Lively, entertaining reviews of, and essays on, old and newer films and everything relating to them, written by professional author William Schoell.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR SEASON 3

THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR Season 3. 

In its final season, this series remained quite entertaining despite a surplus of mediocre episodes. While even the lesser episodes generally hold your attention, the best stories either have you on the edge of your seat or make you somewhat nervous. "Water's Edge" unites John Cassavetes [as an ex-con] and Ann Sothern [his cell mate's girlfriend] on a hunt for hidden stolen loot. "Power of Attorney" pits con artist Richard Johnson against two ladies played by Geraldine Fitzgerald and Fay Bainter. "The Thanatos Palace Hotel" presents a bizarre resort where people planning suicide come to die. "The Life Work of Juan Diaz" is a truly grotesque affair about a man who can't afford a proper burial while "The World's Oldest Motive" features Henry Jones as a man with a mistress who wants to get rid of his wife, the eternal problem. "Night Fever" is a moody piece with Colleen Dewhurst as a nurse who finds herself falling for a criminal patient played by Tom Wilcox. "An Unlocked Window" -- one of the series' very best episodes -- features two nurses in a mansion with a maniac on the loose; it is both chilling and darkly amusing in equal measure. 

Verdict: All in all, lots of creepy pleasure. ***.

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