Alfred Hitchcock Presents 1.32

The Baby Sitter

starring Thema Ritter

written by Sarett Tobias

directed by Robert Stevens

Everyone wants to talk to baby sitter Lottie Slocum (Thelma Ritter). Lottie babysat for Mr. and Mrs. Nash the night before Clara Nash was murdered. Everyone wants to know what Lottie knows but she can't seem to put the pieces together from the night before.

She talks to a police detective, her daughter Janie, her neighbor Blanche, and Clara's boyfriend (Mr. DeMario) but can't seem to remember anything that seems like a clue. She writes Mr. Nash a letter (explaining what she remembers) hoping that it will help. Mr. Nash comes over to see Lottie but it isn't to talk about the murder.

Thoughts

Mr. Nash does not speak a single word in this episode. It made him seem more menacing in my eyes.

Lottie admits to having a crush on Mr. Nash. I think that's part of the reasons why she writes him.

I was a little confused about the ending because it wasn't clear when I watched the episode that any time had passed between the time Lottie wrote the letter and the time the Mr. Nash showed up at her door.

This episode feels like it is missing something. There were probably too many characters in it considering the length of the episode. Maybe I would understand it better if I watched it again but I don't feel like taking the time to do that. I'm not convinced that it would work for me any more than it did the first time around.

It is safe to say that this is not a favorite episode of mine.

Notes

This is the only episode of this show in which Thelma Ritter appeared. She has been in at least three movies I have watched including All About Eve (1950).

Mary Wickes played the part of Blanche Armstaedter. This is the first of two episodes of this show in which she appeared. She also appeared in an episode of Kraft Suspense Theatre. She was also in at least four movies I have watched including The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942).

Carole Matthews played the part of Clara Nash. This is the first of two episodes of this show in which she appeared. 

Theodore Newton played the part of Mr. Nash. This is the first of six episodes of this show in which he appeared. He also appeared in an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

Rebecca Welles played the part of Janie Slocum, Lottie's adult daughter. This is the first of four episodes of this show in which she appeared. 

Michael Ansara played the part of Mr. DeMario. This is the third of three episodes of this show in which Michael Ansara appeared. The second episode in which he appeared was 1.29 The Orderly World of Mr. Appleby.

Ray Teal played the part of the policeman. This is the third of eight episodes of this show in which he appeared. The second episode in which he appeared was 1.16 You Got to Have Luck.

This is the first of nine episodes of this show for which Sarett Tobias wrote the teleplay. This is the first of three episodes that were based on stories written by Emily Neff.

This is the 13th of 44 episodes of this show that Robert Stevens directed. The 12th episode he directed was 1.31 The Gentleman from America.