Reviewer rd finch puts the subtext quite nicely, and that subtext remains about the only reason to catch up with this otherwise flaccid episode. The storyline has potential, but except for the riveting opening scene, the remainder flattens out before reaching an all-too predictable climax. Even Dick York's showdown with his girl is awkwardly staged. Light comedy was York's specialty, so fans of Bewitched (1964-69) may enjoy watching the zany comic as an almost cold-blooded killer, which he manages to bring off in suitably boyish fashion.
Younger viewers may not be aware of how forbidden the whole topic of homosexuality was in both movies and TV of the 1950's. In short, the topic was treated as though it simply didn't exist. A more obvious censorship example is the A-budget Cat on a Hoot Tin Roof (1958) in which the theme from the Tennessee Williams play is airbrushed from the screenplay, rendering the movie itself darn near incomprehensible. Now, I'm sure I saw this Hitchcock entry the first time around, but it was only on recent viewing that the subtext jumped out at me. Then too, I don't see how the innuendo could have been unintentional on the part of writer and producer, which makes me wonder why such a risk with time and money was taken. I expect there is an inside story here. But what would it be, except as another instance of this cutting-edge series pushing the envelope.