Customer Reviews

Lady Vanishes/Man Who Knew Too Much [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Two from Hitch's early British works that are both 5 stars on the Hitch-O-Meter. Filled with all those special touches that just say Hitch.

"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.

Looking for Hitch:....You must be patient. Check Victoria Station almost at the end of the film.

From 1934.."The Man Who Knew Too Much"(He remade this one in 1956). 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!

Where's Hitch: Sorry Hitch watchers, there doesn't seem to be any appearance by the master in this one.

These two films are also included in the Front Row VHS release of: "Alfred Hitchcock 4-Pack". That set also includes others of his early British films "The Thirty-Nine Steps"(1935), and "The Secret Agent"(1936).

Enjoy.....Laurie

also recommended:
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (Poison, The Perfect Crime, Dip in the Pool, One More Mile to Go)
Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie
Alfred Hitchcock Collection: Sabotage, The 39 Steps, Man Who Knew Too Much, Murder!, Jamaica Inn [VHS]

By far the better rendition of his two versions of this film, this lacks the cinematic polish of the 50's version, but the characters are far more fully realized.

The title character, played by Leslie Banks, is courageous, with reserviors of strength under a surface that at first seems flip and shallow. He never needs to raise his voice to make his resolve felt. Edna Best's character is no whining, fainting cliche who needs to be...put to bed, but a passionate, accomplished woman who will risk everything to save her family. These two people are absolutely united in their determination to save what they love most.

Banks and Best aren't as pretty as James Stuart and Doris Day, the locale is not exotic, but these ordinary looking people bring quiet power to their roles. The villians are truely self-absorbed and cruel, playing with their victims. This is a story of decency and honor versus selfishness and corruption. The ending knocked my socks off, it was so unexpected.

My copy is a scratchy black and white, and the scene transitions aren't always smooth, but you haven't seen "The Man Who Knew Too Much" if the you are familiar only with the sleek Stewart/Day version.