Customer Reviews

The Alfred Hitchcock Presents Companion

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

First, let me say that there's a lot to like about this book. It's very obvious that an exhausting amount of effort was involved in researching it, and for that the authors are to be warmly commended. One would guess that every scintilla of data related to "TV Hitchcock" has been unearthed and accounted for. This project was very obviously a labor of love.
Unfortunately, this book has an amateurish flavor that's very distracting. For one thing--as has been mentioned by other reviewers--the illustrations are evidently photocopies of photographs; they're really nasty. However, that's not the worst of it.
These guys can't write. PERIOD.
Not only is this work rife with typos, but the prose itself is awful. Grammatical errors abound, punctuation is tossed about with abandon (particularly commas), and vocabulary is misused. An editor brandishing a blue pencil in one hand and a whip in the other is DESPERATELY needed to pull this book into shape.
It hurts me to trash this book, as so much work went into it. But the fact of the matter is that literature (even popular) needs to be held to standards, and this book just doesn't meet them. I see a lot of this deterioration in contemporary writing--it's scarier than anything Hitchcock ever committed to celluloid, that's for sure. Please, bring back good editors. If one had been available to the authors of this work, it would probably have merited a 5-star rating.
Addendum--I'm editing my previous review by way of self-defense: "James Barton creditable as Hobbs (or rather Hobbs' body - since he's actually playing Fortnum for much of the show), and convinces you that he's actually suffering. Most of the acting from him was showing emotion and facial features, since the most of the dialogue was from thoughts, more so a recording of his voice."
Oh, my.
The above passage was chosen by opening the book to a random page; I believe this is from page 75 (many of the pages aren't numbered--go figure). I seem to recall encountering even more obtuse examples, e.g., the synopsis of [the original] Specialty of the House, but I thought my case was stronger for having used the method described. I took the time to revise my review in response to somewhat puzzling assertions from other reviewers (which, astonishingly, bear a remarkable stylistic similarity to each other) that this book represents a pinnacle of grammatical perfection and "proper" usage of our fair tongue. I'm willing to entertain the possibility that my own copy is unique, but common sense dictates that the odds don't favor it. Turn to any page--the whole book (my copy, anyway) is like this. And if despite all this I still haven't convinced you, check out Amazon's own editorial "From the Publisher." Clearly, given the laughable prose, "publisher" and "authors" are one (two?) and the same. BELIEVE them when they write that they "spent no expense on a project that is highly agreed by all to be long over-due."
Sigh.

This book is so poorly written, it is no wonder that it has fallen out of print. The writing is horrendous, the photos (or photocopies) are beyond laughable, and the research is at best shallow. My elementary school students could have done a better job. Don't bother with this book (if you can even locate a copy now). "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" was a classy show with high quality writing, and and any book about it ought to be on par with those standards of excellence. Fans of the show should organize a class action lawsuit against the publisher for breach of compentency. Please someone, write an "unauthorized" companion reference guide, and give this series the tribute it truly deserves.

OTR Publishing presents "THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS COMPANION" (Paperback), by Martin Grams Jr. & Patrik Wikstrom --- Watching my favorite show every week was something to look forward to, now with all the episodes I have in my collection -- can follow a detailed account and the complete guide to go along with my collection of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" with my DVD collection --- Special "behind-the-scenes" look at the making of many of the episodes plus the 1980s remake series, a chapter documenting all the "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" collectibles --- Various chapters by experts include insight into the Hitchcock spoofs, comic books, the Hitchcock-produced "Dark Intruder," "Psycho," and the "Suspicion" television series -- and over 100 photos, which one reviewer complained were copies of copies -- who cares ... we can still enjoy them.

INCLUDED IN THIS BOOK:
1. Features a lengthy history of the television series, including all three pilots!
2. Features a complete broadcast log of each and every episode, with cast lists, plot descriptions, Hitch's
opening and closing remarks, and trivia and recollections from over 100 actors, writers, directors. --
Exclusive interviews with Patricia Hitchcock, Norman Lloyd, Ray Bradbury, Fess Parker, Henry Slesar,
Gordon Hessler, Hazel Court, Vincent Price, Elliott Reid, Marc Richman, Warren Stevens, Hilton A. Green,
Arthur Ross, Joseph Pevney, Ann Robinson, Sydney Pollack, Marian Seldes, Ann Robinson, Julie Adams
and many more!
3. Features the same for the remake series of the 1980s with the colorized Hitchcock openings!
4. Documents each and every LP, magnet, matchbook, hotel soap, label pin, board game and many other collectibles!
5. Features a huge list of each and every hardcover and paperback edition of the Hitchcock anthologies!
6. And anything else you have been wanting to know about 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'!

Special footnote, -- This contains an enormous amount of material on Hitchcock's activities apart from his role as a film director --- The bulk of this book is taken up with a meticulous index of all the episodes on the various television series Hitchcock was associated with, including a detailed synopsis of the episodes --- Grams and Wikstrom have captured every little morsel of Hitch during his journey in the entertainment world --- Definitely feel this is the "Bible" and most detailed book ever written on our favorite director during his television years --- The Master of Suspense -- HITCHCOCK!

Total Page: 660 Pages ~ OTR Publishing #ISBN- 10: 0970331010 ~ (4/01/2001)

Martin Grams, Jr. is truly the Edward D. Wood, Jr. of TV book writers. It is obvious that Grams loves classic radio and television and that he is tireless in his efforts to write books about some of the greatest series of all time. Sadly, it is also obvious that he is one of the most incompetent writers and editors to ever produce so many texts. I feel almost guilty panning his books since he so clearly enjoys writing them. However, like Ed Wood, his enthusiasm doesn't make him any more competent or talented. Take this as a warning. Save your money, folks.

First, let's get the things I don't like about this book out of the way: A little more care could have been invested into the proofreading since I have spotted a number of mistakes in spelling and punctuation just glancing over the first few pages of the introduction. Also, except for the cover shot of Hitch, which looks just fine, all of the pictures inside the book look like they very reproduced on a very cheap photocopier.

But these are minor flaws which don't really count when you consider the wealth of content within these pages. I also happen to own the book "Alfred Hitchcock Presents: An Illustrated Guide to the Ten-Year Television Career of the Master of Suspense" (currently out of print), as far as I know the only previous work on the subject of Hitch's TV shows, and quite an enjoyable read by itself, but this new tome is much more comprehensive. It is full of well-researched details, and once you pick it up and start reading (anywhere; you don't have to start on page 1), you will find it hard to put down again. I like the fact that it works as a reference book (when you just want to check up on a particular episode), but it works equally well as a general analysis of the Hitchcock TV phenomenon. It is obvious that the authors deeply care about their subject, and the extent to which they have done their homework exceeds even my expectations.

If you are in any way interested in Alfred Hitchcock's work for the small screen or just Hitchcock in general, don't miss this book. It's a must-read and I highly recommend it.

I awaited the arrival of this book with great eagerness. Alas,
I was somewhat dissapointed. While it is a comprehensive guide to all th episodes and includes interviews with the makers of the show, plus Hitchcock filmography, the individual synopsis'
could have been written with a little more familiarity to the plot. Furthermore, the authors reviews on each plot could have been written with more description and commentary. It certainly isn't a Twilight Zone companion by Marc Scott Zicree, that's for sure.However, that being said, it was a major undertaking and it will serve as a great resource. One more thing: the all the photos look like cheap xeroxes. A worthy purchase for all you Hitchcock Presents afficionados.

This is a must have for any of you Hitchcock fans. Like The Outer Limits Companion, this book covers every aspect of the Hitchcock television series. Almost every episode has memories from the writers or actors or directors, trivia, bloopers, and other goodies. I ordered the book for myself but when it came in the mail Boy was I shocked! It's 660 pages thick! There are various chapters written by scholars covering Hitchcock TV show spoofs, Hitchcock TV collectables, Hitchcock TV shows that were produced and directed by Mr. Hitchcock that wasn't part of the series. All of the Hitchcock anthologies are listed. As an English teacher, I also noticed how well this book is gramatically correct - using the proper English as Hitchcock would have. This makes translations in other countries far easier to read. With the exception of a few hazy photos that are a little difficult to see, this is superb. Did I also mention the index is almost 40 pages thick? I only wish other television programs received the same treatment as Grams and Wikstrom have done.

I have to admit that I have four bookshelves from the floor to the ceiling with hundreds of books about Alfred Hitchcock. With this in mind I will state that Mr. Wikstrom and Mr. Grams has given us the one and only book that EVERY admirer of Sir Alfred should own and read. Everything about the television series from the production history to an episode guide is highly detailed. Experts in their craft from all over the world contributed and this is so clearly evident that anyone who browses the pages will admit the authors took their time to compile one heck of a book. Jaclyn Packer has a Ph.D., Ulrich Rudel is from Europe, Patrik Wikstrom is from Sweden as stated in the "about the authors" and Mr. Grams is already a familiar name. I knew Alfred Hitchcock had cancer more than once but until I read Packer's chapter, I never knew Hitchcock acted in a television episode of "Tactic" and played the role of a director in order to support the cause of fighting cancer. The bibliography even listed two sources of information that impressed me. Thomas Binotto's "Nichts Als Zufalle" from Film Dienst, April 2001 issue and Frank Arnold's "Du Hast Nur 23 Minuten-Alfred Hitchcock's Fernseharbeiten" published in Berlin, Germany in 1999. Of the hundreds of books I have read, this is the first I have seen anyone credit those sources. Obviously two chapters had to be translated to English and the translation is superb. If you want to have an enjoyable and informative book about Sir Alfred's television series, this is the book. Highest recommendation.

If you werea fan of the Twilight Zones series then pick up the Alfred Hitchcock guide that details each show of the Alfred Hitchcock TV show of the 50's that still looks great today. There are two volumes out on DVD which you should watch each episode and then review the episode guide for questions you may have that will be answered. Shows like this one keeps your interest and are true who dunnit chapters.

Don't forget GOOD EVENING from the master himself Alfred Hitchcock!
Enjoy!!

I purchased THE TWILIGHT ZONE: UNLOCKING THE DOOR TO A TELEVISION CLASSIC from Amazon.com and this came recommended from Amazon. So I checked it out. If the TWILIGHT ZONE book is five stars, I give this four and a half. During the 80s I purchased a number of books about TV shows including a red hardcover book about the HITCHCOCK TV show and sadly, it lacked a lot of detail. This book makke sup for it. The detail level is extraordinary and a worthy addition to my shelf. I could nit-pick flaws if I seek them out, but with a book this big, why bother? It's wonderful!