No one will listen to a mild-mannered man's theory about a string of local murders.No one will listen to a mild-mannered man's theory about a string of local murders.No one will listen to a mild-mannered man's theory about a string of local murders.
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Storyline
Did you know
- Quotes
[introduction - Hitchcock is standing by a record player which he activates]
Alfred Hitchcock: [on the record player] Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you will excuse the use of this mechanical device, but I have a mild case of laryngitis and I don't wish to strain my voice. Tonight's story is en...
[the record keeps repeating "Tonight's story is en..." until Hitchcock moves the needle]
Alfred Hitchcock: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you will excuse this broken record, but it was improperly handled. Tonight's play is called "Listen, Listen".
[the record keeps repeating "Listen, Listen" until Hitchcock moves the needle again]
Alfred Hitchcock: But "Listen, Listen" really is the name of the story.
[the record keeps repeating "Listen, Listen" again until Hitchcock stops it and speaks with a whisper]
Alfred Hitchcock: I think we have made that point quite clear. Now, to save my voice, I think we shall indulge in some mental telepathy. Look at the expression on my face and see if you can tell what is coming next.
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
"Listen, Listen" is one of the high middle episodes of Season 3. It doesn't waste its premise, while also not quite living up to it with it not escaping properly the potential traps it had. It is well done and has a lot to like, but for me there were also a few quite major issues that stopped it from being more than very good. When it comes to comparing it with Taylor's previous 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes, "Listen, Listen" is not on the same level of "The Right Kind of House" while also being better than "The Deadly" and "Fatal Figures".
There are plenty of good things here. It is well acted, with Edgar Stehli being not too hard to get behind and Dayton Lummis being delightfully indignant. The chemistry also compels and intrigues. Hitchcock's bookending is droll and amusing as to be expected and Taylor's direction is assured enough and generates enough suspense.
Also did find the story very interesting on the whole, with some nice suspense and a twist that was a surprise and quite well done. It is not too simple while not being convoluted either. The dialogue provokes enough thought, while it is atmospherically made and the theme tune deserves its classic status.
On the other hand, there are things that could have been done better. Didn't like how short sighted and idiotic the police were portrayed. Or that the script tended to over explain too much and at times too early.
Furthermore, did feel that despite liking the premise on paper the execution did become too on the over stretched side when what is revealed could have been said more directly a good deal earlier. So the pacing had a padded feel later.
Concluding, a lot to admire while not living to full potential. 7/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 25, 2023
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1