The Baby Sitter

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.

Don't forget "Sabrina", Humphrey Bogart's secretary.

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.

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.

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.