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This seemed more like a Twilight Zone episode with it's sci-fi premise. I love Ray Bradbury though and it was a good story. The acting though--kind of cringeworthy, especially the father and son. With decent actors I would have given this 8 stars.

This is an excellent show. Very creative. How would anyone know that this could not happen. Most of us read and/or hear about our food and water and just about everything getting contaminated with something. Food for thought!!!

Ray Bradbury's thirty minute salute to INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. An eerie treat. Defined. And I agree, an episode that could have easily doubled for the TWILIGHT ZONE, especially when you reach THE END. If you really want to go there.

Steve Dunne, looking like your everyday dad, plays Bill, whose industrious young son (Peter Lazer) wants to go into the mushroom business. All you do is send away for the kit and you get guaranteed results. Bill is super proud of him, along with mom Beatrice Straight. Unfortunately, what spoils the business venture are the mysterious disappearances of a few neighbors, one in particular who was frightened. Were any of them selling mushrooms?

100 percent creepy, beautifully directed by Norman Lloyd, who was Hitch's co-producer for years. The ending -- catch the chilling closeup shots -- is a knockout. Exactly what Hitch would have done himself. Bradbury's script may give you a frightmare or two.

Norman Lloyd passed in 2021 at the age of 106. By the way, Peter Lazer in his adult years became a champion poker player. SEASON 5 EPISODE 10 remastered Universal dvd box set. The classic gold box for fans.

Terrific episode for those who don't mind a dash of sci-fi in their Hitchcock. Young entrepreneur Peter Lazar sends away for a mushroom deal that promises quick profits by growing them in your own home. He's excited, and so are his Ozzie and Harriet parents. The next day a neighbor darkly summons Dad with incredible stories about people disappearing for no reason. Dad is unsettled since the neighbor seems so convincing, but then he becomes alarmed when the neighbor too inexplicably drops out of sight. What's going on? The final scene is one of the spookiest of all the Hitchcock entries.

Ray Bradbury did the script, accounting for why the details add up so effectively and the suspense builds so nicely. The lines including the voice-overs are especially literate and unsettling. In fact, this is one of those typically 50's productions that implies a sense of mounting unease beneath an outwardly calm and composed suburbia that might at any moment be invaded by an insidious enemy. Also, notice how in crossing the street early on, Dad has to suddenly stop for a honking car. It's a clever touch like this suggesting unseen danger (likely director Norman Lloyd's touch) that separates outstanding half-hours from merely good ones. Never mind that the idea here bears a distinct resemblance to the classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This one is so well done you'll hardly notice.

The writing seemed amateurish. The acting of some of these actors seemed off, like as if even they knew the script was messy. I started to think Steve Dunne, who plays the father, thought maybe this was a comedy by the way his eyes kept popping out in several scenes. Creepy ending, but not good enough to make up for how the story gets there. Alfred Hitchcock himself seemed to not care for this episode himself as evidenced by his epilogue when he suggests the play be sent back.