Each episode would start with Hitchcock's infamous silhouette profile filling in with black. The camera pans to Hitchcock, who introduces the story with witty remarks. These famous satire and puns have become synonymous with the image, voice and personality of Hitchcock. Each opening took place on a set from that evening's short film, or spoofed a recent popular commercial.
Then Hitchcock would poke fun at the sponsor, leading into the commercial.
The episodes were characterized by their suspense and surprise endings. A list of notable shows and actors follows this article.
Despite what the title may lead one to believe, Hitchcock only directed twenty of the hundreds of episodes shared by this program and the later The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Robert Altman directed a great number of episodes, giving his career a vital boost to his future credit as a director.
Hitchcock would then close the show in much the same way as it was opened, but now to tie up loose ends rather than joke. He told TV Guide that his reassurances that the criminal had been apprehended were "a necessary gesture to morality...."
The opening remarks were also filmed with Hitchcock speaking in French and German for the show's international presentations.
The last new episode aired on June 26, 1962.
Notable guest stars