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Title: The Lady Vanishes
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| CONSUMER ADVICE |
Parents,this movie is suitable for all ages. Recommended for all ages. |
“The Lady Vanishes” is a deceitful movie. It starts out fun and goofy, with people living their everyday lives while on a train to their next destination, and then the disappearance of an old woman turns this comedy into a mystery. Of course, the film is directed by Alfred Hitchcock, so I guess I shouldn’t have found the switch TOO surprising! Those that have seen the more recent Jodie Foster film “Flightplan” will most likely feel “The Lady Vanishes” follows a very similar structure. Indeed, both films follow two main characters, only to have one of the characters disappear suddenly, with not trace of the person and no eyewitness to confirm the existence of the missing person.
The only hint that the person existed is with a smudged name on the train window, which, now that I think about it, was the only evidence of the person’s existence in “Flightplan.” If I sound pretty vague about the storyline, it’s because I’m deliberately avoiding discussing too much of the characters and settings. Hitchcock is a master of setting up situations and suspense, and in this case I think he excels. He begins the movie with multiple characters and storylines, and pretty much everyone is accounted for in this humorous set up. It’s so goofy it borders on romp. Once the disappearance of the character shows up, the movie becomes more then what you originally thought it would be. I do confess, though Hitchcock sets up the switch perfectly, the first half hour of the film will most likely try your patience.
Much of the beginning seems pointless and meandering, until the bigger picture is clear. This being a 1938 film in 2008, there is a pretty good chance most people won’t even stick around til the end of the film. By that account, “Psycho,” “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” and “Dial M For Murder” are much more audience friendly films in a day where fast paced editing receives more praise then thought provoking set up. Though “The Lady Vanishes” feels a bit rough around the edges in this day and age, it’s still an entertaining suspense thriller, one that makes it almost impossible to guess the ending. Even though it’s more then seventy years old.
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