Anything with Claude Rains is a must see. Case in point, this strange little tale all about a police detective (played by a young Charles Bronson), probing a murder in a theatre. Who else to get into the mix but a ventriloquist(?) and his dummy? Simply amazing.
Definitely a Ray Bradbury story, who regularly contributed to the series. I agree with the last reviewer, there are similarities to the classic British thriller, DEAD OF NIGHT (1945), and perhaps, a dash of the TWILIGHT ZONE. Once again, a crossover between both series.
Rains plays Fabian, a ventriloquist, who has grown attached to his female dummy, so called Riabouchinska. This had to be the longest character name in the entire series. Rains is just a marvel to watch (and that voice!), at the time quite popular on tv, so Hitch wisely employed his talents. Of course, Claude Rains worked for Hitch in NOTORIOUS (1946). Watch for it.
Applause for the dummy, incidentally, who is effectively creepy.
This was the only episode written by Mel Dinelli, the author of one of the great thrillers, THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (1946). The film was so popular that the 60s music group took the same name, although changed the spelling. Always, a super music trivia question.
By the way, the voice of Riabouchinska is Virginia Gregg, veteran radio and tv actress, popular on DRAGNET.
The very best of SEASON 1. Remastered Universal dvd box set. 4 dvds. 2005 release.