Product Details

• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Bci / Eclipse
• DVD Release Date: February 3, 2004
• Run Time: 340 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00018WMWA
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,764 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

4 Tales of the MacabreSECRET AGENT1936: B & W: Not Rated (Mild Violence): Approx 88 min.Set during WWI John Gielgud plays British novelist Edgar Brodie who discovers that a government agency has faked his own death. Richard joins professional killer the General ( Peter Lorre) to look for clues which leads them to suspect the tourist Caypor (Percy Marmont). Elsa occupies Caypor s wife Florence Kahn while Richard and the General attempt to complete their mission during a climbing trip in the Alps. It turns out he was the wrong man so the spies reluctantly start another search for clues that leads them to the American charmer Robert Marvin (Robert Yong). The situation is complicated with an air attack where several key players meet their fate.THE LADY VANISHES1938: B & W: Not Rated ( Mild Violence): Approx 98 min.The film concerns the young Iris Henderson (Margaret Lockwood) heading home on a train after spending the holidays in the Balkans Iris becomes friends with a kindly old lady Miss Froy (Dame May Whitty) after Iris gets hit in the head with a flowerpot meant for Miss Froy. On the train recovering from the blow Iris falls asleep. When she awakens Miss Froy has vanished replaced by someone else in Miss Froy s clothing. Finally Iris finds a young musician Gilbert (Michael Redgrave) who believes her and the two proceed to search the train for clues to Miss Froy s disappearance.THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH-Bonus: Chaney Vase1934: B & W : Not Rated (Mild Violence): Approx. 78 minWhile vacationing in Switzerland Britons Leslie Banks and Edna Best befriend jovial Frenchman Pierre Fresnay Not long afterward Fresnay is murdered. He whispers a secret in Banks ear before expiring. Unable to turn to the police Banks desperately attempts to rescue his child himself still hoping to prevent the assassination. The film s now-famous set pieces include the Siege of Sidney Street re-creation and the climactic clash of cymbals at Albert Hall followed by the crucial scre

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Budding Genius -4 Early Works With All The Great Trademarks, January 9, 2009

By 

L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Alfred Hitchcock: 4 Tales of the Macabre - Secret Agent / The Lady Vanishes / The Man Who Knew Too Much / Sabotage (DVD)

Four from Hitch's early British works that are filled with great actors and all those special touches that just say Hitch.

From 1936..."The Secret Agent". You'll find Hitch's unique sense of humor well integrated with the suspense and his definitive style, in this terrific film about espionage at the onset of WWI. A reluctant spy is recruited to kill an enemy spy. He is given a false name and a fake wife to keep up appearances. He goes after the target, but does he have the right man? Could there be another who is the real culprit? And what a cast.. John Gielgud stars with Madeline Carroll,Robert Young and Peter Lorre(fabulous as always) as his very strange accomplice.Other notables to look for include Lilli Palmer and Michael Redgrave.

single edition:Secret Agent

From 1934.."The Man Who Knew Too Much"(He remade this one in 1956 with Jimmy Stewart). A great thriller about a carefree family on a winter holiday, who unwittingly become involved in an assassination plot. The Lawrences are having a wonderful time, but when their dear friend is shot, he reveals to them a plot to assassinate an important statesman before he dies. The would be killers kidnap the young daughter of the family in order to ensure their silence.Working with the police is out of the question and the Lawrences must take matters into their own hands as they try to rescue their daughter and stop the murder, which is to take place at the glorious Albert Hall.

Hitch keeps the suspense going through out with an edge of your seat climatic scene. Watch for one of his famous trademark staircase scenes in this early film.The film stars Leslie Banks and Edna Best as the Lawrences, and Peter Lorre at his most menacing!

"The Lady Vanishes"(1938)

Of all Hitch's early British made films(mostly made during the late 1920's and 1930's), "The Lady Vanishes" is by far the most captivating one for me. A train trip is the setting for this mystery. A woman's traveling companion has disappeared. Where could she be? The train is only so big. She tries desperately to find her friend, but is alone in her quest. No one seems to believe that she even had a companion to start with.All seem to have their own mysterious reasons for denying her any help.Finally one man is convinced to help, and together they try to solve this possible crime.

There are lots of tense sequences to keep you in suspense, and your heart pounding. Hitch mixes up the thrills with his marvelous sense of humor and his wonderful trademark style. Wonderful performances by the likes of Dame Mae Whitty, Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave add to the enjoyment of this one.

Sylvia Sydney, who graced the screen for more than 70 years stars in "Sabotage". Younger viewers may remember Miss Sydney as "Juno" in Beetlejuice" or "Grandma" in "Mars Attacks". If you have never seen any of her earlier works(this one from 1936), you are in for a real treat. In this terrific thriller, she is Mrs. Verloc. A lovely woman who is slowly becoming suspicious of her husband's(Oscar Homolka) strange activities.And with good reason, he is involved in a deadly conspiracy.

It is the eve of WWII, and people in Britain are becoming aware of Nazi activity. Various occurrences of Sabotage seem to be popping up around the cities. Small at first, a black out is the first sign, but when a bomb explodes and kills everyone on a bus, the evidence points to Mr. Verloc.Scotland Yard detective Ted Spencer(John Loder)is on the case and must catch the culprit before he kills again. And of course, along the way falls for the beautiful Mrs. Verloc. Hitch does a great job(as always) at keeping us involved with the characters, the story, and keeping the suspense going. You'll recognize his signature traits all through the film."Sabotage" is based on a novel by Joseph Conrad who also wrote "Heart of Darkness".

I have these films on various DVDs from various studios. Although not always pristene, I have found the the BCI/Eciplse label is a good buy for the money,especially for those who are not too fussy about these very old and vintage films.

If you love these oldies, you may enjoy his first "talkie":Blackmail

Get the popcorn ready for a thrilling time with Hitch

Enjoy....Laurie

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classics not to be missed, May 6, 2010

By 

Words N Pics (New York, United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alfred Hitchcock: 4 Tales of the Macabre - Secret Agent / The Lady Vanishes / The Man Who Knew Too Much / Sabotage (DVD)

I've loved these movies for decades, making do with pretty bad transfers on video. I was thrilled to see them available on DVD at such a good price. The quality is excellent for the price. Highly recommended for fans of Hitchcock, and fans of old movies and thrillers.