Ep 16. You Got to Have Luck

In Alfred Hitchcock Presents season 1 episode 16, titled "You Got to Have Luck," viewers are taken on a thrilling journey of desperation, deceit, and betrayal. The episode opens with a man named Lonesome (played by John Cassavetes) down on his luck and in desperate need of money. Lonesome is a working-class man who spends his days at the racetrack, hoping to make a winning bet that will change his fortune.

After a day of losing at the track, Lonesome heads to a bar to drown his sorrows. It is here that he meets a man named Harry (played by James Best), who offers him an opportunity to make a quick buck. Harry proposes that Lonesome participate in a robbery, the details of which are not disclosed initially. Torn between his need for money and his innate sense of right and wrong, Lonesome is hesitant at first, but ultimately agrees to participate.

The two men embark on the heist, which involves infiltrating a factory to steal a large sum of cash. However, things quickly go awry when they are discovered by a security guard and forced to escape through a window. In the chaos that ensues, Lonesome loses his footing and falls, injuring himself and losing the stolen cash.

Panicked and desperate, Lonesome turns to Harry for help, but he is nowhere to be found. Instead, Lonesome finds himself being pursued by both the police and the real masterminds behind the robbery. As he attempts to clear his name, Lonesome is pulled deeper into a web of lies and deception, forcing him to confront the darkest corners of his own morality.

Throughout the episode, viewers are kept on the edge of their seats as the tension builds and the stakes continue to rise. Hitchcock's trademark suspenseful filmmaking is on full display, with expertly crafted scenes that keep the audience guessing until the very end. The performances by Cassavetes and Best are also noteworthy, with both actors delivering nuanced portrayals of men pushed to their limits.

In addition to the thrilling plot, "You Got to Have Luck" also touches on larger themes such as class struggle and the desperation that comes with financial hardship. Lonesome's character is particularly compelling in this regard, as viewers see him grapple with the sense of powerlessness that comes with being a lower-class citizen in a world that seems rigged against him.

Overall, Alfred Hitchcock Presents season 1 episode 16 is a gripping and thought-provoking installment in the series, showcasing the director's unique talent for crafting suspenseful stories that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. With its memorable characters, twisty plot, and expert direction, "You Got to Have Luck" is a must-watch episode for fans of Hitchcock, crime drama, and classic television alike.