The Baby Sitter

What? Thelma Ritter as a "thoroughly classless mess?" As far as I'm concerned, Ritter lifts every film or TV show she's in, including this one which I just watched. Her comic timing, delivery, and poignancy can't be beat. I find her believable in every scene here. I think the previous commenter is objecting more to the script than the performance. As far as Ritter goes, I think she is one of the most underrated actresses of our time. Her performance in the opening of "All About Eve" is amazing. As is her performances in the Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies. She was also great in "Rear Window" and "The Misfits." She was nominated for six Academy Awards.

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.

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.

A brassy older babysitter (Thelma Ritter) is speaking to a police sergeant about an unsolved murder. She relishes the attention. Much of the story is flashback: she has a crush on the father of the young woman who was killed (who, we are later informed, had a blond beaver).

Did our protagonist do it? This theory is raised by her friend early on. The ending worked for me but, ultimately, it's all on Ms. Ritter to carry this one. If nothing else, it's nice to see a woman who isn't all emotional or distressed the whole time.

Bonus: trying to lose weight, she's on the floor using the bungee-cord like contraption. I didn't know they had stuff like back then.

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.