"Stage Fright'' (1950 film)- Review

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Released: 1950
Country: United Kingdom

Genres: Drama, Crime, Thriller, Mystery

Cast: Jane Wyman, Michael Wilding, Marlene Dietrich, Richard Todd, Alastair Sim, Sybil Thorndike, Kay Walsh, Hector MacGregor

Rating: 3 out of 5

Review

''Stage Fright'', directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is weaker than most of his films, but however, it still is quite good, and thoroughly entertaining. While it may not be as good as his masterpieces ''Psycho'', ''Vertigo'' or ''North by Northwest'', it is never boring and builds up enough suspense and thrills.

Eve Gill, an aspiring actress, is reharsling one day at RADA. Her friend, Jonathan Cooper suddenly runs to her and says that police are after him for a murder. While Eve takes him to her home, Jonathan tells her the entire story. His lover, the well-known theater personality Charlotte Inwood, had came running to his house and said that while an argument, she mistakenly murdered her husband. There was a blood stain in her dress, so Jonathan went to her home to bring a new dress, but unfortunately, Mrs. Inwood's maidservant Nellie Goode saw him. She told it to the police. Now the police is after him. Eve's father agrees to hide him in his house. To prove Jonathan innocent, Eve comes up with several brilliant, yet risky ideas. She disguises herself as a reporter and bribes Nellie Goode, and, to learn more, arrives at Charlotte Inwood's home as a maid who has been sent by Nellie as she has some problems in her stomach. Meanwhile, she also befriends Smith, the detective investigating the case. Using her acting skills, she does quite well, but how will she manage all these, learn more, after all?

Suspense is in plenty in ''Stage Fright''. Thrills are also present occassionally, but however, they are not as strong as the great movies directed by Alfred Hitchcock. But however, the film offers enough entertainment and makes you thoroughly enjoyed and curious.

As Eve Gill Jane Wyman truly gives a brilliant performance. We can see that Jane had always had crush on Jonathan, and is sad to hear that Jonathan and Charlotte love each other. Jonathan tells Eve that he and Eve are ''old friends''. It is impressive to see how she tries hard to protect and to prove her friend innocent.

Marlene Dietrich gives yet another wonderful performance, as Charlotte Inwood, a famous actress and lover of Jonathan Cooper. Dietrich and Wyman are the only members of the cast who are not British.

Richard Todd and Michael Wilding, playing major supporting roles, are both brilliant. Todd plays Jonathan Cooper, who is suspected for the murder of his lover's husband, and who is hid by his old friend Eve Gill. Michael Wiliding is present as Wilfred Smith, the handsome detective investigating the case, whom Eve befriends, as a part of her plan to prove Jonathan innocent.

As Eve's parents, Alastair Sim and Sybil Thorndike, are wonderful and hilarious. Both of Eve's parents are eccentric and live separately. Eve's father, Commodore Gill, helps Eve to hide Jonathan.

Also present are Kay Walsh as Nellie Good, Charlotte Inwood's maidservant, Hector MacGregor as Freddie Williams, Patricia Hitchcock (Alfred Hitchcock's daughter) in a minor role.

This mystery thriller crime film is occasionally humorous, with some humor provided by Eve Gill's eccentric parents.

On the whole, it is thrilling and suspenseful enough to give you entertainment, but compared to the great movies directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this movie is a bit weaker. Nevertheless, it is good enough to make you enjoy and entertained.

3 out of 5!