Premonition
- Episode aired Oct 9, 1955
- TV-14
- 24m
A man returning to his home town finds his father has died, and suspects his friends are covering up the true details of that death.A man returning to his home town finds his father has died, and suspects his friends are covering up the true details of that death.A man returning to his home town finds his father has died, and suspects his friends are covering up the true details of that death.
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- Writer
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Stanger family home was previously used as Tara in Gone with the Wind (1939).
- GoofsWhen Kim is standing outside the house, there are no stained-glass sections on the sides of the door, but when he enters the house, it can be seen that the door is framed with stained glass sections.
- Quotes
[first lines]
Himself - Host: Good evening. Have you ever had a premonition? A feeling that something dreadful was about to happen? I mentioned that, obviously, because tonight's play is about a young man named Kim Stanger. About his strange homecoming, and of the mystery he found when he arrived. Follow him if you will, as he attempts to unravel this mystery, hindered at every step by his friends, and haunted always by a vague sense of foreboding. This story is appropriately entitled "Premonition." I defy you to guess the nature of Kim Stanger's premonition, although we shall give you numerous clues in the prologue, which we now present immediately.
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
"Premonition" is another great episode. It is not quite one of the very finest hours from 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but as far as the promising Season 1 goes it's another episode that is in the better half. While it's not my definition of flawless, not many episodes fit that distinction, there is so much to admire here and "Premonition" is also proof that there is very good reason as to why Stevens directed so frequently (the most prolific director) on the series.
There is not much to fault "Premonition" actually. Do still think that the bookending rambles a little, which was not the first or last time that was the case and it's not among the worst either.
Everything else is excellent, with Forsythe's searingly intense and touchingly vulnerable performance and the unpredictable twist, that still shocks, particularly standing out. It's directed with a great feel for atmosphere and efficiency by Stevens, even if he did even better in some of his other episodes at the suspense factor. Leachman is barely recognisable from the later roles she is best known for (her amazing performance in 'Last Picture Show'), and does a fine job as the sister in law. The acting is all fine, George Macready particularly strong.
Furthermore, the production values are suitably moody and professional looking. Have always loved the series' theme tune, with Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette" being for me one of the best uses of pre-existing classical music on television (bravo to Bernard Hermmann for suggesting it).
It is tautly scripted and avoids being too melodramatic, which was a danger with this type of story. The story is crisply paced and there is a lot going on without feeling too over-crowded. The atmosphere is suitably suspenseful.
Concluding, great. 9/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jan 19, 2022
Details
- Runtime24 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1