Ep 30. The Three Dreams of Mr. Findlater

In season 2 episode 30 of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, titled "The Three Dreams of Mr. Findlater," viewers are taken on a psychological journey through the dreams of Mr. Andrew Findlater, an insurance salesman. The episode begins with Mr. Findlater going to bed, exhausted from a long day of work. As he begins to doze off, he enters his first dream.

In this dream, Mr. Findlater is a wealthy businessman who discovers that his wife is having an affair with his friend, whom he promptly shoots. Shortly after, he is visited by the police who let him off the hook as it turns out his wife and friend were plotting to kill him in a bid to get their hands on his fortune. Mr. Findlater wakes up confused and disturbed, but soon falls back asleep and enters his second dream.

In this dream, Mr. Findlater is a poor man who suddenly falls into some money after winning the lottery. He becomes rich overnight and starts to live the high life, buying expensive clothes and throwing extravagant parties. However, his newfound wealth does not bring him happiness, and he soon realizes that the people who he thought were his friends were only interested in his money. He wakes up feeling empty and disillusioned.

Mr. Findlater falls asleep again and enters his final dream. This time, he is a famous artist who is receiving accolades and admiration from his peers. He is in high demand and is constantly creating new masterpieces. However, his success comes at a cost, and he realizes that he has lost touch with his wife and family. He feels alone and unfulfilled, realizing that success and fame do not necessarily equate to happiness.

As Mr. Findlater wakes up from his final dream, he finds that he has gained a new perspective on life and what truly matters. The episode ends with Mr. Findlater going about his day, seemingly content with his lot in life.

Overall, "The Three Dreams of Mr. Findlater" is a thought-provoking episode that explores the nature of happiness and the pursuit of success and wealth. Hitchcock's direction adds a layer of suspense and intrigue to the dreams, making the viewer question what is real and what isn't. The episode is well-acted, with strong performances by the cast, particularly Mr. Findlater himself. It is a standout episode of the series and an excellent example of Hitchcock's ability to captivate and entertain audiences.