Novels as Basis For Episodes (Possible Spoiler for THE WATCHER)

As I've begun making my way through THRILLER from the beginning, I've noticed that several episodes - TWISTED IMAGE, THE MARK OF THE HAND, ROSE'S LAST SUMMER and the one I just finished, THE WATCHER, were based on suspense novels published in the 1950s by well known authors such as Charlotte Armstrong and Margaret Millar, as well as lesser-knowns such as William O'Farrell. The problem with these 49-50 minute adaptations is that they obviously have to leave out a good deal of the source novel, which doesn't leave much opportunity for character development or motivation. In THE WATCHER, based on a novel by Dolores Hitchens. we're presented with the villain right up front, but never really understand his reasons or what brought him to the point of murder. We know he's off-kilter right away, and suspense is generated by how long it will take before he trips himself up, or before others catch on. There's nothing wrong with this, certainly, and there are authors who do it very well, and there have been films which also carried this off successfully (such as THE UNSUSPECTED from 1947, based on a Charlotte Armstrong novel). But it just doesn't work very successfully or satisfyingly in the 49/50 minute time-slot the THRILLER format allowed.

I was intrigued enough by TWISTED IMAGE to seek out the original novel,
and a copy is on its way to me. I've located copies of THE WATCHER and
may very well indulge in one of those as well. And then I might have to amend this post!

"'Nature,' Mr. Allnut, is what we are put here to rrrrrriiiiise above!"