Night Caller

So it has to be worth watching! Once again, Bruce Dern hits his part out of the park. This AH episode, and 'Lonely Place' are terrific because of Bruce Dern's presence. He is one of the best actors, not only of his generation, but all of Hollywood. He also played his role brilliantly in Alfred Hitchcock's final film, 1978s, "Family Plot", which was also a big hit for Bruce Dern. I've followed Bruce Dern's entire career and I don't think he's ever done a poor job of acting. No mater what the role or how small, he gives it everything he's got and it shows in the final product. I grew up during the 1960s and I wish Bruce had gotten some of the parts other actors played who were good, but not in Bruce Dern's league.

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.

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.

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.

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.