The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.