Review of Stage Fright (1950) by Grant P — 22 Jun 2008

Hitchcock's indelible mark is left on Stage Fright with unique plot devices and climax. The introduction is perhaps the most curious thing about the film, which immediately reveals a flashback from Jonathon's point of view and intentions of the characters. Interestingly and obviously, there is much more to contend with concerning that very flashback.

Jane Wyman is excellent as Eve, the main protagonist; she becomes more engrossing as the minutes pass. Her obligation to help her love Jonathon are at odds when she decides to do a little acting (well, detective work of her own) and coincidentally meets a detective by the name of Wilfred Smith.

Hitchcock brilliantly unravels the nature of the performance artist by having the major players play one another on some level (call it two-faced), meaning that the acting is simultaneously misleading and revealing. It's a technique that could easily be overdone, but it is handled intelligently and often underplayed and therefore keeps us engaged until the final moments.

Stage Fright is an underrated Hitchcock film. It may not have the visual intrigue of Vertigo or the famous, influential horror scenes of Psycho, but it's a solid mystery.