Tuesday, January 15, 2008

My Coffin is Crowded

Like our post from yesterday, here’s another pre-code Atlas tale from 1952 that found it’s way to TV screens a decade later, this time on Alfred Hitchcock Hour’s 50th episode. Re-titled The Final Escape, it aired on February 21st, 1964 and consistantly manages to chill the spine of all new generations that have viewed it since. Apparently this plot was revived in the 80’s version of the Alfred Hitchcock Presents series as well. Again I ask, “Which one is best?” Are there other pre-code versions of this tale? Let me know.

From the Spring 1952 issue of Suspense #16






8 comments:

  1. Anonymous1/15/2008

    GOD I REMEMBER THIS HITCHCOCK EPISODE TOO...... GAVE ME NIGHTMARES FOR WEEKS! THERE WAS ANOTHER HITCHCOCK HOUR EPISODE ABOUT A MUMMY THAT SCARED ME TO DEATH TOO
    NICE COLOR IN THIS STORY, LOVE THE PURPLES AND YELLOWS VERY ATMOSPHERIC!

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  2. I think a school teacher once told me this story

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  3. >HITCHCOCK HOUR EPISODE ABOUT A MUMMY

    It's called The Life Work of Juan Diaz and based on a great Ray Bradbury short story. Excellent episode. Info here:

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0394056/

    I personally think Hitchcock Hour was better than Hitchcock Presents because the hour long format allowed the stories to develope better. Plus there were many episodes with flat-out terrific horror plots like: An Unlocked Window, Where the Woodbine Twineth, a wild re-telling of The Monkey's Paw, and especially The Sign of Satan which starred Christopher Lee, etc...

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  4. Anonymous1/15/2008

    WHOO!it may be familiar,but i still find it effective,and i agree with all-caps,great coloring scheme.i just wonder what the guy was arrested for that got him imprisoned(and shot)so fast.

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  5. Anonymous1/15/2008

    kick ass story! ive never watched the hitchcock tv shows but have seen most of his movies. i need to see this episode though for sure!!!

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  6. > i need to see this episode

    You can view the entire episode online totally for free at: http://www.guba.com/

    (use the search engine there and type in Final Escape.)

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  7. You can actually see many other excellent Hitchcock Hour episodes at www.guba.com/ for FREE as well.

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  8. Still working my way through this great archive. Real enjoyed the cinematic style of the layout. Another great job by Mr K !!

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