Orson Welles reveals Harry Lime died in a Vienna sewer but had many lives before that.
The episode opens with Orson Welles presenting 'The Lives of Harry Lime', based on the character from the film 'The Third Man'. It references zither music by Anton Karras. Harry Lime explains that his death in a Vienna sewer was not the beginning, as he had many previous lives. He directly addresses the audience, claiming to be Harry Lime himself. Harry mentions a specific incident where he outwitted three Wall Street investors, netting $55,000. He notes that he will tell that story another time. Due to this caper, he decides an ocean trip is necessary for his nerves and to avoid New York detectives. This leads him to go on a holiday, which he terms a rogue's holiday. The narrative is first-person, with Harry as the storyteller. The tone is suspenseful and charismatic, typical of film noir. It blends backstory with setup for future adventures. The episode establishes Harry's cunning and elusive nature. References to Vienna and New York ground the story in specific locations. The use of 'rogue's holiday' frames the upcoming events as mischievous. Overall, it serves as an introduction to Harry's world and upcoming tales.
