Thelma Ritter was an amazing actress, known better for her show stealing supporting roles and basically she was of those that indeed made everything she was in better. So seeing her being billed in the lead role raised expectations for "The Baby Sitter". As well as that it is an episode of the uneven but very interesting 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', not to mention that it has Robert Stevens is in the director's chair. Was disappointed by Stevens' previous episode but have liked to loved plenty of his episodes.
For me though, "The Baby Sitter" doesn't reach that level and falls a little short. It is a long way from bad and has plenty that is good. It is also an uneven outing and a case of the lead performance being better than the episode itself. "The Baby Sitter" is one of the "in the middle of the pack" episodes of Season 1 and 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' in general, rather than being on either extreme of best or worst. Stevens also did better and worse, but at least this feels more like him unlike his previous episode.
Am going to start with the good. The best thing about "The Baby Sitter" and the aspect that carries it is Ritter, who proves she can be as equally adept in lead roles as in her supporting roles. It is a riveting portrayal that tonally is also quite different from her usual roles, not to mention the character is interesting psychologically and where the story most excels. Mary Wickes is also a very strong presence. Stevens directs more than competently.
Production values are solid and suitably atmospheric, while the main theme fits the creepy and ironic tone of the series overall extremely well. Hitchcock's bookending is typically droll and doesn't ramble. The script entertains and intrigues, while the fantasy element while not one's idea of imaginative still has a wonderfully odd and at times charming atmosphere.
However, "The Baby Sitter" did have potential to be a lot more. The mystery is too on the thin side and lacks suspense, while the ending comes over as more silly and bland than anything else.
While Theodore Newton does his best, he is given virtually nothing to do and comes over as dull. The pace could have been a good deal tighter, especially in the second half where the story thins out.
Overall, above average if uneven. Ritter makes it. 6/10.