The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Though Doris Day is most commonly associated with musicals and light comedies, she could definitely hold her own (and more!) in dramatic films, as evidenced in Alfred Hitchock's 1956 political thriller, The Man Who Knew Too Much.  Also starring James Stewart, this film is a remake of Mr. Hitchcock's 1933 film of the same name.

Vacationing in French Morocco are Americans Ben and Jo McKenna (Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day) and their young son, Hank.  While on a bus enroute to Marakech, they make the acquaintance of Frenchman, Louis Bernard, and although the man's intrusive questions about their lives are disconcerting to Jo, the McKenna's make plans to meet him for dinner and drinks a bit later.  

After a sinister-looking man comes to his door, however, Mr. Bernard cancels his dinner plans with the McKennas, leaving them to make the acquaintance of a vacationing British couple. Taking to one another immediately, the two couples become friends and even visit an outdoor marketplace together the next morning.

While in the market area, a stabbing takes place, and just before dying, the stabbed man---who turns out to be Louis Bernard---approaches Ben and whispers information about an assassination soon to take place.  Immediately, Ben and Jo are whisked off to the police department, while their new friend offers to keep their son for them.  Although Ben might consider telling the authorities what he knows about Bernard's killing and the man's final message, he is soon made aware that Hank will be harmed if he does.  By the time Ben and Jo return to their hotel (from the police station), Hank has been kidnapped.

It's every parent's worst nightmare, as the McKennas travel from Morocco to England in order to rescue their son, all the while knowing that sometime, somewhere, an assassination will be attempted.  How everything plays out is the balance of the film.



Very suspenseful, with much political intrigue, The Man Who Knew Too Much is an interesting, enjoyable, well-acted film.  Both Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day are extremely believable in their roles, and they play well off each other.  The part of the assassin (Reggie Nalder) is perfectly cast.  With burn scars on his lower face, Mr. Nalder certainly presents a mysterious, almost sinister-looking figure, making him completely perfect for his role.  The Albert Hall scenes are magnificent, with Hitchcock brilliance evidenced throughout.  Finally, there are a couple opportunities to catch Doris Day's lovely, melodious voice, as she sings the film's Academy Award-winning song---"Que Sera Sera." 

Since I have never seen the original version of this film, I can't compare the two.  However, I really enjoyed this and am giving it 4 out of 5 stars.  Out on DVD, it should be easy to track down.

Happy viewing!!

I Am Eating My Words...a Bit

Well, my dear blog friends, I am finding myself eating my words a wee bit with regard to nearly everyone's favorite Alfred Hitchcock film---Rear Window.  As many of  you already know, I have admitted to not liking that film.  Yes, I know I am completely out of step with nearly every classic movie fan on the planet, but I just don't like it.  Oh, it has never been one of my 1-star, "hate it" films; rather, since my first viewing of it 3 or 4 years ago, it has been a 2-star, "don't like it" for me, for the sole reason that  I just don't happen to think a peeping Tom is a worthy ambition.  (It seems rather sex predator-ish to me.)  I could never root for a man who spied on this neighbors, and I kept wondering how I would feel if one of my neighbors looked through his binoculars at every house on the block.  I am even out of step with my own family, as they like the film; when I complain about the peeping Tom aspect, my always-joking son tells me "it is the neighborhood watch program in action."

With yesterday being the 30th anniversary of Grace Kelly's death, our family decided to enjoy one of her films last night.  Though I was hoping for The Country Girl (and, thus, a William Holden fix), the majority of my family was clamoring for Rear Window.  Being the trooper that I am, I decided to go with the flow, and you know what---I actually found myself moving from 2 to 3 stars. I still don't like the fact that a Peeping Tom is a "hero," and I still would be greatly unsettled if one of my neighbors was focusing his binoculars on my house, but I recognize that the story is interesting and exciting, that the direction is fantastic, that the chemistry between the leads is perfect, that the wit of Thelma Ritter is terrific, and that Grace Kelly is her classy, elegant, beautiful self.

So, my friends, I wanted to let you know that when it comes to the beloved Rear Window, I am eating my words just a little bit.  While it will never be my favorite Alfred Hitchcock film, the fact that I've gone from 2 stars, "don't like it," to 3 stars, "like it okay" is rather huge.  I'm not quite so out of step anymore.