Alfred Hitchcock Presents

In the programme Maria, carnival employee Leo Thorby awakens after a night of heavy drinking to discover that he has inadvertently bought a bizarre monkey for his sideshow. Norman Lloyd appears as the star of this short narrative. The story unfolds around this peculiar acquisition.

Maria is a television programme presented in the format of a single episode and is classified under the genre of an episode. It forms part of a broader series but remains self‑contained, and the production is listed simply as a programme, without additional details such as year or director, focusing attention on its narrative content and is intended for broadcast. The central plot follows carnival worker Leo Thorby, who awakens after an evening of heavy drinking to discover an unexpected purchase: a strange monkey intended for his sideshow attraction. His morning is marked by the bewildering realisation that he now owns this unusual primate, setting the stage for the episode’s unfolding events and raises questions about his future plans. The episode concentrates on Thorby’s reaction to the bizarre acquisition, highlighting the contrast between his drunken state and the sudden responsibility of caring for an exotic creature. The narrative underscores the absurdity of the situation, as the carnival setting provides a backdrop for the peculiar addition to his performance roster. The situation invites both humour and tension. Norman Lloyd appears as the starring performer in this installment, delivering the role that anchors the storyline. His involvement brings a recognised presence to the production, ensuring that the focus remains on the unfolding drama surrounding Leo’s unexpected monkey and the carnival environment in which it occurs. The episode thus combines familiar faces with quirky plot twists.