::THRILLING TV EPISODES::
THE GIST OF THE LIST: There are thousands of episodes on television, most of which are forgettable and not worth your time. However, every once in a while, there is a gem buried deeply in that vast world of entertainment. I have waded through the muck and mire of anthology, mystery, science fiction, and horror shows to present you a list of the most thrilling episodes in television history.
[LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER BY SHOW]
OTHER LISTS:
CAMMANDO (MEN-ON-A-MISSION) THRILLERS
CON THRILLERS
COURTROOM THRILLERS
CULT EUROPEAN SUPERHERO MOVIES
DARK COMEDIES WITH PESKY CORPSES, BOTCHED KIDNAPPINGS, MURDEROUS BLUNDERS & ACCIDENTAL DEATHS
DEALS WITH THE DEVIL
DINNER PARTIES FROM HELL
DON'T PERFORM THE AUTOPSY! I'M NOT DEAD!
GOTHIC HORROR
HEIST THRILLERS
HEROIC BLOODSHED + BULLET BALLET + GUN-FU
HOLLYWOOD GIALLO (+ ITS OTHERS)
INNOCENT FUGITIVE ON-THE-RUN THRILLERS
ITALIAN GIALLO (+ ITS OTHERS)
LOCKED ROOM MYSTERIES + IMPOSSIBLE CRIMES
LO-FI SCI-FI
ONE ROOM THRILLERS
PARALLEL UNIVERSES, ALTERNATE REALITIES, FEVERISH DREAMS
POLICE PROCEDURALS
PRISON ESCAPE THRILLERS
RURAL-COUNTRY THRILLERS
THEOLOGICAL FILMS
THRILLING SHORT FILMS
THRILLING TV EPISODES
THRILLING TV MOVIES
UNKNOWN + UNAVAILABLE THRILLERS
VANISHED PERSON THRILLERS
[LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER BY SHOW]
OTHER LISTS:
CAMMANDO (MEN-ON-A-MISSION) THRILLERS
CON THRILLERS
COURTROOM THRILLERS
CULT EUROPEAN SUPERHERO MOVIES
DARK COMEDIES WITH PESKY CORPSES, BOTCHED KIDNAPPINGS, MURDEROUS BLUNDERS & ACCIDENTAL DEATHS
DEALS WITH THE DEVIL
DINNER PARTIES FROM HELL
DON'T PERFORM THE AUTOPSY! I'M NOT DEAD!
GOTHIC HORROR
HEIST THRILLERS
HEROIC BLOODSHED + BULLET BALLET + GUN-FU
HOLLYWOOD GIALLO (+ ITS OTHERS)
INNOCENT FUGITIVE ON-THE-RUN THRILLERS
ITALIAN GIALLO (+ ITS OTHERS)
LOCKED ROOM MYSTERIES + IMPOSSIBLE CRIMES
LO-FI SCI-FI
ONE ROOM THRILLERS
PARALLEL UNIVERSES, ALTERNATE REALITIES, FEVERISH DREAMS
POLICE PROCEDURALS
PRISON ESCAPE THRILLERS
RURAL-COUNTRY THRILLERS
THEOLOGICAL FILMS
THRILLING SHORT FILMS
THRILLING TV EPISODES
THRILLING TV MOVIES
UNKNOWN + UNAVAILABLE THRILLERS
VANISHED PERSON THRILLERS
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- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAlfred HitchcockJoseph CottenRaymond BaileyWilliam Callew is involved in a bad traffic accident on a rural road, that leaves him so paralyzed he appears lifeless, and when help arrives they think he's really dead.MY TWO CENTS: My vote for the greatest episode of the entire series. Incredibly suspenseful, artfully executed, and emotionally draining. This is suspense done to perfection courtesy of the master himself (he directed it).
10 - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAlfred HitchcockTom EwellRaymond BaileyA series of troubling incidents lead Mr. Pelham to believe that he has a double who is deliberately impersonating him.MY TWO CENTS: A surrealistic nightmare directed by Hitchcock himself - one of the few episodes that leaves reality and enters a world more akin to The Twilight Zone. Probably the most disturbing of all the episodes.
10 - DirectorHerschel DaughertyStarsAlfred HitchcockConstance FordSteve BrodieA frightened housewife is alone in her apartment when she begins to suspect just about anyone could be the unknown killer who has been strangling women.MY TWO CENTS: A serial killer is at large... who is it? The plot is relatively straightforward, but it's an excellent exercise in dread and paranoia as everyone is under suspicion.
8 - DirectorJames NeilsonStarsAlfred HitchcockJohn QualenLorne GreeneTo pay for his wife's operation, Mr. Crabtree takes a job working for the mysterious Mr. X, who asks him to manage a job involving a blackmailer.MY TWO CENTS: Based on a wonderful short story by Stanley Ellin, this is a solid adaptation with a mysterious set-up and slow revelations.
8 - DirectorRobert StevensStarsAlfred HitchcockAlbert SalmiRobert H. HarrisTwo men wait at a train station. A wailing siren periodically reminds them that a maniac has escaped from the local mental hospital.MY TWO CENTS: A psychologically intense episode between two characters - is one of them an escaped convict from the insane asylum? Artfully executed with almost all the dialogue being internal monologues. The ending is particularly effective, especially in its "message" concerning who are the "real" dangerous people. Wonderful.
10 - DirectorPaul HenreidStarsAlfred HitchcockJean HagenSteven HillAn ex-convict plans on killing his double-crossing partner and maybe his ex-girlfriend, after they help him recover the stolen money he hid.MY TWO CENTS: Sun-bleached noir at its finest. The ironic twists at the end are some of the best examples of poetic justice you will see.
9 - DirectorRobert StevensStarsAlfred HitchcockJessica TandyTom ConwayCaptivated by the actor's physical beauty, an aging spinster pulls up stakes to follow a ventriloquist and his dummy from performance to performance; finally, the man consents to a much-wanted meeting.MY TWO CENTS: A tragic love story with a hair-raising twist ending that sent chills down my spine as a child; easily one of the most memorable twists of the entire series. Stars Oscar winner Jessica Tandy as well as a young William Shatner.
9 - DirectorRobert StevensStarsAlfred HitchcockMildred DunnockDarryl HickmanA convicted robber is released to the family of one of his cell mates, against the better judgment of his parole officer.MY TWO CENTS: Emotionally intense crime drama with a tragic twist ending that is devastating. Highly recommended.
9 - DirectorRobert StevensStarsAlfred HitchcockGary MerrillWilliam RedfieldShackled prisoner Stephen Fontaine tries to negotiate an escape from Sergeant Rockwell while en route to San Quentin.MY TWO CENTS: Suspenseful two-hander concerning a cop transporting a prisoner - a psychological battle of wits ensues with a pitch-perfect ending. Once again, poetic justice at its finest.
9 - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAlfred HitchcockDavid WayneSteve BrodieSam Jacoby has his wife's corpse in the trunk of his car, and is menaced by a motorcycle cop, who nags him about a taillight.MY TWO CENTS: My vote for the second best of the entire lot (just behind Breakdown), Hitchcock directs this suspenseful tale of a man trying to dispose of his murdered wife. Artfully executed, with the first half played out almost in complete silence. Wonderful, simply wonderful!
10 - DirectorRobert AltmanStarsAlfred HitchcockCarol LynleyVince EdwardsA rebellious, pretty teenage girl uses any means, even murder, to get free of her overly protective aunt who is raising her.MY TWO CENTS: Directed by Robert Altman, this crime drama pushed the envelope (by 1950s standards) of a promiscuous young girl who seduces men in an effort to escape from her overbearing aunt. Emotionally intense with a tragic ending.
9 - DirectorPaul HenreidStarsAlfred HitchcockRichard KileyWalter MatthauA couple driving through a rural location discover that the police and judge of the town of Robertsville are more intent on extorting money from them than being honest servants of the people.MY TWO CENTS: Plays out almost like a surrealistic nightmare where a couple drives through a small town and are unreasonably harassed the local law enforcement (played to slimy perfection by Walter Matthau). The ending, however, will put a big ol' grin across your face.
9 - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAlfred HitchcockBarbara Bel GeddesHarold J. StoneAfter Mary Maloney's police chief husband is murdered, the police investigate but have a hard time figuring out the murder weapon.MY TWO CENTS: Another iconic episode based upon a story written by Roald Dahl. Black comedy at its finest, with a ending that will have you giggling with our leading lady.
9 - DirectorRobert StevensStarsAlfred HitchcockGary MerrillPeter Mark RichmanKaren Adams' infidelity drives her husband Carl to attempt suicide by jumping from a high window ledge at a hotel. Can police officer Barrett stop him?MY TWO CENTS: At first glance, this seemed to be a routine crime drama about a man contemplating suicide by jumping off a building's ledge... but the ending had me bursting out in laughter for its sheer audacity! Stick with it, the final twist is hoot and will have you howling in delight!
9 - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAlfred HitchcockWendell CoreyJames DonaldHarry Pope is lying in bed and discovers that there is a sleeping snake on his stomach.MY TWO CENTS: A man wakes up to find a poisonous snake on his stomach. Based on a story by Roald Dahl, the premise may be simple but it will have you sweating in suspense - and the hot, tropical ambiance with its broken fans don't help remedy the situation.
9 - DirectorArthur HillerStarsAlfred HitchcockSteve ForrestJoanna MooreA wife refuses to let her husband squander away the money from a 133,000-dollar sweepstakes ticket inherited from her first dead spouse, so he plans on killing her.MY TWO CENTS: A twisty crime tale from a Cornell Woolrich short story that is wonderfully surprising (as are all of Woolrich's stories).
8 - DirectorDon TaylorStarsAlfred HitchcockRobert EmhardtJeanette NolanMr. Waterbury believes he can get a good deal on some real estate because a murder occurred in the home. But he hasn't dealt with Sadie Grimes, the owner, who refuses to lower the price because of an emotional attachment.MY TWO CENTS: Another crime drama that at first glance seems rather innocuous but the ending twist is clever enough that it had me wanting to re-watch it to catch the subtle details.
8 - DirectorRobert AltmanStarsAlfred HitchcockJoseph CottenChristine WhiteA husband gets locked in a secure office with the body of his beautiful young mistress, whom he has just murdered.MY TWO CENTS: Directed by Robert Altman, this episode has Joseph Cotton murdering his mistress in his office... and then he finds himself locked in there with her! How can he escape without being implicated? Rather straightforward but well performed with a palpable sense of claustrophobia.
8 - DirectorStuart RosenbergStarsAlfred HitchcockRaymond MasseyRobert EmhardtA rude traveling salesman forces a truck off the road causing a delay in emergency care for an injured young man who then dies.MY TWO CENTS: One of those poetic justice tales where the villain is just so slimy you can't wait for his timely demise.
8 - DirectorRobert StevensStarsAlfred HitchcockRobert MorleyKenneth HaighMr. Laffler invites Mr. Costain to join him for dinner at a private club that he describes as a very special experience. To his disappointment, Laffler is informed that the house specialty, a lamb dish, is not being served. They continue to visit the club and one evening, the famous dish is served. It also happens that a long-time member has resigned. What, if anything, do the two events have in common?MY TWO CENTS: Solid adaptation of Stanely Ellin's iconic short story. Admittedly, it lacks the bite and sting of the short, but if one hasn't read the short then this serves as a good introduction to the tale.
8 - DirectorStuart RosenbergStarsAlfred HitchcockBurt ReynoldsMurray HamiltonTwo kidnappers think they have made their escape when they hijack a tanker truck in the arid desert, leaving the truck drivers and the female kidnap victim behind to die.MY TWO CENTS: Plays out like Wages of Fear with a pair of criminals attempting to drive through the desert with a tanker truck while harassing its owners. The sun beating down the characters enhances the intensity of this thriller, complete with a twist of ending of beautiful poetic justice.
8 - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAlfred HitchcockStephen DunneBiff ElliotA 5-year-old boy finds his uncle's revolver, partially loads it with bullets, and plays with it in public, unaware of its deadly power.MY TWO CENTS: One of the episodes directed by the master himself. Suspenseful episode concerning a boy who is playing with real - and loaded - gun.
9 - DirectorNorman LloydStarsAlfred HitchcockJohn FiedlerRichard JaeckelA suspected serial killer is put in a jail house with a salesman, while a lynch mob waits outside.MY TWO CENTS: Gripping crime thriller from start to finish, with an ending that some may see coming but guessing it still doesn't diminish its shock factor. Truly thrilling.
10 - DirectorNorman LloydStarsAlfred HitchcockSteve McQueenPeter LorreIn a Las Vegas casino, an unpleasant little man hopes to use a young man's wish to impress the young woman he has just met to pressure the young fellow into accepting a macabre bet.MY TWO CENTS: One of the iconic episodes from the series. I may prefer the version of the story featured in Tales Of The Unexpected but that is certainly not the majority's opinion. Regardless, this is top-notch with Steve McQueen and Peter Lorre are at their prime.
9 - DirectorArnold LavenStarsAlfred HitchcockPeter FondaRobert EmhardtAfter his father is murdered by a politician who gets away with it, a young man becomes determined to get revenge.MY TWO CENTS: ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS switched to an hour-long format in its final three seasons, which mostly caused the stories to suffer with pacing issues. That said, there are exceptions including this great tale of revenge with a tense finale.
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