The Baby Sitter

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.

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.

Lottie Slocum (Thelma Ritter) is the baby sitter who is questioned by the police over the killing of Clara Nash.

The murder has aroused press interest and Lottie revels in it. When she talks about the incident to friend Blanche, it becomes clear that Lottie might be a fantasist.

She disliked Clara Nash who she regarded as a floozie and was infatuated with her older husband.

It might be Lottie is covering up for something or someone.

It was well acted but for a long time it was frivolous. You know where it is going when a certain person later shows up.

Silly Lottie.

Women in their 50's have never been a popular commodity on TV, especially during the glamour-obsessed 1950's. But then this series was not typical of its time, which is why it's still being re-run 50 years later.

This is a slender, character-driven episode with some deftly humorous touches. The murder mystery is secondary to Lottie Slocum's little fantasy world where she imagines herself a size 10 again and the object of handsome Mr. Nash's affections. In reality, she's an aging, plain- faced babysitter with little to look forward to except old age. No wonder she dreams. Her gawky friend Blanche enjoys puncturing these harmless exaggerations and we wonder why Lottie puts up with her.

Together actresses Ritter and Wickes play off one another beautifully, with needling little exchanges that are often subtly amusing. In fact, it's quite a clever script with thoughtful touches from director Stevens (Lottie embarrassingly on the floor when the cop walks in). Still and all, it's hard to feel too sympathetic toward Lottie. Maybe it's Ritter's voice tone which can be grating or maybe it's Lottie's insistent little dream world which prevents her from seeing what we do. Nonetheless, in my book, it's a rather memorable little episode entertainingly told Hitchcock style.

(In passing—note that Newton's Mr. Nash never speaks a word even though he takes up significant screen time. Was that to keep costs down {non-speaking parts cost less} or maybe to keep his character dreamlike which is how Lottie sees him. Anyway, it seems odd.)

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.