Herschel Daugherty was one of the most prolific directors for 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', directing 24 episodes for the series, and it is not hard to see why. Not every episode of his was a winner, having been disappointed in "My Brother Richard" not too long ago, but when he was on form his best work for the series was wonderful. "The Creeper" is one of my favourite 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes and "The Belfry" is one of the better first episodes of the series' prolific directors.
Also saw "A Bottle of Wine" for Herbert Marshall, again not everything he did was a winner but he was exceptionally good when on form. "A Bottle of Wine" is not one of the best 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes or one of the best from the season, also not one of Daugherty's best outings. It is though a worthy representation of his, is leagues better than his previous effort "My Brother Richard" and is also a good representation of Marshall. While not a great episode, it is a good one.
Will agree with everyone that has said that it is very talky and too often too much so, some of the talk not being necessary and feeling like padding.
It did for my tastes feel padded at times, despite not being a long episode there wasn't quite enough content to sustain the length and it did mean that occasionally it dragged.
On the other hand, there are a lot of good things about "A Bottle of Wine". It is worth seeing for particularly two things. One is the ending, which is very clever and personally didn't expect it. The other is for Marshall's authoritative lead performance. The acting is very good as an overall whole, but everybody else is not quite on Marshall's level. Daugherty directs with confidence and a real feel for atmosphere.
Furthermore, "A Bottle of Wine's" production values, while not exceptional, did have some atmosphere in particularly the way it's shot. Hitchcock's bookending is typically ironic while the theme tune for the series is suitably macabre. On the whole, the episode is intriguingly and thoughtfully written even if it needed a tightening up in spots. Despite pacing issues, the story mostly engages, has some tension and doesn't feel predictable.
Not a great episode but worth watching. 7/10.
Also saw "A Bottle of Wine" for Herbert Marshall, again not everything he did was a winner but he was exceptionally good when on form. "A Bottle of Wine" is not one of the best 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes or one of the best from the season, also not one of Daugherty's best outings. It is though a worthy representation of his, is leagues better than his previous effort "My Brother Richard" and is also a good representation of Marshall. While not a great episode, it is a good one.
Will agree with everyone that has said that it is very talky and too often too much so, some of the talk not being necessary and feeling like padding.
It did for my tastes feel padded at times, despite not being a long episode there wasn't quite enough content to sustain the length and it did mean that occasionally it dragged.
On the other hand, there are a lot of good things about "A Bottle of Wine". It is worth seeing for particularly two things. One is the ending, which is very clever and personally didn't expect it. The other is for Marshall's authoritative lead performance. The acting is very good as an overall whole, but everybody else is not quite on Marshall's level. Daugherty directs with confidence and a real feel for atmosphere.
Furthermore, "A Bottle of Wine's" production values, while not exceptional, did have some atmosphere in particularly the way it's shot. Hitchcock's bookending is typically ironic while the theme tune for the series is suitably macabre. On the whole, the episode is intriguingly and thoughtfully written even if it needed a tightening up in spots. Despite pacing issues, the story mostly engages, has some tension and doesn't feel predictable.
Not a great episode but worth watching. 7/10.