Ep 32. The Baby Sitter

The Baby Sitter is the 32nd episode of the first season of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, a classic anthology series that presents suspenseful and twisted stories with unexpected twists and turns. In this particular episode, viewers are introduced to a seemingly ordinary couple, the Thompsons, who are in need of a babysitter for their infant daughter, whose coos and cries can be heard throughout the house. They put an ad in the paper, and are delighted when a sweet and responsible young woman, called Janie, shows up for the job.

Janie, who seems like an angel in disguise, quickly wins over the Thompsons, particularly the wife, who is impressed by Janie's extensive experience in child care. Even the baby seems to take a liking to Janie, and calms down whenever she picks her up. As the night wears on, however, strange things start to happen. The phone keeps ringing, but nobody is answering on the other end. Shadows and noises seem to flit around outside the house, making everyone a little jumpy.

As the Thompsons settle into bed, they hear a loud noise from the nursery, and rush in, only to find that Janie has mysteriously disappeared with the baby. A frantic search of the house and the neighborhood reveals no trace of Janie or the baby, and the Thompsons are beside themselves with worry. The police are called in, and the investigation begins in earnest.

As the days go by, the search for the missing baby intensifies, but to no avail. Just when the Thompsons have lost all hope, they get a surprise visit from Janie, who brings the baby back safe and sound. She tells the relieved parents that she had taken the baby out for a walk, and had gotten lost in the woods. Fortunately, she had found her way back, but not before scaring the wits out of the poor Thompsons.

As Janie leaves, the Thompsons are left to ponder the strange events of the night that Janie babysat for them. Was Janie really just a kind-hearted young woman who got lost in the woods, or was there something more sinister going on? The episode ends on a tantalizingly ambiguous note, leaving viewers to draw their own conclusions.

Overall, The Baby Sitter is a classic Hitchcockian thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its gripping suspense and unexpected twists. The actors give powerful performances that add depth and authenticity to the story, while Hitchcock's masterful direction keeps the tension and mystery building until the very end. This is definitely an episode that should not be missed by fans of the show, or anyone who loves a good pulse-pounding thriller.