And So Died Riabouchinska Review - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Cori aka ChrisSCrush · 03-13-2026, 07:09 PM

The 1956 episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, “And So Died Riabouchinska,” is based on the Ray Bradbury story of the same title. Claude Rains plays John Fabian, a ventriloquist obsessed with his creation, a beautiful figure named Riabouchinska. They are currently in rather reduced circumstances after achieving popularity amid worldwide travels. Fabian’s wife, Alice, played by Claire Carleton, is unhappy with John.

Trouble arises when the body of a murdered man is discovered in the basement of the establishment where Fabian and Riabouchinska are appearing. Detective Krovitch, played by Charles Bronson, arrives to investigate.

This was a good version of the story which I felt was superior in every way to the episode of the same title on The Ray Bradbury Theater. The figure of Riabouchinska is exquisite, very much as I pictured when reading the story. The voice, by Virginia Gregg, was perfect, decidedly feminine but low enough that a man could assume it. Giving her a Russian accent was inspired.

The figure used on The Ray Bradbury Theater was too large, a life sized torso but not a full figure, kind of like half a human, not like a ventriloquist’s figure. It was glassy-eyed and creepy and gave me the ick--nightmare fuel. It would have been cool if the Hitchcock model was still around and could have been used or at least something like it.

The acting in the Hitchcock episode was also better. You can’t beat Claude Rains and Charles Bronson, and Bradbury must have been so proud seeing this classic movie star and this up and coming young actor performing his material. This was well done and worth watching.

03-13-2026, 07:09 PM	#1
Cori aka ChrisSCrush Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 30, 2001 Location: USA and still trying to be proud of it! Posts: 2,068	And So Died Riabouchinska Review The 1956 episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, “And So Died Riabouchinska,” is based on the Ray Bradbury story of the same title. Claude Rains plays John Fabian, a ventriloquist obsessed with his creation, a beautiful figure named Riabouchinska. They are currently in rather reduced circumstances after achieving popularity amid worldwide travels. Fabian’s wife, Alice, played by Claire Carleton, is unhappy with John. Trouble arises when the body of a murdered man is discovered in the basement of the establishment where Fabian and Riabouchinska are appearing. Detective Krovitch, played by Charles Bronson, arrives to investigate. This was a good version of the story which I felt was superior in every way to the episode of the same title on The Ray Bradbury Theater. The figure of Riabouchinska is exquisite, very much as I pictured when reading the story. The voice, by Virginia Gregg, was perfect, decidedly feminine but low enough that a man could assume it. Giving her a Russian accent was inspired. The figure used on The Ray Bradbury Theater was too large, a life sized torso but not a full figure, kind of like half a human, not like a ventriloquist’s figure. It was glassy-eyed and creepy and gave me the ick--nightmare fuel. It would have been cool if the Hitchcock model was still around and could have been used or at least something like it. The acting in the Hitchcock episode was also better. You can’t beat Claude Rains and Charles Bronson, and Bradbury must have been so proud seeing this classic movie star and this up and coming young actor performing his material. This was well done and worth watching.