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When it premiered on CBS on October 2, 1955, Alfred Hitchcock Presents was an instant hit destined for long-term popularity. The series' original half-hour anthology format provided a perfect showcase for stories of mystery, suspense, and the macabre that reflected Hitchcock's established persona. Every Sunday at 9:30 p.m., the series began with the familiar theme of Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette" (which would thereafter be inextricably linked with Hitchcock), and as Hitchcock's trademark profile sketch was overshadowed by the familiar silhouette of Hitchcock himself, the weekly "play" opened and closed with the series' most popular feature: As a good-natured host whose inimitable presence made him a global celebrity, Hitchcock delivered droll, dryly sardonic introductions and epilogues to each week's episode, flawlessly written by James Allardyce and frequently taking polite pot-shots at CBS sponsors, or skirting around broadcast standards (which demanded that no crime could go unpunished) by humorously explaining how the show's killers and criminals were always brought to justice... though always with a nod and a wink to the viewer.
This knowing complicity was Hitchcock's pact with his audience, and the secret to his (and the series') long-term success. It's also what attracted a stable of talented writers whose teleplays, both original and adapted, maintained a high standard of excellence. Hitchcock directed four of the first season's 39 episodes, including the premiere episode "Revenge" (a fan favorite, with future Psycho costar Vera Miles) and the season highlight "Breakdown," with Joseph Cotten as a car-accident victim, paralyzed and motionless, who's nearly left for dead; it's a perfect example of visual and narrative economy, executed with a master's touch. (The fourth episode, "Don't Come Back Alive," is also a popular favourite, with the kind of sinister twist that became a series trademark.) Robert Stevenson directed the majority of the remaining episodes with similar skill, serving tightly plotted tales (selected by associate producers Joan Harrison and Norman Lloyd) by such literary greats as Ray Bradbury, Robert Bloch, Cornell Woolrich, Dorothy L. Sayers, and John Collier. Adding to the series' prestige was a weekly roster of new and seasoned stars, with first-season appearances by Cloris Leachman, Darren McGavin, Everett Sloane, Peter Lawford, Charles Bronson, Barry Fitzgerald, John Cassavetes, Joanne Woodward, Thelma Ritter, and a host of Hollywood's best-known character players. With such stellar talent on weekly display, Alfred Hitchcock Presents paved the way for Thriller, The Twilight Zone, and other series that maximized the anthology format's storytelling potential. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is way before my time but when a programme is this good it matters not. I used to watch this sometime in the 1980's with my Dad and it was one of my favourite programmes at the time but it wasn't this series, it was a later one because I can remember it being in colour, but anyway the presentation and music (very uplifting for something so dark) was exactly the same as this. Although I can't really remember all of the stories from those colour episodes, there was one in particular that involved somebody accidentally being buried alive after a plan went wrong and it put me off ever wanting to be buried when I die.
I love the way this series is presented by Alfred Hitchcock, he was a national treasure and I particularly like his witty remarks before and after each episode I really hope they release every series of this on DVD, it would be a tragedy if it wasn't. At the time of writing, this as to be one of the best value for money DVD boxsets ever at (at the time of writing) just under £9. There are 39 episodes at roughly 23 minutes each and a good variety of stories all with some kind of twist at the end. I don't think that this is as well known as say for example The Twilight Zone (another classic that as aged beautifully) or to younger people like myself, but if you like that and anything similar, then even at over fifty years old (and as I have already mentioned this is way before my time) I would recommend this classic programme to anyone.
One last comment is that I am sorry to say to the person asking that there aren't any subtitles on this particular series which is wrong, as I think that they should be on all DVD's as standard but I am not sure about series 2 and whether they will be on the remaining series (if they are ever released), so fingers crossed.
I love the way this series is presented by Alfred Hitchcock, he was a national treasure and I particularly like his witty remarks before and after each episode I really hope they release every series of this on DVD, it would be a tragedy if it wasn't. At the time of writing, this as to be one of the best value for money DVD boxsets ever at (at the time of writing) just under £9. There are 39 episodes at roughly 23 minutes each and a good variety of stories all with some kind of twist at the end. I don't think that this is as well known as say for example The Twilight Zone (another classic that as aged beautifully) or to younger people like myself, but if you like that and anything similar, then even at over fifty years old (and as I have already mentioned this is way before my time) I would recommend this classic programme to anyone.
One last comment is that I am sorry to say to the person asking that there aren't any subtitles on this particular series which is wrong, as I think that they should be on all DVD's as standard but I am not sure about series 2 and whether they will be on the remaining series (if they are ever released), so fingers crossed.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By mickram23
Format:DVD
This is a fantastic tv series, with 39 'mini-movies' in crystal clear b&w. As with most tv series some of the episodes are absolute classics and some are mearly above average but when Amazon are charging (at the time of writing this review) £8.97 for the set you'd be mad to pass this up!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Polinaa
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
great especially if you like surprising finishes. good if you do not have time for a 3h movie but want a short intelligent entertainment.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent content
As expected, this is exactly what I was looking for: a lot of short "stories" told by a master.storyteller and fine casts.
Published 12 days ago by John Shepcott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really Pleased
I was really pleased with this product. It arrived before its estimated date and my husband was pleased with his gift.
Published 1 month ago by Rachael H
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought for son.
Bought this for my son at his request, he loves it and it is now doing the rounds of the family, we all enjoy a good mystery and the old ones are the best.
Published 1 month ago by Chocol;ate
5.0 out of 5 stars
very good
the ALFRED HITCHCOCK WAS SO GOOD I HAVE BOUGHT SEASONS 2 AND THREE FROM YOU WHAT MORE CAN I SAY ,WHEN WILL THE OTHERS BE OUT
Published 2 months ago by Mr A J Morland
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect to add to any Hitchcock collection
Came well packaged, no damages. Such a good watch, just as I remember it when I watched it when I was younger!
Published 3 months ago by hannahluck
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alfred Hitchcock series 1 box set
Great product, used to love the shows as a youngster. Had all but forgotten about them found them whilst looking on here for twilight zone dvds. Read more
Published 13 months ago by TWATHEAD1973
5.0 out of 5 stars
Complete and vintage!
I love this tv-serie since I discovered it :) Really amusing and very Scary... since it is signed by Hitchcock!The DVDs are perfect and the serie is from the 60s.
Published 16 months ago by Laurasumazon
2.0 out of 5 stars
hitchcock presents.series 1
was really disappointed in the quality of 1 of the discs as it was bubbled....hence i wasnt able to watch 6 of the episodes.all the other discs were in excellent condition....
Published 17 months ago by J. Allen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dated series but presented in a very funny way by Alfred himself
Very nice series of Hitchcock 50's shortfilms.
Why 4 stars?
No comment on the films or on the imagequality here, and although people from Flanders understand... Read more
Why 4 stars?
No comment on the films or on the imagequality here, and although people from Flanders understand... Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2011 by PV from Flanders
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE MASTER OF SUSPENCE.
Why can,t they make shows like this today...all 39 steps ooops sorry 39 episodes are of such high quality you wounder how the writers maintain such a standard. Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2010 by philip foy
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