Stage Fright
|
List Price: Our Price: $10.78 You Save: $4.20 (28%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.93 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Stage Fright
Movie Review: A Fun Hitchcockian Romp!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is now one of my favorite Hitchcock films. Stage Fright was a new addition to my collection, and it will definitely be making a rotation in my DVD player. This story of murder, deceit, and intrigue is pure fun!
Jane Wyman plays mousy drama student Eve Gill, committed to getting her longtime friend Jonathan Cooper out of the murderous trouble he has gotten himself into with his mistress, stage actress Charlotte Inwood (deliciously played by Marlene Dietrich).
She takes her drama lessons out of the classroom, playing different roles from person to person in an effort to get at the truth behind the murder of Inwood's husband. In the process, she falls in love, gets blackmailed, and ultimately realizes her longtime friend Cooper isn't all she thought she was.
This movie is just fun to watch! Wyman lends her own blend of sweetness and comedy. You find yourself desperately hoping that she isn't caught as she juggles the various identities she assumes. Dietrich is the consummate drama queen, enveloped in all of the glamour and hautiness of the era. Her onstage performance of "The Laziest Gal in Town" just sums up her character to a tee. The ensemble of British actors (playing Eve's parents, and a variety of other cast members) injects an indescribable charisma to the film in general.
Stage Fright is truly a Hitchcock diamond in the rough. Yet another underappreciated film artfully directed by the great one.
Movie Review: Great film, questionable DVD release
Summary: 5 Stars
Hitchcock's STAGE FRIGHT is, indeed, one of his most underappreciated films, which is surprising considering how entertaining it is on all of its levels. The music is exciting, the acting of all is first-class, the cinematography of Wilkie Cooper is marvelous and the movie is bright, fast and amusing throughout. As a film, it is not to be missed.
As a DVD, on the other hand, it leaves much to be desired. Much can be forgiven in this release, which was not given too much care in the transfer from film to video, but what cannot be forgiven is the fact that the picture and sound are out of synchronization. And this is appalling for a major studio like Warner Brothers. It is unacceptable, in fact. Warners seems to be the worst in this regard. Their DVDs of BLOOD ALLEY, MAVERICK (the TV series) and about three dozen other titles that I am personally aware of are out of sync. It is fofr this reason that I cannot recommend this disc to fans - unless Warner Brothers remasters it with the sound and picture correctly in sync with each other.
The picture quality is only OK. There is a theatrical print of this film circulating in the classics movie houses which is vastly superior to the print used for this DVD.
All in all, a great film, but an unacceptable DVD
Dan Guenzel
Movie Review: All The World Is A Stage
Summary: 5 Stars
I truly think this is one of Hitchcock's great over-looked films. Many fine performances lift this film up over the false turn taken early in the movie. Hitchcock himself wasn't too sure if he did the right thing with his plot twist, or if he made all the characters too afraid of what may happen to themselves to make the suspense, well, suspenseful enough. That said, I think he really needn't have worried. With a perfect cast, the film has survived well, and is getting new attention today as a well-done "whoREALLYdunit?" I know Jane Wyman is billed as the star of the show, but really Marlene Dietrich is the heart and soul of the picture. Her allegiances are vague, her guilt or innocence is never really clear, but she is just totally mesmerizing. All the characters involved are examples of role-playing, and how well those roles can cover a multitude of sins. The print shows effects of age, especially at the beginning and end, and the sound isn't the best, but for the most part the picture is clear and fairly sharp, and the making-of feature is welcome. For Hitchcock fans, they know already the virtues of this fine film, and for Dietrich fans, this disc is a must. Get this DVD and see if you can figure out the truth before the final curtain drops!Movie Review: Easily the most Underrated of all Hitch's...
Summary: 5 Stars
Like I said, STAGEFRIGHT is easily the most underrated of all Mr. Hitchcock's films. With first rate performances by all concerned(Alistair Sim is a riot), this was Hitch's first time back in England filming after many years abroad & it shows. Filmed in glorious black & white with the theatre as it's background, it's fuelled by almost every character playing a role other than their own & obviously having the time of their lives while doing it. Taking centre stage are Jane Wyman(a drama student who dangerously takes on her most important role in an effort to trap a murderer), Alistair Sim(as her father only too delighted to be caught up in the adventure)& Marlene Dietrich(delivering a deliriously over-the-top performance as a selfish actress). Filled with Hitch's trademark touches, the cinematography is magnificent(the garden party sequence is pure magic..watch for the sea of umbrellas)& hey! even Joyce Grenfell drops by for some great comic relief. Not that it needs it. This is the Master's great comedy murder mystery. 10/10 Bravo!!!!Movie Review: Death disguised as love
Summary: 5 Stars
Looks like "The laziest gal in town"; Charlotte Inwood (Marlene Dietrich) may be framing the high-strung Jonathan Cooper (Richard Todd). A drama student used her skills to try to prove this to the authorities. In the process, she may have found her true love Ordinary Smith (Michael Wilding)
The film is classic Hitchcock. See if you can spot his signature cameo appearance.
Alistair Sim and Sybil Thorndike give the film a Powell and Pressburger feel.
This black and white standard DVD has some good extras including. A 2004 "Hitchcock and Stage Fright"
See Joyce Grenfell, the Duck lady aging in "the Americanization of Emily" (1964)
The Americanization of Emily
The Blue Angel (Enhanced) 1930