There Was an Old Woman

I am sure that everyone will agree with the fact that this story brings nothing special to the series. If you remove the twist ending, there is nearly nothing left. Just an agreeable time waster and that's all. The lead characters is a couple of greedy crooks, robbers seeking to take advantage of an old lady. There are many old ladies in this series, I don't know if you had noticed. This is not an unforgettable story, I repeat, but it remains quite enjoyable. Not boring tale for a rather predictable plot. But there are many of them in this series. Compared to the other episodes, Iwill place this one in the medium scale of quality and interest.

Really liked to loved all but one of Robert Stevenson's previous 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes. That exception being one of Season 1's lesser outings "Don't Come Back Alive". Particularly good was one of my favourites of Season 1 "And So Died Riabouschinka". The premise for "There Was an Old Woman" was good and it was interesting seeing early year Charles Bronson in a role that was not the type he would take on later.

"There Was an Old Woman" to me is a great episode with a lot that is truly excellent and with nothing really inherently wrong. Season 1 was a relatively solid season with a few disappointments along the way, and one of its best is "There Was an Old Woman". As far as Stevenson's 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' entries go, this compares very favourably and one of those that one should see to see whether Stevenson deserved being one of the most used directors on the series (to me he did).

Production values are solid, especially the atmospheric photography. The sets are on the sparse side, but not enough to ruin the episode. As always, the main theme is haunting and certainly fits this tale very well. The episode is suitably ominous audibly. Hitchcock's bookending is typically droll, didn't find that all of them worked in the series but most did work very well and "There Was an Old Woman's" did work very well indeed. The ironic final line is memorable.

Stevenson directs adeptly, he doesn't rush things or lets it slack and he has a good feel for atmosphere. The script is taut and intelligent, with the entertainingly macabre humour standing out. While the story may not have the chill factor of for example "Breakdown", it never felt dull to me or over-stuffed, is very suspenseful and didn't come over as predictable or confusing.

Bronson does scorn, annoyance and nastiness very well indeed and Norma Crane avoids overdoing the whininess. The two work very well together and the characters are suitably jerkish without going overboard. Best of all is the delicious Estelle Winwood, who both amuses and unsettles.

Overall, great. 9/10.

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.

Estelle Winwood is Monica Laughton a rich old woman living out by herself. One day while over hearing the milkman talk of her, Frank played by Charles Bronson schemes with his girlfriend Lorna to get in the old woman's good graces enough at least to rob her blind at the right moment. The problem is however she's got a couple of screws loss, as she's built her house full of imaginary family members living with her, even the food is imaginary. Eventually, the two begin to starve and Bronson losses patients, prompting the old woman to change her mind on letting the couple stay in her house, but, they won't be leaving so easy either. A classic among the series and rather disturbing once you think about it, I'm starting to like these episodes where rich old women hold there ground against greedy siblings or invaders, usually doing themselves in by there own stupidity as is the case here. The episode keeps you guessing weather there's any money at all or if its imaginary to. We learn however there is, and in the shows usual ironic affair its in the most obvious of locations.

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.