Stage Fright
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Movie Reviews of Stage Fright
Movie Review: The "lie" is not the problem
Summary: 3 Stars
**(spoilers)**
In his famous interview with Hitchcock, Truffaut trashed this movie and tossed it aside. So, of course Hitch did too (Hitch did not argue with his interviewers). Ever since, this movie has been hacked to death because of its most ingenious aspect--a re-inactment of a crime that turns out to be a lie.
The documentary on the DVD makes heavy weather of this as well. Many films have used this--Agatha Christie mysteries and Brian DePalma's thrillers come to mind--but we tend to forgive them because we have been conditioned to not trust the characters. If we automatically trust Richard Todd in "Stage Fright," that is our own immaturity as passive viewers. I wish Hitchcock had defended himself, and said something like "well, that will teach an audience not to trust every character in a film."
The movie isn't perfect. The only "fright" is the minor danger that Jane Wyman will be found out, and kicked out of Dietrich's house. For about 5 minutes at the end she is in grave danger, but that's it. What propells the movie forward is the assembly of some fabulously English characters, who are give free reign to do their schtick.
This is a very strong vehicle for Dietrich. She's sexy and funny (note that she calls Wyman by a different name 3 times), and even gets to sing.
I love this film dearly. It's truly charming. But I must admit, it is not among Hitch's best films.
Movie Review: INTERESTING FOOTNOTE TO HITCHCOCK'S INTERMISSION PERIOD
Summary: 3 Stars
"Stage Fright" (1950) is a convoluted charmer. Rarely has Hitchcock's attention to comedy and suspense been more seamlessly blended than on this occasion. Jane Wyman stars as Eve Gill, a novice sleuth determined to solve a murderous who-dun-it in a theatrical setting. Together with her flighty father, Commodore Gill (Alastair Simms), the two play a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the likes of Charlotte Inwood (Marlene Dietrich) the conspicuously aloof and greedy stage diva. One of only two films Hitch' made in England after becoming an American director ("Frenzy" is the other), "Stage Fright" was largely dismissed as a footnote to his career. Rarely seen on either television or home video the film nevertheless abounds with trademark Hitchcockian suspense, including a garden party that has more than its share of suspicious looking umbrellas and an incredible amount of innovative and refreshing camera work.
Warner's DVD transfer exhibits a balanced gray scale with deep, solid blacks and reasonably clean whites. Dirt, scratches and other age related artifacts are present but do not terribly distract. There's a complete lack of edge enhancement, pixelization and shimmering of fine details for a picture that is overall smooth and easy on the eyes. The audio is mono but very nicely cleaned up.
Movie Review: Deservedly Mixed Reviews
Summary: 3 Stars
This pretty thin thriller has some nice touches, but deserves its tepid reputation in the Hitchcock canon. Critics malign the flashback that opens the picture as a giant cheat. But I think if the Richard Todd role were played better, that may have been overlooked. As it is, he's too creepy throughout, though marvelous at the hardly surprising climax. The other principals in the picture don't much register - except for Michael Wilding's eerie resemblance to Alan Cumming. There are two great screen personalities here - Alastair Sim and Dietrich, but Hitchcock seems uninterested in using them to full effect. (Though he tease us with Marlene in her final scene.) Not bad, but not some lost classic. It's certainly one of the least enjoyable Hitchcock pictures. Definitely feels longer than it's 110 minute running time.Movie Review: Intriguing plot but without punch!
Summary: 3 Stars
A drama student is the first in the list of possible suspects when the husband of an actress is murdered . Jane Wyman doesn 't fit in the screen . The script lacks force and Marlene Dietrich makes an interesting and cynica portrait of herself . Richar Todd is convincing . There is fine humor but the whole result is yet far of been satisfactory .
Watchable but it is not a masterpiece .
Movie Review: hitchcock breaks his own rule and sinks this turkey
Summary: 1 Stars
hitchcock said in interviews that the most important thing in a movie was if you do a flashback,the flashback must not lie to the people watching. if it does it distroys the trust we have placed with the film maker and hurts the feel of the movie.
this first rule of his was thrown out the window with this below average hitchcock thriller. never before or after did hitchcock do this lie in the flashback thing. the acting is also well below what he was used to having in his movies. a rare misfire from hitch.