Alfred Hitchcock presents

Breakdown

Genre: Thriller

Erstausstrahlung: 13.11.55

Filmlänge: 25 Min.

Drehbuch: Francis Cockrell und Louis Pollock nach einer Geschichte von Louis Pollock

Musik: Stanley Wilson. Zusätzliche Musik von Charles Gounod ("Funeral March of a Marionette").

Kamera: John L. Russell

Regie: Alfred Hitchcock

Produzent: Joan Harrison

Darsteller: Joseph Cotten (Mr. William Callew), Raymond Bailey (Ed Johnson), Forrest Stanley (Hubka), Harry Shannon (Doc Harner), Lane Chandler (Sheriff), James Edwards (Prisoner, black clothes thief), Marvin Press (Chessy), Murray Alper (Lloyd, sheriff’s helper), Mike Ragan (Prisoner, white clothes thief), Jim Weldon (Guard), Richard Newton (Ambulance Driver), Aaron Spelling (Road Worker), Harry Landers (Coroner), Elzie Emanuel (Mr. Callew’s secretary), Ralph Peters (Coroner's Assistant).

Gastgeber: Alfred Hitchcock.

Inhaltsangabe: Callew, ein eiskalter Unternehmer, der gerade einem Angestellten gekündigt hat, wird von einem Auto angefahren. Man hält ihn für tot, doch er ist nur scheintot und sieht und hört alles, was um ihn herum vorgeht. Er liegt reglos da und muß damit rechnen, eingesargt zu werden. Da bereut er seine Untaten. Eine aus seinem Auge fließende Träne zeigt, daß er noch lebt.

Info: "Breakdown - Scheintot", die 7. Episode der legendären TV-Krimi-Serie "Alfred Hitchcock presents", die es zwischen 1955 und 1961 auf 266 Folgen brachte, wurde - wie 16 weitere Episoden - vom "Master of Suspense" höchstpersönlich inszeniert. Ursprünglich sollte "Breakdown" 1955 den Auftakt der Serie bilden, wurde dann aber zugunsten von "Revenge -Rache" verschoben, weil Hitchcock die Promotion seines neuen Stars Vera Miles, die er in seinem Kinofilm "Der falsche Mann" groß herausbringen wollte, wichtiger war.

1955 Emmy Winner: This episode garnered Edward W. Williams an emmy for Best Editing of a Television Film.

Diese Episode basiert auf der Kurzgeschichte "Breakdown" von Louis Pollock. This story was first published in Colliers (June 7, 1947).

Art director: Martin Obzina. Editorial supervisor: Richard G. Wray. Film editor: Edward W. Williams. Music supervisor: Stanley Wilson. Set decorator: James S. Redd. Sound: Hugh McDowell. Assistant director: James Hogan. Wardrobe supervisor: Vincent Dee. Makeup: Garrett Morris.

Filmed at Revue Studios, September 7-10

Präsentation der TV-Show durch Alfred Hitchcock:
(Opening Narration)
Alfred Hitchcock: (Sitting at a desk reading a book.) Oh, good evening. I've been reading a mystery story. I find them very relaxing. They take my mind off my work. These little books are quite nice. Of course, they can never replace hardcover books. They're just as good for reading but they make very poor doorstops. Tonight's story by Louie Pollock is one that appeared in this collection. I think you will find it properly terrifying but like the other plays of our series, it is more than mere entertainment. In each of our stories, we strive to teach a lesson or point a little moral. Advice like mother used to give, you know. Walk softly, but carry a big stick. Strike first and ask questions later. That sort of thing. Tonight's story tells about a business tycoon and will give you something to ponder if you have ever given an employee the sack. Or if you intend to . You'll see it after the sponsor's story, which like ours, also strives to teach a little lesson or point a little moral.
(Closing Narration)
Alfred Hitchcock: Well, that was a bit of a near thing. He reminded me of my own situation. Imagine if you can, the terror of being inside a television set, knowing that any moment, the viewer may shut you off and being powerless to prevent it. And I go through this every week. My only consolation is that some portions of our program are so fascinating that they hold the viewer spellbound. Such and episode follows immediately. And then I\\\'ll be back again.(Fades to commercial.)
Alfred Hitchcock: There now, that really held you in suspense, didn't it? For more of the same, I recommend you tune in next week at this time. I shall see you then. Bonsoir.

Neuverfilmungen:
Breakdown 1985

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