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Reviews
Two in the Dark (1936)
Terrific Premise That Could've Flourished
I expected this film to be awful upon reading other people's reviews; on the contrary, it's a fun mystery that might have benefited from a stronger, more noir-inclined director like Hitchcock.
Perhaps the multitude of characters confused people, but that's the nature of a who-done-it. You need clues and plenty of viable suspects. I do think better pacing and filmography would have made it more engaging. Regardless, I'm not normally fond of amnesia plots, and I found myself thoroughly entertained.
Margot Grahame's character is delightful and brilliant. Her energy and wit are intrinsic opposite Walter Abel's bewildered mystery man, and it is her determination that drives the plot forward. By far, her personality is my favorite part of this film.
It has an extremely strong beginning. I could imagine the setup inspiring more modern stories in the same genre, if it hasn't already. Wish I could rate it a 6.5, but can't quite justify a 7.
Gunsmoke: The Do-Badder (1962)
Just off the Mark
Sofaer's character is the old-West equivalent of self-help gurus bent on giving unsolicited advice. It was entertaining watching his moral interference unintentionally turn people into criminals, hence the overarching lesson of this episode: Mind ya business.
The actors' performances are probably the best part of this episode, but the writing doesn't provide depth to any of their characters. Instead everyone feels surface-level, as if they are merely pawns to communicate a message. I love episodes centered around humanity, but this one doesn't quite deliver on the thematic significance of its own story. The manner of Easter's death suggests that he was correct in meddling with people's lives, rather than condemning it as the rest of the story suggests. Interesting concept, lackluster execution.
Gunsmoke: I Thee Wed (1960)
Philosophical, and Relatable in Any Time or "Prairie"
Great episode with a strong script. The performances are extremely compelling, and the subject matter is portrayed so accurately that it was actually a bit hard to watch at times.
I like the overall tie-in of hope with Kitty, Chester, and Matt discussing Tennyson's delicate poetry at the beginning, contrasted with Kitty's harsh indictment of "the prairie" and how its hardships shape people, often for the worst, as is presented in theory by the behavior of the wife-abuser: his cruelty vs his wife's hope, a powerful yet fragile thing that his cruelty finally snuffed out, at the cost of his own life.
The episode uses this theme to explore the subject matter in a way that specifically incorporates the setting; it was an extra step that the script didn't need to tackle, but it did.
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: The Monkey's Paw--A Retelling (1965)
The Writing Doesn't Do the Ideas Justice
I think the biggest issue with this episode is that it doesn't have any cohesive themes to unite all the different character conflicts.
The extended dialogue moments would make more sense if they actively progressed the story instead of just being creepy and foreboding for the sake of it. Unfortunately they just sit and diffuse any tension the script could have built otherwise.
Theoretically "monkey's paw" theming should center around the cautionary cost that comes from wishing, yet that somehow isn't addressed in a direct manner until halfway through. For example, a good chunk of time is utilized in an attempt to reverse a tragedy, as opposed to contemplating why it happened to begin with, and before the second wish is ever even mentioned as an option. The seance and daughter-in-law conflict were definitely time filler.
Overall, the beginning is relatively strong, with Zolya Talma's performance being quite captivating, but it lost momentum soon afterwards. The last five minutes were appropriately creepy, culminating in a selfless use of the final wish, which barely gets its due before the episode promptly ends (which is ironic due to the time-padding). Everything would've been better served by a stronger, more concise middle.
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: Triumph (1964)
A Fascinating Foray into Human Nature
The acting, lighting, perspective, dialogue, and camera work are all absolutely top-notch in this episode. There's even a scene in which the moving shadows cast by a cloth fan are utilized to heighten the tension during a dinner conversation. Superb.
The themes were also explored rather well: youth vs. Weariness, justice vs. Vengeance, reputation vs. True fulfillment, etc.
The most overarching theme is the contrast between inherent human evil & inherent human goodness, through which an ironic switch occurs.
It "shows" rather than "tells." For example, the past struggles of the Fitzgibbons' inability to have children, and how that has led them to where they are now, is to be inferred from the dialogue and acting.
In addition, the physical "twist" is less important than what has been revealed about the people involved (particularly Dr. Sprague).
This is one of the most complex character studies I've ever seen come out of this series.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Indestructible Mr. Weems (1957)
One of the Best
A great example of poetic irony, and the theme of one's ability to forge on in life when one actually has something to live for.
Nacho Libre (2006)
A Gem of a Film, but in Stretchy Pants
I think some of the sillier situational humor overshadows the heart of this movie which, like most underdog heroes, is not to be underestimated.
There's a reason this film has aged well and has garnered a dedicated fanbase-despite the flatulence and weirder moments, it's ultimately a story about a good man finally achieving his dreams when he prioritizes his purer motivations above the lure of personal glory. And it's also hilarious. Primarily in the quieter moments, when the dialogue and actors' line delivery are allowed to shine.
Lastly, it's gorgeous. This film's vibrant colors have stuck in my mind all these years later.
Gunsmoke: Tag, You're It (1959)
A Hired Gun with a Tragic Backstory Must Make a Difficult Decision
An interesting foray into the power of reputation and the weight of one's word.
Ultimately there was a lot of untapped character potential. However, what little background and depth the runtime could provide served the emotional core of the story well, even if the climax and reveal came rather suddenly.
But I very much enjoy the culmination of everyone's fear and the big reveal, in that the hired gun's actual target is one of the only peolple who was never afraid of him.