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Alfred Hitchcock Presents

And So Died Riabouchinska

Season 1, Episode 20, Aired Feb 12, 1956

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6.7

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A ventriloquist with a very lifelike dummy is questioned about a murder that occurred at a vaudeville theater.

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Virginia Gregg

Voice of Riabouchinska
GUEST STAR
Harry Tyler

Dan Silver
GUEST STAR
Iris Adrian

Macey

Alfred Hitchcock

Host

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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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A show with an unusual title that piques the viewer's interest and certainly lives up to it's intriguing name. One reason why AHP was a classic television series, and one of my own personal favorite episodes, which is why I rate it a 10.moreless

10

"Perfect"

By 8176morgan, Sep 02, 2009

Why most reviewers do not think highly of this episode is beyond my comprehension, as it is absolutely excellent. Veteran actor Claude Rains gives the best performance out of several appearances by him on this series, and relative newcomer Charles Bronson also does a superb job playing the part of a detective. The Alfred Hitchock presents show didn't much better than this episode. Its great all around and suspenseful from the begining to the end. The voice of the puppet incidentally was supplied by Virginia Gregg, who also did the voice of a more famous dummy, that of mother in Psycho.moreless
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A Terrifically Acted and Written Episode

10

"Perfect"

By lynnellingwood, Apr 01, 2007

This episode is a tour de force for actor Claude Rains. Charles Bronson gets a meaty role as a detective too. The show involves a dummy who is quite an actress herself. It is a lot of fun. While the premise that someone would commit murder over being outed as a dummy lover, especially when he doesn't seem to care at any other time, the story provides some good acting and writing opportunity for the creators of the show. I like the idea that Claude Rains would act for television, especially for Alfred Hitchcock. It may be one of his last performances, I'm not sure when he died.moreless
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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (2)
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- Alfred Hitchcock: (Out of focus) Good evening. (Slowly comes into focus) This misty bit of ectoplasm forming on the inside of your television screen is one Alfred Hitchcock, coming to you from across that great barrier that divides the quick from the dead: the Atlantic Ocean. I have materialized for the express purpose of warning you that during tonight's séance, you will witness a playlet entitled: "And So Died Riabouchinska." Oh, yes. Before we have our play, I would like to make an announcement to those of you who can't stay until the end. The butler did it.
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- Alfred Hitchcock: That was pleasant. It also reminded me of my youth. When I was once a part of a vaudeville act called: "Doctor Speewack and his Puppets." But I never cared for Doctor Speewack. He thought he was better than the rest of us. But so much for tonight's entertainment. Until the next time we return with another play, good night.
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NOTES (1)
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- This episode is based on the short story "And So Died Riabouchinska" by Ray Bradbury. This story was first published in The Saint Detective Magazine (June-July, 1953). In 1988, it was adapted again for The Ray Bradbury Theater.
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