The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Forecast: Low Clouds and Coastal Fog (1962–1965) watch online HD

This is a fine, rather thickly plotted episode of the Hitchcock hour that features Inger Stevens in the lead, and while there are many are characters in the show, it's really her story, or rather her character, that's at the center of it.

Stevens is cast as suburban wife who lives on the California coast, apparently childless, married to a somewhat older man who's often away on business. One night, when his plane is grounded due to poor weather conditions,--low clouds and coastal fog--Stevens is confronted by a man, a Mexican-American, who is lost and out of gas and wants to use her phone to call the nearest filling station. Alone, and uncomfortable with the man, she refuses. A while later the police arrive and as it turns out the man's wife was brutally beaten and has been taken to the hospital, where she is in critical condition.

The next day, Stevens, feeling somewhat guilty, visits the woman in the hospital, where she finds the husband in an angry, agitated state. Shortly thereafter, the man's wife dies, and he confronts Stevens, telling her that she will some day pay for what she did by refusing to allow him to use her phone, as this caused him to leave his wife alone, which is when she was brutally assaulted. There are other things going on as well. A neighbor, a television writer who likes to drink, drops by, and shows a more than friendly interest in Stevens, who is indeed a beautiful woman, and one who spends a great deal of time at home. Also interested in Stevens is a trio of beach bums who take her surfing; and their youth, athleticism and wholesome attitude are a striking contrast to the intensity of the poor Hispanic man in the hospital, which lifts her spirits.

Hubby returns home, only to have to fly out again that night to close a business deal. He wants his wife to come with him but she doesn't feel up to it. To make her feel safer he gives her a handgun he keeps locked away in a drawer. After he leaves, events unfold in a most distressing manner. The author-neighbor turns up inebriated, starts talking nonsense, behaves disagreeably. Meanwhile, the angry Hispanic man arrives at the house to take vengeance,--the specific nature of which is not made clear--but he's clearly loaded for bear. Then the surfer guys make an appearance, and their good cheer is reassuring, as they vow to remain with Miss Stevens and stay by her side, till either her husband returns home or the police arrive, depending on what happens. What transpires shortly thereafter is wholly surprising, as at this point in the story Miss Stevens is or appears to be put-upon by two suspicious characters, one an angry, working class Hispanic, another a highly educated man of more or less her own background. As things turn out there's a third threat on the prowl, a predicament made worse by the weather, which is as murky as it was at the beginning of the episode: low clouds and coastal fog.

(Spoiler Alert) One a cold foggy evening Karen Wilson,Inger Stevens, is startled to find this both scary looking and acting guy bang at her door demanding to use her telephone. The guy Manny Sanchez, Christopher Dark, claims that he's out of gas and has to call the nearest gas station for help. Of course you wouldn't expect Karen all alone by herself with her husband Stan, Simon Scott, away on business to let this scuzzy looking guy in her house in the dead of night which she doesn't. Especially after he tried to force, and had her slam the door on him, himself in.

As it later turns out Sanchez's was in fact on the up and up despite his unnerving appearance and actions when it turns out that his girlfriend who was in his car was brutally assaulted and left for dead by an unknown assailant while he was on his way to the gas station! Karen now feeling guilty in what happened to Sanchez's girlfriend goes to see how she's doing at the hospital. Told by her attending physician Dr.Forster, Greg Morris, that it doesn't look good for her it's then that Sanchez , who was in the waiting room, verbally attacks Karen telling her that they'll be hell to pay on her part if his girlfriend doesn't pulls out of her coma. Sure enough within minutes it's announced on the hospital PA system that Sanchez's girlfriend died of her wounds.

With Karen now both guilt ridden over his girlfriend's death and terrified in what the by now crazed Sanchez will do to her up pops the zany and a bit off the wall next door neighbor Simon Carter, Dan O'Herlihy, who has a habit of crashing into the Wilson house and helping himself to the fridge and liquor cabinet! It then dawns on Karen that it may well have been Simon who murdered Sanchez's girlfriend since he's more then capable, especially when he's drunk, of doing it! Karen is then saved by a trio of fun loving tan and fit California beach boys Ricky Ed & Tom, Chris Robinson Peter Brown & Ricard Jaeckel, as a drunk and barley able to stand on his feet Simon made a play for her and was just about to force himself on Karen's and her and her husband's groceries. Simon already crashed into the place looking for a quick snack and only ended up with an apple to satisfy his hunger.

***SPOILERS**** The ending is a bit complicated and even Karen had trouble figuring it, boy was she naive, out until it was almost too late for her. But we all got to see who really did Sanchez's girlfriend in and for what: Kicks just plain kicks! And it was Sanchez who showed up unexpectedly at the Wilson house, gun in hand, who instead of blasting Karen whom he planned to, in her being responsible for his girlfriend's death, ended up saving her life instead. That's by his preventing the person who murdered his girlfriend form doing the very same thing to Karen Wilson!

Well staged and fairly suspenseful episode. Looks like Sanchez (Dark) wants to get even with Malibu housewife who wouldn't let him in her house to make an emergency phone call. Now Sanchez' girl-friend is dead and he doesn't care that Karen (Stevens) was alone and understandably frightened on that fog-bound night. Why won't he understand since she now feels all kinds of remorse.

Since it's Hitchcock, you know things can't be as they seem. But how are they really. Good thing Karen has the three strapping beach boys protecting her until husband gets back from San Francisco. But what's taking hubby so long, and why's weirdo writer Simon (O"Herlihy) hanging around and drinking up all her booze. Then there's that beeping fog horn reminding us minute by minute of the menace. No doubt about it, Karen's a Woman In Danger.

Sad to see that sparkling actress Inger Stevens in the flower of life, knowing she would soon die by her own hand. And catch Sinatra buddy Christopher Dark as the revenge-obsessed Sanchez. Though good, this isn't a top entry since the ending appears too contrived to be satisfying. Nonetheless, there're the usual series compensations to carry us along.

Stumbled upon this late night. Fun, and disturbing, and satisfying. Recommend.