Alfred Hitchcock Collection, Vol. 3: The Man Who Knew Too Much

Starring:Leslie Banks, Edna Best, Peter Lorre, Frank Vosper, Hugh Wakefield, Nova Pilbeam, Pierre Fresnay, Cicely Oates, D.A. Clarke-Smith, George Curzon, Jack Vyvian, S.J. Warmington, Frederick Piper, Joan Harrison, Henry Oscar, H.G. Stoker, Frank Atkinson, Charles Paton, Percy Walsh, Hal Walters
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Studio: Madacy Records
Product Type: DVD

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Alfred Hitchcock himself called this 1934 British edition of his famous kidnapping story the work of a talented amateur, while his 1956 Hollywood remake was the consummate act of a professional director. Be that as it may, this earlier movie still has its intense admirers who prefer it over the Jimmy Stewart-Doris Day version, and for some sound reasons. Tighter, wittier, more visually outrageous (back-screen projections of Swiss mountains, a whirly-facsimile of a fainting spell), the film even has a female protagonist (Edna Best in the mom part) unafraid to go after the bad guys herself with a gun. (Did Doris Day do that that? Uh-uh.) While the '56 film has an intriguing undercurrent of unspoken tensions in nuclear family politics, the '34 original has a crisp air of British optimism glummed up a bit when a married couple (Best and Leslie Banks) witnesses the murder of a spy and discovers their daughter stolen away by the culprits. The chase leads to London and ultimately to the site of one of Hitch's most extraordinary pieces of suspense (though on this count, it must be said, the later version is superior). Take away distracting comparisons to the remake, and this Man Who Knew Too Much is a milestone in Hitchcock's early career. Peter Lorre makes his British debut as a scarred, scary villain. The print of the film used in the DVD release is serviceable and probably comparable to an average 16mm classroom or museum presentation. The DVD also includes a Hitchcock filmography, trivia questions, a director biography, and scene access. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Great Atmosphere and Cast.......2007-03-27

This entertaining thriller from Hitchcock's British period is proof that bigger budgets don't always mean better pictures. He remade this in America during the 1950's, in color no less, and while it has some fine moments also, first prize still goes to this more charming and fun to watch black and white original.

This is the film which got Hitchcock noticed and those who haven't seen the original version are urged to do so. Everything is just right in this one, from the script by Charles Bennett and D.B. Wyndham Lewis to the photography of Curt Courant, to the charming atmosphere of early 1930's Switzerland and London. Much like "Sabotage," it may be a tick behind "39 Steps," "The Lady Vanishes" and, my personal favorite, "Young and Innocent," but there isn't a lot to quibble about.

Lesle Banks and Edna Best are excellent as the carefree couple on vacation in Switzerland with their teenage daughter Betty (Nova Pilbeam). That happy-go-lucky sense of living it up at dinner parties and ski resorts carried over from the 1920's will change suddenly, however, when their pal Louie is killed while dancing with Jill (Edna Best). He will have just enough breath left to give her an urgent message regarding a planned assasination of a politician which could throw the world in turmoil.

Before she and her husband can relay the message to those who need to know, however, their lively daughter Betty is kidnapped, an insurance policy against their talking. They return to London holding the key to preventing a muder, but must remain silent to save their beloved daughter. Lawrence (Leslie Banks) will not let them go on unpeeded, however, and he and Betty's uncle, Clive (Hugh Wakefield), will follow a trail that leads to a disturbed little criminal named Abbott (Peter Lorre) who tends to apologize for what he must do.

Hitchcock makes effective use of music to buillld a tense mood of apprehension during a concert scene at Albert Hall where the murder is to occur. While Jill is put in the untenable position of warning the victim at Albert Hall or saving her daughter, Lawrence finds Betty and uses a booldy shootout as an opportunity to help his lovely young daughter escape. Trapped on a ledge with a killer, it may be a mothor's love, and skill at skeet shooting, which will make the difference when Betty's life is hanging in the balance.

There is a nice look and atmosphere to this black and white film which makes it far superior to the 1950's remake. The terrific Nova Pilbeam would star a bit later as the grown young female lead in "Young and Innocent" and it's a real shame she did not get a chance to work with Hitch again. A very underrated film no Hitchcock fan can miss.

International Intrigue from Hitchcock.......2007-01-04

This movie is marvelously entertaining. James Stewart and Doris Day make for the All American couple. The Albert Hall sequence is a great highlight. Bernard Herrmann's score is outstanding. There are some truly frightening scenes. This is a real nail biting movie.

A Terrorist Plot in London.......2006-12-19

The Man Who Knew Too Much
The film shows a ski jumping exhibit in St. Moritz Switzerland. Mrs. Lawrence takes part in a skeet shooting contest, and misses. The polite chatter tells something about the times and popular culture. There is a shot, and Mrs. Lawrence's dancing partner dies after giving a message. Mr. Lawrence goes to the man's room to retrieve an object - a message in a shaving brush handle. He now asks to speak to the British consul. But he gets a message warning him to say nothing or his child will never be seen again! Upon his return to England they are questioned by the authorities. Mr. Gibson tells them Louis Bernard was a special agent for the Foreign Office, and knew of a plot to assassinate Mr. Rapa, a foreign official. A telephone call reminds them not to talk to the authorities. The call is quickly traced to Wapping (the name on the message). Mr. Lawrence and his friend Clive visit the name on the message. The dentist gets a treatment instead. Mr. Lawrence hears the words of two conspirators. Next they visit the Tabernacle of the Sun. But they are caught! During a fight Clive escapes to warn Mrs. Lawrence.

When a policeman shows up the conspirators convince him that Clive was drunk and disorderly, so he is arrested. We then learn more about their assassination plot. Mrs. Lawrence is warned against interfering. A scream is heard before the shot is fired. Their plans have gone awry. The shooter is followed back to their lair. They open fire on the police, who send for rifles at a local gunsmith's store. (No gun ban in those days.) The police open fire then break into the building. The shoot-out at the end is unusual for a Hitchcock film. Their daughter escapes to the roof, and her mother takes aim to protect her from her pursuer. None of the terrorists are taken alive. [It must have some political message for the audience.]

Two decades later another version of this story was filmed, updated for a new audience. Four decades later yet another film was made from this story ("Foul Play"). Comparing them will tell how they match popular culture of their times.

Edge of Your Seat HITCHCOCK.......2006-11-27

1956'S THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH is Hitchcock's effective remake of his own 1934 version. An American couple (James Stewart and Doris Day) visiting Morocco have their young son kidnapped as part of an international murder plot which they can not help but be drawn into. Doris Day's performance is brilliant as the mother whose son has been taken from her. Her initial reaction to the news is almost unbearable to watch. This film is very suspenseful and disturbing, as the odds against the family regaining their boy seem insurmountable as the film progresses. This is reinforced by Bernard Herrmann's almost minimal score, which adds an undercurrent of discomfort to the psyche of the viewer. There are some very memorable scenes such as when James Stewart is followed by echoing footsteps in the empty London streets on his way to finding Ambrose Chappell. The suspenseful Albert Hall assassination scenes are brilliantly filmed and edited. The face of Reggie Nalder as Rien the Assassin is unforgettable. Brenda de Banzie turns in a complex performance as Mrs. Drayton. Bernard Miles as Mr. Drayton also gives an effective performance through the various identities he goes through. And that is one of the strengths of this film: people and places are not exactly as they seem. Characters constantly evolve. Some grow in strength while others are mere shadows of virtue.

Early British Great From Hitch.......2006-09-16

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.

This film is 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), and "The Lady Vanishes"(1938).

Enjoy.....Laurie

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