Review of The Lady Vanishes (1938) by Brett S — 19 May 2009

This is a very early Hitchcock movie (1938). And it surprised me that this is in the Criterion Collection. The movie intertwines every aspect of the movie genre, ie, mystery, drama, comedy, suspense. The added slap stick surprised me coming from Alfred Hitchcock.

Also Hitchcock makes his brief appearance in this movie, which I will not give away. Don't let the year of this film scare you. The first 10-15 minutes gives you time to relax and adjust to the story and then from there on out, you better not get up for popcorn because the movie takes off.

You have a group of people who are trying to board a train, but are held up over night because they are snow bound in the mountains of Europe. Now we set up for a meeting with all those who will later play a part in this film.

The next day before boarding the train Iris gets hit on the head from a falling brick meant for Miss Froy, she makes friends with Miss Froy before passing out, after tea and coming to, Miss Froy has disappeared and no one knows here or says they never seen her.

So begins the great mystery. Later we find out that Mrs. Froy is a spy and the Germans of course are involve and the bad guys. So you see Hitchcock has woven everything into this movie. 4 stars only because of its age and film quality.

My Copy came from the BCI Alfred Hitchcock Legends of Hollywood Collection 12 Movies for $9.95 on Amazon.