For a while, I thought this story was going in a different direction. As the kindly waitress Thelma (Olive Deering) kept being badgered by her boyfriend Arthur (Rick Jason), I thought she would get fed up and start serving HIM the anatine laced tea. It was almost a let down for this viewer when she quite literally took matters into her own hands and choked out poor old Mrs. Mannerheim (Celia Lovsky). That she fell apart at the coroner's inquest and admitted that she killed the woman was somewhat credible given her guilt over the matter, but the twist to the story reveals how if she had been patient and unmotivated by greed, she might have already been enjoying the legacy the old woman promised. As for the creep of a boyfriend, the series could have used a follow up episode to deal with him.
7 Reviews
"The Kind Waitress" is kind of mean
chuck-reilly3 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Thelma (Olive Deering), "The Kind Waitress" of the title, is getting sick and tired of serving old lady Mannerheim (Celia Lovsky) at the hotel restaurant where she resides until one day learning that all of her hard work has finally paid off. Mrs. Mannerheim tells the surprised Thelma that she's so happy with the kind service over the years, that she's bequeathing her entire estate and bank accounts to her upon the event of her death. Since the old broad is already sick and dying, the wait shouldn't be that long. But it is---and that causes problems for all involved. Unfortunately for Thelma, her starving artist boyfriend Arthur (Rick Jason in top gigolo form) convinces her to help the old lady along with some poison in her afternoon tea. Not a lot of poison, mind you, just enough of a daily dosage to kill her off in a month or so. But to the greedy couple's utter chagrin, Mrs. Mannerheim keeps living on and on like the Energizer Bunny and it seems the poison is almost a remedy for her. That's kind of the point of the story. In the end, exasperation gets the better of Thelma and she literally takes matters into her own hands. Naturally, her good-for-nothing boyfriend skips town just when she needs him. Directed with some flair by veteran actor and Hitchcock stalwart Paul Henreid, "The Kind Waitress" is familiar territory for the series and the audience can see what's around the corner without straining too hard. The performances are what helps raise it above average. Rick Jason, of course, went on to fame and fortune in the "Combat" series of the 1960s. Olive Deering was never a household name, but she did some admirable work in her day.
Sometimes We Get More Than We Bargained For
Hitchcoc8 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Ever since Macbeth, there's always someone out there who just can't wait for things to transpire. Greed is usually behind it; sometimes its ambition. I don't know how much prodding the young waitress in this episode needed, but the good-for-nothing boyfriend with his shallow ambitions is sitting in the front seat of the relationship. She resists because she has a streak of kindness, but that only lasts so long. What would we do, given the opportunity. There's also the element that most of us don't have the ability to kill and to cover up. Good mystery writers don't underestimate the fact that one must have incredible ingenuity to pull off the perfect crime. Not one of the best, but pretty engaging nevertheless. Somewhat anticlimactic in a way.
Kind isn't the word I'd use to describe her!
planktonrules2 April 2021
The story begins in a restaurant. It seems that a rich and lonely old lady loves to come to the restaurant. Each time, she orders the same thing and insists on the same waitress. One day, the lady tells the waitress that she's all alone and has no heirs...and she'd like to leave the Thelma (the waitress) her fortune when she dies. However, Thelma's nasty boyfriend insists that they hurry along the old woman's death, but she STILL seems to hang on! What's next? See the show.
This is a good episode...well written and with the jerks getting theirs in the end...one of the best of season four. Well worth your time and a show that seems to imply that if you're leaving someone a fortune, don't tell them...let them learn when the will is read!
This is a good episode...well written and with the jerks getting theirs in the end...one of the best of season four. Well worth your time and a show that seems to imply that if you're leaving someone a fortune, don't tell them...let them learn when the will is read!
Leaving a Really Big Tip
dougdoepke2 March 2011
Slender episode, but with the trademark series assets—fine acting and twist ending. Rather plain-looking waitress Thelma (Deering) works in a hotel where she waits daily on proper old dowager Mrs. Mannerheim (Lovsky). At home, Thelma's emotionally dependent on shiftless boyfriend Arthur (Jason) who's apparently financially dependent on her. Thelma's many kindnesses endear her to the lonely, sickly old lady who returns the kindnesses by leaving her considerable fortune to the hard working waitress. But then the greedy Arthur hears of Thelma's expected windfall and begins to scheme using Thelma as his tool. So, what will the sadly conflicted Thelma do now.
Deering is excellent in a demanding role, just the right emotional pitch for each situation. At the same time, Jason certainly looks the part of the small-time gigolo. Then too, it's a hoot listening to his untutored Arthur wrap his clumsy tongue around difficult medical terms (which is also important to plot development). It's not a memorable entry, just a solid 30-minutes of Hitchcock entertainment.
Deering is excellent in a demanding role, just the right emotional pitch for each situation. At the same time, Jason certainly looks the part of the small-time gigolo. Then too, it's a hoot listening to his untutored Arthur wrap his clumsy tongue around difficult medical terms (which is also important to plot development). It's not a memorable entry, just a solid 30-minutes of Hitchcock entertainment.
The mean waitress
TheLittleSongbird23 November 2023
'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' "The Kind Waitress" (1959)
Opening thoughts: "The Kind Waitress" was one of those episodes where this reviewer had a really strong feeling it would be at least very good. The premise is a great one and had real potential to be very suspenseful if done well, and 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' has proven many times that it could do suspenseful sounding premises incredibly well. Anybody who has read my reviews for other episodes of the series will know of good premises being a big factor in seeing any film, show etc. Paul Henreid's output of the series has wildly varied, with almost all ranging between average and very good with few exceptional and no real misfires.
One of the truly great, and nearly exceptional, ones is "The Kind Waitress". As far as the generally solid if inconsistent Season 4 episodes go, it is one of the better ones and certainly of the second half of it. It is every bit as delicious as the premise promises and some and sees the whole cast at the top of their game in roles that played to their strengths and even stretched them. When it comes to talking about Henreid's work for the series, "The Kind Waitress" is one of his best.
Bad things: It is agreed that it is slightly anti-climactic at the end, but there is very little that is wrong here.
Good things: Everything else in "The Kind Waitress" is great. It is very well made, not lavish but very rich in atmosphere (especially some suitably moody shots) and slick. Henreid's direction ensures that the tension does not slip and it is some of his most assured and most inspired, after seeing episodes of his where his direction was undistinguished. There are no faults with the acting, particularly from an unsettling and remarkably nuanced Olive Deering. Rick Jason has the right amount of brooding intensity.
Hitchcock's bookending is still wildly entertaining and full of his usual droll humour. The main theme has never gotten old and fits the tone of the series beautifully.
Furthermore, the script s intelligent and as lean as beautifully cooked steak. The story is darkly suspenseful and with some neat turns in the plotting that never comes over as obvious, simplistic or convoluted. The twist is a very clever one that to me was very unpredictable.
Concluding thoughts: Great episode overall.
9/10.
Opening thoughts: "The Kind Waitress" was one of those episodes where this reviewer had a really strong feeling it would be at least very good. The premise is a great one and had real potential to be very suspenseful if done well, and 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' has proven many times that it could do suspenseful sounding premises incredibly well. Anybody who has read my reviews for other episodes of the series will know of good premises being a big factor in seeing any film, show etc. Paul Henreid's output of the series has wildly varied, with almost all ranging between average and very good with few exceptional and no real misfires.
One of the truly great, and nearly exceptional, ones is "The Kind Waitress". As far as the generally solid if inconsistent Season 4 episodes go, it is one of the better ones and certainly of the second half of it. It is every bit as delicious as the premise promises and some and sees the whole cast at the top of their game in roles that played to their strengths and even stretched them. When it comes to talking about Henreid's work for the series, "The Kind Waitress" is one of his best.
Bad things: It is agreed that it is slightly anti-climactic at the end, but there is very little that is wrong here.
Good things: Everything else in "The Kind Waitress" is great. It is very well made, not lavish but very rich in atmosphere (especially some suitably moody shots) and slick. Henreid's direction ensures that the tension does not slip and it is some of his most assured and most inspired, after seeing episodes of his where his direction was undistinguished. There are no faults with the acting, particularly from an unsettling and remarkably nuanced Olive Deering. Rick Jason has the right amount of brooding intensity.
Hitchcock's bookending is still wildly entertaining and full of his usual droll humour. The main theme has never gotten old and fits the tone of the series beautifully.
Furthermore, the script s intelligent and as lean as beautifully cooked steak. The story is darkly suspenseful and with some neat turns in the plotting that never comes over as obvious, simplistic or convoluted. The twist is a very clever one that to me was very unpredictable.
Concluding thoughts: Great episode overall.
9/10.
Guess he took his picture and left anyway
glitterrose17 July 2022
Our story centers on three people: Thelma, Arthur and Miss Mannerheim. Imo I think Thelma and Miss Mannerheim were two peas in a pod. At least Miss Mannerheim was up front about it. I don't think Thelma realized just how alone she was and one wonders if that thought came to her after lover boy left her high and dry?
Anyway, let's get to the episode. Thelma works as a waitress in a hotel diner. Not saying she was making great money but it seemed like she wasn't without and was also financially supporting her slimeball boyfriend. You might want more but at least you can take care of what's going on in your life in the present day.
Miss Mannerheim is rich and she's formed a bond with Thelma. She even gifts her a pin that Thelma admired. Later on Miss Mannerheim reveals that she left Thelma taken care of in her will. There's mistake 1. Although to be fair, I didn't get 'greed' vibes off of Thelma at that point in time.
Mistake 2 is mentioning this inheritance to her slimeball boyfriend. Well, he doesn't want to wait for this lady to die in her own. He wants to help things along. He's reading through a book and honestly getting everything wrong. The stuff he's reading about/what Thelma's 'poisoning' Miss Mannerheim with turns out to be something that HELPS her medical condition so instead of killing Miss Mannerheim, they were actually giving her medicine!
The plans goes into action but it doesn't take long for pressure to build up in all sides. Miss Mannerheim doesn't seem to be as nice anymore. She's honestly pretty cranky. Even Thelma's slimeball boyfriend notices Thelma doesn't talk as much about her the way she used to. Thelma's catching crap from her boyfriend when she starts showing reluctance on continuing this poisoning plan. I honestly laughed my butt off at this man threatening to take his framed picture of himself and leaving. No big loss imo. But I can flip the other side of the coin over. A lot of people need love from another person. A lot of people might decide to settle. You reach a certain age and this slimeball might be your last shot of any dreams you had about a spouse, kids, house with a white picket fence, etc.
Thelma's experience isn't getting any better. She had told Miss Mannerheim to stay in bed if she didn't feel like coming downstairs to eat. Miss Mannerheim follows those directions and is in bed when Thelma comes up and brings her food and beverage up to her. But there's a problem, Miss Mannerheim likes her tea a certain way. She won't drink it unless it's prepared the way she likes it. I can honestly see both women's point of view with this scene. I also know what I like and how I want it. So I get Miss Mannerheim's attitude of drinking something how she likes it. But I also see it from Thelma's point of view as well. Thelma tries pleading with her to drink it just this once because if she goes back downstairs, the tea will be cold by the time she gets back. I get it. Thelma's at work, she's not playing 'waitress game'. She's busy, she's stressed and Thelma's about to blow. So is Miss Mannerheim. The two women get into it. And here's where things are really about to go down. Miss Mannerheim threatens to cut Thelma out of inheriting anything. Thelma's really had enough at this point and she begins to strangle Miss Mannerheim to death!
The end takes place at the arraignment hearing. Loverboy's not in sight and Thelma's having to face the music alone. The hearing is where she heard that the 'poison' was the one thing keeping Miss Mannerheim alive.
Excellent episode. This is another episode that's wonderfully told and with amazing performances from all three main characters. I especially loved the tension in the scene leading up to the strangling when the two ladies were getting into it.
Anyway, let's get to the episode. Thelma works as a waitress in a hotel diner. Not saying she was making great money but it seemed like she wasn't without and was also financially supporting her slimeball boyfriend. You might want more but at least you can take care of what's going on in your life in the present day.
Miss Mannerheim is rich and she's formed a bond with Thelma. She even gifts her a pin that Thelma admired. Later on Miss Mannerheim reveals that she left Thelma taken care of in her will. There's mistake 1. Although to be fair, I didn't get 'greed' vibes off of Thelma at that point in time.
Mistake 2 is mentioning this inheritance to her slimeball boyfriend. Well, he doesn't want to wait for this lady to die in her own. He wants to help things along. He's reading through a book and honestly getting everything wrong. The stuff he's reading about/what Thelma's 'poisoning' Miss Mannerheim with turns out to be something that HELPS her medical condition so instead of killing Miss Mannerheim, they were actually giving her medicine!
The plans goes into action but it doesn't take long for pressure to build up in all sides. Miss Mannerheim doesn't seem to be as nice anymore. She's honestly pretty cranky. Even Thelma's slimeball boyfriend notices Thelma doesn't talk as much about her the way she used to. Thelma's catching crap from her boyfriend when she starts showing reluctance on continuing this poisoning plan. I honestly laughed my butt off at this man threatening to take his framed picture of himself and leaving. No big loss imo. But I can flip the other side of the coin over. A lot of people need love from another person. A lot of people might decide to settle. You reach a certain age and this slimeball might be your last shot of any dreams you had about a spouse, kids, house with a white picket fence, etc.
Thelma's experience isn't getting any better. She had told Miss Mannerheim to stay in bed if she didn't feel like coming downstairs to eat. Miss Mannerheim follows those directions and is in bed when Thelma comes up and brings her food and beverage up to her. But there's a problem, Miss Mannerheim likes her tea a certain way. She won't drink it unless it's prepared the way she likes it. I can honestly see both women's point of view with this scene. I also know what I like and how I want it. So I get Miss Mannerheim's attitude of drinking something how she likes it. But I also see it from Thelma's point of view as well. Thelma tries pleading with her to drink it just this once because if she goes back downstairs, the tea will be cold by the time she gets back. I get it. Thelma's at work, she's not playing 'waitress game'. She's busy, she's stressed and Thelma's about to blow. So is Miss Mannerheim. The two women get into it. And here's where things are really about to go down. Miss Mannerheim threatens to cut Thelma out of inheriting anything. Thelma's really had enough at this point and she begins to strangle Miss Mannerheim to death!
The end takes place at the arraignment hearing. Loverboy's not in sight and Thelma's having to face the music alone. The hearing is where she heard that the 'poison' was the one thing keeping Miss Mannerheim alive.
Excellent episode. This is another episode that's wonderfully told and with amazing performances from all three main characters. I especially loved the tension in the scene leading up to the strangling when the two ladies were getting into it.
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