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| Strangers (100%) |
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| Red Dragon (33%) |
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Plot:
Psychotic mother's boy Bruno Anthony meets famous tennis professional Guy Haines on a train. Guy wants to move into a career in politics and has been dating a senator's daughter (Ann Morton) while awa...( read more 
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Recent Reviews
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MCT:July 1, 2008
Hitchcock's greatest virtue as a story-teller was that he's able to tell an improbable tale such as Strangers on a Train with simplicity and believability. A brilliant film for the master, pure Hitchcock throughout and an amazing performance from Robert Walker, who sadly died shortly after the film's release, Strangers on a Train remains one of his most satisfying films.
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MCT:June 23, 2008''My theory is that everyone is a potential murderer.''
A psychotic socialite confronts a pro tennis star with a theory on how two complete strangers can get away with murder... a theory which he plans to implement.
Farley Granger: Guy Haines
Ruth Roman: Anne Morton
Robert Walker: Bruno Anthony
Sadly Strangers is often overlooked when classic Hitchcock films like Rear Window, Vertigo, etc...are mentioned. People often see Rear Window as the first of the classic Hitchcock films that began with Window (1954) and ended with The Birds (1963). While both films, and all in between were truly great movies that come to mind first when the topic is raised, Strangers on a Train should be considered and included with them as well. It truly is a polished thriller in the grand Hitchcock fashion.
A famous tennis player with a serious marital problem gains a clingy friend in the guise of Bruno, a man who introduces himself into Guy's life when they meet on a train. He brings up the topic of murder, and how he'd like his father disposed of. He knows that Guy's wife is a terminal pain and nuisance who won't agree to a divorce and sees an opportunity to get both murders done without getting caught. Easy, the premise to switch murders! If each murder is done by the other man, an unconnected stranger who was met by chance and can't be linked to the crime in any way, then there's no way that either man can get caught. While this is discussed in a jokingly way by Guy, Bruno turns out to be dead serious and is determined to carry the plan out and put everything in motion, whether Guy is a willing participant or not.
A great idea from a genius director. This Strangers has all the black humour and great dialogue you've come to expect from Hitchcock, along with great acting, especially from Robert Walker as the sociopath Bruno, we discover from his mother that he once plotted to blow up the White House.
This film definitely starts the 1950's Hitchcock juggernaut, a smash hit that followed a number of box-office disappointment in the mid to late '40's. An interesting observation that many viewers will see and that many critics have mentioned is that the character of Bruno is obviously gay. It's not hard to spot.
Others in the cast included Leo G. Carroll, pretty Kasey rogers as the luckless wife, Marion Lorne Mrs. Anthon, Jonathan Hale as Bruno's father, Howard St. John as the police captain, John Brown, Norma Varden and Robert Gist. In this film the most outstanding and memorable quality is the detail moments, such as Bruno losing down a grate something he desperately needs, Patricia Hitcock's glasses, Bruno trying his strength at a carnival concession, the moment at the tennis match when everyone in the crowd is watching the ball and turning their heads back and forth except Bruno who is staring at Guy.
And Farley Granger was never better as a leading man than in this effort. This is an important work, I believe for Hitchcock.
Not to be overlooked and definately among Vertigo, Rear Window and his other greats. -
MCT:June 22, 2008This film is classic Hitchcock. It starts off with an awesome set-up which springboards into a wonder of a film that rests comfortable among the likes the Rear Window & Vertigo as one of Hitchcock's best films. Two men meet on a train, one a bright, young tennis player (Guy Haines, played by Farley Granger), the other a slightly older, mysterious man who says he is a big fan (Bruno Anthony, played by Robert Walker). Bruno begins talking to him about a murder scheme he has thought up where one person takes care of the other's "problem", Guy thinks he is joking, but Bruno has taken Guy's passive agreement very seriously. Thus begins a classic murder tale as only Hitchcock can tell it, filled with his unique imagery and creative choice of shots. It's really one of those untouchably brilliant films that leave the viewer totally taken and enraptured, like other classics from the same era such as Rebel Without A Cause. The great cast and characterization keep the train running smoothly until the riveting conclusion. There is absolutely no reason not to see this film, it is a must-see classic of American cinema.
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MCT:May 31, 2008
This is the 6th Hitchcock movie I've watched, and all of them have been extremely enjoyable. All his movies seem to have the complete package. An intriguing story, great score, and solid script. Top that off with consistently fantastic direction, and all these movies somehow stand the test of time. This is no different.
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MCT:May 25, 2008
Just saw it tonight 5/24/08 on PBS. Masterful! Bruno rivals Norman.
My 1st Viewing:
Alfred Hitchcock?s Strangers on Train
I have seen Strangers on a Train (1951), on DVD for the first time on January 5th, 2005 I mention the date because it was gray, bleak snowy afternoon, adding to the ambience and mystery of the black and white film. From the very beginning, when the viewer meets the main and supporting cast of characters, one gets the immediate sense of, ?there is more here, than meets the eye.? Guy Haines (Farley Granger), a young handsome tennis star, also a bright-rising political protégé, meets by circumstance a spoiled, rich aristocratic, not living up to his potential and brooding man named Bruno Antony, (Robert Walker (I)), on a train. As always Hitchcock brilliantly starts his films off much like an innocent sparkler, Guy and Bruno?s conversation, to their final confrontation on a wildly spinning merry-go-round that goes haywire. Hence the climatic fireworks display, leaving the viewer breathless and wondering who is going to be victorious in the end! All the while, introducing us to a supporting cast of characters that propel the story forward, making the middle just as interesting as the start and finish of any Hitchcock film. Strangers is no exception, introducing us to (Kasey Rogers), as Miriam Joyce Haines, Guy?s estranged and soon to be ex-wife, (credited as Laura Elliott), or so Guy thinks. Guy?s lover or intended, Anne Morton (Ruth Roman) and (Patricia Hitchcock), Hitchcock's daughter as Barbara Morton, Anne's younger sister and hero worshipper of Guy. (Marion Lorne) as Bruno's Mother, Mrs. Antony and (Leo G. Carroll) as Senator Morton, are superbly played.
Now for a few observations, I had seen Farley Granger before in Rope. But what was a surprise to me as I later discussed the film with some friends from an old Yahoo Group, (The MacGuffin listserv) that I had recognized Marion Lorne from her work on Bewitched as Aunt Clara. An even bigger surprise was when they told me about Kasey Rogers who also starred on Bewitched as Louise Tate, wife of Larry Tate, Darren?s boss. As for the movie itself, each character is so layered and personifies certain characteristics, i.e. Bruno's evilness or cry to be noticed, Mrs. Antony's repression, or Miriam Haines conniving ways even from bad boy Bruno, which proves to be deadly. Then, there are those entertaining sequences with the key piece of evidence - a cigarette lighter!
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calleighposted 639 days ago
