Many of the comments here attempt to evaluate this film as a serious Hitchcock offering. Don't make that mistake. It's an hour of fluff, in two acts. The first one is full of atmosphere and suspense. Too full to be serious. It takes place mainly on a staircase. The second involves a speeding train chased by a speeding bus. To ridiculous to be serious.
Stairs and trains are both very important in many of Hitchcock's films. It's interesting that he uses both prominently in what is probably the one film where we really see him enjoying himself.
Hitchcock was near the end of his contract with British International Pictures when he was given the play "Number 17" to adapt, and virtually no budget (10,000 GBP). He chose to make this as a parody, and on that basis I think that it works very well.
As usual with Hitchcock's British offerings, the character actors are very entertaining. The two female leads are both lovely. Others have commented on the not-so-special special effects, but considering the age of the film, they're not bad, which makes them seem impressive when you consider how cheaply the film was made.
During the chase scene, Look out for the sign "See the countryside by Green Line". I don't know if that was put in intentionally or not, but it made me laugh. Like the passengers in the bus, hang on and enjoy the ride.
Stairs and trains are both very important in many of Hitchcock's films. It's interesting that he uses both prominently in what is probably the one film where we really see him enjoying himself.
Hitchcock was near the end of his contract with British International Pictures when he was given the play "Number 17" to adapt, and virtually no budget (10,000 GBP). He chose to make this as a parody, and on that basis I think that it works very well.
As usual with Hitchcock's British offerings, the character actors are very entertaining. The two female leads are both lovely. Others have commented on the not-so-special special effects, but considering the age of the film, they're not bad, which makes them seem impressive when you consider how cheaply the film was made.
During the chase scene, Look out for the sign "See the countryside by Green Line". I don't know if that was put in intentionally or not, but it made me laugh. Like the passengers in the bus, hang on and enjoy the ride.