Customer Reviews

Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Lady Vanishes

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So So video transfer. Interesting take on the eve of WW II. Axis not named but guess who the villains are. I'd look for a better video transfer if you're a Hitchcock fan, try Criterion.

The Lady Vanishes was the last thriller that Alfred Hitchcock made in England. Released in 1938, to modern eyes it contains many amusing elements, some intentional and some a result of the passage of time. Nevertheless, this film holds up today, in part because of subtle British wit that Hitchcock injected into many of the scenes. The plot is improbable, but that never bothered this director. Iris, a beautiful heiress, is befriended by an aging English governess, Miss Froy, both awaiting a train from somewhere in the Balkans to London. Once they embark, they take tea together, then settle down for a little nap in their crowded compartment. When Iris awakens, Miss Froy has vanished. While searching for her, Iris is told by her fellow passengers that no such person exists. To the rescue comes Gilbert, an eccentric musician who has annoyed Iris back at the hotel (played by a very young Michael Redgrave). Together, they hunt for Miss Froy, to their peril. A nun, an Italian musican, a haughty baroness, 2 English cricket afficionados, and a gun fight all enliven this mysterious romp.

Hitchcock, the master, knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He makes one of his famous cameo appearances toward the finish - be sure to watch for him.