A Man Greatly Beloved

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"."

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.

I liked this episode, you can see the twist coming a mile away, but a great story on the effects perception can have on a person's life. You do have to get past the somewhat annoying narrator, but that will be pretty easy unless you are one of those crabby old people (looking at myself, lol).

Overall I liked it more than the other reviewers. If you don't want it spoiled, stop reading now.

SPOILER: Mr. Anderson notably never denies the allegations as to his true identity. And I like the way the reverend handled the revelation about Mr. Anderson's true identity.

A major criticism I have with modern society is the destruction of an individual's reputation and often profession over the one comment or one action they took that is out of lock step with the vocal minority of trolls. Respectful disagreement with others seems to have been greatly diminished. Of course, in the case of this story, murder is much more than a disagreement, but we are never given the full circumstances of that event. And, in the actions of Mr. Anderson, he proves that he does have a lot of good in him.

I was surprisingly enjoyed by this unexptected plot, where the relation between this little girl and this lonesome man - Cedric Hardwicke - is so interesting, unusual. No crime, no suspense, you just wonder where this story will lead you. The ending is also exquisite, not the best ever, but quite good enough to please to many audiences, all kind of audiences. This kind of scheme, for the whole family, usually annoys me, bores me at the most. Here, not at all.

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