Review of The Lady Vanishes (1938) by Seth S — 04 Sep 2012
Probably the most accessible and entertaining of Hitchcock's British films. The Lady Vanishes is more mystery then Hitch's classic suspense.
When it comes the the story, the title says it all. Kindly old Miss Froy is sitting right across from Iris on the train. Iris falls asleep, and when she wakes up, Miss Froy has disappeared. She searches everywhere on the train for her. It seems like Iris's only friend on the train is Gilbert, and arrogant musician. So Iris and Gilbert set out to find Miss Froy.
Margaret Lockwood plays Iris. She is confused, but she knows what she saw. Lockwood plays her quite well. Michael Redgrave gives the best performance of the movie as Gilbert. While the character is not very original, Redgrave plays the part to perfection. Dame May Whitty plays the motherly Miss Froy. She seems to easily play the sweet old lady with a secret.
Overall, this is the best that 1930's British cinema has to offer. The movie lacks a classic Hitchcock finale set-piece, with the ending being a simple shootout on the train. Not his best ending, but the rest of the movie is very well done. Hitchcock's movies did get better once he moved to America, but this one is a keeper.
"I just had the most idiotic idea." 8/10.
This review of The Lady Vanishes (1938) was written by Seth S on 04 Sep 2012.
The Lady Vanishes has generally received very positive reviews.
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