The Skin Game (1931)

20% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
30% of users liked it
(270 ratings)

This uncharacteristic Alfred Hitchcock endeavor was adapted by Hitch and his wife, Alma Reville, from a play by John Galsworthy. The British countryside turns into an ideological battlefield when Hornblower (Edmund Gwenn), a wealthy, self-man tradesman, stakes his claim to a piece of valuable forest… More This uncharacteristic Alfred Hitchcock endeavor was adapted by Hitch and his wife, Alma Reville, from a play by John Galsworthy. The British countryside turns into an ideological battlefield when Hornblower (Edmund Gwenn), a wealthy, self-man tradesman, stakes his claim to a piece of valuable forest property controlled for literally centuries by the "landed gentry." The local squire (C.V. France) and his wife (Helen Haye) dig in their heels and refuse to acknowledge Hornblower's presence -- how dare he use mere money to challenge the rights of blood? Their genteel snobbery is every bit as obnoxious as Hornblower's brash effrontery, and the result is a film with virtually no heroes or villains whatever. Never in any future film did Hitchcock ever lobby so strong an attack on the smug implacability of the aristocracy -- perhaps wisely, since The Skin Game proved to be one of his least-successful films. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock
Written By: Alfred Hitchcock, Alma Reville
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 20, 1931 Wide
On DVD: Sep 5, 2000
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
The playing is exceptional, both men and women.
Mordaunt Hall, New York Times
Mr. Galsworthy's narrative is bound to enlist one's attention, but Mr. Hitchcock, who is responsible for the adaptation as well as the direction, cannot be said to have accomplished either task in a fashion the subject deserves.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
A rather stagy and creaky early talkie (1931) by Alfred Hitchcock.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This early Hitchcock talkie shows none of the mastery that would subsequently make the director an internationally recognized genius.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
All talk and no action.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

One of my favourite early Hitchcock movies. Greed and wealth fuels a family feud which could end in tragedy.
Chris B

An early effort from Hitchcock, "The Skin Game" is a drama that deals with the snobbish ideals of the aristocracy and wasn't very successful due probably somewhat to this fact. The film has several characters who are all quite hard to identify as either the "good… More
An early effort from Hitchcock, "The Skin Game" is a drama that deals with the snobbish ideals of the aristocracy and wasn't very successful due probably somewhat to this fact. The film has several characters who are all quite hard to identify as either the "good or bad" character as they all have their own issues and all do questionable things throughout the film. While this is a rather slow and uninspiring affair that only has trace amounts of Hitchcock's genius in it, such as the auction scene that would be utilized in "North by Northwest" later on. A whole lot of talking and threats with no actions followed through with is what overall hinders the film and renders it rather low in Hitchcock's immense and way more impressive catalog of films he would go on to direct. I'd recommend this only for Hitchcock fans that want to view all of his work.

Cast

            Edmund Gwenn as Mr. Hornblower

            Jill Esmond as Jill Hillcrest

            Phyllis Konstam as Chloe Hornblower

            John Longden as Charles Hornblower

            C.V. France as Mr. Hillcrest

            Helen Haye as Mrs. Hillcrest

            Frank Lawton as Rolf Hornblower

            Edward Chapman as Dawker

            Herbert Ross as Mr. Jackman

            Dora Gregory as Mrs. Jackman

            R.E. Jeffrey as 1st Stranger

            George Bancroft as 2nd Stranger

            Ronald Frankau as Auctioneer

            Ivor Barnard
            
            Edward Asner as Plunkett

            Parley Baer as Mr. Claggart

            Tracy Bogart as Lizabeth

            Jim Boles as Auction Clerk

            Al Checco as Room Clerk

            Dort Clark as Pennypacker

            Susan Clark as Ginger

            Royal Dano as John Brown

            Charles Drake
            
            Andrew Duggan as Calloway

            Paris Earl
            
            Joel Fluellen as Abram

            Robert Foulk as Sheriff

            James Garner as Quincy

            Louis Gossett Jr as Jason O'Rourke

            Don Haggerty as Speaker

            Henry Jones as Sam

            Forrest Lewis
            
            Athena Lorde as Margaret

            James McCallion as Stanfil

            Juanita Moore as Viney

            Burt Mustin
            
            J. Pat O'Malley as William

            Neva Patterson as Mrs. Claggart

            Suzanne Pleshette
            
            Hari
            
            Robert Stack
            
            Brenda Sykes as Naomi

            George Tyne as Bonner

            Napoleon Whiting as Ned

            Jason Wingreen as 2nd Speaker

            Rossano Brazzi
            
            George Wallace I as Auctioneer
See full cast