All four of Don Taylor's previous 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes are worth watching and well above average, if not exceptional in the case of three of them. "The Right Kind of House" though was absolutely excellent and a standout of Season 3's second half. Denholm Elliott makes one of two 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' appearances here as well, the other being "Relative Value". The premise for "The Crocodile Case" was very interesting, which was the case with much of Season 3.
"The Crocodile Case" on the whole was very good. Not as much as "The Right Kind of House", but it comes to Taylor's 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episode this for me is definitely one of the better ones. Is it one of my favourites of Season 3? No. Or of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents?' Again no. "The Crocodile Case" though has a lot of truly great things and has very little to fault actually, though not one of those episodes with likeable characters (other episodes fared worse though).
So much is good. Elliott is riveting in a performance full of intensity, while Hazel Court manages to not overplay her character's negative traits so she doesn't come over as annoying. The two have really strong chemistry together, both really relishing the plentiful sparring. Sparring that has the right amount of wit, tautness and tension. Hitchcock's bookending is suitably ironic and Taylor's direction has momentum while not hurrying through.
Visually, it is simple but doesn't look threadbare or cheap, did like the photography. The series' theme music is as haunting as ever. The script on the whole is taut and clever and the story always engages and has nice dark tension throughout. The twist ending is one of the best of the season, unexpected and suspenseful and in no way anti-climactic or far fetched.
It is not a perfect episode though. Did think that some of the sparring at times could have been trimmed, a few exchanges being overlong.
Did also feel that some of the character behaviours were hard to buy, especially the lead character giving himself away so easily to the last person most in his position would tell. Court's character is also made to look a little too foolish.
Overall though, very good. 8/10.