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Saturday, September 17, 2011

Buried Alive

If you follow my blog at all or receive my newsletter, you know that I’m a huge Alfred Hitchcock fan. I was fairly young when the master’s television show aired for one hour every week
ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS
But the ones I remember left a chilling impression. While doing research for my latest book, I stumbled upon an interesting summary of one of Hitchcock’s weekly shows. I don’t recall this particular episode and am curious if any of my readers remember this one.

Synopsis

When a man is found guilty of murder and is given the death sentence by the judge, the man vows to come back from the dead and kill the judge.

After the hearing, the shackled prisoner is carted off to state penitentiary to await the death penalty. During his incarceration, he forms an alliance with the graveyard digger. After some persuading, the prisoner convinces the grave digger to help him escape and a plan is orchestrated. The graveyard digger instructs the prisoner to go to courtyard the next time there is a death and climb in casket with corpse until it is wheeled to nearby cemetery for great escape.

A few days later, there is a death. As instructed, the prisoner goes out to courtyard after dark for a smoke. When coast is clear, the inmate climbs in coffin with corpse and tightly secures the lid. Soon he hears clomping of footsteps on cobblestone courtyard and the casket is wheeled to cemetery. Hope soars, freedom is minutes away. But when he feels himself being lowered into freshly-dug grave, first pang of panic rises. When the dirt is shoveled on top of coffin, burying him alive, he breaks out in a cold sweat. Desperate, he tries to pry open the lid but to his horror, it’s locked. Curious to whom he is being buried alive with, he strikes a match. The dead man is the grave digger.

Sharon Donovan
Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

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16 comments:

Sharon Donovan said...

Pretty chilling. Do you remember?

Mona Risk said...

Oh dear you gave me goose bumps. Then what happened to the buried prisonner?

Author Roast and Toast said...

Hey Sharon, dear friend,

What a creepy story. Can't say I remember that one. I suppose you could say it's cold justice, but ooh that sort of thing freaks me out!You are so good at reminding us about the 'Master Of Suspense'.

Unknown said...

Yikes! I don't remember that one--glad I didn't but now I'm sorry I do! I'm such a scaredy cat--cannot read or hear about anything gruesome. Remember the old Twilight Zone series? Some of those left me with nightmares--
Enjoy your Hitchcock films! Celia

P.L. Parker said...

I absolutely loved Alfred Hitchcock. Very scary and I did remember this one and gives me the chillies! Do you remember the series Chiller? That was a pretty scary one as well. I especially remember one about a wig that was worn back in the Salem witch trials by a woman hung as a witch and whoever put the wig on became beautiful but very evil. Scared me to death.

Sharon Donovan said...

Hi Mona, I really don't know what happened to the prisoner but am certain he did as he vowed. I guess that's for another episode.

Sharon Donovan said...

Lyn, dear friend, I really enjoyed the old Hitchcock magic and wish it would make a comeback.

Sharon Donovan said...

Hi Celia, I do remember the Twilight Zone, another good one, lots of nightmares. Let's not forget Dark Shadows, another thriller!

Sharon Donovan said...

Oooh Patsy, Chiller is one I don't recall but the woman and her wig would leave an impression on me!

Lori Quisley Graham said...

i do remember that story. Perfect setting on this chilly, dark morning. Count on you and Oliver, my friend...

Can't wait to see where you are going with this.

Sharon Donovan said...

Glad that you remember this chilling episode, Lori. I'm sure the old shows are aired on some network. Any idea, my friend?

Oliver said...

Ladies ladies, apple martinis all around for this little preamble party to Sharon's Halloween Fest. Send in your favorite ghost tale--fact or fiction to
sharonad@comcast.net
the best tale wins a prize, me! Or the next best thing, an Oliver t-shirt. Wink
In the meantime, here are some tortillas and salsa to munch on whilst you toast your martini. Until next round, my pretties, cheers!

Caroline Clemmons said...

Really chilling, Sharon. My dad told me of a man who was accidentally buried alinve when my dad was a kid. Apparently, the man was in a coma, waked up, and dug himslf out of the grave. That story stayed with me and I used it in THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND, even though it was hard to write that scene. Whew, that apple martini is welcome!

Mary Ricksen said...

Yes! That was really creepy! Just thinking about it creeps me out! Imagine??

Sharon Donovan said...

Hi Caroline, that would be spooky but good for a story. Enjoy Oliver's martini!

Sharon Donovan said...

Hi Mary, glad you remember that one, chilling!