The Baby Sitter

Hitch brought in his old friend, Thelma Ritter, from REAR WINDOW for this special treat. This episode also shows why Thelma was nominated for SIX Academy Awards in her career. And just as amazing she never won.

More character study than macabre, though it keeps your guessing... Ritter plays a middle-aged, gossipy babysitter called Lottie who has the Hitch luck of taking care of an infant whose "cheating" mother is murdered. That leaves her husband, Mr. Nash (Theodore Newton) an eligible widower? Hmmm?

Also cast is Mary Wickes, famous scene stealer, complimenting Ritter 100 percent. You can see Hitch did his homework. Wickes plays Ritter's old pal who toss theories back and forth, the sounding board for Lottie to fill her in on her importance and the fact poor Mr. Nash may need a new lady around the house?

You may figure this one out right away, if not, worth the wait to watch the star power. I agree, if Thelma Ritter read the phone book it would be a delight in itself. Film buffs may recognize Theodore Newton, featured in many B films for decades.

Wonderfully written by one of the few female tv writers at the time, Sarrett Tobias, who wrote eight other episodes for the master of suspense.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 32 remastered Universal dvd box set. All seven seasons are now on dvd in a single box set. Released 2022.

Thelma Ritter was an amazing actress, known better for her show stealing supporting roles and basically she was of those that indeed made everything she was in better. So seeing her being billed in the lead role raised expectations for "The Baby Sitter". As well as that it is an episode of the uneven but very interesting 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', not to mention that it has Robert Stevens is in the director's chair. Was disappointed by Stevens' previous episode but have liked to loved plenty of his episodes.

For me though, "The Baby Sitter" doesn't reach that level and falls a little short. It is a long way from bad and has plenty that is good. It is also an uneven outing and a case of the lead performance being better than the episode itself. "The Baby Sitter" is one of the "in the middle of the pack" episodes of Season 1 and 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' in general, rather than being on either extreme of best or worst. Stevens also did better and worse, but at least this feels more like him unlike his previous episode.

Am going to start with the good. The best thing about "The Baby Sitter" and the aspect that carries it is Ritter, who proves she can be as equally adept in lead roles as in her supporting roles. It is a riveting portrayal that tonally is also quite different from her usual roles, not to mention the character is interesting psychologically and where the story most excels. Mary Wickes is also a very strong presence. Stevens directs more than competently.

Production values are solid and suitably atmospheric, while the main theme fits the creepy and ironic tone of the series overall extremely well. Hitchcock's bookending is typically droll and doesn't ramble. The script entertains and intrigues, while the fantasy element while not one's idea of imaginative still has a wonderfully odd and at times charming atmosphere.

However, "The Baby Sitter" did have potential to be a lot more. The mystery is too on the thin side and lacks suspense, while the ending comes over as more silly and bland than anything else.

While Theodore Newton does his best, he is given virtually nothing to do and comes over as dull. The pace could have been a good deal tighter, especially in the second half where the story thins out.

Overall, above average if uneven. Ritter makes it. 6/10.

Thelma Ritter was an amazing supporting actress...so much so that she was nominated six times for the Oscar! Although she never won, she always made every film better with her wonderful acting. While not as famous, Mary Wickes was also marvelous. When I saw either in a film, I was guaranteed to enjoy it. However, this is not true in "The Baby Sitter", an episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" that really disappointed.

The episode begins after Mrs. Nash was murdered. Lottie (Ritter) definitely did not like the woman and now that the police are investigating her murder, Lottie is enjoying all the attention she's receiving...because apparently she is the last known person to have seen her as she was babysitting Nash's son. Unlike Mrs. Nash, Lottie really likes Mr. Nash....her ex-husband. She feels sorry for him and she entertains ideas, crazy ideas, that now he might be interested in her! Well, it turns out that he is...just not the way she hoped.

The episode gives Ritter a great chance to act...her acting was NOT a problem here. The problem was the script. The surprise twist you expected at the end came as no surprise and it just seemed like a very lazy episode...lazy as well as disappointing.

Two of the most distinctive and adored character actors of all time and both of them scene-stealers yet together they are in 'perfect sync'. If you are a Ritter fan she has more speaking lines in this little playlet than she does in some of her most famous movies and does a range from wise-ass classic street smart to a kind of Bronx Blanche Dubois.

Robert Stevens directed a lot of Hitchcock Presents and Hitch was very happy with him. He knew how to get a lot of mileage out of little touches - notice the emphasis on sweets, ice cream sodas, chocolate cake, food etc. in The Babysitter. Thelma Ritter finishes a romantic novel and next to her is a plate of chicken bones when the final scene is enacted. Stevens reached his highpoint in 50's and 60's anthology series such as Suspense and Hitchcock. Never made it big after. He had an 'economical' flare for the '26 minute' playlet format. He also would add little Hitchcock touches at times.

This is pretty lightweight stuff. Thelma Ritter plays a babysitter who works for a pretty wealthy family where there is a lot of tension between the husband and wife. She feels that the man is getting short changed in the family and frequently pokes her nose in where it doesn't belong. She has another old maid type sidekick who is always asking questions and tormenting her. Unfortunately for her, her bad judgment really works against her. She fancies herself as a soul mate or even the next wife of this man. She crashes and bashes her way in and out of situations that would make one cringe. Of course, most of what she has is in her head. This isn't a very good episode.