Alfred Hitchcock Presents – “Backward, Turn Backward”

by Ted Davis

Original Air Date: June 31, 1960

Directed by: Stuart Rosenberg

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: A dud episode of the series, in which fair minded Sheriff Andy Willetts (Alan Baxter) arrests 59 year old Phil Canby (Tom Tully) for murdering the father of his 19 year old fiancée Sue Thompson (Phyllis Love), but there is still some doubt as to whether Canby actually committed the crime. It doesn’t help the show that Tom Tully at age 52 is playing a character of 59, but looks to be about 72 years of age, and that Phyllis Love playing a 19 year old character looks her actual age of 35 years.

Kitty Cameo: During a flashback sequence, Canby performs some yard work with baby Phillip close by in his playpen, both of them watched over by a long haired yellow tabby taking it easy in a nearby lawn chair.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Backward, Turn Backward - longhair ginger tabby cat on chair in yard with Canby Tom Tully and Sue Phyllis Love

Sue enters the picture and picks up the cat who has moved near her to ensure her bonafides.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Backward, Turn Backward - longhair ginger tabby cat in yard with Canby Tom Tully and Sue Phyllis Love

She strokes the cat and is joined by Canby who adds his pets to the mixture.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Backward, Turn Backward - longhair ginger tabby cat held by Sue Phyllis Love
Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Backward, Turn Backward - longhair ginger tabby cat on chair petted by Canby Tom Tully and Sue Phyllis Love

Sue then puts her hand over Canby’s hand, and the two lovebirds kiss, with the embarrassed cat between them doing his utmost to ignore the surging romance.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Backward, Turn Backward - longhair ginger tabby cat between Canby Tom Tully and Sue Phyllis Love
Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Backward, Turn Backward - longhair ginger tabby cat held between kissing Canby Tom Tully and Sue Phyllis Love
Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Backward, Turn Backward - longhair ginger tabby cat held between kissing Canby Tom Tully and Sue Phyllis Love animated gif

Final Mewsings: The cat actor was the only one who looked their appropriate age.

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