Ep 18. Shopping for Death

In the television show Alfred Hitchcock Presents, season 1 episode 18 is titled "Shopping for Death." This episode was originally aired on February 7th, 1956.

The basic plot of this episode involves a wealthy man named Mr. Bannerman who is convinced that he is going to die soon. He decides that he is going to make preparations for his own funeral, but he soon discovers that the costs are much higher than he anticipated. Mr. Bannerman becomes obsessed with finding the lowest possible price for his funeral and he begins to shop around at different funeral homes. In the end, Mr. Bannerman learns a valuable lesson about the true cost of his obsession.

The episode begins with Mr. Bannerman sitting in his living room, surrounded by his wealth and luxury. He is reading the obituaries in the newspaper when he suddenly realizes that he has not made any preparations for his own death. Mr. Bannerman becomes convinced that he is going to die soon and he begins to panic. He decides that he needs to make arrangements for his own funeral so that his funeral can be carried out exactly as he wants it to be.

Mr. Bannerman visits a local funeral home to talk to the director about his arrangements. The director reads off a list of expensive items that Mr. Bannerman will need to purchase, such as a high-end casket, a floral arrangement, and a limousine for the funeral procession. Mr. Bannerman is shocked by the high costs and he decides to shop around at other funeral homes to find a better deal.

At the second funeral home, Mr. Bannerman meets another director who tries to upsell him on more expensive items. Mr. Bannerman becomes frustrated and tells the director that he only wants the cheapest possible funeral. The director offers him a basic package that will cost less than the other funeral home, but Mr. Bannerman is still not satisfied.

Mr. Bannerman continues to shop around at different funeral homes, becoming more and more obsessed with finding the lowest possible price. He even goes as far as to put on a disguise in order to get a more honest opinion from one of the directors.

Throughout the episode, Mr. Bannerman's obsession with finding the cheapest possible funeral becomes all-consuming. He begins to neglect his family and his business, spending all of his time shopping around for funeral arrangements.

In the end, Mr. Bannerman learns a valuable lesson about the true cost of his obsession. He realizes that his obsession with finding the cheapest possible funeral has cost him much more than money. He has lost valuable time with his family and he has neglected his business, which could have serious consequences in the future.

Overall, "Shopping for Death" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the true cost of our actions. It is a well-crafted episode that keeps the viewer engaged until the final twist at the end. This episode is a testament to the unique and innovative storytelling of Alfred Hitchcock and a must-see for fans of classic television.