There Was an Old Woman

Dishonest Frank (Charles Bronson) and Lorna Bramwell (Norma Crane) visit the home of wealthy, eccentric Monica Laughton, with the intention of robbing her.

Tough guy Bronson gets deservedly annoyed by an eccentric lady, wonderfully played by Miss Winwood. This is an amusing foray into macabre humour with the imaginary guests and funeral.

Marian Cockrell, who went on to write for BATMAN, was behind this mini classic, the title likely from the nursery rhyme.

Short and sweet, and totally Hitchcock.

Estelle Winwood plays Mrs. Laughton -- worth a fortune -- and scheming Charles Bronson (Frank) and his wife Lorna (Norma Crane) who want it all.

Mrs. Laughton is a Hitch treasure, eccentric if there ever was, planning a funeral for an invisible friend, among other strange things. Just the beginning as the hungry couple are treated to the deluxe menu, and in no uncertain terms. Wait and see.

To be seen for Charles Bronson, just beginning his long career and Estelle Winwood, having the time of her life. Born in England, her career went back to the stage in the 1920s, featured in some magnificent movie roles, even in bits. A standout.

Note Hitch's gag intro. He says he looks worse in Technicolor? Actually, a star in his own right, having walk-ons in most of his films, especially in COLOR. We all miss him.

Worth the price of admission. From SEASON 1 EPISODE 25 remastered Universal box set. 2005 release. 4 dvd set.

"There Was An Old Woman" devotes its entire screen time to the kind of macabre humor that was such an enjoyable part of so many episodes of this television series. The deceptively light feel of the episode conceals some grim truths that lie underneath, and it succeeds very well in carrying off some markedly offbeat story ideas. The writing, production, and acting are all of very good quality.

Estelle Winwood is wonderful as a very pleasant but decidedly delusional woman, with the habit of planning imaginary funerals. Charles Bronson and Norma Crane work well together as an unscrupulous couple who hear about her wealth and invade her home, only to find it necessary to respond to a weird and unexpected situation. Bronson is particularly effective in sometimes showing scorn and incredulity towards the elderly woman's delusions, and at other times trying to think along with her, to turn the situation to his advantage.

The story is written and told with careful pacing, and it includes a simple but plausible explanation for everything. The ending is gruesomely ironic, and the main story is framed very neatly by the two visits from the stoic milkman (played by Dabbs Greer), which contain some clever parallels. It's a very offbeat episode, and it would be understandable if it is not to everyone's taste. But for those with a morbid sense of humor, it could prove quite enjoyable.

Frank and Lorna Bramwell (Charles Bronson and Norma Crane) are crooks. So when they hear that Monica Laughton (Estelle Winwood) is rich, they decide to visit her and rob her blind. But Monica is not a typical old lady...he's beyond just a little bit 'touched'! When they arrive, she's having a funeral for a friend....an invisible friend along with invisible guests! And, when it comes to meals, they are quite invisible as well! And the more they try to humor the old woman, the more frustrated they become.

I really enjoyed this episode. The Bramwells were nasty jerks and it was enjoyable watching Miss Laughton torment them and get the last laugh. Very cute and enjoyable.

I enjoy watching this episode on DVD. Estelle Winwood is excellent in her believable portrayal of an eccentric and portentous old lady. Charles Bronson plays a boorish golddigger while his wife, played by Norma Crane, is a young, blonde whiner with little understanding of what is actually taking place. The only issue that concerns her is her hunger. The final scenes are somewhat ambiguous when one has to decide whether or not the Winwood character is deliberately trying to poison her houseguests. While making the muffins she is looking for rat poison as she "dialogues" with her cat as to those pesky rodents. Then she asks, "Now where did I put that rat poison?" However it does not seem obvious if she intentionally intended to inform her guests that the muffins were poisonous or not. In one scene Winwood "scolds" Bronson in a manner that many today could not relate to. "You have made me very angry. You are indeed a man without honor". I thought to myself, "That's tellin' 'em".