10 Stars.
Author Marian B. Cockrell may have been inspired by MARY POPPINS (the classic books before the movie) in writing this fascinating story, all about a "new kind" of governess. Marian took it up to the next level, and with a wink and a nod. By the way, Marian also wrote for BATMAN.
Who else to play this role than one of the great comediennes and stage actresses, Hermione Gingold. She is missed. All of us kids grew up watching her on tv talk shows, and she was a gas, if not x-rated senior citizen. She had a distinguished stage career, later jumping into movies, beginning with appearances in two classic films, GIGI (1958), singing with Maurice Chevalier and acting opposite Kim Novak in BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE (1958), which probably caught Hitchcock's eye.
Hermione is the whole show, playing Charlotte Hope, a most unusal governess who enters the lives of a distinguished family (the Wellingtons) and proceeds to turn it upside down. The definition of a dark comedy. There's also a question about the title, the Schartz Metterklune Method, which is Miss Hope's way of teaching children --an artistic approach at child rearing. Actually, the Method could be a re-working of other very real experiments. But the focus is Miss Hope. A stylish work of art as you will see.
Notable supporting cast; famous sisters Angela and Veronica Cartwright and Pat Hitchcock playing Rose, in a small but good part as usual. Watch her in STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951). A few other familiar faces, like Celeste Holm and debonaire Tom Conway and popular character actress Norma Varden. What a memorable cast.
A terrific episode, again thanks to the talent of Hermione Gingold, who does it her way. Not to be missed. From SEASON 5 EPISODE 35 remastered Universal dvd box set. Two box sets, each containing 5 dvds. First released 2008.
Author Marian B. Cockrell may have been inspired by MARY POPPINS (the classic books before the movie) in writing this fascinating story, all about a "new kind" of governess. Marian took it up to the next level, and with a wink and a nod. By the way, Marian also wrote for BATMAN.
Who else to play this role than one of the great comediennes and stage actresses, Hermione Gingold. She is missed. All of us kids grew up watching her on tv talk shows, and she was a gas, if not x-rated senior citizen. She had a distinguished stage career, later jumping into movies, beginning with appearances in two classic films, GIGI (1958), singing with Maurice Chevalier and acting opposite Kim Novak in BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE (1958), which probably caught Hitchcock's eye.
Hermione is the whole show, playing Charlotte Hope, a most unusal governess who enters the lives of a distinguished family (the Wellingtons) and proceeds to turn it upside down. The definition of a dark comedy. There's also a question about the title, the Schartz Metterklune Method, which is Miss Hope's way of teaching children --an artistic approach at child rearing. Actually, the Method could be a re-working of other very real experiments. But the focus is Miss Hope. A stylish work of art as you will see.
Notable supporting cast; famous sisters Angela and Veronica Cartwright and Pat Hitchcock playing Rose, in a small but good part as usual. Watch her in STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951). A few other familiar faces, like Celeste Holm and debonaire Tom Conway and popular character actress Norma Varden. What a memorable cast.
A terrific episode, again thanks to the talent of Hermione Gingold, who does it her way. Not to be missed. From SEASON 5 EPISODE 35 remastered Universal dvd box set. Two box sets, each containing 5 dvds. First released 2008.