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.

"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.

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.

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.