Sometimes an artist is so magnificent at one thing, we hardly notice how good he is at others. Hitchcock as a master of suspense, but it is most often moral suspense with many motives in play, some good, some evil, and some teetering dubiously between the two.
I’ve been introduced and re-introduced to so many great movies through Word& Song. In fact, I’ve been reminded how much I used to love watching these actors and movies. It’s been such a pleasure to be reminded that it’s worth the time to get back to it again! Thanks!
I’ve only ever seen one Alfred Hitchcock movie in my life (“The Birds”) and it haunted me so much! It was very scary. This was better, in my opinion, as justice was served in the end. Thank you for giving us the show.
Hitchcock's use of what he termed the "MacGuffin" is on full display in this film when Joseph Cotten's character tries to hide a newspaper with a story about the Merry Widow Killer; it intensifies the "Shadow of Doubt" his niece is beginning to have.
"If evil always presented itself in its own colors, nobody would fall for it. Fear and disgust would protect us. If confidence men always had grins with too many teeth in them, and if they were always pawing their marks, squeezing them confidentially on the shoulder and not letting go, we would shiver and get away, fast. So that is not what they do."
How true indeed. That reminds me of another famous quote about evil, from one of our hobbit friends: "You have frightened me several times tonight, but never in the way the servants of the Enemy would, or so I imagine. I think one of his spies would - well, seem fairer and feel fouler, if you understand."
And yet, sometimes the evil ones don't even FEEL foul, or else we can't detect it, and that's all the scarier. I've always believed that kind of dread to be far more effective in horror films than most of the slashing, blood-dripping, bump-in-the-night stuff we get these days. The slow, mounting feeling of unease at something that is not quite right, but which you can't quite figure out, is a truly unsettling experience.
Thank God for homeschool theater programs, because, though I cannot remember the drunken porter’s lines in Macbeth, my son played that role at our parish Shakespeare festival a year or so ago. So, when he gets home he will recite the lines for me and I will get it! Much better to have it acted again in person than to just read it. ;)
I’ve been introduced and re-introduced to so many great movies through Word& Song. In fact, I’ve been reminded how much I used to love watching these actors and movies. It’s been such a pleasure to be reminded that it’s worth the time to get back to it again! Thanks!
Finally watched this movie I had never seen. I really squirmed at the end. I really thought Charlie was a goner on that train.
The kids provided the levity that made the film's intrigue tolerable.
I’ve only ever seen one Alfred Hitchcock movie in my life (“The Birds”) and it haunted me so much! It was very scary. This was better, in my opinion, as justice was served in the end. Thank you for giving us the show.
Thank you. I saw that movie the number of years ago and it is truly chilling. I agree with everything that you said.
Hitchcock's use of what he termed the "MacGuffin" is on full display in this film when Joseph Cotten's character tries to hide a newspaper with a story about the Merry Widow Killer; it intensifies the "Shadow of Doubt" his niece is beginning to have.
"If evil always presented itself in its own colors, nobody would fall for it. Fear and disgust would protect us. If confidence men always had grins with too many teeth in them, and if they were always pawing their marks, squeezing them confidentially on the shoulder and not letting go, we would shiver and get away, fast. So that is not what they do."
How true indeed. That reminds me of another famous quote about evil, from one of our hobbit friends: "You have frightened me several times tonight, but never in the way the servants of the Enemy would, or so I imagine. I think one of his spies would - well, seem fairer and feel fouler, if you understand."
And yet, sometimes the evil ones don't even FEEL foul, or else we can't detect it, and that's all the scarier. I've always believed that kind of dread to be far more effective in horror films than most of the slashing, blood-dripping, bump-in-the-night stuff we get these days. The slow, mounting feeling of unease at something that is not quite right, but which you can't quite figure out, is a truly unsettling experience.
If you think you don’t like Hitchcock, see this movie.
This is my favorite Hitchcock film.
Thank God for homeschool theater programs, because, though I cannot remember the drunken porter’s lines in Macbeth, my son played that role at our parish Shakespeare festival a year or so ago. So, when he gets home he will recite the lines for me and I will get it! Much better to have it acted again in person than to just read it. ;)
My favorite Hitchcock film! Don’t forget the fantastic Hungarian “soundtrack” ; )