The Crooked Road story
Harry Adams and his wife are traveling on a rural road when they are waylaid by crooked cop Officer Chandler, who is running an extortion racket with the local mechanic and judge. The Adamses leave after paying the fees, but it turns out that they are part of the State Commission, and have recorded everything on tape. Directed by: Paul Henreid. Story by: Alex Gaby, William Fay.
7 total · 2 choice · 2 major · 3 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| abuse of authority | choice | The Adams' were stopped and harassed by a rural police officer. In his monologue, Alfred Hitchcock was accosted by the police. |
| corruption in society | choice | Two New Yorkers on the road were stopped in a small town were the police, a mechanic and a judge were in cahoots to extort passers by. |
| husband and wife | major | The New Yorkers Harry Addams and his wife became embroiled in an extortion racket while passing through the sleepy rural community of Robertsville. |
| law enforcement | major | A corrupt rural police officer tried to extort two New Yorkers who were driving through his town. |
| dangerous driving | minor | Harry was apprehended for driving at 57 MPH on a 50 MPH road. |
| legal occupation | minor | A corrupt rural judge fined Harry. |
| rural character vs. urban character | minor | The rural cop Officer Chandler was contrasted with the New York City couple who were passing through his town. In particular, Officer Chandler asked them "Are you trying to make up the rules for us countryfolks?" in response to one of them questioning his authority. |