ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR, THE: TO CATCH A BUTTERFLY (TV)
Summary
One in this series of macabre dramas presided over by the "master of suspense," film director Alfred Hitchcock.
In this episode, young married couple Bill and Janet Nelson move into a new home next door to strict Jack Stander and his family. Young Eddie Stander is immediately drawn to the Nelsons' dog, Charlie. Janet notes that she is missing some money and suspects the movers of stealing it. Later, Bill hears Charlie whimpering and finds him in the garage with Eddie, who protests that he was merely "walking" the dog. As Bill and Janet ponder expanding their family, Bill finds Eddie stealing change from his car and discovers some bizarre and disturbing drawings done by the boy. Realizing that Eddie is clearly troubled, Bill tries to show him kindness and offers to forget his recent mischief; Eddie angrily denies any wrongdoing and even threatens to kill Charlie – and Bill – if the matter is not dropped.
Bill attempts to raise the issue of Eddie's dangerous behavior with Jack, but Jack is dismissive, suggesting that another child might have created the strange drawings. He declares that his son does not lie to him, having been severely punished for it at age four. Later, however, Bill returns home from work and is devastated to find that Charlie has been killed. He summons a policeman, who is unable to proceed without further evidence; the officer notes that Jack has accused Bill of "picking on" his son, and Bill rails at Janet about his own apparent weakness in being unable to stop the "little monster." He examines a good-luck charm given to him by his own father, who left the family when Bill was 12, admitting that he feels a sense of guilt about Eddie's behavior.
Later, Bill's fears about leaving Janet home alone are founded when Eddie sets a trap for her on the basement stairs and very nearly attacks her with a power drill. She is unharmed but deeply shaken; Dr. Burns tells Bill that Jack is still ignoring Eddie's clear need of psychiatric help. Ignoring Janet's pleas, Bill storms over to the Stander home and again confronts Jack, who finally admits that he has long been aware of his son's disturbance, but has clung to a desperate hope that he will "grow out of it" with time and severe discipline. Eddie then sets fire to Jack's beloved sports car and tries to trap him and Bill in the garage; when they corner him inside the house, Eddie turns to Bill rather than to his own parents for comfort. Bill gives him the good-luck charm from his father, assuring him that they are still "friends" and that he will be taken to doctors who can help him. Eddie is led away by the police after bidding farewell to his distraught parents. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:40
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: 136884
- GENRE: Drama, mystery/suspense
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, mystery/suspense; Children; Crime; Fathers and sons
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1962-1964; NBC, 1964-1965
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- David Lowell Rich … Producer, Director
- Gordon Hessler … Associate Producer
- Richard Fielder … Writer
- Lyn Murray … Music by
- Alfred Hitchcock … Host
- Bradford Dillman … Cast, Bill Nelson
- Diana Hyland … Cast, Janet Nelson
- Edward Asner (See also: Ed Asner) … Cast, Jack Stander
- June Dayton … Cast, Barbara Stander
- Than Wyenn … Cast, Doctor Burns
- Mickey Sholdar … Cast, Eddie Stander
- Clegg Hoyt … Cast, Trucker
- John Newton … Cast, Policeman
- John Pickard … Cast, First Fireman
- Andy Romano … Cast, Second Fireman