I took these still shots to capture, study, and share the black doll featured in the 1965 episode of Alfred Hitchcock, "Where the Woodbine Twineth."
Hitchcock's "Where the Woodbine Twineth" is about an orphaned girl who goes to live with her grandfather and his stern sister, her great-aunt. Grandfather gifts Eva, who already has imaginary friends, with a black doll that she calls, Numa. In classic Alfred Hitchcock style, a turn of events brings the doll to life.
After viewing this episode, I wondered whether Numa was on the market in or around 1965 or if she was a mere set doll. After viewing the episode, taking and examining the still shots, I believe Numa was a white doll painted black/brown.
Click the play button to watch the hour-long episode (with commercials) or click here.
Commentary: When this Alfred Hitchcock episode aired, status and perceived privilege were often unintentionally depicted in televised shows as well as in film. By unintentional, I mean this was an accepted way of life, particularly in the South where most whites felt they were privileged and superior to African Americans. The portrayal of African Americans as insignificant beings or hired help was the unfortunate norm then. Sadly, many African Americans believed this about themselves or pretended they believed it as a survival tactic.
We've come a long way here in America, but we still have an even longer road to travel.
dbg
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Interesting!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't access the video because it is only streamed in the US. The stills and your description are great though.
Hi Susie,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry the Hulu video link did not work for you. I found another link at the NBC website. It took a while for the video to load for me. Hopefully you can view it here. Wait for it to load.
dbg
Interesting! And oh, how true.
ReplyDeleteRuth
That is very interesting. I wasn't aware of this movie. You are right about this doll starting off white and being painted.
ReplyDeleteI didn't actually watch the movie because I have never wanted to watch a movie where dolls come to life. I have too many dolls in my house and I don't want any visions of them turning against me. LOL.
Hi Vanessa,
ReplyDeleteI promise the doll does not turn against anyone in this episode of Alfred Hitchcock.
I wouldn't watch or recommend anyone watch anything that involves dolls attacking people.
dbg
This is a good and memorable episode. Thank you for the still shots.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this link on your blog Debbie!As you know I watched this episode as a child and I was pleased to see it again on the Alfred Hitchcock Hour (on a retro TV station in Pittsburgh).
ReplyDeleteAs a child I always wanted that doll!! But you're right she is definitely painted Black.
I wonder what happened to that doll?Maybe she's still in some Hollywood prop storage.
Bonnie
You have some of the best post! I love the show but I wonder if it was common for little white girls to have black dolls in 1965. Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Sterling were ahead of their time with regards to race relations.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment, Jenna.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think it was common at all for white girls to have black dolls during the 1960s, but I know some did. The Internet has connected me with several white women who informed they owned a black doll or two as a child. Often, these were their favorite dolls.
AH and RS were definitely ahead of their time, especially AH.
dbg
I was born in New York City in 1961. When I was three or four years old, someone gave me a black, rubber, baby doll. I loved that doll and she was my favorite. She smelled awful due to the rubber, but I carried her everywhere I went.
DeleteI guess if I lived in the South, folks would have whispered. I carried her until her faced rubbed off and I believe that my mother thought she looked much too odd "faceless" and she was taken away from me. I remember crying about that baby.
Also, I watched the "Where the Woodbind Twineth" and I thought the episode was spooky. Eileen Baral, the young actress was extraordinary. It appears that she dropped out of Hollywood, but I believe that she lives in Manhattan Beach, CA.
Jenna
ReplyDeleteI don't know how common it was but I have a few antique/vintage photots of little White girls and their Black dolls. (I also collect antique/vintage photos of little Black girls with their dolls and if I come across a photo of a little White girl with her Black doll on eBay I try to get it!)
Bonnie
This show is running now and I happened upon this site while looking to
ReplyDeleteI didn't know if anyone mentioned that this show is based on a short story by a man named Manly Wade Wellman. He apparently writes lots of spooky stories the Woodbine and that's totally up my ally, but I can't seem to find his books for a reasonable price. I'd love to get my hands on it to see how close the screen adaptation was to the original.
Adia - Thank you for sharing the inspirational source for Hitchcock's "Where the Woodbine Twineth." I looked the author up on half.com where several of his titles appear available and some are reasonably priced.
ReplyDeleteI hope this helps!
dbg
I know I'm late in posting this comment since I just discovered your blog, but I am so glad you wrote about one of my favorite episodes (so far) of the Alfred Hitchcock Hour. What I found interesting about the doll's name is that Numa sounds like pneuma, a word that can mean the breath of life. The girl's imagination (or magic?) brings her to life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing a perspective on this other than the one I saw somewhere online in which the reviewer describes Numa as a voodoo doll, an assumption I found off-base and racist. I've been getting into mid-century tv shows lately, and am always fascinated to find the ones that defy the sterotypes of their day. A white girl with a black doll is definitely groundbreaking and thought-provoking.
It's never too late to comment on any of my posts, Tiffany, and I am glad you discovered my blog and shared your thoughts.
DeleteI had not made the Numa/pneuma connection. Thank you for sharing it. I wonder if that was Hitchcock's underlying theme -- that Eva's love for Numa was powerful enough to bring the doll to life while sacrificing her own.
dbg