Little White Frock story

ahp3x39 · 1958-06-29

Elderly out-of-work actor Colin Bragner invites playwright Adam Longsworth and his wife Carol for dinner. He tells them a story about the love of his life, Lila Gordon, who turned him down and died tragically. Adam and Carol are deeply touched by the story, but it turns out to be complete fiction — Colin was showing off his acting skills in the hope of getting work. Adam is impressed and offers him a job on the spot. Directed by: Herschel Daugherty. Story by: Stacy Aumonier, Stirling Silliphant.

19 total · 2 choice · 5 major · 12 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
acting choice Colin was an elderly out-of-work actor. In the end it was revealed that Colin's entire rambling story was a clandestine demonstration of his supreme acting abilities.
desperation choice Colin was so desperate for work that he perpetrated an elaborate ruse.
coping with being unemployed major Colin was out-of-work and spoke wistfully about formally retiring.
coping with memories of a lost love major Colin feigned to recollect a woman he had loved deeply in bygone days, or so it seemed.
husband and wife major The playwright Adam and his wife Carol reluctantly agreed to have an elderly out-of-work actor over for dinner, and in the end they did not regret it.
remembering bygone days major Colin was reminiscing about earlier days in his long career in acting on stage, or so it seemed.
the theater major The story concerned a playwright, an actor, and a theater production.
brother and brother minor In his monologue, Alfred Hitchcock posed as his own brother and described their relationship.
coping with a problematic person minor Adam and Carol were not looking forwards to spending time with the overly solicitous and desperately job-hunting actor Colin.
coping with romantic rejection minor Colin described his devastation after being rejected by Lila.