The Jar

Season 2, Episode 17, Aired

Episode Summary

EDIT
9.0
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Superb
41 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate Now!
In this terror story adapted from a Ray Bradbury short story, a gentleman buys a jar containing a mystifying "thing."
WRITE A REVIEW FAN RECAP

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Fan Episode Reviews (5)

See All

  • Bizarre even by Hitchcock standards, this unique episode is filled with backwoods characters both creepy and laughable. After the twist ending, you'll never look at "Mr. Haney" in quite the same way!moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By TVTimmy, Jul 28, 2011
    This is one of the best Hitchcock programs ever, and a departure from the usual hard-boiled murder formula, though a murder does indeed eventually take place. The characters are so extreme as to border on camp, and perfectly portrayed by a star-filled cast.

    Classic TV fans will recognize many of the players, including Collin Wilcox (as Thedy Sue), who also starred in the famous Twilight Zone episode, "Number 12 Looks Just Like You." And if Jadu sounds familiar, it's because he later appeared on PeeWee's Playhouse as the King of Cartoons. This one is a must-see.moreless

  • Small town man with high hopes strikes out in more ways than one!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By tinatalky, Feb 03, 2008
    Absolutely a cleverly plotted series classic!!!! This is definitely one of the best Alfred Hitchcock Hours' of all time! Very funny and tongue in cheek at times; scary at times; the best part is a great story with fantastic characters and fine character development! Surprise ending might catch you off guard--have fun! Watch out for the quick sand!!!!! The great Pat Butram is perfect for the role and so are all of his friends! Butram was a wonderful character actor throughout his acting career. This is old school television and Alfred Hitchcock at its best. A very fine story telling episode.moreless

  • Very scary hour but good

    10
    "Perfect"
    By JPPT1974, Jun 29, 2007
    This was a very scary hour of tv. And that it shows usually comedic actors in a rare dramatic roles. And they did a great job on it IMHO. This man, from Green Acres, brings home a job that people see other things. But when he becomes famous, against his wife's wishes. He becomes more greedier and perhaps, evil. Best of the AHH shows!

  • Quite possibly the best hour of TV ever

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Saywhat12, Sep 14, 2006
    I first saw "The Jar" several years ago in syndication. I had seen a short synopsis in my local TV listings: "Woman is frightened by the contents of her husband's jar". Sounded so ominous. I had no idea what I was in for. This episode had me positively captivated from begining to end. Actually, the first time I saw it I was afraid to watch the ending (hey, it was late at night), because by that point I had a feeling to where it was headed and it was one of those peeking through your fingers moment. I opted to change the channel instead. First thing the next morning I had to come onto this site to find out for sure how it ended. I've seen it more than once since then and I enjoy it almost just much as I did the first time. Herrmann's sinister circus-like score contributes much to the suspense. From the moment the title appears on-screen and the music starts, there's a feeling of anticipation which does not go away until the final fade out of the episode. After watching "The Jar", the name "Thedy Sue Hill" will be embedded in your memory for years to come. It's a shame that a great series like "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" doesn't get a lot of syndication airings.moreless

  • An All-Time Great TV Episode

    10
    "Perfect"
    By jmaci, Nov 25, 2005
    One of the very best and most famous episodes of the entire series. This is one that has justifiably been remembered for decades. It is very much worth seeking out.

    Based on a story by Ray Bradbury with music score by frequent Hitchcock collaborator Bernard Herrmann, THE JAR is a great example of the power of television. Here is roughly 50 minutes of fascinating, haunting drama. Pat Buttram, in an unforgettable performance, plays a small-town nobody married to a much younger woman (excellent Collin Wilcox) who has a regular dalliance with another man (TV stalwart James Best). One day, Buttram brings home a jar containing a \"something\" that no one can identify. Whatever they see in the jar has a spellbinding effect on all of Buttram\'s neighbors (as well as on the TV viewer). Night after night, they gather at his house and gaze at the jar, each offering his or her own interpretation of the thing inside. Great veteran actors like Carl Benton Reid and Jane Darwell are featured in the cast, along with George Lindsey, Jocelyn Brando and Alice Backes. Each actor has a moment to grab the attention of the viewer, and they make the most of it. No spoilers here: this story is gripping from start to finish, and its outcome will not be soon forgotten. A great moment in television.moreless
WRITE A REVIEW
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

FILTER BY TYPE

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Forums


Add a Topic See All
Last Activity
Replies

Related Shows

Season 2 Episodes

See All
Ep 32
Body in the Barn
Ep 31
Isabel
Ep 30
The Second Verdict
Ep 29
Bed of Roses
Ep 28
Who Needs an Enemy?
Ep 27
The Sign of Satan
Ep 26
Ten Minutes from Now
Ep 25
The Ordeal of Mrs. Snow
Ep 24
The Gentleman Caller
Ep 23
A Matter of Murder
Ep 22
Behind the Locked Door
Ep 21
Beast in View
Ep 20
Anyone for Murder?
Ep 19
Murder Case
Ep 18
Final Escape
Ep 17
The Jar
Ep 16
The Evil of Adelaide Winters
Ep 15
Night Caller
Ep 14
Beyond the Sea of Death
Ep 13
The Magic Shop
Ep 12
Three Wives Too Many
Ep 11
How to Get Rid of Your Wife
Ep 10
Good-bye, George
Ep 9
The Dividing Wall
Ep 8
The Cadaver
Ep 7
Starring the Defense
 more

Contributors

Become a contributor
More
Less

TV Listings

Full Listings
TV.com Properties | Shows | Videos | News | Listings | Forums | People | Photos | TV.com Blog

CBS Entertainment | About TV.com | About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use