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Reviews
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Sylvia (1958)
Ann Todd miscast as McIntire's daughter - they were both born in 1907
This is not a bad episode, but it to me is ruined by the horrendous miscasting of Ann Todd as John McIntire's daughter: they both were born in 1907! All the makeup in the world (and lots was used) and Todd's attempt at being "girlish" and speaking in a higher pitched voice cannot conceal that she is much too old for the role. Maybe it was a favor of Hitch to hire his compatriot (Todd is British).
A Doll's House (1959)
A star-studded and accurate 1959 color portrayal of the Ibsen classic
I won't add much to what has already been written on this site except to say that it benefits from a dream cast for the time in which it was aired: 1959. Julie Christie, Christopher Plummer, Hume Cronyn, and Jason Robards. Wow! This was a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, made back when Hallmark sponsored truly high-quality theater for the small screen. Growing up in the 50s and 60s, my family never missed HHOF presentations. Today they are a pale imitation of the past, mostly rom-coms such as the kind that litter the Hallmark channel daily, churned out like those cheap romance novels. Sad situation to see a venerable series eviscerated in such a way.
I disagree with two comments by another reviewer here: 1) the entire broadcast IS in color, and 2) it is not a kinescope film of a live broadcast. It is a color videotape of it. Kinescopes were used before the advent of videotape and were typically shot in black & white (like Peter Pan of 1956, shown in color but only available in B&W kinescope today, alas).
Highly recommended.