, since membership is limited to men. My club is completely different — it is for women. Inside the club is everything a woman could want... including me! You see, I am the club's only bunny. But, enough of my troubles.
This evening's story has little to do with keys or clubs. It is about gambling and is called "A Piece of the Action". However, before we proceed with that part of our show, we bring you this paid announcement.
Middle
Your local stations have been clamoring for a piece of the action, so we are rewarding them with the follow segment to identify themselves. This should be enough time, unless some of them have extraordinarily long call letters.
Ending
In tonight's play, everyone learned a lesson. Ed and the boys learned that one shouldn't go about shooting people — the police took a hand in teaching them that. Chuck learned that you shouldn't gamble. Duke learned you shouldn't cheat at cards. And Alice learned that you shouldn't marry an investment councilor.
There is sad news about my new "key club" — it has become even more exclusive than we planned. The sheriff is now our only member... we've been padlocked.
I shall be back next week with another drama, scenes of which will appear in just a moment.
Images
DVD Releases
Cast and Crew
Directed by:
Produced by:
- Gordon Hessler - associate producer
- Norman Lloyd - producer
Written by:
- Alfred Hayes - teleplay
- Oliver H.P. Garrett - original story
Starring:
- Alfred Hitchcock — cast: Himself - Host
- Gig Young — cast: Duke Marsden
- Martha Hyer — cast: Alice Marsden
- Gene Evans — cast: Ed Krutcher
- Robert Redford — cast: Chuck Marsden
- Nick Dennis — cast: Danny
- Raymond Bailey — cast: Allie Saxon
- Roger De Koven — cast: Nate
- Kreg Martin — cast: Smiley
- Jack Sahakian — cast: Gambler
- Ralph Smiley — cast: Waiter
- Dee J. Thompson — cast: Kelly
- Robert Reiner — cast: Pete
Cinematography by:
- John L. Russell - director of photography
Edited by:
Original Music by:
- Lyn Murray (as Lynn Murray)
Costume Designer:
Other Credits:
- Howard E. Johnson - Art Director
- David J. O'Connell - Editorial Dept. Head
- Stanley Wilson - Musical Supervision
- Lyle Cain - Sound
- Jack Doran - Assistant Director
- John McCarthy - Set Decorator
- James S. Redd - Set Decorator
- Jack Barron - Makeup
- Florence Bush - Hair Stylist
