Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Original Release: 1955
Choice: My Wife's
My Overall Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Alfred Hitchcock did not direct a lot of comedies. I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise that one of the few he did make tended towards darkness. The Trouble with Harry is based on the novel of the same name by Jack Trevor Story. Harry is a corpse in the woods. Three different characters, at one point or another, claim accidental responsibility for Harry's death. The body is buried and dug up again repeatedly throughout the story as the principals wrestle with the best way to address the situation.
The movie, a commercial flop for Hitch, was notable as the film debut of Shirley MacLaine in the role of Jennifer Rogers. Jerry Mathers (better known as the title character in Leave It to Beaver) plays Jennifer's son Arnie. Harry was filmed primarily in Craftsbury, Vermont, an hour or so east of us. Apparently, natural forces were not especially cooperative. Poor weather and an early foliage season were highly disruptive to the filming schedule. Some of the external shots are actually California trees with Vermont leaves pinned to the branches.
I love that movie. I have ever since I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteThis was my first time. I've seen a lot of Hitchcock but missed this one somehow. I enjoyed it. I don't know if I'd be inclined to watch it again. I expect it will come around again in the rotation, though.
DeleteBig fan.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this movie too and I love Shirley MacLaine.
In my younger days (when I lived in Laguna Beach you never know who you see walking down the street) people would come up and ask me if I was her.
I don't think I looked like her but I always said alas no but thank you and later said I was a 2nd cousin... seemed to make them happy. But I had a office listing for Betty Davis first home in Laguna and also mentioned that she planted the palm tree in the front yard would you possibly be interested in viewing it ?
I have another Shirley (in my mind we are friends) story that is super funny....
Love your review.
cheers, parsnip
Palm tree photo from Betty Davis's front yard? Why, sure!
DeleteI'd love to hear the other Shirley story, too.
This is one of the few Hitchcock movies I haven't seen, thanks for featuring it.
ReplyDeleteI've seen most of his better known films, though I have yet to see Rebecca.
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