A Man Greatly Beloved

This episode is told from the point of view of a precocious little girl. While she has parents, she has embarked on her own career as a chronic buttinski, messing with people's lives and carrying on her own fantasies. She decides that a fairly rich older man, new to the town and living alone will be her project. She basically blackmails him into hosting a garden part (although rain sends it inside). It is thought that this man is a retired judge, who has a reputation for handing out cruel, though appropriate, justice. It is her feeling that he is unhappy and she needs to change his life for him. I know in the eyes of most, she is cute, but after a while she becomes pretty insufferable. It's certainly a worthwhile episode and it has a bit of a twist.

A Hitch showcase for two stars; Sir Cedric Hardwicke, an old friend, and Evelyn Rudie, an up and coming child actress.

Hardwicke is perfect as a new, though reclusive neighbor (Mr. Anderson) in a small New England town who catches the eye of the daughter of the local reverend, Hildegarde (Rudie). Playful yes, a bit annoying, that too, slowly getting on the old gentleman's nerves, who wants to be left alone. Thank you, and Get Lost.

The inevitable Hitch question as this riddle unfolds; Does it all come down to secrets? Murder, perhaps? You wouldn't think of anything else, right? Of course, kids jump to all kind of conclusions, however Hildegarde may be onto something, and at the same time attempting to win him over. Watching the two stars work together is marvelous, and how could you fault Sir Cedric Hardwick, who appeared in ROPE for Hitch. Fondly remembered to all us kids as Dr. Frankenstein.

Nominated for an Emmy award at the age of nine, Rudie appeared in many films and tv shows, even turning up in a BOWERY BOYS comedy. Her career peaked a few years after this episode, but for the wrong reasons, when she briefly disappeared from her parents and flew to Washington, D. C. to visit first lady Mamie Eisenhower. By the early 60s, she gave up acting, returning to school and college.

Hugh Marlowe plays her father, and to spice things up, dramatic actress Edith Barrett (known for classics like JANE EYRE), plays a spiritualist.

Written by Sarrett Tobias, one of the few female writers on tv at the time, and well received.

The fun part is guessing, and even if you've seen this episode, worth a return visit for the acting. SEASON 2 EPISODE 33 remastered CBS dvd box set. All seven seasons are now on dvd in a single box set. Released 2022.

The style of "A Man Greatly Beloved" is most unusual for "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". It begins with little Hildegard Fell (Evelyn Rudie) talking directly to the audience and introducing her family! This makes sense, as she's supposed to be extraordinarily precocious and bright! And, through the course of the episode, she demonstrates a most unusual personality...and a very charming one!

In the show, tiny Hildegard has set her sights on her misanthropic neighbor, Mr. Anderson (Cedric Hardwicke). He loves to be alone and dislikes folks....but that doesn't stop Hildegard from introducing herself and insinuating herself into his life. She simply won't take NO for an answer and is able to bring Anderson out of his crusty shell. As far as what's next....well....I don't want to ruin it and you should just see this cute episode for yourself. Well written and terribly likable due to the marvelous character, Hildegard Fell!

By the way, little Evelyn Rudie was actually this precocious in real life! According to IMDB, "In 1959, at age 9, she disappeared from her Los Angeles home and was feared kidnapped. But it turned out she had booked a flight to Washington, D.C., herself, and boarded the airplane unaccompanied. When she was taken off the plane at Baltimore, she said she'd wanted to visit First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, whom she had met previously, at the White House to ask her help to "get me a part in a TV series"."

How well you like this entry may depend on how much you like precocious 7-year old girls. Little Evelyn Rudie is one strong personality, her gap-tooth grin totally self-assured as her Hildegard messes with the lives of adults around her. Seems the mysterious John Anderson (Hardwicke) is a new-comer recluse to little Hildegard's town and thus invites curiosity. So Hildegard decides to find things out in her own inimitable way.

The plot generates little suspense, some interest, but maybe quite a few chuckles. It's really little Rudie's forceful personality that carries the show. It's also an interesting supporting cast. I suspect Hardewick took a secondary part as a favor to fellow Britisher Hitchcock, while Robert Culp gets an early role as the handsome Clarence. But for old movie fans, there's bird-like Edith Barrett from Val Lewton's great horror series from the early 1940's (e.g. I Walked with a Zombie, {1943}). Here she does a rather amusing bit. All in all, it's an offbeat Hitchcock with an upshot more thought- provoking than ironic.

This was not the usual Alfred Hitchcock show story, it was different and unusual but interesting, especially the ending. This was aired in May 1957, so likely filmed in late 1956 obviously several years before Robert Culp had his teeth fixed. Hugh Marlow is very good as the Minister and Rebecca Wells as his wife and parents of precocious Hildegard. By the way, Robert Culp does a very good job in his part also