Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series) A Woman's Help (1961) User Reviews

"A Woman's Help" isn't what it used to be....

[chuck-reilly · 7/10 · 14 June 2013]

Geraldine Fitzgerald and Scott McKay play a wealthy but unhappily married couple; she's a demanding invalid and he's sick of nursing her. As the episode begins, it's obvious that the two haven't been in love with other since their honeymoon. Finally, it's decided that they bring in a twenty-four hour round-the-clock nurse to tend to Ms. Fitzgerald. That turns out to be good-looking Antoinette Bower. It doesn't take long before Scott and Antoinette fall for each other in a big way. Since this is vintage Hitchcock, their first order of business is to knock off unsuspecting Geraldine so they can live happily ever after. But the persistent and irritable Geraldine catches the lovers "in the act" and demands that her philandering husband get rid of Ms. Bower who is summarily fired. Since McKay interviewed the first round of nurses and chose Antoinette, Ms. Fitzgerald takes it upon herself to select her own "Woman's Help" from the latest batch of candidates. When McKay arrives home after the "selection" process is completed, his wife laughs at him derisively because the new nurse isn't exactly a bathing beauty. Instead, she's a frumpy old lady who looks like somebody's mother. As it turns out, she IS somebody's mother...and the real joke is on Ms. Fitzgerald. As they say, he who laughs last---laughs best. The plot for "A Woman's Help" is indeed "Standard" Hitchcock, but still well-executed by the cast and worth watching. It was directed by the prolific Arthur Hiller whose later career in films stands up to nearly everyone in his field. The great Irish beauty, Geraldine Fitzgerald, was a star for many years and only left us recently. Antoinette Bower is still a working actress and is seen occasionally on television. Scott McKay had a long and distinguished career and was a fine actor in his own right.

"How do you like your new dream girl, Arnold?"

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 22 January 2022]

This story seemed awful familiar to me, so when I checked, I found it was also made into a British television series episode for Tales of the Unexpected which aired a full two decades later. I saw that one first, so the twist at the end wasn't that much of a surprise, but if you're seeing either one for the first time, it will smack you as a clever bit of writing that will finish the job started by husband Arnold (Scott McKay) and Miss Grecco (Antoinette Bower). If my memory serves me, Shirley Knight's portrayal of Mrs. Bourdon in the English version was an even harsher taskmaster than the one here played by Antoinette Bower. And as for Arnold Bourdon, Anthony Franciosa cut a much more dashing figure than McKay in this one, who's aspect and demeanor didn't come across to me as being much of a ladies man. Otherwise, the story is pretty much a toss-up either way, so if you've seen one, you've seen them both.

You really find yourself hoping Arnold succeeds!

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 15 April 2021]

Arnold's life is not ideal. He's married to Elizabeth, a rich and demanding wife who has some sort of ailment...and she's awfully tough to love. When she hires a nurse to care for her, she immediately assumes Arnold is having an affair with her. While this is not the case, it does become the case later because Elizabeth is so awful and hard to live with....but Arnold doesn't want a divorce, as he's grown fond not just of the nurse but his wife's money.

This is an interesting episode, as the viewer knows the affair and murder are wrong...but at the same time, you can't help but hope Elizabeth dies. In a perfect world, he'd succeed...and then get caught! What does happen? See the show and find out for yourself.

I loved this episode...and the twist at the end was great. Just see it...you'll see what I mean. Well written and fun.

Not A Marriage Made in Heaven

[dougdoepke · 14 May 2010]

A delicious episode of competing intrigues. Mrs. Burton (Fitzgerald) is a petty-tyrant invalid with money who keeps her fecklessly handsome husband (McKay) on a short leash. Into this unhappy household arrives nubile nurse Greco (Bower) as full-time help for the demanding wife. Unsurprisingly, hubby wants a share of nurse's ministrations too, but Greco wants a wedding ring first, while hubby refuses to divorce his wealthy wife. It's a classic set-up for the intrigues that follow.

Fine, clever script (Slesar) with a darkly amusing upshot. McKay delivers an effectively shaded turn as the gigolo husband; ditto Fitzgerald as the domineering wife. Together, their maneuvering provides a real lift to familiar material. Note how initially we're led to identify with the put-upon husband, that is, until his own devious nature emerges. After that, we can better understand the wife's sardonic attitude. In fact, this is an episode without a sympathetic character to identify with. So that ending may be emotionally satisfying, but it's still worth pondering whether poetic justice is served. Anyway, this half-hour shows how the series could breathe life into even the tritest of plots.

Classic Hitchcock Presents

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 29 May 2021]

I loved the plot contrivances, especially the ending, as an emotionally battered husband who is stuck in the money pit, has to cater to his nasty wife's every whim. Then opportunity comes in the person of a beautiful young nurse. Unfortunately, things aren't always what we hope for. The great thing is that there is often something around the corner.