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It is one of those episodes with a fine cast that are better than the story, which is really not the strongest story of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' and that is putting it mildly. "Kill with Kindness" is not one of his best episodes however, actually consider it his weakest episode up to this point. Hume Cronyn, already a Hitchcock regular, deserves more credit as an actor today and James Gleason was always watchable and more. While his third was the second episode of Season 2, and although it was a long way from flawless it was leagues better than the season opener. Especially "The Creeper", which is not just one of the best and creepiest episodes of Season 1 but of the entire series. Herschel Daugherty's previous three 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes are well worth the watch. The upshot however is fairly mild, while the episode as a whole remains largely a quirky Hume Cronyn showcase. At the same time, Gleason makes a convincing penniless old man. ![]() Mathews was an early Hitch favorite, especially as Lizzie Borden's sinister sister, The Older Sister (1956). Cronyn specialized in eccentric parts and is clearly enjoying this ripe slice of ditz. So we wonder just how much danger old Gyorgy is really in. Trouble is she relies on her bumbling brother to do the dirty work. That's left to sister Katherine (Mathews) who squashes butterflies rather than petting them. Bird-watcher and butterfly-fancier Fitzhugh is too ditzy and bumbling to generate menace. The entry depends more on character interest than suspense. Nobody would miss him were he to disappear, so putting on their best face, they invite him in. Then along comes homeless old guy Gyorgy (Gleason). ![]() What they do have is a life insurance policy on brother Fitzhugh (Cronyn). Unless they figure something out, their old age looks bleak. The Oldhams, brother and sister, are aging and barely getting by. Looks like this entry was reaching for a façade of black humor.
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