The Alfred Hitchcock Hour - How to Get Rid of Your Wife

Introduction

"How to Get Rid of Your Wife" was originally broadcast on 20/Dec/1963 as part of the second season of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

Synopsis

Gerald is a henpecked husband who decides to get rid of his nagging wife Edith. He plans to drive her away by making her think he is planning to kill her. He digs a grave-like hole in his backyard and leaves empty bottles of poison around the kitchen. Edith becomes convinced and tells her friends. Her friends, however, are of no help because they think she is going crazy. Gerald buys a pair of rats from a woman at a pet store and hides them in the kitchen. When Edith sees them, she buys rat poison. Instead of using it on the rats, however, she plans to use it on Gerald. She laces his hot chocolate with poison, believing that his death will look like a suicide. She gives it to her husband, and the next morning, she calls the police. The police discover that Gerald is not dead. He didn't drink his hot chocolate the night before. Edith is arrested on the charge of attempted murder and sent to prison. A now-single Gerald is free to pursue anyone he wants. He sets his eyes on the helpful woman at the pet store, who also happens to be the only person who knew that he set up his wife. (TV.com)