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» » Alfred Hitchcock Presents Mrs. Herman and Mrs. Fenimore (1955–1962)

Short summary

Poor widow Billy Herman plans to speed the demise of the wealthy uncle who lives with her in Boston. A comely new female boarder quickens the hearts of both the niece and the elderly misanthrope. The new tenant, a struggling actress, is perfect casting for the crucial role in the gaslight era murder melodrama the niece has plotted for so long.

Mrs. Fenimore reads "The Lay of the Last Minstrel" by Sir Walter Scott, "Roderick-Dhu, Clan Alpines' Chief, or, the Scottish Outlaw" by Thomas Archer, Esq. Roderick Dhu happens to be a character in both Scott's poem and Archer's novel. Mrs. Fenimore also has a literary ring to it: it is part of James Fenimore Cooper's name of Leatherstocking fame.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Gholbimand
    This may be the prototypical Hitchcock Presents episode. It involves an elderly woman who lives in the house of her uncle, a snarly, mean-spirited man who never has a kind word for her. She feeds him, takes care of him, puts up with his crude behavior. She's no prize herself, but she sits and waits, hoping an acceptable person will come along to help her in a murder plot. The one that finally fills the bill is an attractive, middle-aged actress, down on her luck. She has answered a room-for-rent ad and is quickly accepted. As it turns out, she falls into the plot and begins to ingratiate herself with the old guy. Since he never unlocks his door, she is to maneuver herself into his room and then leave his door unlocked. The niece, who seems older than her uncle, will then enter the room while he sleeps and turn on a gas burner and asphyxiate him. Of course, things don't always work out as the plotters wish they would and that's where the twist comes in. A very representative episode. Good character actors and a pretty good prescription.
  • Episode cast overview:
    Alfred Hitchcock Alfred Hitchcock - Himself - Host
    Mary Astor Mary Astor - Mrs. Fenimore
    Russell Collins Russell Collins - Bill Finley
    Doro Merande Doro Merande - Mrs. Herman
    Wesley Lau Wesley Lau - Police Detective
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