"The Older Sister's" story on paper was very interesting, and it's not everyday where a real life character (and a notorious one at that) features as co-lead in 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. Robert Stevens' previous episodes of the series were mostly of a very high standard, such as "Premonition", "Our Cook's a Treasure" and "You Got to Have Luck". It is very hard not hoping that a promising concept would be lived up to, being somebody who is immediately sold if an idea is good.
Luckily, "The Older Sister" on the most part was a case of having a promising concept on paper and being mostly lived up to in execution. Wasn't crazy about everything and one aspect did rub me up the wrong way. There are many fine things about "The Older Sister", that vastly outweigh the not so good, and the best aspects are truly excellent. It is not one of Stevens' best or one of the high points of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but it was very interesting, well executed and is very underrated here.
For me, the character of the reporter Nell Cutts is very annoying and represents everything that is bad about journalism, she just comes over as too aggressive, too over-zealous and too pushy, which the writing takes to extremes, and Polly Rowles overdoes it in the role.
Other episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' have a consistently tighter pace, with it being a slight slow starter, and more suspense perhaps.
However, so much is good here. It is well made visually, especially the beautifully framed and suitably eerie photography. Stevens directs with ease and control as well as tautness when the things gets going. Its hauntingly scored and the main theme for the series fits so well and is effectively creepy, one of the greatest pre-existing classical music choices chosen as main themes for television. Hitchcock's dry drollness is great.
Also have no issues with the non-overwrought (easy to do with this type of story) and suitably tense script. The story starts slow but the tension does build to quite creepy effect and parts are also surprisingly poignant. The pace is lively on the whole. Apart from Rowles, the acting is very good. With a chillingly icy Carmen Matthews contrasting beautifully with a very touching Joan Lorring, their characters are also very well written and interesting psychologically. Likewise with their chemistry.
Concluding, very well done. 8/10.
Luckily, "The Older Sister" on the most part was a case of having a promising concept on paper and being mostly lived up to in execution. Wasn't crazy about everything and one aspect did rub me up the wrong way. There are many fine things about "The Older Sister", that vastly outweigh the not so good, and the best aspects are truly excellent. It is not one of Stevens' best or one of the high points of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but it was very interesting, well executed and is very underrated here.
For me, the character of the reporter Nell Cutts is very annoying and represents everything that is bad about journalism, she just comes over as too aggressive, too over-zealous and too pushy, which the writing takes to extremes, and Polly Rowles overdoes it in the role.
Other episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' have a consistently tighter pace, with it being a slight slow starter, and more suspense perhaps.
However, so much is good here. It is well made visually, especially the beautifully framed and suitably eerie photography. Stevens directs with ease and control as well as tautness when the things gets going. Its hauntingly scored and the main theme for the series fits so well and is effectively creepy, one of the greatest pre-existing classical music choices chosen as main themes for television. Hitchcock's dry drollness is great.
Also have no issues with the non-overwrought (easy to do with this type of story) and suitably tense script. The story starts slow but the tension does build to quite creepy effect and parts are also surprisingly poignant. The pace is lively on the whole. Apart from Rowles, the acting is very good. With a chillingly icy Carmen Matthews contrasting beautifully with a very touching Joan Lorring, their characters are also very well written and interesting psychologically. Likewise with their chemistry.
Concluding, very well done. 8/10.