Here we have a Mexican "The Trouble with Harry." It's the old "What happened to the body?" episode. Two less than savory characters are traveling with their insufferable aunt to Mexico when she dies. This wouldn't be a big deal except she has considerable money and they need a death certificate to make sure that they become beneficiaries. Unfortunately, her death takes place in Mexico and they encounter a series disreputable people, most prominent among them a crooked lawyer, played by Peter Lorre. Lorre is to me one of the best, if not the best, character actors of all time. He leads this young couple around the block time after time. He is charming and assuring and deadly untrustworthy. Of course, nothing runs smooth, and the master has the last word.
8 Reviews
Illegal Import.
rmax30482324 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
A light-hearted story of George Peppard and his wife taking talkative and demanding Aunti on a tour of California's missions. Auntie is very annoying and insists on crossing the border to see Tijuana. (She probably wouldn't do it today.) She asleep in the back seat when they enter Mexico.
Except that when they try to wake her they discover she's dead. What to do? A corpse in a foreign country! The police, the red tape -- the inheritance! Peppard and wife do the sensible thing. The car lurches to a halt in front of a bar and they run in for a couple of shots of tequila while they figure out what to do. Upon emerging, they find the car has been stolen.
The rest of the plot has them haggling with Mexican private investigator Peter Lorre, who looks fatter, greasier, and more pop-eyed than ever. He knows everybody and everything in Tijuana. (I wonder if he knows that bar on Avenida de la Revolucion that's in a cellar and is entered on a sliding board.) Anyway, every step Lorre takes leads them closer to recovering Auntie's body, but it also costs them money -- in amounts that are puny by today's standards. Lorre seems to revel in his role.
It's an enjoyable diversion.
Except that when they try to wake her they discover she's dead. What to do? A corpse in a foreign country! The police, the red tape -- the inheritance! Peppard and wife do the sensible thing. The car lurches to a halt in front of a bar and they run in for a couple of shots of tequila while they figure out what to do. Upon emerging, they find the car has been stolen.
The rest of the plot has them haggling with Mexican private investigator Peter Lorre, who looks fatter, greasier, and more pop-eyed than ever. He knows everybody and everything in Tijuana. (I wonder if he knows that bar on Avenida de la Revolucion that's in a cellar and is entered on a sliding board.) Anyway, every step Lorre takes leads them closer to recovering Auntie's body, but it also costs them money -- in amounts that are puny by today's standards. Lorre seems to revel in his role.
It's an enjoyable diversion.
"My deductions are always correct."
classicsoncall7 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode plays like a sit-com more than anything else, but without a laugh track. I'm not sure this should have been part of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but it made for an entertaining diversion. The entire story is silly from end to end, with one of my favorites, Peter Lorre, hamming it up as a smarmy Mexican private investigator, on the search for a missing corpse. I got a kick out of his exacting calculations to come up with a fee for the Wallace couple (George Peppard, Mary Scott) the first time he agreed to help them out; it was for a mere twenty bucks! He chiseled a few more dollars out of the couple by getting a host of other acquaintances to do all the work for him. One would have liked to see this story end with a satisfying conclusion, but after all the hassle south of the border, the missing client wound up a he instead of a she. Go figure. I read with some humor another reviewer here who marveled at the idea of Lorre being cast as a Mexican. I don't know, it's no stranger really, than seeing him as Japanese detective Mr. Moto in all those detective flicks from the Thirties.
Diplomatic baggage
TheLittleSongbird14 October 2022
Other than "A Little Sleep" and particularly "Last Request", Paul Henreid's previous 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes didn't do very much for me. While they were all very well acted, most of them suffered from dull and far fetched stories. As well as that 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' is a fascinating if uneven series, my main reason for watching "Diplomatic Corpse" was Peter Lorre, who was always worth watching and specialised in creepy and oddball roles.
He is one of the main good things about "Diplomatic Corpse", which is yet another episode that could have been a good deal better than it was. The premise was very intriguing and something worthy of Hitchcock, but the execution was only slightly above mixed bag quality. "Diplomatic Corpse" is not one of the worst 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes, it isn't even one of the worst of Season 3 or of Henreid's episodes, but it is not one of the best and not up to the same level as the very strong start that Season 3 had.
There are things that are done well. It is particularly worth seeing for the performance of Lorre, who has a ball in a role that suits him perfectly, plays to his strengths and almost like the writers etc had him in mind. He is incredibly entertaining to watch and wonderfully smarmy. George Peppard and Mary Scott aren't as good, but carry the story very convincingly and although their characters are frustrating they aren't dull.
"Diplomatic Corpse" has some tight, thought provoking and entertaining writing, Lorre's calculations and deductions are a hoot. There are moments of good suspense in the second half. Henreid's direction isn't routine or static, while the episode looks slick enough and Hitchcock's bookending is typically ironic. The theme music is delightful still.
However, "Diplomatic Corpse" does suffer primarily from that the story is very silly and often illogical, too much of the first half doesn't make sense and a lot of the decision making from the couple has the viewer throwing their hands in the air going "what?" Isobel Elsom also goes too far on making her character as loathsome as possible, the character is a caricature and Elsom overacts.
Also wish that the ending was better, after some suspenseful build up it then really runs out of mileage and ends in an anti-climactic, rushed and cop out way.
Overall, not a bad episode at all elevated by Lorre, but the story really brings it down. 6/10.
He is one of the main good things about "Diplomatic Corpse", which is yet another episode that could have been a good deal better than it was. The premise was very intriguing and something worthy of Hitchcock, but the execution was only slightly above mixed bag quality. "Diplomatic Corpse" is not one of the worst 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes, it isn't even one of the worst of Season 3 or of Henreid's episodes, but it is not one of the best and not up to the same level as the very strong start that Season 3 had.
There are things that are done well. It is particularly worth seeing for the performance of Lorre, who has a ball in a role that suits him perfectly, plays to his strengths and almost like the writers etc had him in mind. He is incredibly entertaining to watch and wonderfully smarmy. George Peppard and Mary Scott aren't as good, but carry the story very convincingly and although their characters are frustrating they aren't dull.
"Diplomatic Corpse" has some tight, thought provoking and entertaining writing, Lorre's calculations and deductions are a hoot. There are moments of good suspense in the second half. Henreid's direction isn't routine or static, while the episode looks slick enough and Hitchcock's bookending is typically ironic. The theme music is delightful still.
However, "Diplomatic Corpse" does suffer primarily from that the story is very silly and often illogical, too much of the first half doesn't make sense and a lot of the decision making from the couple has the viewer throwing their hands in the air going "what?" Isobel Elsom also goes too far on making her character as loathsome as possible, the character is a caricature and Elsom overacts.
Also wish that the ending was better, after some suspenseful build up it then really runs out of mileage and ends in an anti-climactic, rushed and cop out way.
Overall, not a bad episode at all elevated by Lorre, but the story really brings it down. 6/10.
WHERE DID MY DEAD AUNT GO?
tcchelsey28 September 2023
This is what you call a "family episode," because of all the ties to Hitchcock. Robert C. Dennis wrote 30 episodes for Hitch, and some were true classics. One thing, he always sparked your interest--- and how can you go wrong with a story about a missing dead body?
Such is the predicament for a young traveling couple (George Peppard and Mary Scott) who cross the border to Mexico, along with their complaining aunt (well played by veteran Isobel Elsom). In typical Hitchcock fashion, the old lady actually changes her tune and begins to like the trip and drops dead! Isn't that always the way?
Evan (Peppard) and Janet (Scott) hastily cover up her body, take a short break to wonder what to do next, only to find her missing? Enter sly, conniving, devious but extremely courteous and resourceful(?) public official Peter Lorre (outstanding, as usual), who patiently listens to their story and attempts to "assist" the couple with their dilemma.
What more can you ask for?
This is terrific entertainment, and mostly for Peter Lorre, who was an actor's actor. Lorre was enormously popular, and at the time this episode was filmed he co-starred in such film classics as SILK STOCKINGS, THE BUSTER KEATON STORY and THE SAD SACK opposite Jerry Lewis. In later years, Lorre seemed to pass on menacing characters and began playing funny, quirky roles to perfection. He also was making lots of money, and honored that casting directors did not forget him. Lorre was an old friend of Hitchcock as was Mary Scott, who was married to Sir Cedric Hardwick, also a friend of the master of suspense.
Although she has a small role, Isobel Elsom was not forgotten by Hitchcock either. She appeared in one of his movies, THE PARADINE CASE (1947), and at the time had one of the longest acting careers, dating back to silent films.
One big happy family here, and what a way to go!
A MUST SEE for completists.
SEASON 3 remastered Universal dvd box set. 2007.
Such is the predicament for a young traveling couple (George Peppard and Mary Scott) who cross the border to Mexico, along with their complaining aunt (well played by veteran Isobel Elsom). In typical Hitchcock fashion, the old lady actually changes her tune and begins to like the trip and drops dead! Isn't that always the way?
Evan (Peppard) and Janet (Scott) hastily cover up her body, take a short break to wonder what to do next, only to find her missing? Enter sly, conniving, devious but extremely courteous and resourceful(?) public official Peter Lorre (outstanding, as usual), who patiently listens to their story and attempts to "assist" the couple with their dilemma.
What more can you ask for?
This is terrific entertainment, and mostly for Peter Lorre, who was an actor's actor. Lorre was enormously popular, and at the time this episode was filmed he co-starred in such film classics as SILK STOCKINGS, THE BUSTER KEATON STORY and THE SAD SACK opposite Jerry Lewis. In later years, Lorre seemed to pass on menacing characters and began playing funny, quirky roles to perfection. He also was making lots of money, and honored that casting directors did not forget him. Lorre was an old friend of Hitchcock as was Mary Scott, who was married to Sir Cedric Hardwick, also a friend of the master of suspense.
Although she has a small role, Isobel Elsom was not forgotten by Hitchcock either. She appeared in one of his movies, THE PARADINE CASE (1947), and at the time had one of the longest acting careers, dating back to silent films.
One big happy family here, and what a way to go!
A MUST SEE for completists.
SEASON 3 remastered Universal dvd box set. 2007.
The Reason
CherCee3 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I know that this is three years after planktonrules asked, but the reason that Evan Wallace (George Peppard) and his wife Janet Wallace (Mary Scott) were being so sneaky was that they were in Mexico illegally. Mrs. Tait, Janet's aunt (Isobel Isom) is visiting from England. She is a demanding old bat. They took her to the Spanish missions that are there in California, but she wasn't happy and was being really snippy. She was demanding to go to Mexico. Evan tried to tell her they couldn't because of her visa, but they wanted the 30,000 British pounds she is supposed to leave them so they were polite to her. So when they get to Mexico, they find that Mrs. Tait is dead. They are there illegally and have a dead body in the car. The car gets stolen when they go in a bar to get a drink (understandable)! So they go to private detective Tomas Salgado to try to help them find the car before the body is found!
Why act like criminals? Why write a script like this in the first place??
planktonrules9 March 2021
When the story begins, a young couple are traveling with the wife's very xenophobic aunt. The old lady hates everything about travel and seems to just prefer staying back home in Britain....and you can't help but hate her. Oddly, she seems to be looking forward to leaving the US and going in to Mexico...oddly because such a xenophobe would surely find reasons to hate Mexico as well! Well, once they arrive, it seems that the xenophobic aunt won't be seeing Mexico after all, as she died silently in the back seat while they were driving!
Here is the first time what the couple does makes zero sense. Instead of going to the nearest police station or hospital, they stop at a cantina for a drink! And, when they finish, they find that their car AND aunt have been stolen. Here is zero sense incident number two. Instead of going to the police, they hire a private detective (Peter Lorre) to find the car! Here is zero sense incident number three...they mention the car but never mention the aunt!! I hate when shows have huge plot holes like this...and they are HUGE in "The Diplomatic Corpse". And, I won't even bother saying more about having Lorre (who was born in Slovakia) playing a Mexican!!
All this occurs in the first half of the show...and I must admit that I pretty much checked out on the episode after this. What follows, whether good or bad, simply cannot rescue this completely illogical show. A terrible episode.
Here is the first time what the couple does makes zero sense. Instead of going to the nearest police station or hospital, they stop at a cantina for a drink! And, when they finish, they find that their car AND aunt have been stolen. Here is zero sense incident number two. Instead of going to the police, they hire a private detective (Peter Lorre) to find the car! Here is zero sense incident number three...they mention the car but never mention the aunt!! I hate when shows have huge plot holes like this...and they are HUGE in "The Diplomatic Corpse". And, I won't even bother saying more about having Lorre (who was born in Slovakia) playing a Mexican!!
All this occurs in the first half of the show...and I must admit that I pretty much checked out on the episode after this. What follows, whether good or bad, simply cannot rescue this completely illogical show. A terrible episode.
Stupid
rms125a29 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is pretty stupid. And, while I am not politically correct, the casting of Peter Lorre as a Mexican private eye, is distasteful. Thomas Gomez would have been ideal.
The goofs are absurd. Three people cross the border into Mexico from California despite the tricky immigration status of one, an elderly Englishwoman. She dies in her sleep without the other two realizing it. Her documents are not checked by the Mexican authorities on entering Mexico. When the others realize she died they don't alert the police but leave her in the car and go to a cantina. The old woman had been the most interesting character and the episode goes downhill from there. The ending is tame though considering any number of nightmarish consequences that could have taken place. Even the final twist is very gentle by Hitchcock standards but not particularly rewarding or funny.
Steer clear.
The goofs are absurd. Three people cross the border into Mexico from California despite the tricky immigration status of one, an elderly Englishwoman. She dies in her sleep without the other two realizing it. Her documents are not checked by the Mexican authorities on entering Mexico. When the others realize she died they don't alert the police but leave her in the car and go to a cantina. The old woman had been the most interesting character and the episode goes downhill from there. The ending is tame though considering any number of nightmarish consequences that could have taken place. Even the final twist is very gentle by Hitchcock standards but not particularly rewarding or funny.
Steer clear.
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