Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Alfred Hitchcock Hour. In this review, we explore an 8-disc Blu-ray box set from Via Vision's Imprint Television label, featuring the remarkable Season 1 of the Alfred Hitchcock Hour, known also as season 8 of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
This collection represents the transition of Alfred Hitchcock Presents into the Alfred Hitchcock Hour, a change inspired by the success of another anthology show, Thriller, hosted by Boris Karloff. The series succeeded in creating a lasting image in popular culture and further developing the Hitchcock persona.
While the show was largely produced by Hitchcock's longtime collaborators, including Joan Harrison and Norman Lloyd, Hitchcock maintained a keen interest in its progression. It attracted numerous established stars while showcasing emerging talents like Robert Redford, who appeared in gripping episodes such as 'A Piece of the Action' and 'A Tangled Web'.
Hitchcock directed a single episode for this season, 'I Saw the Whole Thing', a courtroom drama with suspense and a twist, marking his last television work. The season includes performances by stars like Vera Miles, Dean Stockwell, and Angie Dickinson. James Mason and Angie Dickinson perform brilliantly in 'Captive Audience'.
On the creative team were notable writers like Robert Bloch and Leigh Bracket, and directors such as Norman Lloyd and Sydney Pollak. An episode by Pollak, "Diagnosis: Danger," was intended as a pilot for a series that never materialized.
The Blu-ray set features commentaries on a third of the 32 episodes, offering insights into screenwriting, music, and production. A standout feature is the commentaries by Jonathan Rigby and Kevin Lyons, adding depth with their conversational style and passion.
Despite a lack of extensive extras, this limited edition includes a 130-page booklet with cast summaries and episode synopses. Hitchcock's iconic presentations, with his signature wit, continue to distinguish the series, making it a standout anthological work.
This review indicates a high hit rate for the series, ensuring that the Alfred Hitchcock Hour maintains its reputation for delivering compelling and diverse narratives, even into its eighth season.