This "AHP" episode from season 2 number 15 from 1964 "Night Caller" is one that's well done and memorable as it has a story of suspense and drama only to twist at the end. Set in the suburbs a socialite and attractive woman Marcia Fowler loves to sun bath as her husband a business man travels plenty and she has a stepson on the side and perhaps an extra flame on the side. Enter a wild card character to the picture that's stubborn and nosy neighbor Roy Bullock(the great legend Bruce Dern) who often watches Marcia from the near by fence he seems strange and out of place like he's a stalker or spy! Plus the episode deepens when he becomes friends with Marcia's stepson, the drama and suspense heat up when Marcia starts getting obscene and whisper like phone calls. You as the viewer think you know where this episode is headed only it twist in the end, overall really a well done episode with it's acting as the suspense kept things moving.
10 Reviews
Jumping to conclusions?
planktonrules20 May 2021
When the story begins, Marcia (Felicia Farr) is in her backyard sunbathing. A young man, Roy (Bruce Dern), is standing there...just outside the property staring at her and it's rather creepy. So, she goes inside and calls the police. The guy admits to having been there but insists he meant no harm. When the husband (David White) finds out, he goes over the have it out with Roy....and, oddly, finds he likes the guy. A bit later, their son is out flying his plane and Roy helps him...and now the boy likes Roy. EVERYBODY seems to like Roy...and they are pretty dismissive of Marcia's concerns. At the same time, some weirdo starts phoning Marcia and making obscene calls...and assumes it's probably Roy.
This is a very tense episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour". The final confrontation scene at the end felt a bit awkward...but otherwise well worth seeing.
This is a very tense episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour". The final confrontation scene at the end felt a bit awkward...but otherwise well worth seeing.
Exposed
sol121813 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** One of the best of the hour long Alfred Hitchcock presents episodes that has 20 year old Roy Bullock, played by 28 year old Bruce Dern, being caught spying by the shapely, what a pair of legs she has, Marcia Fowler, Felicia Farr, as she was sunbathing in her backyard wearing only a swimsuit.
Upset at being spied by Roy Marcia calls the police to see what they can do about it. As it turns out Roy, who's living with his step-mom, makes no excuses in what he did and there's no law, in watching someone sunbathing in their backyard from across a fence, that Roy broke! It's later when Roy gets good and friendly with Marcia's 12 year old step son Stevey,Leslie Barringer,becoming a big brother to him that we get a hint of what his what seems like preverted actions towards Marica really are all about. Which have nothing really to do with Marcia Per Se but those close to her both Stevey and her husband, Stevey's real father, David Fowler, David White!
Added into the mix is a number of annoying phone calls Marcia starts to get from some unknown admirer who, like Roy, seems to be watching her every move! With and without her clothes on! Can that person be Roy himself who's using little Stevey to get to Marcia who seems to be his real reason for befriending the kid?
***SPOILERS*** It's when both Jack Fowler together Davey, who just went along for the plane ride, are away on a business trip to San Francisco that Roy sees his chance to finally confront Marcia alone in her house and tell her what's really going on in his admittedly disturbed mind! The shocking revelations that Roy brings out about himself as well as Marcia and what she's doing to both her husband Jack and step-son Stevey are just too much for her to take!
***MAJOR MAJOR SPOILER*** What's really shocking about all this is after a terrified Marcia pulls out a gun from her bedroom draw and blows the threatening Roy away that she gets a final phone call from her secret admirer who's been watching all that time! And to her both shock & surprise the caller isn't whom she always suspected him to be!
Upset at being spied by Roy Marcia calls the police to see what they can do about it. As it turns out Roy, who's living with his step-mom, makes no excuses in what he did and there's no law, in watching someone sunbathing in their backyard from across a fence, that Roy broke! It's later when Roy gets good and friendly with Marcia's 12 year old step son Stevey,Leslie Barringer,becoming a big brother to him that we get a hint of what his what seems like preverted actions towards Marica really are all about. Which have nothing really to do with Marcia Per Se but those close to her both Stevey and her husband, Stevey's real father, David Fowler, David White!
Added into the mix is a number of annoying phone calls Marcia starts to get from some unknown admirer who, like Roy, seems to be watching her every move! With and without her clothes on! Can that person be Roy himself who's using little Stevey to get to Marcia who seems to be his real reason for befriending the kid?
***SPOILERS*** It's when both Jack Fowler together Davey, who just went along for the plane ride, are away on a business trip to San Francisco that Roy sees his chance to finally confront Marcia alone in her house and tell her what's really going on in his admittedly disturbed mind! The shocking revelations that Roy brings out about himself as well as Marcia and what she's doing to both her husband Jack and step-son Stevey are just too much for her to take!
***MAJOR MAJOR SPOILER*** What's really shocking about all this is after a terrified Marcia pulls out a gun from her bedroom draw and blows the threatening Roy away that she gets a final phone call from her secret admirer who's been watching all that time! And to her both shock & surprise the caller isn't whom she always suspected him to be!
Sneaky Subtext
dougdoepke1 May 2015
Can't miss anything with Bruce Dern in it. He's a fine actor as his lengthy, distinguished career has shown. Nonetheless, he had a hammerlock on weirdo's at this career stage. As Roy Bullock, he certainly doesn't disappoint, a quietly unsettling role that he doesn't exaggerate. In fact, the entry's considerable suspense involves guessing how weird Roy actually is. Will he go further than just sneaking a peek at curvaceous cutie Marcia (Farr) in her revealing swimsuit. And why does he keep peeking even when she's fully clothed. But then Marcia is something of an exhibitionist with a belligerent husband (White) and a neglected step-son. And what about those whispering phone calls Marcia keeps getting. Who else could the anonymous caller be but Roy. After all, he and his parents just moved into the neighborhood, and her life hasn't been the same since. Plus, how wise is it to let her young step-son Stevey spend so much time with Roy who seems to enjoy the little kid's company. Is Roy just looking for another avenue into Marcia's household, and if so, why.
Well-acted entry with just enough subtleties to make the upshot believable. White's just right as the older husband, while Farr's Marcia has the right look, especially in her sometimes revealing dresses. But, of course, it's Dern who dominates in a quiet way that also injects a subtle note of pathos into the ending. In my little book, it's a solid hour of Hitchcock suspense.
Well-acted entry with just enough subtleties to make the upshot believable. White's just right as the older husband, while Farr's Marcia has the right look, especially in her sometimes revealing dresses. But, of course, it's Dern who dominates in a quiet way that also injects a subtle note of pathos into the ending. In my little book, it's a solid hour of Hitchcock suspense.
Poor Old Bruce
Hitchcoc20 May 2023
With that voice and that piercing stare, Bruce Dern, as a young actor, was frightening. While we can take issue with the life style and morals of the young woman in the story, Dern comes across as pretty scary. We never do know where the phone calls are coming from. She has so many male connections when her much older husband is out of town, it could be anyone. But she jumps to a conclusion. In her defense, Dern's character really oversteps his bounds under the circumstance. Obviously, he comes from a pretty bad upbringing. He can't let go that this woman is ruining her son's life. He has befriended the boy and knows what a weak mother she is. Anyway, he can't leave well enough alone and steps way over the line, even if he is right.
He's at a swimming lesson or something
glitterrose17 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Another wonderful episode and it also features Bruce Dern. Here's the thing. I can call Jesse (Bruce's character in "Lonely Place" as being absolutely off the wall nuts. I can't really say that for Bruce's character in this episode.
I can honestly say there's parts of me that are sympathetic to Roy and Marcia. It's understandable to be freaked out at a peeping tom or being afraid at getting scary phone calls. There's a part of me that feels like Marcia's husband somewhat let her down because she was very open about being scared of Roy and yet her husband and stepson are both friendly enough with Roy to talk with him or him stop by at the house to drop the stepson off.
But I also can sympathize with Marcia's husband and Stevey (stepson). It looked like being loyal to one man and being a good stepmom to Stevey weren't on Marcia's list of things to do. It never failed to crack me up whenever Marcia would say that Stevey was at a swimming lesson or something while Roy tended to know what Stevey's schedule was like. And no, I wasn't getting creep vibes off Roy being friendly with Stevey. I think he saw a lot of himself in Stevey. Roy was very upset at a situation he had went through with his stepmother and I think he was just taking on kind of a big brother role for Stevey. It'd give him somebody to hang out with since he was pretty much alone for large parts of his free time.
So I also can sympathize with what Roy went through because it sounds like he was still traumatized at his stepmom's actions and the death of his father.
I can also understand where people might think Roy overstepped his boundaries and should've minded his own business. There's no need for you to go to Marcia's house and confront her over her actions. Marcia also got another shock after she kills Roy and she's still getting obscene phone calls.
Anyway, this is another interesting episode and would recommend it as another one on the "best of Hitchcock" lists.
I can honestly say there's parts of me that are sympathetic to Roy and Marcia. It's understandable to be freaked out at a peeping tom or being afraid at getting scary phone calls. There's a part of me that feels like Marcia's husband somewhat let her down because she was very open about being scared of Roy and yet her husband and stepson are both friendly enough with Roy to talk with him or him stop by at the house to drop the stepson off.
But I also can sympathize with Marcia's husband and Stevey (stepson). It looked like being loyal to one man and being a good stepmom to Stevey weren't on Marcia's list of things to do. It never failed to crack me up whenever Marcia would say that Stevey was at a swimming lesson or something while Roy tended to know what Stevey's schedule was like. And no, I wasn't getting creep vibes off Roy being friendly with Stevey. I think he saw a lot of himself in Stevey. Roy was very upset at a situation he had went through with his stepmother and I think he was just taking on kind of a big brother role for Stevey. It'd give him somebody to hang out with since he was pretty much alone for large parts of his free time.
So I also can sympathize with what Roy went through because it sounds like he was still traumatized at his stepmom's actions and the death of his father.
I can also understand where people might think Roy overstepped his boundaries and should've minded his own business. There's no need for you to go to Marcia's house and confront her over her actions. Marcia also got another shock after she kills Roy and she's still getting obscene phone calls.
Anyway, this is another interesting episode and would recommend it as another one on the "best of Hitchcock" lists.
Three Nuts.
rmax30482311 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
It's an easy episode to watch. The performances are pretty good -- professional if not much else -- and Bruce Dern demonstrates how Stanislavsky has misled actors.
Felicia Farr, Mrs. Jack Lemon, is sunbathing in her suburban back yard and lanky young Bruce Dern crouches behind some plastic shrubbery and stares at her. I don't blame him.
But Farr spots him and, although he acts friendly enough, she becomes all hysterical, runs inside, and calls the police. The cops take her to Dern's house and remonstrate with him. Dern is puzzled but polite, and he promises to behave himself.
Not good enough for Farr. When her etiolated older husband returns home she send him over to Dern's house to give him a good talking-to. Again, Dern is accommodating but protests that he's done nothing wrong. Well, he hasn't, really, has he? Not only hasn't Dern been a bad boy but he's taken a liking to Farr's stepson and spends time playing basketball with the young kid.
It's about at this point that Farr begins getting the kind of phone calls that are called "nasty," although to any objective viewer they sound innocent enough. The usual friendly chat. "What are you wearing? What color is your nightgown?" Farr immediately assumes that the voice is Dern's although the viewer can't be sure.
Up until now it's been a rather neatly written story. Sure, Farr may be a little hysterical -- calling the cops because some teenager was watching her sun bathe in a bathing suit and following it up with a visit by her husband. But is Dern innocent as he claims to be or not? Well -- we don't know.
I guess I won't give away the ending except to say that the story is more or less wrenched apart in what appears to be an attempt at a "Hitchcock ending." Farr is a little nuts. But then Dern turns out to be nuts too. And there's a third nut on the other end of the phone.
There is a clear moral message in this story though. I can't figure out what it is, but it's there alright. Don't kid yourself about that.
Felicia Farr, Mrs. Jack Lemon, is sunbathing in her suburban back yard and lanky young Bruce Dern crouches behind some plastic shrubbery and stares at her. I don't blame him.
But Farr spots him and, although he acts friendly enough, she becomes all hysterical, runs inside, and calls the police. The cops take her to Dern's house and remonstrate with him. Dern is puzzled but polite, and he promises to behave himself.
Not good enough for Farr. When her etiolated older husband returns home she send him over to Dern's house to give him a good talking-to. Again, Dern is accommodating but protests that he's done nothing wrong. Well, he hasn't, really, has he? Not only hasn't Dern been a bad boy but he's taken a liking to Farr's stepson and spends time playing basketball with the young kid.
It's about at this point that Farr begins getting the kind of phone calls that are called "nasty," although to any objective viewer they sound innocent enough. The usual friendly chat. "What are you wearing? What color is your nightgown?" Farr immediately assumes that the voice is Dern's although the viewer can't be sure.
Up until now it's been a rather neatly written story. Sure, Farr may be a little hysterical -- calling the cops because some teenager was watching her sun bathe in a bathing suit and following it up with a visit by her husband. But is Dern innocent as he claims to be or not? Well -- we don't know.
I guess I won't give away the ending except to say that the story is more or less wrenched apart in what appears to be an attempt at a "Hitchcock ending." Farr is a little nuts. But then Dern turns out to be nuts too. And there's a third nut on the other end of the phone.
There is a clear moral message in this story though. I can't figure out what it is, but it's there alright. Don't kid yourself about that.
Just a TY.
lauriedavis-3138729 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Sorry - not a review but just wanted to take opportunity to thank "dougdoepke" for their great review! Staying at elderly parent's house to help out. Some sort of antenna on TV? Anyhoo: no guide, no info etc. But i have my phone! YAY! You covered all the bases & obviously adore Bruce Dern as i do! Bottom line is that i wouldn't have understood & enjoyed this program if i hadn't read your review. ... omG my life SUCKS right now & YOU helped make it better. So, TY.
Night caller
coltras359 May 2022
Sunbathing in her backyard, Marcia Fowler (the beautiful Felicia Farr) spots a teen new neighbour, Roy Bullock, eyeing her up( his eyeballs look like they're going to pop out). Frightened, she calls the police, who warn Roy not to be a peeping Tom. Marcia also asks her husband Jack to admonish Roy, but Jack finds Roy to be friendly. Roy befriends 12-year-old Stevey Fowler.
Meanwhile,Marcia begins getting obscene telephone calls, and naturally thinks it's the gawping teen neighbour, Roy. Things comes to a head when her hubby and stepson go to San Francisco, leaving her alone - another of those phone calls rings. Then Roy visits Marcia to leave a gift for Stevey, and to chide Marcia for her infidelity. Panicked, she overreacts, and soon regrets her rashness.
And of course, there's a twist in the tale regarding the phone calls, but you probably know that by reading the other reviews. This is a well-acted melodrama with good characterisations, especially from Felicia Farr, whose moral compass is lacking and is obviously cheating on her husband. Bruce Dern is ok as the peeping Tom, who looks a little shady to me, so it's understandable that Felicia Farr's character is reacting like she does. There's an effective suburban atmosphere, nice subtle suspense with a good finale.
Meanwhile,Marcia begins getting obscene telephone calls, and naturally thinks it's the gawping teen neighbour, Roy. Things comes to a head when her hubby and stepson go to San Francisco, leaving her alone - another of those phone calls rings. Then Roy visits Marcia to leave a gift for Stevey, and to chide Marcia for her infidelity. Panicked, she overreacts, and soon regrets her rashness.
And of course, there's a twist in the tale regarding the phone calls, but you probably know that by reading the other reviews. This is a well-acted melodrama with good characterisations, especially from Felicia Farr, whose moral compass is lacking and is obviously cheating on her husband. Bruce Dern is ok as the peeping Tom, who looks a little shady to me, so it's understandable that Felicia Farr's character is reacting like she does. There's an effective suburban atmosphere, nice subtle suspense with a good finale.
"I didn't mean to kill you."
classicsoncall20 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The only thing remotely satisfying about this episode was the ending, which if you're a Hitchcock fan, was predictable enough. Otherwise the story was a mess, which puts me at odds with most other reviewers here on IMDb, but at least hear me out. First off, none of the principal characters were consistent in their behavior. The worst was Jack Fowler (David White), who at times was loving and then combative with his wife Marcia (Felicia Farr), especially after hearing from the gossip mongering next door neighbor Lucy (Angela Greene), who actually tried putting a move on him herself early in the story. Similarly, he was both antagonistic and friendly toward Roy Bullock (Bruce Dern), who in turn gave off weird vibes whenever he wasn't playing nice with the Fowler son Stevie (Leslie Barringer). Roy's dumbest move was inviting the cop into his bedroom when they came to find out about the 'peeping Tom' incident; why would he have done that, after smart mouthing the officer? With all those girlie mags in full view, what was the cop supposed to think? The dumbest move however, given all that went before with the cops, his wife and Roy, was when Jack Fowler openly mentioned to Roy that he and Stevie were going to be away the entire day leaving Marcia alone at home. Did this guy have rocks in his head? And for her part, Marcia said she could use the day to fix the hem on her dress while her husband and stepson were away. Really, it would take that long? I have to blame the scriptwriters for some awfully stupid scenes and dialog in this episode, including the idea that with all that went on, Marcia left the back door open after dark so Roy could simply waltz right in and spill his tale of woe, growing up in the same kind of environment she was offering her husband and stepson. It was no surprise that she shot Roy when he gave off that threatening vibe, but when she did, I sat back and waited for the phone call. And there it was, leaving Marcia on the hook for a murder that wasn't justified. And not to nitpick, but the very opening scene created one big loose end when Marcia dissuaded an admirer from coming over because her husband was coming home. Not that we needed to know after the fact, but she never bothered to contact the guy when Jack went away to San Francisco, something she said she would do the next time he was called away.
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