The Orderly World of Mr. Appleby story
Antiques dealer Laurence Appleby kills his wife in order to get her inheritance. Since he still has debts, he woos and marries wealthy heiress Martha Sturgis. When Martha refuses to give him money, he tries to kill her, but she is prepared for him. Martha and her lawyer have evidence that Appleby killed his first wife, and if anything happens to Martha, her lawyer will go to the police. Appleby is about to comply with Martha's demands, but she accidentally falls and dies. Directed by: James Neilson. Story by: Stanley Ellin, Victor Wolfson & Robert C. Dennis.
12 total · 6 major · 6 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| facing financial ruin | major | Laurence was close to loosing his cherished antique shop because he owed his supplier $11,000. |
| greedy heir | major | Laurence married Martha for her money and no other reason. |
| husband and wife | major | Laurence killed his first wife and plotted to kill his second. |
| interest in antiques | major | Antique dealer Mr. Appleby was so careful with his wares that he preferred not to sell them. |
| obsession with a life-dedicated project | major | Laurence was so obsessed with collecting antiques that he murdered one wife, then married and tried to murder another, for money. |
| spouse murder | major | Laurence killed his first wife and plotted to kill his second. |
| blackmail | minor | Martha tried to compel Mr. Appebly to do her bidding by threatening to reveal his previous spouse murder to the law. |
| divorce | minor | Mr. Appleby took offense when asked whether he had ever been divorced. |
| foreign customs | minor | Laurence observed that Dizar, a Muslim, did not drink alcohol and would prefer coffee. |
| legal occupation | minor | Martha had a rather competent lawyer. |