User Reviews

Franchot Tone does a nice job as a has-been actor, obsessively adored by his long-time assistant. She is suffocating in her adulation, practically wiping his nose when he sneezes. He has a skeleton in his closet, a woman who previously threw herself at him and then died. Mom is blackmailing him. He is at the end of his rope. We know all the pieces, but some nice pacing and some unanswered questions move the plot forward nicely. We really pull for him. He has become sad and pathetic and may even be thinking about ending it all. Tone is quite believable as the suffering actor who has been delegated to silly parts in awful movies. He dominates the screen. One of the better efforts of this series.

'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' "The Impossible Dream" (1959)

Opening thoughts: There were a number of reasons for wanting to see "The Impossible Dream". One was that it was part of the uneven but utterly fascinating 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' series, that did have its fair share of misses but also a bigger number of major hits. It was also directed by the series' most prolific director Robert Stevens, while his output was not consistent he was responsible for many very good and more episodes. And starred Franchot Tone, showing his darker side, and Mary Astor.

Was very impressed overall by "The Impossible Dream" and thought it among the better episodes of the second half of Season 4. The premise showed so much potential and it is a type of story that has been done very well, and "The Impossible Dream" does nothing to waste it. Personally didn't find it dull whatsoever and while it is indeed depressing it just about avoided wallowing too much in it, which is so easy to do with this type of story with characters that don't sound particularly sympathetic.

Bad things: Not very much wrong here actually, but to me the ending was unsatisfying, due to being for my tastes being too rushed and over-explained. What happens to Matthews in my view didn't feel deserved.

Good things: Otherwise, "The Impossible Dream" was very good. Tone excels in an intensely brooding performance that doesn't get overwrought, he also effectively conveys Matthews' bitterness while not overdoing it. Astor is a strong sympathetic contrast and their chemistry burns off the screen more than convincingly. Stevens' direction is assured and successfully gives the story slow burning energy and suspense.

Furthermore, the photography is suitably moody and has some elegance. Hitchcock's bookending is suitably ironic and the theme music has lost none of its devillish quality. The episode is quite talky in spots, especially early on, but it didn't feel overly so and it all intrigued. The story never stops being compelling and has some nice suspense, never coming over as draggy.

Closing thoughts: Concluding, liked it a lot.

8/10.

This was the only episode Meade Roberts wrote for Hitch, whose claim to fame was collaborating with Tennessee Williams on the screen version of SUMMER AND SMOKE. That is a shame, because this is great stuff.

10 Stars. All the way.

Mary Astor returns to the series, along with another screen icon, Franchot Tone -- and there's trouble between the two. Tone plays an over the hill movie star who has a lovesick assistant (exceptionally played by Carmen Matthews), literally tied around his neck, and a cool, calculating blackmailer (Astor), to also keep him company. What a life!

Not surprisingly, Tone has a little bottle of poison --just in case! Watch what happens... Both Franchot Tone and Mary Astor were in the later years of their careers and shine all the way. Once a star, always a star. Carmen Matthews, who made several appearances on the series, is perfectly cast here. She was best in matron roles, and with a few surpirses up her sleeve.

At the time, Franchot Tone co-produced, co-directed and starred in the screen version of his Broadway production Uncle Vanya, later to co-star on BEN CASEY.

Memorable entertainment, and the ending is a hoot.

It will stick with you for awhile. SEASON 4 remastered Universal dvd box set. 5 dvd set. Released 2008.

Solid Hitchcock. Oliver (Tone) is a fading matinée idol who's trying to face up to the changes in his life. He's adored by aging assistant Miss Hall (Mathews), but also, blackmailed by gimpy old virago Grace Dolan (Astor). Not much left for him except more of the downhill slide, so he contemplates suicide. But will he.

At first, I thought the first half interlude with the adoring Miss Hall was just filler. But it's not. In fact, there's considerable suspense in wondering where the story's going. Excellent performances from 3 old pro's. Tone certainly looks the part, while Astor is a long way from her glamorous turn in The Maltese Falcon (1941). Note too how the brief boat scene is more explicit than usual. Then there's the good look at behind- the-scenes filming along with the busy studio lot. All in all, it's a solid entry, worthy of the Hitchcock stamp.

"The Impossible Dream" is not a particularly good episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" for two reasons. First, it's very depressing to watch two famous actors playing total has-beens or losers. Second, it's just a very interesting script and the show is kind of dull.

The show finds Oliver Mathews (Franchot Tone) at the low point in his acting career. Long gone are his glory days as a leading man and now he's bitter and reduced to playing bit parts. To make things worse, he's been blackmailed for years by his ex- sister-in-law, Grace, and he's also broke and unable to pay her any more. As a result, he's contemplating suicide.

Depressing, depressing, depressing. Seeing Tone this way as well as Mary Astor being made up to look old and unattractive isn't the way I wish to remember the two....though I at least admire their willingness to do this.