Guilty Witness was the 11th episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and the 3rd directed by Robert Stevens and the third by writer Robert C. Dennis. Robert Stevens and Robert C. Dennis worked together previously on the episode Our Cook's a Treasure (1955). Guilty Witness originally aired on December 12, 1956.
In this episode grocery store owners Stanley and Dorothy Krane are annoyed by the couple next door constantly fighting. However, they become suspicious, when the husband of that couple disappears.
This story may sound familiar to Hitchcock fans as it is quite similar to that of Rear Window (1954). Comparing the two perfectly shows the difference between Hitch's movies and his TV show. The film (which was released the year prior) plays the story in a rather straightforward way, while the episode ends on a huge twist. Unfortunately, this huge twist is the weakest part of this episode. It comes out of nowhere and strains any sense of credibility. After this twist, much of what came before makes much less sense.
Despite this there is a lot to enjoy before that twist. All three of the stars are fantastic. Joe Mantell (who later appear in one more episode, The Indestructible Mr. Weems (1957)), Judith Evelyn (who had played Ms. Lonelyhearts in Rear Window and would later appear in the episode, Martha Mason, Movie Star (1957)) and Kathleen Maguire (in her first of three episodes) are all very compelling here and make the implausible drama feel quite believable. Robert Stevens direction is sharp and keeps the episode moving at a very fast pace, keeping it from ever getting boring. There is also a good sense of atmosphere and dread throughout. The basic story may feel very familiar but other than the absurd twist ending, everything else works well enough to overlook this.
This is an otherwise strong episode that is greatly hurt by a weak twist at the end.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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