User reviews

This is a bit remindful of Conan-Doyle's "The Red-Headed League." It involves a man who is a bit desperate for employment who takes a job where he goes to work all by himself and carries out his orders. He is confused but his wife is ill and he is always paid right on schedule. He continues to do what is asked of him until one day a man comes to him and asks him to commit a murder. At first he is absolutely opposed to it, but when a large cash settlement is involved it gets him to thinking. He is a little milquetoast and a rule follower, but he has been given a chance to prosper. As it turns out, there are a series of twist from this point on and it has a pretty satisfying ending. This involves one of those moral decisions that many are forced to make at times. It's a good episode that starts slowly and then picks up steam.

Mr. Crabtree is an elder man who has just been let go from his previous job due to his age. With his wife Mrs. Crabtree in poor health. He receives a call from an employer to whom he had written, and the employer sends his secretary to discuss the job with Crabtree. He gets the job and soon is making good money and living the good life. However one day he is paid a visit by his boss the mysterious Mr. X who wants Crabtree to do a new job for him for a whole years salary. That job murder a man. There's not to much to say about this one it's a fine little story that isn't to hard to understand even if a bit on the predictable side. It still doesn't ruin it though as John Qualan making his third and final appearance in the series is really enjoyable to watch, he plays the whole innocent guy role really good. A surprise appearance from Lorne Greene pre-Bonanza was a fun surprise as well. Like said the ending is a bit predictable, and oddly played off in a silly sorta way despite the situation that's just occurred.

"Help Wanted" is the first episode of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' to be directed by James Neilson, who later went on to direct eleven more episodes of the series of varying success. It is also John Qualen's second lead actor appearance on the series, his first being the very good "A Bullet for Baldwin", which he was great in. The premise was not overly exciting, but have seen many things with things that don't sound exciting but the execution turns out to be solid.

As far as Season 1 goes, "Help Wanted" is not one of the best (i.e. "Breakdown", "And So Died Riabouchinska") or one of the worst (ie. "Triggers for Leash", "Shopping for Death"). It is somewhere around solid middle, an episode that does a lot right, more so than wrong, but at the same time there's something that other episodes of the season and show had that is lacking here. Solid and enjoyable, if slightly on the bland side would be my way of summing "Help Wanted" up.

Shall begin with what could have been done better. The story is very slight and is rather slow going to begin with. It could have done with more suspense perhaps too.

The ending to me came over as easily foreseeable, silly and anti-climactic.

On the other hand, much is great. First and foremost, the pitch perfect performance of Qualen who has the right amount of intense, tortured demeanour. Lorne Greene stands out in support, very commanding. Neilson directs with assurance if not always with distinction. Hitchcock's scenes are typically intriguing and dry humoured.

Production values have nice style and atmosphere. The main theme is one that stays in the mind for a while, so in keeping with the style of the series and one that will be easy to recognise even to those that are not usually classical music listeners (due to hearing popping up in adverts every now and then). The script is tight enough and provokes thought, while the story shines best in the complex character writing for the lead character. The mystery also intrigues enough.

In conclusion, pretty good if not great. 7/10.