This is the second out of 44 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents to be directed by Robert Stevens, who would also go on to direct 5 episodes of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. This is also the second of 30 episodes written by Robert C. Dennis (it was based off a story by mystery novel writer Dorothy L. Sayers).
In this episode a man (Everett Sloane) thinks his housemaid (Beulah Bondi) might be a serial killer.
This episode is very much held together by the wonderful performances by Everrett Sloane and Beulah Bondi. Both of them are very compelling to watch and make this simple story very engaging. The story itself is quite well handled. While the twist is not hard to see coming, this episode does quite a good job of putting us in the place of the main character. We can understand and feel his panic and paranoia growing. It is hard to say that any of us would fall into the same paranoia if we were in his place. Steven's directing is also very strong here. His pacing is perfect, and the episode never once feels dull, nor does it ever really drag. The episode also remains visually interesting throughout with some strong atmospheric shots that enhance the suspense of the story.
Hitch's opening and closing sequences with him as a wine taster are fine but, in my opinion, not as funny as his best host sequences.
This was the first of three episodes to star Everett Sloane. Though Sloane had a very prolific career in both movies and TV, he is probably best known for playing Mr. Bernstein in Orson Welles' masterpiece, Citizen Kane (1941). This is the only appearance on the show by Bulah Bondi, a great character actress, whose filmography includes such classics as Make Way For Tomorrow (1937), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Remember the Night (1939), Penney Serenade (1941), Watch on the Rine (1943), It's a Wonderful Life (1948), So Dear to My Heart (1949), A Summer Place (1959) and plenty more.
-Michael J. Ruhland
