It was great to have Don Weis back in the director's chair, after doing so well with "Santa Claus and The Tenth Avenue Kid" ( a fine example of a change of pace episode done very well). The previous 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes were mostly solid to brilliant (with "Breakdown" coming out on top), with only two barely average ones "Don't Come Back Alive" and especially "Triggers in Leash". The premise didn't sound all that exciting, but having seen many things that have ordinary premises but made into something more on screen there was hope.
And "The Big Switch" did turn out better than expected. It is slightly disappointing in terms of being top 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' standard, plot-wise it is nothing wholly remarkable. It is though a lot of fun as an episode and benefits greatly from its lead performance. "The Big Switch" is another one of the entries that is noither one of the best of the season or show or the worst on both counts, but more just scrapes the high middle category.
The story is nothing exceptional, it is short on suspense and surprises, so slightly bland atmosphere-wise, and can be rather contrived. A feeling that gets on the over the top side in the final act, which did feel like more time was needed to flesh it out more.
However, "The Big Switch" benefits hugely from the twinkling larger than life lead performance of George Matthews. The rest of the cast do very well too, if not on Matthews' level and their roles are not as interesting. Weis' direction is far from routine and there is an ease. What is also good is the script writing, which is very tongue in cheek and genuinely humorous. It is not the lean, tough sort of script, but it does show again that 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' could do tongue in cheek and humour well.
Which was always evident anyway in Hitchcock's droll bookend scenes. It's a well made episode visually, with some lovely atmospheric shots, and the theme music is as usual wonderfully devillish. And despite not being wowed by the story, it is not a dull one and it has its charm. The character chemistry is done well.
Concluding, liked it but not loved it. 7/10.
And "The Big Switch" did turn out better than expected. It is slightly disappointing in terms of being top 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' standard, plot-wise it is nothing wholly remarkable. It is though a lot of fun as an episode and benefits greatly from its lead performance. "The Big Switch" is another one of the entries that is noither one of the best of the season or show or the worst on both counts, but more just scrapes the high middle category.
The story is nothing exceptional, it is short on suspense and surprises, so slightly bland atmosphere-wise, and can be rather contrived. A feeling that gets on the over the top side in the final act, which did feel like more time was needed to flesh it out more.
However, "The Big Switch" benefits hugely from the twinkling larger than life lead performance of George Matthews. The rest of the cast do very well too, if not on Matthews' level and their roles are not as interesting. Weis' direction is far from routine and there is an ease. What is also good is the script writing, which is very tongue in cheek and genuinely humorous. It is not the lean, tough sort of script, but it does show again that 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' could do tongue in cheek and humour well.
Which was always evident anyway in Hitchcock's droll bookend scenes. It's a well made episode visually, with some lovely atmospheric shots, and the theme music is as usual wonderfully devillish. And despite not being wowed by the story, it is not a dull one and it has its charm. The character chemistry is done well.
Concluding, liked it but not loved it. 7/10.