Well, the use of atmosphere is really something in 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ghost Stories'. The settings are often dimly lit and shadowy, creating a spooky mood right from the start. Also, the character development is quite interesting. The characters' reactions to the supernatural elements feel very real, as if they could be any one of us faced with the unknown.
I'm not entirely sure about all the main actors specifically for the 'Ghost Stories' part of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. But Hitchcock often worked with a variety of talented actors. Some well - known ones might be involved.
He probably looked for stories with strong characters. Characters that could be developed further in the adaptation.
The episode 'The Birds' is quite memorable. It was so effective in creating a sense of unease and danger. The way Hitchcock built up the tension as the birds started to attack was brilliant.
The characters are often complex. They're not just one - dimensional good or bad guys. In a story like 'The Manacled', the main character has a lot of layers. His actions are not always easy to predict, which makes the story more interesting. Also, the settings in these short stories are well - described. They add to the overall atmosphere, whether it's a dark alley or a seemingly normal suburban house.
The story 'The Birds' - like the later famous Hitchcock movie of the same name - in the 'Alfred Hitchcock Ghost Stories' collection is quite something. It gives a sense of impending doom. The way the birds start to act strangely and then become menacing is really well - written. It makes you feel the fear that the characters in the story must be experiencing as the natural world turns against them.
One interesting short story from it could be 'The Manacled'. It has a great sense of suspense. Hitchcock was a master at creating tension, and this story is no exception.
In 'The Birds', there are the unnamed family members who are the central characters. They are just ordinary people living their lives until the strange behavior of the birds starts to disrupt everything. We see how they react to the increasing threat from the birds, which shows their different personalities - some are more panicked, while others try to be more rational.
Alfred Hitchcock influenced the stories in the book greatly. His unique style of creating suspense was a major factor. He knew how to build tension bit by bit, like in his films, and this was carried over into the stories. For example, he might use ordinary settings but make them seem menacing.
I think 'Rear Window' is also a great short story. It's about a man who spies on his neighbors from his rear window and starts to suspect something sinister is going on. Hitchcock was brilliant in exploring the human psyche through such a simple concept.
The 'Rebecca' by Alfred Hitchcock is also quite famous. It tells a complex story of a young woman who marries a wealthy widower. The mystery and psychological drama in the novel are very engaging. Hitchcock was able to bring out the unease and mystery in the story very well when he adapted it into a movie.