Behind the Locked Door

I agree with the last reviewer, there's a touch of gothic attached to Gloria Swanson's performance in this mystery, similar in style to the dark material Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were doing at the time. In short, Swanson displays her ominous side, drawing you right in.

Incidentally, Hitch's famous mood music is a contributing factor in spades.

Lynn Loring plays Bonnie, heir to a fortune, who wishes to marry a young gentleman... with ideas? James MacArthur, in a very good early role, plays Dave, Bonnie's struggling fiancee who is locked in a battle of wits with her domineering mother, Mrs. Daniels (played by Swanson). She's a tough cookie who doubts Dave's sincerity, believing it's all about the inheritence.

Watching this all unfold is simply mesmerizing, topped by a marvelous performance by Miss Swanson, one of the few silent film stars who successfully graduated to sound and, later tv, aging gracefully at that. Still very beautiful, and making the most of her role.

The ending is an absolute macabre knockout.

Swanson at the time considered herself retired, however was in demand on tv. This may be her best dramatic role for television, which should have earned her an Emmy nomination.

Excellent direction by Robert Douglas, an actor himself, who mastered several episodes for Hitch.

Another gem written by series writer Joel Murcott, from a story by Henry Sleser, who wrote for the EDGE OF NIGHT for years.

Also a salute to Lynn Loring, who passed in 2023.

Loring was a soap opera actor, appearing regularly in SEARCH FOR TOMORROW. Most of us cop show fans recognize her from the FBI, playing Barbara Erskine.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 22 remastered. The dvd box set, according to Amazon, was produced in Europe and may not play on American made players. Always check with the seller.

I advise you not to read the summary of this episode, as I did, because it pretty much IS the entire episode...including the twist.

When the story begins, Bonnie has just married Dave (James MacArthur) and they are visiting her childhood home, which has been shuttered for some time. However, her mother is apparently there and she confronts the two lovers. Unbeknownst to Dave, Bonnie is underage...and the marriage is not valid. The mother (Gloria Swanson) announces she's having the marriage annulled, as she thinks Dave is only interested in Bonnie because of her fortune. However, she can't stop Bonnie once she hits 18...but she can keep the money in trust until she's 25...and she assumes Dave will not be willing to wait. What's next and what is the locked door? See the show and find out for yourself.

Considering what a godawful person Dave turns out to be, the finale of this episode is quite satisfying and makes this one worth seeing. A dark and well deserved finale and solid acting make this one worth seeing. However, and I really HATE this, in the epilogue, Hitchcock gives yet another 'crime doesn't pay' speech---even though it's doubtful a crime was committed. For this, I had to knock off a point.

Based on Hitchcock staple and stable writer Henry Slesar story, I'll assume his name and reputation got the producers interested in what is an extremely stupid story and episode.

Also the casting is off. Lyn Loring is not plane or homely looking girl they keep referring to her as. Glora Swanson is old enough to be her grandmother not her mother--as Loring character is supposed to be 17 years old and is dressed like a grandmother rather than a mother as well.

James MacArthur is good and has a fun, if not very convincing, turn.

Producer director Douglas has one excellent creepy shot of Swanson near the end but this is overused as well.

The trouble is the major plot twists make no sense at all and are, afraid to use the overused word, but they are almost offensively stupid, they require the characters to become stupid and are just not convincing or motivated by the story either.

Herrmann contributes an original score but doesn't seem to be working too hard to save this show, which probably couldn't be saved anyway. He does fill up some silences and mostly focuses on scoring the kitchen sink romance element of the show. This aspect of the story does work though it's really just padding.

Sincere performances help--Swanson has one kind of campy moment, but the thing also feels padded in the middle. And the reasons for what's BEHIND THE DOOR becoming so important are also not convincing.

Nicely produced episode is all you can say in favor of it but the story doesn't work in an hour format and probably would work even less well, if that's possible, in a short form.

Well they can't all be winners. Hithcocks wrap around is the best part, involving changing signs on public restrooms. Skip the rest and watch these only if you can.

This is the worst episode of the whole Alfred Hitchcock Hour and Alfred Hitchcock Presents series. Not only is the plot boring and predictable (don't worry; unlike others I will NOT write a detail-by-detail summary of the entire episode), but the worst part is the leading female's voice. From the beginning of talkies until now, Hollywood has never seemed to be able to understand that teenager girls are not grown women talking in fake squeaky high-pitched nasal voices. The voice is so unbearable, I'm halfway through the episode as I type this, and I don't know if I can stand to finish it. I just can't stand the squeaky nasally voice anymore.

Solid interesting story with surprising ending. Well acted, suspense throughout due to the mystery of the door. Several interesting plot twists. The negative reviews here make no sense.worth it for Gloria Swanson alone. Id call this one of Hitchcock's best. Several plot twists along the way. You'll be surprised by the ending. No dull moments in this well crafted tale. Gloria Swanson looks better here than n any of her other movies. Could have been a good full length feature movie. One you will remember for a long time. The ending Gus a true shoker. I'd buy the video if I could.

I'd rate it higher than 10 if I could.