Movie of the Week – Foreign Correspondent

This week’s movie: Foreign Correspondent (1940)

As WWII approaches in Europe, a young American reporter on his first assignment overseas tries to expose enemy spies in London.

Director Alfred Hitchcock made Foreign Correspondent between Rebecca and Suspicion. It was his second American film – he was loaned out by David O. Selznick to Walter Wanger to make the film. He worked with his frequent early-career writing partner Charles Bennett, as well as composer Alfred Newman (a nine time Oscar winner), cinematographer Rudolph Mate (who also shot one of the most brilliant films of all-time: The Passion of Joan of Arc), and art director Alexander Golitzen – an impressive group.

The film stars Joel McCrea and Laraine Day, and features Herbert Marshall, George Sanders, and Albert Bassermann in support.

Foreign Correspondent is an interesting film for multiple reasons. Chiefly, it is a propaganda film (even more so than The Lady Vanishes, which can be read as a propaganda film to some extent as well, especially the end sequence), clearly aimed at winning over American audiences, rallying them to the support of England and their struggle against the Nazis. And yet, Hitchcock was not allowed to reference the villains as Germans or have them speak German by the Production Code, even though it is clear that they are Germans. The film is very effective, with Joel McCrea’s rousing call to arms at the end hitting all the right notes (although, today one might argue that it is a bit heavy handed – but in the context of the time, America really did need to be awoken from its stupor). Even though this is a propaganda film, Hitchcock does not let that stop him from making something that is aesthetically and artistically quite compelling. The plane crash scene is incredibly inventive for example. It is a must for Hitchcock fans (a few other deep cuts worth seeing include: The 39 Steps, The Lady Vanishes, Suspicion, Shadow of a Doubt, The Trouble with Harry, Marnie, Torn Curtain, and especially Frenzy).

Trailer: Here

Available on: Blu-ray and Video On-Demand

Movie of the Week – The Man Who Knew Too Much

This week’s movie: The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934).

While attending a winter event in Switzerland, a British couple, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence, are alerted to an imminent assassination attempt on an important European leader. But they find themselves powerless, as the spies behind the assassination plot have kidnapped their daughter, promising her safety only if they stay quiet. What will they do?

The Man Who Knew Too Much is one of auteur Alfred Hitchcock’s best early British films (his other really good British films include The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes). Hitchcock worked with writer Charles Bennett, who specialized in mystery thrillers and the-wrong-man stories, as well as composer Arthur Benjamin, cinematographer Curt Courant, and production designer Alfred Junge (who also did fantastic work for the Archers in the 1940s).

The film stars Leslie Banks, Edna Best, Peter Lorre, and Nova Pilbeam.

Hitchcock remade this film in 1956 in the midst of his best run in Hollywood, and it is probably a grander version, but the 1934 film is much more experimental and aesthetically interesting. The film was one of the early sound films and it is clear watching it that Hitchcock is literally creating the film-language for telling a suspense narrative in the new age of sound. In some ways, the film even films avant garde. And, there is a brilliantly fantastic chair fight scene that is utter madness. This is a must-see for fans of Hitchcock and those interested in seeing a good early sound film.

Trailer: Here

Available on: Blu-ray and Video On-Demand

Movie of the Week - The 39 Steps

This week’s movie is The 39 Steps.

Alfred Hitchcock’s first masterpiece, The 39 Steps is a thriller adapted by famous British mystery screen and playwright Charles Bennett. The film is considered the fourth best British film of all time by the British Film Institute. What makes it so great is that Hitchcock is able to make a compelling thriller, but also a romantic comedy, if not a screwball comedy, in the same film. It is also an early sound era film, yet Hitchcock uses sound masterfully in the picture (there is a great sound bridge in the film involving a train), while still having a fluid camera, not common among early-sound pictures. Hitchcock, as he had done with a few of his early British films, remade The 39 Steps as North by Northwest. The film stars Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll.

The 39 Steps (Criterion Collection) [DVD]