Fran is a gambling-addicted housewife who has to repay a $25 loan by 5 o'clock in the afternoon.Fran is a gambling-addicted housewife who has to repay a $25 loan by 5 o'clock in the afternoon.Fran is a gambling-addicted housewife who has to repay a $25 loan by 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe story credit is listed as "Based on a Story by Henry Slesar As published in the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine".
- Quotes
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: [reading the scale he's standing on] Will one of you please get off?
- ConnectionsFeatured in In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy (2008)
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
Featured review
The gambling lady
The main reasons for seeing "On the Nose" were that it was an episode of the inconsistent but very fascinating 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', that it was the penultimate episode of James Neilson (in his second episode in a row after "The Equalizer", an above average if uneven effort) and above all the subject matter. Gambling was a big thing back then and still is a very relevant issue, that is still addressed in film and television but in my mind not enough if it is still a big problem.
"On the Nose" in my mind was very good. Not one of the best episodes of Season 3 or of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but for me it is one of Neilson's better episodes for the series and the much better one of it and "The Equalizer" that came immediately before it. It may not be on the same level of "Reward to Finder" as far as Neilson's 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes go, but it is certainly and thankfully no "The Percentage", a lesser effort for the season.
Actually thought that there was very little wrong with "On the Nose", though the conclusion is a little too early to figure out too soon though the twist is cleverly executed.
So much is good and even great. Jan Sterling hits hard in the lead role and Hitchcock's bookending is suitably droll and doesn't jar with the dark subject matter. Neilson gives one of his most confident directing jobs of the series here and never shows signs of being taxed by the material. Which in itself is excellent. The script is on the talky side at points, but it is an intelligent script that flows and is suitably uncompromising.
Really appreciated how "On the Nose" portrayed gambling and addictions, which was very ahead of the time back then with it not usually showing the full horrors of it (psychologically, how addictive it is and what it does to people) to this degree. Gambling and any form of addiction is no laughing matter, and the episode certainly doesn't treat it as a joke. It is instead very uncompromising, sometimes uncomfortably on the nose but tactfully enough to avoid preachiness or simplistically just saying gambling is bad. It certainly made me think twice about attempting it.
It is competently made visually with some interesting shots when the gambling is in action. The pacing is always secure without being rushed. The theme tune is suitably macabre.
Concluding, very well done and close to great. 8/10.
"On the Nose" in my mind was very good. Not one of the best episodes of Season 3 or of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but for me it is one of Neilson's better episodes for the series and the much better one of it and "The Equalizer" that came immediately before it. It may not be on the same level of "Reward to Finder" as far as Neilson's 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes go, but it is certainly and thankfully no "The Percentage", a lesser effort for the season.
Actually thought that there was very little wrong with "On the Nose", though the conclusion is a little too early to figure out too soon though the twist is cleverly executed.
So much is good and even great. Jan Sterling hits hard in the lead role and Hitchcock's bookending is suitably droll and doesn't jar with the dark subject matter. Neilson gives one of his most confident directing jobs of the series here and never shows signs of being taxed by the material. Which in itself is excellent. The script is on the talky side at points, but it is an intelligent script that flows and is suitably uncompromising.
Really appreciated how "On the Nose" portrayed gambling and addictions, which was very ahead of the time back then with it not usually showing the full horrors of it (psychologically, how addictive it is and what it does to people) to this degree. Gambling and any form of addiction is no laughing matter, and the episode certainly doesn't treat it as a joke. It is instead very uncompromising, sometimes uncomfortably on the nose but tactfully enough to avoid preachiness or simplistically just saying gambling is bad. It certainly made me think twice about attempting it.
It is competently made visually with some interesting shots when the gambling is in action. The pacing is always secure without being rushed. The theme tune is suitably macabre.
Concluding, very well done and close to great. 8/10.
helpful•112
- TheLittleSongbird
- Dec 4, 2022
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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