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Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Series 1 - Complete


RRP: £34.99
Our Price: £14.98 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

When it premiered on CBS on October 2, 1955, Alfred Hitchcock Presents was an instant hit destined for long-term popularity. The series' original half-hour anthology format provided a perfect showcase for stories of mystery, suspense, and the macabre that reflected Hitchcock's established persona. Every Sunday at 9:30 p.m., the series began with the familiar theme of Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette" (which would thereafter be inextricably linked with Hitchcock), and as Hitchcock's trademark profile sketch was overshadowed by the familiar silhouette of Hitchcock himself, the weekly "play" opened and closed with the series' most popular feature: As a good-natured host whose inimitable presence made him a global celebrity, Hitchcock delivered droll, dryly sardonic introductions and epilogues to each week's episode, flawlessly written by James Allardyce and frequently taking polite pot-shots at CBS sponsors, or skirting around broadcast standards (which demanded that no crime could go unpunished) by humorously explaining how the show's killers and criminals were always brought to justice... though always with a nod and a wink to the viewer.

This knowing complicity was Hitchcock's pact with his audience, and the secret to his (and the series') long-term success. It's also what attracted a stable of talented writers whose teleplays, both original and adapted, maintained a high standard of excellence. Hitchcock directed four of the first season's 39 episodes, including the premiere episode "Revenge" (a fan favorite, with future Psycho costar Vera Miles) and the season highlight "Breakdown," with Joseph Cotten as a car-accident victim, paralyzed and motionless, who's nearly left for dead; it's a perfect example of visual and narrative economy, executed with a master's touch. (The fourth episode, "Don't Come Back Alive," is also a popular favourite, with the kind of sinister twist that became a series trademark.) Robert Stevenson directed the majority of the remaining episodes with similar skill, serving tightly plotted tales (selected by associate producers Joan Harrison and Norman Lloyd) by such literary greats as Ray Bradbury, Robert Bloch, Cornell Woolrich, Dorothy L. Sayers, and John Collier. Adding to the series' prestige was a weekly roster of new and seasoned stars, with first-season appearances by Cloris Leachman, Darren McGavin, Everett Sloane, Peter Lawford, Charles Bronson, Barry Fitzgerald, John Cassavetes, Joanne Woodward, Thelma Ritter, and a host of Hollywood's best-known character players. With such stellar talent on weekly display, Alfred Hitchcock Presents paved the way for Thriller, The Twilight Zone, and other series that maximized the anthology format's storytelling potential. --Jeff Shannon

Editorial
Synopsis

The master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, was as prolific as he was brilliant, producing not only dozens of award-winning films, but also a few excellent television series'. 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', which won the Golden Globe Award for 'Television Achievement', was arguably the best of his small screen triumphs. Hosted by the man himself, the series offered viewers short audio-visual stories on a weekly basis, mixing the genres of horror, drama, suspense, and fantasy. The first series is collected here in its entirety.

Over fifty years old and aged beautifully
Review date: 2007-05-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is way before my time but when a programme is this good it matters not. I used to watch this sometime in the 1980's with my Dad and it was one of my favourite programmes at the time but it wasn't this series, it was a later one because I can remember it being in colour, but anyway the presentation and music (very uplifting for something so dark) was exactly the same as this. Although I can't really remember all of the stories from those colour episodes, there was one in particular that involved somebody accidentally being buried alive after a plan went wrong and it put me off ever wanting to be buried when I die.

I love the way this series is presented by Alfred Hitchcock, he was a national treasure and I particularly like his witty remarks before and after each episode I really hope they release every series of this on DVD, it would be a tragedy if it wasn't. At the time of writing, this as to be one of the best value for money DVD boxsets ever at (at the time of writing) just under £9. There are 39 episodes at roughly 23 minutes each and a good variety of stories all with some kind of twist at the end. I don't think that this is as well known as say for example The Twilight Zone (another classic that as aged beautifully) or to younger people like myself, but if you like that and anything similar, then even at over fifty years old (and as I have already mentioned this is way before my time) I would recommend this classic programme to anyone.

One last comment is that I am sorry to say to the person asking that there aren't any subtitles on this particular series which is wrong, as I think that they should be on all DVD's as standard but I am not sure about series 2 and whether they will be on the remaining series (if they are ever released), so fingers crossed.

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Reviews


MYSTERY YET UNSOLVED
Review date: 2007-05-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

Hi, This is a great tv series, I want to buy them, but I'd like to know from anyone you have a copy, has this got any subtitles on it??
Thank you!

classic tv
Review date: 2007-05-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a fantastic tv series, with 39 'mini-movies' in crystal clear b&w. As with most tv series some of the episodes are absolute classics and some are mearly above average but when Amazon are charging (at the time of writing this review) £8.97 for the set you'd be mad to pass this up!

Classic Nostalgia From The Master Of Suspense
Review date: 2007-02-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

It seems like another lifetime now in the late fifties & Early Sixties when we looked forward to our weekly dose of Hitchcock with his short stories. What a fantastic collection this is. It is an absolute treat for those of us who value this period of T.V. As it stands with this one it really is fantastic value and anybody who was too young to remember the master of suspense at his brilliant best should buy this , they will not be disappointed in witnessing probably the greatest all time film & T.V. producer .

Hoozah! Alfred Hitchcock Presents... finally on DVD
Review date: 2006-07-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

Being a long time fan of Hitch's films I was eager to see the famous T.V series that, unbelievably, gets no airing whatsoever on terrestrial or satellite television. This box sets brings together the entire first series (39 episodes) over 6 DVD discs, uniquely packaged so it won't take up much space on your shelf. All episodes look and sound great and are really enthralling. The stories are wonderfully shot and the acting is superb (esp. Vera Miles, Charles Bronson, Claude Rains and Hitch's daughter Pat). I'd recommend this to anyone who loves Hitch's films (they're like 39 mini ones) or who loves a good thriller story with a twist. Bring on season 2...

Product Details/Specifications


Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582388008
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 6
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-02-20
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Language: English (Original Language)

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