Shopping for Death Review

[Cori aka ChrisSCrush]

The 1956 episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, “Shopping for Death,” is based on Ray Bradbury’s short story “Touched With Fire,” which Bradbury himself adapted for the screen. The main characters are two retired insurance agents, Clarence Fox, played by Robert Harris, and Elmer Shore, played by John Qualen. Clarence has been following and observing people he fears are doomed. This makes Elmer nervous and he feels Clarence needs another hobby.

Clarence focuses on one particularly obnoxious woman, Mrs. Shrike, played by Jo Van Fleet. The temperature is creeping towards 92 degrees, the point at which Clarence has read that most murders occur. Mrs. Shrike is so annoying Clarence is sure she is going to get herself killed and sets out to warn her.

The episode is well filmed and acted. I only noticed one mistake. It is supposed to be a boiling hot summer but in one scene Clarence’s breath can be seen as he speaks. Since he wasn’t smoking presumably it was cold enough out to show his breath. I was surprised it would get that cold at any time of year in California where this was filmed. Very good otherwise.