Ep 15. Man from the South

In the Alfred Hitchcock Presents season 5 episode 15 "Man from the South," the viewer is taken on a suspenseful journey as a young sailor, played by Steve McQueen, makes a bet with an elderly man, played by Peter Lorre. The bet involves the young sailor trying to light his cigarette lighter ten times in a row, and if he accomplishes this task, he wins a car. However, if he fails, the elderly man who made the bet will cut off the young sailor's little finger.

As the viewer watches the young sailor attempt to light his lighter repeatedly, the tension continues to build. Each time he successfully completes the task, the stakes become higher and the tension more palpable. The young sailor becomes increasingly determined to win the bet at any cost, even when a beautiful woman played by Beverly Garland tries to intervene and dissuade him from playing.

Throughout the episode, the viewer is left wondering about the true intentions of the elderly man and his motivations for making such a wager. Is he a wealthy eccentric seeking entertainment, or is there something more sinister at play? Meanwhile, the young sailor's desperation to win the bet grows more palpable, begging the question of just how far he is willing to go to avoid losing a finger.

The climactic ending of the episode is a masterful display of suspense and surprise, leaving the viewer questioning assumptions made throughout the story and providing a satisfying conclusion to the intense suspense that builds throughout the episode. Alfred Hitchcock's signature style shines through in this episode, with a level of tension and intrigue that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat until the final moments of the show.

Overall, "Man from the South" is a standout episode from the fifth season of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, skillfully blending mystery, suspense, and surprise to create an unforgettable viewing experience. Steve McQueen and Peter Lorre's performances are top-notch, each adding depth and nuance to their respective characters and contributing to the overall sense of unease that permeates the episode. Fans of Hitchcock's work are sure to appreciate this masterful piece of suspense storytelling.