Was not sure what to make of the premise for "Murder Me Twice" (great title!). It did have real potential to be very creepy and intriguing, but it also had potential to be far fetched. Which for me has been the case for anything centering heavily around hypnosis. Despite being mixed on the premise, "Murder Me Twice" was still seen anyway as there are plenty of great 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' and it was great to have a break from the more prolific directors. Phyllis Thaxter is also no stranger to the series, and all her previous performances for it were excellent.
She herself does not disappoint, but "Murder Me Twice" as an episode disappointed. It is not terrible and it is a much better episode than the previous episode "Safety for the Witness". It is also though one of a number of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' outings to have a lead performance that is much better than the episode itself, and also a case of starting off well but declining rapidly too early. Season 4 did have worse than "Murder Me Twice", but also a lot better.
Thaxter is the best thing about "Murder Me Twice". Her performance was excellent and had intensity, without falling into histrionics, and also enough nuance. Tom Helmore is strong too and the chemistry likewise. As said, the episode did start off with a good deal of promise. It was intriguing and it did unsettle.
Hitchcock's bookending amuses and is suitably droll humoured while there is some nice atmosphere in the production values. "Funeral March of a Marionette" is great film music.
For all those good things, "Murder Me Twice" had a lot of issues. It is too talky, with a lot of rambling mumbo jumbo that succeeded more in confusing rather than intriguing. Quite difficult to get the head round some of it, especially if not familiar with how hypnosis works beyond what is portrayed in film and television. David Swift's (in his first and only 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' directing credit) direction is slack and undistinguished.
Did feel that the story was messy. It started off very well, but too early and quickly lost any suspense and became very predictable and silly, as well as more confusing than necessary. Actually was not surprised by the ending at all and also found it beyond far fetched.
Summing up, loved Thaxter but didn't care for the episode. 5/10.
She herself does not disappoint, but "Murder Me Twice" as an episode disappointed. It is not terrible and it is a much better episode than the previous episode "Safety for the Witness". It is also though one of a number of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' outings to have a lead performance that is much better than the episode itself, and also a case of starting off well but declining rapidly too early. Season 4 did have worse than "Murder Me Twice", but also a lot better.
Thaxter is the best thing about "Murder Me Twice". Her performance was excellent and had intensity, without falling into histrionics, and also enough nuance. Tom Helmore is strong too and the chemistry likewise. As said, the episode did start off with a good deal of promise. It was intriguing and it did unsettle.
Hitchcock's bookending amuses and is suitably droll humoured while there is some nice atmosphere in the production values. "Funeral March of a Marionette" is great film music.
For all those good things, "Murder Me Twice" had a lot of issues. It is too talky, with a lot of rambling mumbo jumbo that succeeded more in confusing rather than intriguing. Quite difficult to get the head round some of it, especially if not familiar with how hypnosis works beyond what is portrayed in film and television. David Swift's (in his first and only 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' directing credit) direction is slack and undistinguished.
Did feel that the story was messy. It started off very well, but too early and quickly lost any suspense and became very predictable and silly, as well as more confusing than necessary. Actually was not surprised by the ending at all and also found it beyond far fetched.
Summing up, loved Thaxter but didn't care for the episode. 5/10.