Review of The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) by Steve N — 10 Dec 2010
Tedious espionage thriller is doubly disappointing coming from the same creative team that crafted the sublime Rear Window. The casting is all wrong; Stewart is a little long in the tooth to be the father an eight year-old and Doris Day and the clunky "musical" component she brings with it is ill-fitting and smacks of "cashing in" on Day's popularity at the time.
John Michael Hayes, so wonderfully disciplined with the Rear Window screenplay, can't seem to get into a rhythm. The plot meanders and so much time elapses between meaningful moments that the tension dissipates.
Hitchcock, who never seemed as comfortable shooting on location with all the creative compromises it imposed at the time, seems content with the path of least resistance, churning out a rather pedestrian directorial effort.
Even the penultimate climax at the Royal Albert Hall lacks his usual artistry and is actually somewhat clumsy on close inspection.
This review of The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) was written by Steve N on 10 Dec 2010.
The Man Who Knew Too Much has generally received very positive reviews.
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