Jonathan

Jonathan is a highly unsettling Hitchcock series offering, and that's not a criticism; more like an observation. It's a brilliantly conceived and very well acted tale of a nearly fully grown up son's relationship with his father, whom he loves and idolizes to a degree that feels unwholesome.

It's worth mentioning that back when this episode was made that sons often looked up to their fathers, sought their company, went fishing with them, played sports,--and this still goes on, of course--but it was a time when in America anyway it was a Man's World. It was a patriarchal society in which fathers (presumably) knew best, and this story reflects its era accurately.

The aforementioned is for those who were not around at the time and who might find the father/son relationship downright weird. As things turn out, it is weird; on the son's part, that is, not the father's. His resentment of his father's marriage to a much younger woman (he was a widower) goes beyond resentment and turns pathological.

Jonathan plays well at many levels, as it works well as melodrama, a thriller, a psychological study of disturbed youth and probably several other things as well, and as such it offers an embarrassment of riches. The story is so complex that it could easily have been stretched out to an hour's length. It misses it mark somewhat due to time constraints, as its focus demanded a hurried last act and a hasty conclusion.

This is a rather poignant, sensitive plot, but it has nothing to do in ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS series. That's my own opinion. I was expecting something different, with more spice, excitment. It is just a fair drama, character study, and for this reason I will not say that's a crap, on the contrary. The father -son relationship, and also son - stepmother relationship is a pure masterpiece, especially for this kind of show. An unusual scheme, perfect for a movie but hardly for an anthology show and AH PRESENTS in particular. The best is that you watch it, and I advise you to do it. This scheme could "talk" to many audiences, many folks could feel concerned by these characters. Acting awesome.

Another Hitch soap opera you cannot afford to pass up. Written by Stirling Silliphant, creator of ROUTE 66 and NAKED CITY. Hitch got the very best author for this one.

Corey Allen plays a young gentleman named Gil who has deep ties with his father, Jonathan (played by western star Douglas Kennedy). Unfortunately, three's a crowd and enter his new wife, Rosina ( Georgann Johnson). No, Gil doesn't hit it off too well with her as can be expected, making matters worse when the old man drops dead. Is she the proverbial black widow?

Watch the faces, the most intriguing part.

Keeps you guessing and I'm sure Hitch loved the calamity. Again, thanks to Stirling Silliphant, the writer with the ultra cool name.

Directed by John Meredyth Lucas, later a producer for STAR TREK. Likewise, Corey Allen turned to directing in his career, known for CAPITAL. Salute to Georgann Johnson, the best ever in this type of mysterious role.

*** Her final line is a knockout, and the way she delivers it with sugar. A jaw dropper.

Required viewing for devout fans of this classic show. SEASON 2 dvd box set. 5 dvd set. Released 2006.

Jonathan was more than just a father to Gil - he had brought up his son single handed after the death of Gil's mother. Father and son were a team - tennis partners, friends.

There comes a time when the young must fly from the nest, but unfortunately Gil couldn't face that. He didn't want to go off to college, to have friends his own age (they couldn't compare with Jonathan). He wasn't ready for the "team" to break up.

So when Jonathan announced his intention to marry his attractive secretary (Rosie), Gil hated her before he'd even met her.

But now, Jonathan has died (apparently from a heart attack), and Gil naturally blames her. He is determined to find out how she killed him...

An absorbing thriller with a very clever ending.

I really disliked "Jonathan", an episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". The problem is that the story is told in the most detached and talky manner possible and it essentially consists of two people talking during the bulk of the episode. Had the style been different, I might have loved the episode.

When the story begins, a young and incredibly annoying guy comes back for his father's funeral. When his step-mother comes to talk, he berates her and treats her like garbage...and sulks like a major jerk-face. Much more happens, but apart from a flashback or two, it's mostly the young guy sulking and acting like a jerk-face.

This is the talkiest episode of the series I have seen. It simply presents the story in a passive and detached manner and all the suspense and tensions seems to have been sucked out of it.