"The Lady Vanishes" is a fantastic mystery film, and part comedy, with some notable aspects beyond its great plot. The story is a missing person mystery that soon segues into a mystery espionage thriller. It is based on a 1936 novel by Ethel Lina White, "The Wheel Spins." And the setting is mostly aboard a train traveling across the mountainous region of eastern Europe in 1938. Without direct mention of countries or politics, the film is obviously about pre-war espionage involving Germany and England,
Among the notable aspects of the movie are its director and two leading actors. Although Alfred Hitchcock already had 10 silent films and more than a dozen sound films under his belt, this is the film that brought him international attention, including an open door for his future of film directing in America.
The film also propelled the two leads into the spotlight that would keep them there for the rest of their distinguished careers on stage and in the cinema. This is an early film and wonderful portrayal by a very young (22) Margaret Lockwood. Although she had started in cinema four years earlier, at age 18, she had nearly a dozen and a half films to her credit, but only a couple leading roles. Before this, her roles varied from very small to supporting roles in mostly mediocre plots. But her lead in "The Lady Vanishes" propelled her star overnight.
And, for Michael Redgrave, this was just his second film after an uncredited bit part in "Secret Agent" of 1936. Redgrave was 30 years old and had gotten a somewhat late start in acting four years earlier on the stage at age 26. But with this film and the next half dozen in which he had all the male leads, Redgrave's career was cemented for the future.
Among the top supporting cast of the day is May Whitty, who plays the character of the film's title. Paul Lukas, Cecil Parker, Linden Travers, and the pair of English gents, Naunton Wayne and Basil Radford. The latter seem to be somewhat wealthy, and they appear in this and some other films as addicts for the English sport of cricket. They are unable to think or care about anything other than the latest scores or getting somewhere to watch an English cricket matches.
This mystery should enthrall most audiences these many decades after it was made. And, the light touches of humor, from the two Englishmen and Michael Redgrave add a nice little soothing aspect to the tension. The mastery and genius of Alfred Hitchcock is on full display in this film, especially in his use of the camera. It has close-ups that focus just on the train's wheels rolling, then of the larger part of the train speeding over the tracks, and finally, of the various cast members with their somber, devious or concerned looks. One spectacular scene shows the train from a distance speeding over a high trestle in the mountains. One of Hickock's fortes, that had a major effect on filmmaking, was shooting films on locations. The location atmosphere helped instill a sense of reality to the whole film. Audience members could easily imagine themselves there, observing the events taking place close up.
This film is considered one of the great British movies of the 20th century. It's one of many very good to great movies directed by Hitchcock, and perhaps the very best of all the films he directed in England. The maestro may not be so well known for this film by audiences today, with such great movies he made in the United State - "Vertigo," "Psycho," "North by Northwest," "Rear Window," and so many more. But audiences who get a chance to see this film will find it every bit as enthralling and entertaining of any of Hickock's films. Here are some favorite lines.
. Hotel manager, "It's a great honor to have you with us again." Iris Henderson, "It's nice to see you, too, Boris You haven't change a bit since last Saturday."
Hotel manager, "Everything is ready. I didn't change anything." Iris Henderson, "Not eve the sheets, we know."
Charters, "If only we hadn't missed that train in Budapest." Caldicott, "I don't want to rub it in, but if you hadn't insisted on standing up until they finished their national anthem." Charters, "But you must show respect, Caldicott. If I'd known it was going to last 20 minutes...." Caldicott," It's always been my contention that the Hungarian Rhapsody is not their national anthem."
Gilbert, "Well now, would you like to hear about my early life?" Iris, "I don't think so." Gilbert, "Well, since you press me, I'll begin with my father. You know, it's remarkable how may great men began with their fathers."
Among the notable aspects of the movie are its director and two leading actors. Although Alfred Hitchcock already had 10 silent films and more than a dozen sound films under his belt, this is the film that brought him international attention, including an open door for his future of film directing in America.
The film also propelled the two leads into the spotlight that would keep them there for the rest of their distinguished careers on stage and in the cinema. This is an early film and wonderful portrayal by a very young (22) Margaret Lockwood. Although she had started in cinema four years earlier, at age 18, she had nearly a dozen and a half films to her credit, but only a couple leading roles. Before this, her roles varied from very small to supporting roles in mostly mediocre plots. But her lead in "The Lady Vanishes" propelled her star overnight.
And, for Michael Redgrave, this was just his second film after an uncredited bit part in "Secret Agent" of 1936. Redgrave was 30 years old and had gotten a somewhat late start in acting four years earlier on the stage at age 26. But with this film and the next half dozen in which he had all the male leads, Redgrave's career was cemented for the future.
Among the top supporting cast of the day is May Whitty, who plays the character of the film's title. Paul Lukas, Cecil Parker, Linden Travers, and the pair of English gents, Naunton Wayne and Basil Radford. The latter seem to be somewhat wealthy, and they appear in this and some other films as addicts for the English sport of cricket. They are unable to think or care about anything other than the latest scores or getting somewhere to watch an English cricket matches.
This mystery should enthrall most audiences these many decades after it was made. And, the light touches of humor, from the two Englishmen and Michael Redgrave add a nice little soothing aspect to the tension. The mastery and genius of Alfred Hitchcock is on full display in this film, especially in his use of the camera. It has close-ups that focus just on the train's wheels rolling, then of the larger part of the train speeding over the tracks, and finally, of the various cast members with their somber, devious or concerned looks. One spectacular scene shows the train from a distance speeding over a high trestle in the mountains. One of Hickock's fortes, that had a major effect on filmmaking, was shooting films on locations. The location atmosphere helped instill a sense of reality to the whole film. Audience members could easily imagine themselves there, observing the events taking place close up.
This film is considered one of the great British movies of the 20th century. It's one of many very good to great movies directed by Hitchcock, and perhaps the very best of all the films he directed in England. The maestro may not be so well known for this film by audiences today, with such great movies he made in the United State - "Vertigo," "Psycho," "North by Northwest," "Rear Window," and so many more. But audiences who get a chance to see this film will find it every bit as enthralling and entertaining of any of Hickock's films. Here are some favorite lines.
. Hotel manager, "It's a great honor to have you with us again." Iris Henderson, "It's nice to see you, too, Boris You haven't change a bit since last Saturday."
Hotel manager, "Everything is ready. I didn't change anything." Iris Henderson, "Not eve the sheets, we know."
Charters, "If only we hadn't missed that train in Budapest." Caldicott, "I don't want to rub it in, but if you hadn't insisted on standing up until they finished their national anthem." Charters, "But you must show respect, Caldicott. If I'd known it was going to last 20 minutes...." Caldicott," It's always been my contention that the Hungarian Rhapsody is not their national anthem."
Gilbert, "Well now, would you like to hear about my early life?" Iris, "I don't think so." Gilbert, "Well, since you press me, I'll begin with my father. You know, it's remarkable how may great men began with their fathers."
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