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By
WAYNE KLEIN
Alfred Hitchcock truly was
the first director as celebrity. It began with the
cameos, his droll sense of humor and a business
deal (the opportunity to host his own TV program
and make lots of money). The third season of
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" remains one of the
pinnacle years for the program. Although Hitch
only directed three episodes, all three are
classic Hitch.
Produced by Norman Lloyd (who appeared in
Hitchcock's "Saboteur" and "Spellbound")and long
time Hitchcock associate Joan Harrison, the series
works like the best short stories--involving you
in the suspense story at hand often with a droll,
witty sense of humor.
The third season looks and sounds very good in its
first ever complete presentation on DVD (there was
a single disc of the TV shows available in the
first Universal Hitchcock box set). It's a pity
there aren't any extras or commentary tracks
(particularly on the best episodes such as "Lamb
to the Slaughter")but the show is presented at an
affordable price. We get all 39 episodes on five
discs.
Featuring a top notch array of Hollywood actors
such as Peter Lorre (who had appeared in "The Man
Who Knew Too Much" and "Secret Agent" two early
Hitchcock classics), Jack Klugman, William
Shatner, Joseph Cotton (another Hitchcock
veteran)and Fay Wray, many of the show's episodes
where directed by talented folks such as John
Brahm (who directed the remake of Hitch's silent
classic "The Lodger"), Paul Henreid (who appeared
in the classic "Casablanca" and was blacklisted in
1952. Hitch's show gave him steady employment),
Robert Altman ("M*A*S*H", "McCabe and Mrs.
Miller", "Short Cuts")and other talented film/TV
veterans. |
