'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' "The Avon Emeralds" (1959)
Opening thoughts: Other than being an episode of the inconsistent but fascinating 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' series, there were two main interest points in seeing "The Avon Emeralds". One was seeing a young pre-James Bond Roger Moore. The other was seeing a director different to the regular 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' directors, in this case being Bretainge Windust (a very new name to me) in his first episode (of two) of the series, which is always nice once in a while. Did quite like the premise despite it sounding slight.
"The Avon Emeralds" is a very watchable episode and is worth a one time watch, but it could have been better and it didn't engage me as much as it should. There is a good deal to like about it, which is true of most of the 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes, but it doesn't really sparkle or at least not enough for this kind of premise. As far as Season 4 goes, "The Avon Emeralds" is a long way from being one of the worst. It is also a long way from being one of the best, rather middling instead.
Good things: It does have a good deal to like as said. Moore may be a little too boyish, but is very commanding and at ease in the lead role. Hazel Court is also fine. Hitchcock's bookending is amusingly droll as usual. What really stands out in a good way is the ending, which is a very cleverly written and executed one and by far the best thing about the story.
Furthermore, the production values are slick and atmospheric, neither overblown or cheap. The theme music is still a classic. Enough of the story is intriguing and it does entertain.
Bad things: However, "The Avon Emeralds" could have been a good deal better. The story is erratically paced, with a taking too long to get going-like beginning and then trying to do too much in the middle, which did affect the coherence at times. Especially in the character decisions, which tended to be vague and at worst far fetched.
Windust's direction is competent, but there is also nothing distinguished or unique about it and it is quite safe. Very get the job done, while not offering that much suspense. Do agree that the episode is too talk heavy and some of it over explains and doesn't always add much.
Concluding thoughts: Concluding, decent if nothing special.
6/10.