Although Robert Stevens was the most frequent 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' directors, with 44 episodes to his name, he was also one of the most inconsistent. As far as his previous efforts go, he was responsible for winners such as "Premonition", "Our Cook's a Treasure" and "The Manacled". He also however was responsible for a few not so good episodes, like "Shopping for Death", "The Hidden Thing" and "Toby". A vast majority of his episodes are worth watching though.
"The Dangerous People" is one of those episodes. It is not one of Stevens' best 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes and it is also not one of his worst. It is instead a solid middle effort, which was the category most of his episodes fell in. "The Dangerous People" is an uneven episode (not uncommon with Season 2) and ends a lot weaker than it started, which was a real pity considering how well it began, but there are still a lot of things that come off very well here. When it comes to a very solid Season 2, it is a worthy last episode while not being one of the best episodes of the season (as well as a long way from being among the worst).
It is a long way from perfect. The ending is a bit too much of a damp squib, it is predictable and easily foreseeable too early and could have been revealed later. What could easily have had a lot of tension felt rather bland and slightly dragged out as a result, especially compared to that seen in the first half. Actually felt that the twist wasn't really much of one.
Furthermore, it is not one of the best looking episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. Sure, to set it in a spare location was a deliberate choice and it is one of those scenarios where very few locations would have been very appropriate. Just not very much is done with the cheap looking set and despite some moody lighting there is not much inspired or stylish about the way the episode is shot.
However, there is a lot that works. Absolutely loved the first half, great idea in the first place given very suspenseful execution. The lead up has real tension and suspense and the way it builds is effective, that it is sad it doesn't carry all the way through to the end. The episode also benefits from great performances from the whole cast, with Robert H Harris being particularly good. The chemistry blisters when necessary.
Moreover, the script is tight and thought provoking, avoiding being too talky and written in a way that's accessible. The story loses its way later, but two thirds of it is hugely absorbing and not over obvious or too complicated. Nothing feels routine about the way the story is told. Stevens directs with an assured touch, a good feel for atmosphere and command of tension, before running out of gas towards the end. Hitchcock's bookending is wonderfully droll and "Funeral March of a Marionette" is still a genius choice of theme music.
Overall, uneven but pretty good. Actually could have been close to great if the final act was much stronger than it turned out. 7/10.
"The Dangerous People" is one of those episodes. It is not one of Stevens' best 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes and it is also not one of his worst. It is instead a solid middle effort, which was the category most of his episodes fell in. "The Dangerous People" is an uneven episode (not uncommon with Season 2) and ends a lot weaker than it started, which was a real pity considering how well it began, but there are still a lot of things that come off very well here. When it comes to a very solid Season 2, it is a worthy last episode while not being one of the best episodes of the season (as well as a long way from being among the worst).
It is a long way from perfect. The ending is a bit too much of a damp squib, it is predictable and easily foreseeable too early and could have been revealed later. What could easily have had a lot of tension felt rather bland and slightly dragged out as a result, especially compared to that seen in the first half. Actually felt that the twist wasn't really much of one.
Furthermore, it is not one of the best looking episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. Sure, to set it in a spare location was a deliberate choice and it is one of those scenarios where very few locations would have been very appropriate. Just not very much is done with the cheap looking set and despite some moody lighting there is not much inspired or stylish about the way the episode is shot.
However, there is a lot that works. Absolutely loved the first half, great idea in the first place given very suspenseful execution. The lead up has real tension and suspense and the way it builds is effective, that it is sad it doesn't carry all the way through to the end. The episode also benefits from great performances from the whole cast, with Robert H Harris being particularly good. The chemistry blisters when necessary.
Moreover, the script is tight and thought provoking, avoiding being too talky and written in a way that's accessible. The story loses its way later, but two thirds of it is hugely absorbing and not over obvious or too complicated. Nothing feels routine about the way the story is told. Stevens directs with an assured touch, a good feel for atmosphere and command of tension, before running out of gas towards the end. Hitchcock's bookending is wonderfully droll and "Funeral March of a Marionette" is still a genius choice of theme music.
Overall, uneven but pretty good. Actually could have been close to great if the final act was much stronger than it turned out. 7/10.