|
List Price: $39.98Amazon.com's Price: $28.99 You Save: $10.99 (27%)as of 11/21/2009 16:49 EST details
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Now!
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Universal Studios
EAN: 9780783270791
Format: Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
ISBN: 0783270798
Label: Universal Studios
Languages: EnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 2.0 MonoEnglishSubtitledSpanishSubtitled
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
MPN: MCAD22270D
Number Of Items: 3
Publisher: Universal Studios
Region Code: 1
Release Date: October 04, 2005
Running Time: 1003 minutes
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: October 02, 1955
Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 10/04/2005 Rating: Nr
Amazon.com:
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 favorite, 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.
Packed onto three double-sided DVDs, these 39 episodes hold up remarkably well, and while some prints show the wear and tear of syndication, they look and sound surprisingly good (although audio compression will cause many viewers to turn up the volume). The 15-minute bonus featurette, "Alfred Hitchcock Presents: A Look Back" is perfunctory at best, but it's nice to see new anecdotal interviews with Norman Lloyd, assistant director Hilton Green, and Hitchcock's daughter Pat (a frequent performer on these episodes), who survived to see their popular series benefit from the archival convenience of DVD. --Jeff Shannon
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
I especially love the double sided DVD's, I'm sorry that Universal went back to single sided DVD's for the second season. But, this is good TV, I recommend it.
Rating: -
Packaging is good. Not one to rate the DVD presentation. I like the fact there are no commercials and they left all of Hitchcock comments in and many times that's essential to the show.
I had forgotten how entertaining Hitchcock was. I missed a lot of the first season shows. I will eventually collect the other seasons.
Rating: -
Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense without the violence today's generation has become numb in viewing. Hitchcock allows the mind to fill in the gory details. I own Seasons 1-4 (not to mention many of his full length movies) and I cannot recall any episodes I did not like. Even as a young child (9, 10 years old when they were originally aired) can be entertained without fear of being offensive. What a young child may grasp as compared to an adult who views these episodes are often very enlightening ... Read More
Rating: -
The DVD appears to be new and not used before whether that's the situation or not. I forgot how funny A. Hitchcock was at the beginning and end of the shows. He was always sure to tell us at the end that the person who committed the crime and appeared to get away with it didn't get away. It brought back memories of my watching these with my family when I was a kid. Great collection. Thanks. --Mary JoJurista
Rating: -
It is great fun to see the old shows again; the stories are timeless and the actors/actresses Hitchcock was able to get to perform in the 30 minute vignettes is amazing.
The quality of the CD is excellent.
Television Show
Collectibles
Movie Searches
|
|
|
Search for posters,
art prints, photos, collectables, merchandise, toys, t-shirts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TV Guide
Program listings, celebrity profiles, industry
gossip, movie reviews, puzzle.
More
Entertainment
& TV Magazines
This site is
Hosted
by Bluehost
Read
my Bluehost Review
Most Popular TV collectibles
|
|
Home
Articles
Images
Forum
Search
Shopping
TV Trivia
Watch TV
Wallpaper
