There Was an Old Woman

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.

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.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents a macabre black story. Monica Laughton (Estelle Winwood) is an eccentric old woman who lives on her own. She is also regarded as wealthy.

The milkman is her only regular contact. Frank Bramwell (Charles Bronson) overhears a story that Miss Laughton has hidden wealth somewhere in her mansion.

A ne'er do well like Bramwell views Miss Laughton as easy pickings. He goes to see her along with his wife Lorna with a plan to rob her. Only to find just how strange her household set up is.

Miss Laughton is quite mad with a house full of imaginary relatives and always carrying a handbag. She refuses to tell Frank where her money is but plays games with the two would be thieves.

It is not long before the gruesome twosome get their just desserts.

Bronson is a hissable villain. His wife seems a bit dim. Maybe that is why Miss Laughton has them stringing along so quickly.

The story is left rather open ended. Is Miss Laughton in the habit of bumping off people? Her conversation with the milkman seems to point that way.

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".

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.