I was young and saw this the first time it was broadcast as I wandered aimlessly around my grandparents living room with an attention span befitting my age. The episode didn't hold my interest...at first. About 15 minutes into it I couldn't NOT watch. I really did want to know what was in that jar, but then the episode piled on these side dramas that awoke an interest in the actual story. I'm not going to do much more here than add to the other praises already entered here for this particular episode. I was completely disturbed for years by the ending and, thanks to the Internet, was finally brave enough to see it again. Well, it wasn't so bad about 50 years later having grown and become acclimatized to certain kinds of gore and violence. It's handled very tastefully in this instance but it will give you the 'willies' nevertheless. Hitchcock was correct...you don't NEED to see the violent act or the blood, etc. I relived it all for 50 years and, as it turns out, saw much more in my mind's eye than what was really there. The shocking slice of the watermelon....beautiful!! Do see this.
28 Reviews
memorable episode.
js590531 January 2007
Well done episode, certainly by early 60's standards, cast and direction of Norman Lloyd, create feel of summer in a small southern town. Perhaps the very best of the, "Alfred Hitchcock Hour," series, the ending has a lasting impact; even though I haven't seen it in years. James Best is memorable as the leading man here. Although he always found steady work in films and television since 1950, Best never quite reached the top tier of film stars; despite the fact that he was a remarkably handsome young man. Perhaps, like Dennis Weaver, his southern drawl held him back a bit. He continues to work today. I would have thought his presence in this episode would have elevated him to bigger parts. A must see for Hitchcock fans. Norman Lloyd worked with Hitch in, "Sabateur," and was known in the 1980's for appearing on, "St. Elsewhere."
Very good but similar to Twilight Zone
deedrala31 July 2020
First off, I really wish the reviews containing incorrect info could be screened and either corrected or not published here at all since they can be so misleading. In this case, wrong info was given by two different reviewers here:
Anyway, as another reviewer here said, it's easy to forget you're watching a Hitchcock episode and begin thinking it's a Twilight Zone ep. But there was always that strong line that divided the two and even though it may have been almost crossed a few times, it never actually was: the Hitchcock TV series never ever had any elements of the supernatural or sci-fi in them, in any way, shape, or form.
It was a nice surprise to see so many of the well-known 60s TV actors in this one ep, since most of the Hitch TV shows only ever had one or two famous names in them. It was especially interesting to see George Lindsey play the same type of childish, backward character as he did in the Andy Griffith Show, but here it wasn't the least bit comical like his Goober character. His brief performance in The Jar was pure pathos.
To me, the contents of the mysterious jar looked like a dead deformed raccoon, and I was afraid the ep would end without letting the audience know what it actually was. Thankfully it didn't and even though the contents weren't surprising at all, it was not disappointingly anti-climactic.
Very well done, all around.
8 out of 10 - grade B
- The first: Thedy (Collin Wilcox) was not Charlie's daughter...she was his wife. (Eww that would've made the "kittycat purring" scene so slimy and distasteful and definitely not allowed on television if she was his daughter!)
- The second: Jahdoo didn't reveal the actual contents of the jar, as another reviewer incorrectly said here. His long diatribe about the contents as Charlie was sucked into the quicksand was only his own speculation as to what it might be, but as we found out at the end when Thedy revealed the contents both verbally and physically, he was dead wrong.
Anyway, as another reviewer here said, it's easy to forget you're watching a Hitchcock episode and begin thinking it's a Twilight Zone ep. But there was always that strong line that divided the two and even though it may have been almost crossed a few times, it never actually was: the Hitchcock TV series never ever had any elements of the supernatural or sci-fi in them, in any way, shape, or form.
It was a nice surprise to see so many of the well-known 60s TV actors in this one ep, since most of the Hitch TV shows only ever had one or two famous names in them. It was especially interesting to see George Lindsey play the same type of childish, backward character as he did in the Andy Griffith Show, but here it wasn't the least bit comical like his Goober character. His brief performance in The Jar was pure pathos.
To me, the contents of the mysterious jar looked like a dead deformed raccoon, and I was afraid the ep would end without letting the audience know what it actually was. Thankfully it didn't and even though the contents weren't surprising at all, it was not disappointingly anti-climactic.
Very well done, all around.
8 out of 10 - grade B
Quite Simply The Best
davidm9231 April 2011
I first watched this spellbinder when it aired more than 45 years ago. Somehow I never caught up with it until recently, although it remained in my memory as a true classic all that time.
While I did remember the ending, and a few bits of dialogue, I was dazzled all these years later.
The production brings with it a tremendous number of assets: of course the Ray Bradbury story; casting that is letter-perfect, including veterans l like Oscar winner Jane Darwell and Slim Pickens; superb direction by Alfred Hitchcock Exec Producer Norman Lloyd (still going strong now age 96); and a message that covers so many angles. And Pat Buttram was pure magic.
Do we all delude ourselves to stay alive? Are our minds fragile, or egos weak, temptations abounding? Too much time on our hands. Or, let's get to it, what IS in the Jar?
Happy to know that many others also have a special feeling about this classic. Hope I did not overhype this, but boy this is simply the best of the many brilliant Hitchcock episodes.
While I did remember the ending, and a few bits of dialogue, I was dazzled all these years later.
The production brings with it a tremendous number of assets: of course the Ray Bradbury story; casting that is letter-perfect, including veterans l like Oscar winner Jane Darwell and Slim Pickens; superb direction by Alfred Hitchcock Exec Producer Norman Lloyd (still going strong now age 96); and a message that covers so many angles. And Pat Buttram was pure magic.
Do we all delude ourselves to stay alive? Are our minds fragile, or egos weak, temptations abounding? Too much time on our hands. Or, let's get to it, what IS in the Jar?
Happy to know that many others also have a special feeling about this classic. Hope I did not overhype this, but boy this is simply the best of the many brilliant Hitchcock episodes.
The best episode of all, for those who like a big helping of horror.
rixrex27 August 2006
This is arguably the best of all of the hour-long Hitchcock episodes, and I would qualify that statement as relevant to those of us who are both Hitchcock and horror film fans. You know you are one if you think Psycho is Hitch's best film, but if you prefer the suspense and melodrama of, say, North by Northwest, then you'd probably rate this episode a wee bit lower. Fans of EC horror, and the old Creepy and Eerie mags of the 60s, will relish this great adaptation of a Ray Bradbury October Country story. The sets and atmosphere are claustrophobic and suffocating, like the JAR itself. You'll think you're watching Twilight Zone if you're not careful.
Probably My Favorite of the Alfred Hitchcock Hour Series
wdbasinger27 June 2006
This is a classic piece of Ray Bradbury about a country man who buys a mysterious jar from a carnival and becomes a sensation in his small town as a result.
Night after night, a group of citizens meet at his house to discuss the jar and its contents and to try to discover what it it is. each of the citizens ventures a guess, some very complicated like Grandma's explanation, and some very simple like the young girl who thinks that the contents is "the boogieman". Like most of Alfred Hitchcock's hair raisers, this segment has a surprise ending. In addition, in this particular segment, it has a very gruesome ending at that.
Dan Basinger
Night after night, a group of citizens meet at his house to discuss the jar and its contents and to try to discover what it it is. each of the citizens ventures a guess, some very complicated like Grandma's explanation, and some very simple like the young girl who thinks that the contents is "the boogieman". Like most of Alfred Hitchcock's hair raisers, this segment has a surprise ending. In addition, in this particular segment, it has a very gruesome ending at that.
Dan Basinger
Scared the be-jimity outta me!
rrandcoyote22 February 2006
Warning: Spoilers
***Contains SPOILERS**** This episode left an indelible impression on me as a child. I remembered many details from it and was amazed when I saw it years later.
IT'S WONDERFUL!!!! This Ray Bradbury story is extremely chilling and beautifully executed (pun intended). It's superbly acted--Pat Buttram gracefully heads a remarkable cast of actors. George Lindsey's portrayal of a mentally challenged man is sensitive and heart wrenching. William Marshall (Blackula, Dr. Daystrom from Star Trek) is deep and visceral.
Each character is given a chance to say what they "see" in The Jar and it's an actor's playground and a audience delight.
One of the reason I enjoy shows like this so much is that actors who were relegated to bread and butter roles that they could phone in (like George Lindsey as Goober Pyle in Mayberry RFD) got to show their tremendous range and versatility. These are NOT one note actors so give 'em more than one note to sing.
If you see no other Alfred Hitchcock episode ever, see this one! They you'll be remembering it 40 years later!
IT'S WONDERFUL!!!! This Ray Bradbury story is extremely chilling and beautifully executed (pun intended). It's superbly acted--Pat Buttram gracefully heads a remarkable cast of actors. George Lindsey's portrayal of a mentally challenged man is sensitive and heart wrenching. William Marshall (Blackula, Dr. Daystrom from Star Trek) is deep and visceral.
Each character is given a chance to say what they "see" in The Jar and it's an actor's playground and a audience delight.
One of the reason I enjoy shows like this so much is that actors who were relegated to bread and butter roles that they could phone in (like George Lindsey as Goober Pyle in Mayberry RFD) got to show their tremendous range and versatility. These are NOT one note actors so give 'em more than one note to sing.
If you see no other Alfred Hitchcock episode ever, see this one! They you'll be remembering it 40 years later!
Does anyone know where to get a copy of this episode?
amos-e4 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I agree with those who commented that "The Jar"(1964) was one of the best episodes in the Hitchcock TV series. I'm actually more a fan of those "tales of the unknown" type of anthology series,(like Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Night Gallery, etc.). Since Hitchcock's show always seemed to concentrate more on murder/suspense than the supernatural, I found this particular story to be a refreshingly creepy departure from all those Hum-Drum Who-Dun-its! I'm not saying that this story actually contains supernatural elements, but it certainly does suggest them. It was like watching some kind of nightmarish version of those 60's "rural" comedies, I loved seeing Mr Haney and Goober, and others trying to guess what was in the jar. (Heck, I almost expected Jethro and Gomer to make an appearance). Much like the characters in the story, the TV viewer finds himself literally glued to the screen, just dying to know what the heck that thing is in there! Now, I haven't seen this episode for decades and I would give my right arm to see it again, but alas, I can't locate a DVD or even a VHS tape featuring this lost classic. Can anyone help?
Puts the Creep in Creepy!!!
zardoz-135 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Some of the best horror in our lurid culture can be found within the relatively safe confines of prime-time television and re-runs. "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" episode entitled "The Jar" qualifies as one of the creepiest of the creepy. This atmospheric episode will send shivers down your spine and levitate the hair on the nape of your neck and your forearms. Primarily, the implicit horror for three-fourths of the episode is more than sufficient. My only quibble is the last few minutes when the big revelation occurs and kind of spoils the narrative. All Hitchcock episodes usually pay off at fade-out,and "The Jar" is no different, but it still carries a clout. Traditional Southerners may be repulsed by the depiction of blue collar whites in this sinister episode that future director James Bridges, who helmed "The Paper Chase," "Urban Cowboy," and "The China Syndrome," adapted from a Ray Bradbury short-story with actor Norman Lloyd directing it, but the performances never degenerate into caricature. An impressionable old man, Charlie Hill (Pat Buttram of "Green Acres"),finds himself mesmerized by a huge glass jar that contains mysterious odds and ends that look disturbing enough after your imagination goes to work trying to figure out what it is. He spots the infamous jar at a carnival and buys its for the audacious sum of $12.25, and then he takes it home to display it for anybody who cares to see it. Naturally, everybody comes out to his rural house to eyeball this curiosity piece and many of these people become regular guests to the old man's parlor. He needs the respect that the jar generates for him because so many folks come to ogle it. Mind you, aside his daughter, Thedy Sue Hill (Collin Wilcox) and her boyfriend, Tom Carmody (James Best), everybody else is enthralled by it. At one point, when he comes home and finds it has been stolen, Hill becomes hysterical and sets out to retrieve it. He plunges into a quicksand pit and struggles to make through it to where the jar sets on tree roots.
The beauty initially of "The Jar" is its enigmatic quality. Everybody projects their own feelings, attitudes, prejudices, and opinions onto and interpret it as if it were a Rorschach inkblot test.
It's a great episode.
The beauty initially of "The Jar" is its enigmatic quality. Everybody projects their own feelings, attitudes, prejudices, and opinions onto and interpret it as if it were a Rorschach inkblot test.
It's a great episode.
Wonderful adaptation! For any Bradbury fan
markelsparks11 December 2021
Having watched many adaptations of Ray Bradbury across the decades, this episode stands out to me as one of my favorites. Hitchcock captures the atmosphere so well, and the cast is perfect. Collin Wilcox is spectacular as always, and steals the show.
Probably NOT sponsored by a tourist agency specializing in the US South!!
planktonrules20 May 2021
"The Jar" is an episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" that is sure to rile up some rural Southern Americans. Why? Because it sure makes them look like a whole bunch of idiots...sort of like the folks from "Li'l Abner"! Yes, they appear that foolish and stereotypical.
The story begins at some traveling carnival in the South. Charlie (Pat Butram) has spent most of his evening there staring at a 'jar of mystery'....some weird thing placed in a huge jar for the locals to gawk at and wonder. Charlie is so taken by staring at 'it' that he actually buys it from the carny boss (Billy Barty). Then, he returns home and places it on display in his shack....and invites all the local rubes to stare at it. And, oddly, they do this for hours and hours on end....and I suppose it's because they don't have TV nor radio. But there's a problem...and it's Charlie's wife. She is much younger and seems to care nothing for him...and she hates the jar and wants to destroy Charlie's curio. What's next?
As I already said, the folks in this episode sure don't make rural Southern Americans look good. They are uniformly either jerks or stupid...or both. I do wonder how this would play for folks in places like Tennessee or Arkansas or Georgia! Now I am not saying it's a bad episode....just one that plays on some negative stereotypes. Worth seeing despite its being very broadly written and played.
The story begins at some traveling carnival in the South. Charlie (Pat Butram) has spent most of his evening there staring at a 'jar of mystery'....some weird thing placed in a huge jar for the locals to gawk at and wonder. Charlie is so taken by staring at 'it' that he actually buys it from the carny boss (Billy Barty). Then, he returns home and places it on display in his shack....and invites all the local rubes to stare at it. And, oddly, they do this for hours and hours on end....and I suppose it's because they don't have TV nor radio. But there's a problem...and it's Charlie's wife. She is much younger and seems to care nothing for him...and she hates the jar and wants to destroy Charlie's curio. What's next?
As I already said, the folks in this episode sure don't make rural Southern Americans look good. They are uniformly either jerks or stupid...or both. I do wonder how this would play for folks in places like Tennessee or Arkansas or Georgia! Now I am not saying it's a bad episode....just one that plays on some negative stereotypes. Worth seeing despite its being very broadly written and played.
Perceptions are personal like what's in the Pit (in the Pit and the Pendulum) ...
herrick41611 January 2017
Creepy and Hitchcock through and through. What a mind that can do justice to stories like this and maintain the atmospheric gloom it demands. That flirty wife--all I could see was Mayella Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird and how I hated her for the pain and misery and mayhem caused by her pathetic ignorance. No compassion for her here just as it was sorely lacking in her role in Harper Lee's classic. I'd never seen this episode and agree it's worth all the commercials on We TV (hope the person looking for this on DVD was lucky enough to find it or record it from TV ... once in a blue moon when it runs on air.) Boy did Hitchcock discover talent well before the names were big. That alone is a huge contribution. And his brilliance in being morbid of course.
"Did you ever see anything like that?"
classicsoncall22 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I don't think I've seen an Alfred Hitchcock program with more reviews on IMDb than this one. That has to say something about how weird and creepy the story was. It involves back woods hillbilly Charlie Hill (Pat Buttram) so mesmerized by a carnival side show attraction that he winds up buying it for the princely sum of $12.25! For the viewer, the contents of the bell jar Charlie bought look intentionally vague, leaving it up to the imagination of Charlie's friends and neighbors as to what it actually could be. Meanwhile, Charlie's philandering wife Thedy Sue (Collin Wilcox Paxton) is revolted by it and voices her displeasure immediately, plotting its removal in league with her beaux Tom Carmody (James Best) and a voodoo type practitioner called Jahdoo (William Marshall). When that scheme goes bust, Thedy enrages Charlie by taking the jar and removing its contents piece by piece, revealing that it was put together with scraps of throwaway junk. Charlie's revenge has to be seen to be believed!
The original story on which this was based was written by Ray Bradbury, and the program was recreated for "The Ray Bradbury Theater" in 1992. This one is by far the superior offering in no small measure due to the overall cast, a good handful of which found their way into the cast of "The Andy Griffith Show". In Bradbury's version, Charlie Hill overpaid the carny guy forty bucks for the monstrosity in the jar, while Thedy Sue's headband with her name on it was replaced by a tattoo of a blue butterfly, which made for a much more subtle yet still horrific conclusion when it was seen floating in the jar at the end of the show. There was no room for the entire sequence with Charlie in the Heron Swamp in the Bradbury half hour program. One thing you might note that really shocked me in this Hitchcock version was something you just never saw in TV programs of the Sixties - Charlie and Thedy Sue were shown in the same bed!
The original story on which this was based was written by Ray Bradbury, and the program was recreated for "The Ray Bradbury Theater" in 1992. This one is by far the superior offering in no small measure due to the overall cast, a good handful of which found their way into the cast of "The Andy Griffith Show". In Bradbury's version, Charlie Hill overpaid the carny guy forty bucks for the monstrosity in the jar, while Thedy Sue's headband with her name on it was replaced by a tattoo of a blue butterfly, which made for a much more subtle yet still horrific conclusion when it was seen floating in the jar at the end of the show. There was no room for the entire sequence with Charlie in the Heron Swamp in the Bradbury half hour program. One thing you might note that really shocked me in this Hitchcock version was something you just never saw in TV programs of the Sixties - Charlie and Thedy Sue were shown in the same bed!
Good basic story ruined by ridiculousness...
ronnybee211213 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The basic tale here is not bad. The presentation of it,however,is another matter.
The big problem is that most of the hour-long Alfred Hitchcock shows are about 30 minutes too long,and this is a great example. That is much of the problem.
As to this story... The community members in this episode are ridiculous. Nobody over the age of 12 would be the least bit interested in the object that the main character bought from the carnival sideshow,but the townsfolk are absolutely mesmerized by this object to the point of it being pretty ludicrous. These people attach a cosmic significance to this object that simply does not ring true at all,in fact it is embarrassingly silly to be honest.
The story drags on and on,and eventually comes to a macabre ending that is darkly amusing.
The cast is at least interesting,there are many familiar faces here and they all put in an honest effort and manage to do a good job with what little they have to work with.
Bottom line? If this were 30 minutes instead of 60 minutes,I think it would be much better. Despite a good cast and a good basic story,there is too much filler material that ruins the show. The ending is somewhat satisfying at least. 5/10 weak.
The big problem is that most of the hour-long Alfred Hitchcock shows are about 30 minutes too long,and this is a great example. That is much of the problem.
As to this story... The community members in this episode are ridiculous. Nobody over the age of 12 would be the least bit interested in the object that the main character bought from the carnival sideshow,but the townsfolk are absolutely mesmerized by this object to the point of it being pretty ludicrous. These people attach a cosmic significance to this object that simply does not ring true at all,in fact it is embarrassingly silly to be honest.
The story drags on and on,and eventually comes to a macabre ending that is darkly amusing.
The cast is at least interesting,there are many familiar faces here and they all put in an honest effort and manage to do a good job with what little they have to work with.
Bottom line? If this were 30 minutes instead of 60 minutes,I think it would be much better. Despite a good cast and a good basic story,there is too much filler material that ruins the show. The ending is somewhat satisfying at least. 5/10 weak.
It Didn't Come from Walmart
dougdoepke4 January 2007
One of the most offbeat episodes of any anthology series of the time. What the heck is in The Jar that country rube Pat Buttram buys from a traveling carnival act, and for the princely sum of $12, no less. It looks like a deformed creature of some sort floating in formaldehyde. There even appears to be a dangling eye staring back at those country folk who assemble nightly in Buttram's front parlor, each offering an opinion on the hypnotic contents.
Buttram himself only cares about his new found status as owner of the mysterious contents, sitting next to it like some proud hayseed Buddha and keeper of the secret. At last, his once dismissive neighbors envy him. Life would be perfect if it weren't for slutty wife, Collin Wilcox, who sneaks around with James Best, humiliating Buttram in the process. The ending itself turns out to be a horror masterpiece.
As good as the episode is, I can't help thinking it would have worked better in a half-hour format, since there is noticeable padding, especially the quicksand sequence which does add action to a talky story-line, but does little to advance the plot. Then too, the acting is uneven. Buttram surprises with an effectively understated performance-- you just know he's building a head of steam even if he doesn't show it. And George Lindsey delivers an absolutely riveting performance as a slow-witted, but sensitive neighbor. For those of us used to seeing both actors in buffoonish roles, their turn here comes as a pleasant surprise.
However, Wilcox parades her 'baby doll' wantonness so relentlessly, it almost reaches the point of cartoonish exaggeration. I was about ready to write her and the episode off, until she went into the 'purring kitten' routine so abruptly and unnervingly that I was chilled to the bone. This brilliantly perverse stroke also suggests a creepy sexual aspect to her relationship with Buttram, and frankly grabbed me more than than the celebrated climax. Anyway, I've seen nothing quite like it before or since.
Although The Jar contains more flaws than The Unlocked Window, together they remain the only two episodes from the hour-long Hitchcock really worth seeing, and I'm glad the Internet gives viewers a chance to salute such classic episodes, which otherwise-- because of relentless scheduling-- would pass into TV oblivion.
Buttram himself only cares about his new found status as owner of the mysterious contents, sitting next to it like some proud hayseed Buddha and keeper of the secret. At last, his once dismissive neighbors envy him. Life would be perfect if it weren't for slutty wife, Collin Wilcox, who sneaks around with James Best, humiliating Buttram in the process. The ending itself turns out to be a horror masterpiece.
As good as the episode is, I can't help thinking it would have worked better in a half-hour format, since there is noticeable padding, especially the quicksand sequence which does add action to a talky story-line, but does little to advance the plot. Then too, the acting is uneven. Buttram surprises with an effectively understated performance-- you just know he's building a head of steam even if he doesn't show it. And George Lindsey delivers an absolutely riveting performance as a slow-witted, but sensitive neighbor. For those of us used to seeing both actors in buffoonish roles, their turn here comes as a pleasant surprise.
However, Wilcox parades her 'baby doll' wantonness so relentlessly, it almost reaches the point of cartoonish exaggeration. I was about ready to write her and the episode off, until she went into the 'purring kitten' routine so abruptly and unnervingly that I was chilled to the bone. This brilliantly perverse stroke also suggests a creepy sexual aspect to her relationship with Buttram, and frankly grabbed me more than than the celebrated climax. Anyway, I've seen nothing quite like it before or since.
Although The Jar contains more flaws than The Unlocked Window, together they remain the only two episodes from the hour-long Hitchcock really worth seeing, and I'm glad the Internet gives viewers a chance to salute such classic episodes, which otherwise-- because of relentless scheduling-- would pass into TV oblivion.
Stellar Telling of Bradbury Classic
Hitchcoc20 May 2023
Pat Buttram plays a hillbilly, down and outer, who is married to a cute but really dumb girl who wantonly cheats on him. He goes to a carnival on day and uses the twelve dollars he has left in his pocket to buy a jar, filled with liquid and containing a collection of strange things. It seems that anyone who looks at the thing is affected by it. Some get angry. Some get sad. Some act out violently. The great thing about this is the cast. In addition to Buttram, we have Slim Pickens as the sheriff. We have Jane Darwell who starred in The Grapes of Wrath. A major role involves George Lindsay, Goober Pyle from the old Andy Griffith Show. The events surrounding this object leads to angst and death and jealousy. Excellent acting. Excellent setting for a horror story.
clips available
mrphysch23 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I just checked, and there are some clips available on youtube. This show and others like it, used to scare the bajeezabells out of my brother and me. Of course we couldn't wait for the next terrifying episodes. Does anyone remember the Outer Limits Episode w/ the radio station and the alien that comes to Earth on the radio waves? I am trying to reference it, but don't remember the name. I was really young when The Jar was on TV, so I don't specifically remember all that much about it, other than it appeared to be very murky and curious. I wish I could get a copy of this on DVD or somewhere, any ideas? Twilite Zone, Outer Limits, even if there is some place on line available to watch the whole thing. Thanks
Hallelujah! It...Is...Human!!!!!
sol-kay22 November 2010
Warning: Spoilers
**SPOILERS*** One of the most original and best of the Alfred Hitchcock hour long TV mystery episodes has simple minded Charlie Hill, Pat Buttram, obtain this mysterious jar from carnival barker and midget Billy Barty for a hefty,to Charlie, $12.25. Charlie is fascinated with the contents of the jar and wants to put it on display at his home in Wilder Hollow for all his friends to see.
In no time all all Charlie's jar becomes the talk of the town with people from all parts coming to Charlie's place to watch and observe it. It's Charlie's young and cheating on him, with local stud Tom Carmody (James Best), wife Thedy Sue, Collin Wilcox, who's appalled by the jar in that the contents inside it terrifies her!
Thedy Sue getting boyfriend Tom to get rid of the jar he instead hires local voodoo practitioner Jahdoo, William Marshall, to do the job for him giving Jahdoo $1.00 for doing it. It's later when Charlie finds the jar gone that he goes to the local sheriff Clem Carter, Slim Pickins, to help him get it back. Given a tip from village idiot Jukie Marmer, George Lindsey,that Jahdoo had been paid off by Tom to steal the jar and destroy it Charlie head for the place where Jahdoo is known to hang out at the Haron Swamp with shotgun in hand. Finding the jar in the middle of he swamp but not realizing that it's surrounded by quicksand Charlie ends up stuck in the mud with nowhere to go as the swamp slowly engulfs him!
It's then when Jahdoo who set the trap for Charlie emerges from the darkness that we and Charlie get the real deal about the jar and what exactly is inside it. Being as observant as he is and knowing a bit or two about the supernatural Jahdoo has figured that what's in the jar is in fact the center of all creation! Crawling out of the Middybamboo or primordial swamp some 10,000 years ago this thing that's in the jar is in fact the Middybamboo Momma from which we, humanity, all come from! It was the measly $1.00 that Jahdoo was paid by Tom to destroy what he feels is the center of all creation that in fact got him to save it! Tom and Thedy Sue greatly underestimated Jahdoo's wisdom and intelligence in knowing what the jar really represented and in the end they both were for pay for their mistake!
***SPOILERS*** After Jahdoo rescued Charlie from the swamp he together with the jar went back home to be confronted by his angry wife Thedy Sue for saving it! It's later that Thedy Sue reviles to Charlie what she found out at the carnival about the jar from the midget who sold it to him and in a white hot fury destroys what's in it! It's then that Charlie finally, after years of talking all the abuse he could from her, lost it and as for Thedy Sue she ends up losing both her life and head in the process!****MAJOR SPOILER**** In fact it's Thedy Sue's pretty head that Charlie ended up replacing for what she destroyed that was in the jar!: The very heart and center of all creation! The Middybamboo Momma from which we and all of humanity eventually come from some 10,000 years ago!
In no time all all Charlie's jar becomes the talk of the town with people from all parts coming to Charlie's place to watch and observe it. It's Charlie's young and cheating on him, with local stud Tom Carmody (James Best), wife Thedy Sue, Collin Wilcox, who's appalled by the jar in that the contents inside it terrifies her!
Thedy Sue getting boyfriend Tom to get rid of the jar he instead hires local voodoo practitioner Jahdoo, William Marshall, to do the job for him giving Jahdoo $1.00 for doing it. It's later when Charlie finds the jar gone that he goes to the local sheriff Clem Carter, Slim Pickins, to help him get it back. Given a tip from village idiot Jukie Marmer, George Lindsey,that Jahdoo had been paid off by Tom to steal the jar and destroy it Charlie head for the place where Jahdoo is known to hang out at the Haron Swamp with shotgun in hand. Finding the jar in the middle of he swamp but not realizing that it's surrounded by quicksand Charlie ends up stuck in the mud with nowhere to go as the swamp slowly engulfs him!
It's then when Jahdoo who set the trap for Charlie emerges from the darkness that we and Charlie get the real deal about the jar and what exactly is inside it. Being as observant as he is and knowing a bit or two about the supernatural Jahdoo has figured that what's in the jar is in fact the center of all creation! Crawling out of the Middybamboo or primordial swamp some 10,000 years ago this thing that's in the jar is in fact the Middybamboo Momma from which we, humanity, all come from! It was the measly $1.00 that Jahdoo was paid by Tom to destroy what he feels is the center of all creation that in fact got him to save it! Tom and Thedy Sue greatly underestimated Jahdoo's wisdom and intelligence in knowing what the jar really represented and in the end they both were for pay for their mistake!
***SPOILERS*** After Jahdoo rescued Charlie from the swamp he together with the jar went back home to be confronted by his angry wife Thedy Sue for saving it! It's later that Thedy Sue reviles to Charlie what she found out at the carnival about the jar from the midget who sold it to him and in a white hot fury destroys what's in it! It's then that Charlie finally, after years of talking all the abuse he could from her, lost it and as for Thedy Sue she ends up losing both her life and head in the process!****MAJOR SPOILER**** In fact it's Thedy Sue's pretty head that Charlie ended up replacing for what she destroyed that was in the jar!: The very heart and center of all creation! The Middybamboo Momma from which we and all of humanity eventually come from some 10,000 years ago!
Beautiful Bradbury
livinman18 March 2022
It's 1993. The last of the lions, Ray Bradbury, Ray Harryhausen, Robert Bloch, Curt Siodmak, and the man who coined the term, "science fiction," Forrest J. Ackerman, all gathered in DC for The Famous Monsters Convention. Every time we passed the lobby, there was Ray Bradbury, telling stories from a comfy chair, with a silent throng, seated in silence (we quickly sat cross-legged on the floor with them.) Nothing past or since has compared, except for my wife and children coming into my life. Oddly, every time we joined this ethereal scene, I thought of the nightly vigils Pat Buttram's character, Charlie Hill, held over a similar group in "The Jar." In terms of timeless literature, I rank Robert E. Howard's "Pigeons from Hell," AND it's Boris Karloff Thriller adaptation, as a TV tandem that's hard to match, but the literary and television versions are fairly close. I noticed one reviewer sensed that southerners, myself being one, would be quite upset by "The Jar." Not in the least. Stereotypes plagued America then and still do; the climate in Hollywood didn't truly grasp our nature until the film version of "To Kill a Mockingbird" obviated a truer clarity regarding our diversity.
Firing on All Cylinders!
dwknuj13 June 2023
This episode is bursting with talent. They all came together perfectly to create about as good an entry into this series as you'll ever find.
Before we get to what we saw on the screen let's look at what contributed to it. It started with a great screenplay. The short story was by Ray Bradbury. It was part of his 1955 anthology, The October Country. The screenplay was adapted and written by James Bridges, who wrote a lot for Hitchcock's TV series. He was born in Paris Arkansas. He was a great choice for writing this tale set in the South. It was directed by the frequent Hitchcock collaborator, Norman Lloyd. The Bernard Herrmann score added perfect flavor. I'm tempted to watch it again with my eyes closed just to hear his music.
Then there's what we got treated to on the screen. First there's the star, Pat Buttram. He was known at the time as a character actor, mostly in Westerns and comedies. A few years after this episode aired he'd take on the role for which he was most famous - Mr. Haney in Green Acres. Then there was the Black Shakespearian actor, William Marshall. Not many years later he'd be the title character in the Blackula movies and later still the King of Cartoons on Peewee's Playhouse. There was the Academy Award winning actress, Jane Darwell, who'd been so memorable in roles in Gone With the Wind, The Grapes of Wrath and The Ox-Bow Incident. James Best as the sleazy boyfriend some years before he'd be remembered for Sheriff Roscoe Coltrane in The Dukes of Hazard. There was George Lindsey before he was Goober on the Andy Griffith Show, Marlon Brando's older sister, Broadway star Jocelyn Brando, Slim Pickens during the same year he'd give one of the most memorable performances of all time in Dr. Strangelove and, of course Billy Barty from so many iconic films, the most famous of which was The Wizard of Oz.
This was an anthology series. Like all such series it's very uneven from one episode to another. This one stands out. Very nicely done.
Before we get to what we saw on the screen let's look at what contributed to it. It started with a great screenplay. The short story was by Ray Bradbury. It was part of his 1955 anthology, The October Country. The screenplay was adapted and written by James Bridges, who wrote a lot for Hitchcock's TV series. He was born in Paris Arkansas. He was a great choice for writing this tale set in the South. It was directed by the frequent Hitchcock collaborator, Norman Lloyd. The Bernard Herrmann score added perfect flavor. I'm tempted to watch it again with my eyes closed just to hear his music.
Then there's what we got treated to on the screen. First there's the star, Pat Buttram. He was known at the time as a character actor, mostly in Westerns and comedies. A few years after this episode aired he'd take on the role for which he was most famous - Mr. Haney in Green Acres. Then there was the Black Shakespearian actor, William Marshall. Not many years later he'd be the title character in the Blackula movies and later still the King of Cartoons on Peewee's Playhouse. There was the Academy Award winning actress, Jane Darwell, who'd been so memorable in roles in Gone With the Wind, The Grapes of Wrath and The Ox-Bow Incident. James Best as the sleazy boyfriend some years before he'd be remembered for Sheriff Roscoe Coltrane in The Dukes of Hazard. There was George Lindsey before he was Goober on the Andy Griffith Show, Marlon Brando's older sister, Broadway star Jocelyn Brando, Slim Pickens during the same year he'd give one of the most memorable performances of all time in Dr. Strangelove and, of course Billy Barty from so many iconic films, the most famous of which was The Wizard of Oz.
This was an anthology series. Like all such series it's very uneven from one episode to another. This one stands out. Very nicely done.
The Jar
pmoore-188 June 2007
I remember seeing this episode as a child of maybe 3. It was one of the few episodes I remember seeing as a child in that series. All the other Hitchcock shows I've seen have been in re-runs as an adult. I never saw the "jar" episode again as an adult. I remember being a bit disturbed by this episode as a child but not bone-chillingly scared like some shows that were on during the 60's. As long as my Mom or Dad was in the room, I thought I had to see some of those programs. However, I sometimes wouldn't sleep too well after watching something creepy. I'd love to see this particular episode again as I'm sure it would be interesting at 46 to view what I thought was a strange & sort of scary episode at 3.
The Jar - Psychological Insight into Southerners BEFORE Technology E X P A N D E D their World AND their MINDS
dwcacct13 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Fifty years ago even though much of America had TV NOT EVERYONE could afford it? Simple entertainment brought the public out en masse! Especially those venues that were potentially FREE OR CLOSE TO FREE? If U could afford to entertain ur neighbors U were ELEVATED TO A HIGHER STATUS. Simple minds are ENTERTAINED by SIMPLE ENTERTAINMENT which explains this program.
Someone else mentioned the WRITER - Ray Bradbury! Had to read "Something Wicked This Way Comes" for English Class in High School late 1970's. It wasn't horribly gorry or anything such as that but kinda like watching Andy Griffith Show about attending a Carnival but with Supernatural overtones or a true dark side? Entertainment that actually makes U use ur brain UNLIKE MUCH OF CURRENT EARLY 21st Century Film/TV.
Someone else mentioned the WRITER - Ray Bradbury! Had to read "Something Wicked This Way Comes" for English Class in High School late 1970's. It wasn't horribly gorry or anything such as that but kinda like watching Andy Griffith Show about attending a Carnival but with Supernatural overtones or a true dark side? Entertainment that actually makes U use ur brain UNLIKE MUCH OF CURRENT EARLY 21st Century Film/TV.
The Jar
coltras3515 May 2022
Fascinated by a jar with a weird thing inside it, Charlie (Pat Butram) pays the carnival owner 12 dollars for it and takes it home. His cheating wife hates it, but all the locals gather around, staring at it and are fascinated by it. Why? I don't know cause it's a hideous thing, but the most of the characters come across like lard-brained hicks/ wierdos who even would be fascinated by a dog doing the business against a tree. It's a fascinating to watch at first, has some good atmosphere, but it gets tedious with it bizarreness. It's eerie in places, but not very scary. Nor did I find it suspenseful.
Classic Ray Bradbury With Acting Delights Galore
poetcomic119 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Spoiler Warning.
If you saw this as a child you remember it. Period. Of how many old television shows can you say that? Ray Bradbury's carnival nightmares haunted him from childhood and it is only when he tapped into his own subconscious fears and fascinations that he became an immensely successful writer. This is pure Bradbury material.
Hitchcock's close friend Norman Lloyd directed this and there are 'Hitchcock touches' galore - the quicksand scene was shot with flawless suspense - two overlapping voices Jaddo's voice utterly self-involved and insane and seemingly unaware of anything., the dying man's voice desperately pleading. Jocelyn Brando was a great 'Baby Doll' type and managed to give her torrid part lots of convincing and intense moments. She is more spoiled child than mature seductress and her cruelty is childish and impulsive.
Academy Award winning Jane Darwell (Grapes of Wrath) steals every moment of screen time she is on, even when not saying a word. It does make one sad to see the great talent in the likes of Pat Buttram and Gomer Pyle's George Lindsey that was wasted wholesale on TV in its heyday. Billy Barty, the greatest 'little people actor' of all time does not get to strut his stuff but just seeing him is a treat.
Major Spoiler: Everyone projects what it is in the jar. Charley Hill makes HIS projection of what is in the jar actually come true. It is his wife's head in the jar. That ribbon is the creepy touch of all time. The way it floats and the floating hair is reminiscent of the other unforgettable childhood movie moment: Shelley Winters underwater in Night of the Hunter.
If you saw this as a child you remember it. Period. Of how many old television shows can you say that? Ray Bradbury's carnival nightmares haunted him from childhood and it is only when he tapped into his own subconscious fears and fascinations that he became an immensely successful writer. This is pure Bradbury material.
Hitchcock's close friend Norman Lloyd directed this and there are 'Hitchcock touches' galore - the quicksand scene was shot with flawless suspense - two overlapping voices Jaddo's voice utterly self-involved and insane and seemingly unaware of anything., the dying man's voice desperately pleading. Jocelyn Brando was a great 'Baby Doll' type and managed to give her torrid part lots of convincing and intense moments. She is more spoiled child than mature seductress and her cruelty is childish and impulsive.
Academy Award winning Jane Darwell (Grapes of Wrath) steals every moment of screen time she is on, even when not saying a word. It does make one sad to see the great talent in the likes of Pat Buttram and Gomer Pyle's George Lindsey that was wasted wholesale on TV in its heyday. Billy Barty, the greatest 'little people actor' of all time does not get to strut his stuff but just seeing him is a treat.
Major Spoiler: Everyone projects what it is in the jar. Charley Hill makes HIS projection of what is in the jar actually come true. It is his wife's head in the jar. That ribbon is the creepy touch of all time. The way it floats and the floating hair is reminiscent of the other unforgettable childhood movie moment: Shelley Winters underwater in Night of the Hunter.
Creepy story, but look at that lineup!
richard.fuller117 February 2006
Warning: Spoilers
James Best, Billy Barty, George Lindsey, Jane Darwell, Jocelyn Brando (Marlon's sister) and Pat Buttram as the star of this piece.
Collin Wilcox is his wife, Thedy Sue.
With this lineup, they were backwoods country folk. Buttram would entertain the locals with a jar containing a mysterious content. They would marvel at it or try to guess what it was, I can't remember.
It has been over 30 years since I have seen this thing, but Wilcox's scream (as well as Buttram slowly pursuing her) and the results scared me tremendously as a child.
Mr. Haney on Green Acres wasn't a lovable figure for me as a kid, after seeing this black and white program.
"Here, kitty, kitty, kitty. Here, kitty, kitty, kitty." "Meow, meow." Can you believe it could send shivers down a spine? Then out came the jar. The locals looked at it, wondered about it. What could it be.
And the little girl stepped forward and, smiling, read what she saw. The name 'Thedy Sue' which was known to be printed on her hair ribbons.
Now I don't recall the details of why Buttram put his wife's head in that jar, but I definitely got the message.
Funny thing is, Buttram would do a similar sinister turn on the very short lived ABC show "The Dark Room" hosted by James Coburn. Only about seven episodes were made.
In that one, Buttram would deliver unsuspecting wanderers, in this instance, it was David Carradine, to a sea monster for dinner, with Buttram collecting any money and jewelry they may have had.
But this Hitchcock story was much scarier.
Collin Wilcox is his wife, Thedy Sue.
With this lineup, they were backwoods country folk. Buttram would entertain the locals with a jar containing a mysterious content. They would marvel at it or try to guess what it was, I can't remember.
It has been over 30 years since I have seen this thing, but Wilcox's scream (as well as Buttram slowly pursuing her) and the results scared me tremendously as a child.
Mr. Haney on Green Acres wasn't a lovable figure for me as a kid, after seeing this black and white program.
"Here, kitty, kitty, kitty. Here, kitty, kitty, kitty." "Meow, meow." Can you believe it could send shivers down a spine? Then out came the jar. The locals looked at it, wondered about it. What could it be.
And the little girl stepped forward and, smiling, read what she saw. The name 'Thedy Sue' which was known to be printed on her hair ribbons.
Now I don't recall the details of why Buttram put his wife's head in that jar, but I definitely got the message.
Funny thing is, Buttram would do a similar sinister turn on the very short lived ABC show "The Dark Room" hosted by James Coburn. Only about seven episodes were made.
In that one, Buttram would deliver unsuspecting wanderers, in this instance, it was David Carradine, to a sea monster for dinner, with Buttram collecting any money and jewelry they may have had.
But this Hitchcock story was much scarier.
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