You Got to Have Luck

"You Got to Have Luck" signals the first of four Robert Stevens-directed episodes in a row. Stevens was the most frequent director on 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' for very good reason and directed some truly fine episodes, a few from the first season. The series is a very interesting one and a must if a fan of Hitchcock, count me as one and have been since my late teens. Even the lesser entries are better than a lot of shows/series at their worst, speaking as someone that didn't like every episode.

This is one of the episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' to be in the "like it" category. No, make that love. Although it is not perfect and its main criticism of its lack of realism is valid, "You Got to Have Luck" to me is a great episode and can totally see why it is one of the highest rated episodes of Season 1. It is one of the best of that season and one of the best of those that Stevens directed. Not sure about it being one of my favourites of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but as far as the first half of Season 1 goes and the season overall it compares favourably.

Will agree that some of Cobett's decision making is rather rash and confused.

And although the twist is extremely clever and completely unexpected, it will be unrealistic to those that have prior knowledge of what it revolves around.

However, there is so much great here. John Cassavetes is the main reason as to why "You Got to Have Luck" works so well, it is an intensely sinister performance that does leave one unsettled. Marisa Pavan is alluring but not passive. Stevens' direction is tight and accomplished, his experience in regard to the series and the genre are evident. The script is thought provoking and lean, and Hitchcock certainly delivers on his dry drollness in the bookending.

Despite not always being easy to swallow, the story is still very suspenseful and full of atmosphere, as well as moving at a lively pace. While the twist doesn't completely come off, its cleverness and "didn't see it coming" factor stop it from being a failure and make it interesting instead. The episode is slickly and atmospherically filmed and the main theme for the series is wonderfully devillish.

Overall, great. 8.5/10.

Robert Stevens directed a boatload of episodes in this series, but in this one he's only the third most noteworthy director. There's Hitchcock, of course, and there's John Cassevetes (The Killing of a Chinese Bookie), who is one of the two lead actors. This is one of my favorite episodes of Season 1.

Cassevetes gives a very strong, modern performance as an escaped convict who invades a young woman's home. He's menacing, and there are about as many allusive sexual threats as they could show in those days.

I'm not sure if all actions here make sense (if you're going to dote on this, then don't bother with the series), it's not ridiculously unrealistic. The ending makes me want to re-watch to see why I didn't see it coming.

I like this episode as it is one of the few so far that actually nails the 25 minute cutoff. Most episodes struggle with that format. "You got to have luck" keeps it very simple. Doesn't try to tell a convoluted story but a straightforward simple one. It kinda stands or falls with how you feel about the ending. In my opinion it at least has an ending, instead of the completely open endings we've seen from other episodes that seemed to be deprived of time. This one wraps everything up neatly with it's final reveal. Though I liked it well enough I can certainly see some people who find in implausible and possibly flat. To me this one is kind of the blueprint of what I'm looking for in Alfred Hitchcock presents. Simple, easy to follow, with a simple ending that more or less gives all the closure I need.

Marisa Pavan, twin sister of Pier Angeli, had previously appeared as Anna Magnani's daughter (receiving an Oscar nomination) in THE ROSE TATTOO. She is equally convincing here, playing a young housewife who is left alone --until escaped killer John Cassavettes enters the picture.

Exceptionally written, and classic early Hitchcock tv. Unless you have seen this before, you could never guess the ending.

Both leads are terrific young actors who shine in their roles. Cassavettes seeks refuge at Pavan's countryside house while her husband is away. Basicially a two character study on steroids. Vivi Janiss plays the atypical chatty and easily insulted neighbor.

One strange thing, if you notice. The camera focuses a lot on the pie Marisa is baking. That's one scene I always wondered about, and it seemed like Hitch (perhaps) wanted to have Marisa toss the RED HOT pie in pretty boy's face? That may have been the original intention, perhaps too gruesome. Rest assured, he gets his due.

Pavan would next appear in THE MAN IN THE GRAY FLANNEL SUIT. This role may have lead to Cassavettes landing parts in EDGE OF THE CITY and CRIME IN THE STREETS.

Best of SEASON 1. Universal remastered dvd box 3 dvds. Released 2008. 16 hrs 45 min running time.

I was awestruck as it progressed. The moment Cassavettes entered the frame I knew I was in for a ride. It was such a treat to watch the plot unfold, and the strong performance by Pavan just kept it altogether. This bestowed Cassavettes into one of America's finest filmmakers thereafter.