"Where Beauty Lies" was the last half-hour episode in the "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" series. The show returned with hour-long entries, but the earlier and shorter version of the series was actually the better of the two formats. For one thing, the surprise and/or shock endings arrived a lot sooner. This last story ("Where Beauty Lies") was one of the lesser ones, although both George Nader and Cloris Leachman give excellent performances. They play a brother and sister living together; she's a "Plain Jane" woman in her 30s and he's a noteworthy, wealthy, and very handsome stage actor. Cloris has been living her life to take care of George, but now she fears that an impending marriage will come between them. It's never established just how these two ended up living together and there's no hint or undercurrent of any sexual tension between the two. That said, as the story begins, Cloris is caught in a compromising position with a married man and chastised severely by her brother. Was she trying to make her brother jealous or was she merely desperate for some romance? As the plot progresses, Cloris' behavior suddenly turns totally neurotic and she begins to plan a way to end her brother's engagement as well as putting the kibosh on his good looks. Not exactly sisterly love, but then, this is Hitchcock. As it turns out, George really needs his sister more than ever---after he's blinded in an "accident." Luckily for him, his classic facial features are still intact, but conniving Cloris convinces him that he's permanently disfigured and his life is ruined. With sisters like that, who needs enemies? "Where Beauty Lies" doesn't deliver the normal jolt of the usual Hitchcock half-hour jaunt, but it's still worth the brief investment in time. Nearly all of the entries in this ground-breaking series were unique and certainly a step ahead of anything seen on mainstream television, before or since. We won't see their like again.
9 Reviews
The sister of Psycho
talonjensen16 May 2018
A frustrated sister, unable to establish her own romantic relationship, turns psycho on her handsome, actor brother whom she lives with. Which is what you would expect from Hitchcock. The IMDB Storyline, along with my short hint is about as far as I can go without spoilers.
The twist at the end is predictable, one of three I thought of, but the acting is good. Worth watching, but I would have liked a better twist at the end.
This is mentioned as the last of the half-hour Hitchcock shows, but there is one more after this, so not sure how that happened, maybe the next one, The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1962), wasn't shown originally? Or maybe just a mistake. In general I prefer the half hour shows, which move along quite quickly, more similar to many modern shows who think something must happen all the time. However, I do still appreciate character development rather than constant action. Character development can give you better conflict, tension and emotional attachment.
The twist at the end is predictable, one of three I thought of, but the acting is good. Worth watching, but I would have liked a better twist at the end.
This is mentioned as the last of the half-hour Hitchcock shows, but there is one more after this, so not sure how that happened, maybe the next one, The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1962), wasn't shown originally? Or maybe just a mistake. In general I prefer the half hour shows, which move along quite quickly, more similar to many modern shows who think something must happen all the time. However, I do still appreciate character development rather than constant action. Character development can give you better conflict, tension and emotional attachment.
Ewwwww!!!!
planktonrules22 April 2021
When the story begins, Caroline (Cloris Leachman) is getting romantic with a man who happens to already be married...as you learn when his wife comes crashing through the door. And, it seems her brother, Collin (George Nader), found out about the man and he informed the wife of the affair. Later, when Collin is getting serious about a woman, Caroline decides to ruin his relationship in what's clearly a case of tit for tat...and keep him dependent upon her. And the weird thing is that there seems to be some VERY creepy relationship between the two siblings...and strong overtones of incest.
I am a bit surprised at this episode. After all, networks didn't take kindly to plots about incest back in the day. While this angle isn't overt, it seems to be strongly implied...and the producers managed to get it on the air anyway! Weird and creepy...that's for sure...and with an interesting twist.
By the way, George Nader's career in Hollywood was cut short when scandal magazines began to circulate stories that he was gay. It turns out he was and soon found himself acting in European films (in several nice James Bond style films) because he couldn't get work at home.
I am a bit surprised at this episode. After all, networks didn't take kindly to plots about incest back in the day. While this angle isn't overt, it seems to be strongly implied...and the producers managed to get it on the air anyway! Weird and creepy...that's for sure...and with an interesting twist.
By the way, George Nader's career in Hollywood was cut short when scandal magazines began to circulate stories that he was gay. It turns out he was and soon found himself acting in European films (in several nice James Bond style films) because he couldn't get work at home.
Beware the hole in the plot.
collings50019 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Most of these episodes require some suspension of disbelief, all well and good. But there is no excuse for a glaring, lazy plot hole. Here, the blinded brother would know right away if the explosion took away his looks along with his sight. Put brother and sister on a desert island away from doctors, nurses, friends, family, casual strangers, and all other members of the human race...and all brother has to do is run his fingertips over his lips and forehead and chin and still-perfect nose...and of course he would know.
This is the one where I think some funny business was gonna end up happening
glitterrose6 July 2022
I noticed a review for another episode took notice of a sister freaking the hell out over her brother acting strangely and accused him of having another woman. And I didn't come away with an incest vibe for that episode. I considered the point of view for the time period. The sister doesn't work and she'd be out of a home that she's lived in long enough for her to condider it's also her home and she would have to find work in order to support herself. That's quite a lot of changes to be going through.
Caroline and Collin are the leads in this story. They're supposed to be brother and sister but there's this layer of jealousy going on. And it might be going on from both angles. Caroline's getting all hot and heavy with this really good looking guy when Collin and a mysterious woman show up. Turns out this good looking guy is already married and this mysterious woman is his wife. Caroline's upset at Collin.
I can see both sides tbh. I don't want or need any drama in my life so I really would prefer somebody give me a heads up if I'm doing something that's gonna blow up in my face. For the record, I'd say Caroline didn't know this guy was married. So I can also see her point of view if Collin just decides to show up with this guy's wife instead of calmly sitting down and saying 'You might not know it but this guy's married!'
Looks are also a sore spot between the siblings. Caroline's supposedly plain looking but it's another case of 'Hollywood Plain'. Cloris Leachman looks very pretty here but they plain her up by wearing her hair up and minimal makeup. Caroline laments that she's pretty much used to everybody oohing and aging over Collin while she gets pretty much ignored.
Collin has a girlfriend and Caroline's not too happy about that. Caroline gets pushed to the side since this girlfriend's in the picture.
Collin's going away for a short time and Caroline will stay behind as they get some stuff done around their place, mainly painting. Caroline's organizing an accident for Collin to have once he gets back home. Of course the mixture of paint being close to fire isn't a good one and Collin has his face burned and he's lost his sight. Caroline's proving herself to be quite manipulative. Collin has had many surgeries on his face but he's under the belief he looks grotesque and doesn't want to see anybody and he doesn't want anybody to see him. Caroline's playing Collin like a fiddle. The camera pans on Collin's face and you'd think you see the face of a disfigured man. He's not disfigured. His face looks absolutely the same. Caroline's not gonna tell him. She's won and she's got her brother all to herself now.
This is my interpretation for the story. An episode like this might call for different interpretations from different people. A lot of people might not go to the incestaous theory I moved to. Lot of people might look at it strictly from the jealousy angle. No matter what you come away with, this is an excellent episode.
Caroline and Collin are the leads in this story. They're supposed to be brother and sister but there's this layer of jealousy going on. And it might be going on from both angles. Caroline's getting all hot and heavy with this really good looking guy when Collin and a mysterious woman show up. Turns out this good looking guy is already married and this mysterious woman is his wife. Caroline's upset at Collin.
I can see both sides tbh. I don't want or need any drama in my life so I really would prefer somebody give me a heads up if I'm doing something that's gonna blow up in my face. For the record, I'd say Caroline didn't know this guy was married. So I can also see her point of view if Collin just decides to show up with this guy's wife instead of calmly sitting down and saying 'You might not know it but this guy's married!'
Looks are also a sore spot between the siblings. Caroline's supposedly plain looking but it's another case of 'Hollywood Plain'. Cloris Leachman looks very pretty here but they plain her up by wearing her hair up and minimal makeup. Caroline laments that she's pretty much used to everybody oohing and aging over Collin while she gets pretty much ignored.
Collin has a girlfriend and Caroline's not too happy about that. Caroline gets pushed to the side since this girlfriend's in the picture.
Collin's going away for a short time and Caroline will stay behind as they get some stuff done around their place, mainly painting. Caroline's organizing an accident for Collin to have once he gets back home. Of course the mixture of paint being close to fire isn't a good one and Collin has his face burned and he's lost his sight. Caroline's proving herself to be quite manipulative. Collin has had many surgeries on his face but he's under the belief he looks grotesque and doesn't want to see anybody and he doesn't want anybody to see him. Caroline's playing Collin like a fiddle. The camera pans on Collin's face and you'd think you see the face of a disfigured man. He's not disfigured. His face looks absolutely the same. Caroline's not gonna tell him. She's won and she's got her brother all to herself now.
This is my interpretation for the story. An episode like this might call for different interpretations from different people. A lot of people might not go to the incestaous theory I moved to. Lot of people might look at it strictly from the jealousy angle. No matter what you come away with, this is an excellent episode.
Where Evil Lies!
CammieinOz4 June 2023
Where Beauty Lies is the second last episode of the Alfred Hitchcock Presents series, episode 38 from season 7. It's truly a disturbing episode and the climax is horrific!
Caroline is a spinster in her 30s who seems to have dedicated most of her life to her younger, famous actor brother Colin. Although she expresses that she resents being just a convenience she also gets upset when he doesn't need her around. It's a little hard to understand what Caroline really wants as she contradicts herself throughout the whole story and she's especially jealous of Colin's girlfriend Joan.
Despite her protests, Caroline is the one that needs Colin to be a constant fixture in her life and she'll go to the most wicked of ways to achieve it. The ending I did not see coming as it's unimaginable that a person could be as evil as Caroline.
Cloris Leachman (she starred in three AHP episodes) gives a great performance as does George Nader. Rated 9/10.
Caroline is a spinster in her 30s who seems to have dedicated most of her life to her younger, famous actor brother Colin. Although she expresses that she resents being just a convenience she also gets upset when he doesn't need her around. It's a little hard to understand what Caroline really wants as she contradicts herself throughout the whole story and she's especially jealous of Colin's girlfriend Joan.
Despite her protests, Caroline is the one that needs Colin to be a constant fixture in her life and she'll go to the most wicked of ways to achieve it. The ending I did not see coming as it's unimaginable that a person could be as evil as Caroline.
Cloris Leachman (she starred in three AHP episodes) gives a great performance as does George Nader. Rated 9/10.
"...I'm never going to act again."
classicsoncall12 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
One thing I always remembered about Cloris Leachman is that she was Miss Chicago in 1946. You wouldn't know it by this episode, as she's made to look somewhat homely opposite her good looking brother Collin (George Nader), an actor who could turn all the ladies' heads. Her relationship with her sibling borders on the needy, and it almost appears that she lives her life for him to the exclusion of a chance at romance for herself. The opening of the story has her affair with a married man dashed when the man's wife discovers them together. But learning that Collin had a hand in it, she concocts a malicious scheme in order to get her revenge when he goes off to a Boston gig without her. Not only was it cruel, but it only partially resulted in the outcome Caroline (Leachman) was looking for. This episode reminded me of the Twilight Zone story, 'Eye of the Beholder', but with a completely opposite result, considering one's notion of beauty.
A REAL GOOD SISTER IS HARD TO FIND!
tcchelsey31 January 2024
One of Hitch's favorite writers, James Cavanagh wrote this final episode for the half hour series, before it changed to full hour stories.
This is a strange tale, also showing what a great actress Cloris Leachman was, and in an early role. She plays Caroline, obviously not getting any younger, and not having much success in her romantic life.
She develops a relationship --of sorts-- with her handsome actor brother, Collin, played by George Nader, who actually was a male model and bodybuilder early in his career.
I agree with the last reviewer; Hitch featured some other interesting brother and sister relationships, not to mention son and mother, too. Having watched this episode for decades, my take was that Cavanagh had them stuck with each other, a common theme in the series, Collin using his sister as his personal assistant. Caroline, realizing that should another woman enter her brother's life, and its bound to happen because of who he is, she'll be in the street. She has everything to lose, usually Hitch's angle in many stories, albeit in a morbid sort of way.
Whatever the case, this "marriage of convenience" is entertaining, and with a macabre slant. Caroline plays a masterful mind game with her brother and watch how it all unfolds. You won't forget this too soon.
Ot course, Hitch always has the last laugh. George Nader was quite popular at the time, working at Universal Studios, appearing in sci fi and adventure films. He will always be remembered as the star of the cult movie, ROBOT MONSTER (1953), which has become legendary.
Look for series regular, Raymond Bailey (BEVERLY HILLBILLIES) as the doc.
Well directed by another Hitchcock pal, Robert Florey, who had an incredible career (born in Paris) directing outstanding B films before moving to television.
At one time he was, in fact, press agent for the legendary Rudolph Valentino and wrote many popular books (a total of 8) on film-making.
10 Stars. SEASON 7 EPISODE 38 remastered.
This is a strange tale, also showing what a great actress Cloris Leachman was, and in an early role. She plays Caroline, obviously not getting any younger, and not having much success in her romantic life.
She develops a relationship --of sorts-- with her handsome actor brother, Collin, played by George Nader, who actually was a male model and bodybuilder early in his career.
I agree with the last reviewer; Hitch featured some other interesting brother and sister relationships, not to mention son and mother, too. Having watched this episode for decades, my take was that Cavanagh had them stuck with each other, a common theme in the series, Collin using his sister as his personal assistant. Caroline, realizing that should another woman enter her brother's life, and its bound to happen because of who he is, she'll be in the street. She has everything to lose, usually Hitch's angle in many stories, albeit in a morbid sort of way.
Whatever the case, this "marriage of convenience" is entertaining, and with a macabre slant. Caroline plays a masterful mind game with her brother and watch how it all unfolds. You won't forget this too soon.
Ot course, Hitch always has the last laugh. George Nader was quite popular at the time, working at Universal Studios, appearing in sci fi and adventure films. He will always be remembered as the star of the cult movie, ROBOT MONSTER (1953), which has become legendary.
Look for series regular, Raymond Bailey (BEVERLY HILLBILLIES) as the doc.
Well directed by another Hitchcock pal, Robert Florey, who had an incredible career (born in Paris) directing outstanding B films before moving to television.
At one time he was, in fact, press agent for the legendary Rudolph Valentino and wrote many popular books (a total of 8) on film-making.
10 Stars. SEASON 7 EPISODE 38 remastered.
Twilight Zoney
Hitchcoc6 June 2021
Handsome is as handsome does. Cloris Leachman is the plain sister who has worked behind the scenes for her handsome brother/actor. He really does patronize her, but her neediness keeps her from having any sort of happiness in life. The ending is quite predictable, especially when we only see shots from behind.
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