Watching Hitchcock

The television shows of the past are my favorites. I just can’t get into some of these shows that are produced nowadays. The comedies are not funny to me, and every show seems to have some hidden agenda, rather than just providing entertainment. The dramas, I guess, are too real to be entertaining, and I think some of the crime shows must be written by people who are able to think like criminals.

I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s, and so most of the television shows during my childhood were in black and white. My parents didn’t own a color television set until I was grown and out of their house. (That brings me to an interesting point. Why were they called television “sets,” or TV “sets”?)

I’m not much of a TV watcher, but my husband is, and he tries to find something for us to watch that he knows I will like. He also knows that the old shows would generally be my choice. Of course, since I am not really a night person, I struggle to stay awake to watch shows in the evening. He will turn to something I like, and then after he hears me snoring, he switches to one of those crime shows.

Periodically, we will start watching a series of old shows, and will continue until we have seen all of them. A few years ago, we watched all of the episodes of the Andy Griffith Show, later called Mayberry R.F.D. I really enjoyed that series, seeing Ron Howard as a child, portraying Opie, and Aunt Bea with her motherly treatment of both Andy and Opie. After that series, we watched other old shows from that era.

We just started watching the old Hitchcock TV shows from the mid 1950s. Just hearing the name “Hitchcock” makes me hum the tune, and say “Good Evening,” in that deep voice, with the English accent. Alfred Hitchcock was quite a character. He made some pretty strange movies and TV shows, but I must say that they were quite entertaining, as well as totally weird. The TV shows were all black and white, in half hour episodes, and Alfred Hitchcock always had some wise comments at the end.

The first episode we watched had “Aunt Bea” from the Andy Griffith Show, but she was called Mrs. Ferguson in this episode. Her character had that same, caring and nurturing personality. Hitchcock usually had actors and actresses who were well-known by the viewers. This one also had Vera Miles. The next one had Gene Barry (Bat Masterson).

Hitchcock’s plots were always so strange, but memorable. So, tonight we will continue with our Hitchcock marathon, and I believe, when we are finished watching all his TV episodes, we will continue with Hitchcock movies. He directed over 70 films (some good, some BAD).

Stay tuned. I will give you a report later on how many we watched.

My love to all,

— Nancy

• • •

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

— Isaiah 41:10