An ordinary British couple vacationing in Switzerland suddenly find themselves embroiled in a case of international intrigue when their daughter is kidnapped by spies plotting a political as... Read allAn ordinary British couple vacationing in Switzerland suddenly find themselves embroiled in a case of international intrigue when their daughter is kidnapped by spies plotting a political assassination.An ordinary British couple vacationing in Switzerland suddenly find themselves embroiled in a case of international intrigue when their daughter is kidnapped by spies plotting a political assassination.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination
D.A. Clarke-Smith
- Binstead
- (as D.A. Clarke Smith)
Frank Atkinson
- Policeman Shot Behind Mattress
- (uncredited)
Betty Baskcomb
- Lawrence's Maid
- (uncredited)
Cot D'Ordan
- Concierge
- (uncredited)
Tony De Lungo
- Hotel Manager
- (uncredited)
Clare Greet
- Mrs. Brockett
- (uncredited)
Pat Hagan
- Policeman at Siege
- (uncredited)
Joan Harrison
- Secretary
- (uncredited)
Edward A. Hill-Mitchelson
- Minor Role
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Peter Lorre arrived in Great Britain, his first meeting with a British director was with Sir Alfred Hitchcock. By smiling and laughing as Hitchcock talked, the director was unaware that Lorre, a Hungarian, had a limited command of the English language. Hitchcock subsequently decided to cast Lorre in this movie, and the young actor learned much of his part phonetically.
- Goofs(at around 21 mins) When Bob Lawrence and his daughter exit the chalet porch to watch the trap shoot, Bob pushes the left door outwards. When the camera cuts to an outside view of their leaving the building, it's the other door that is swinging shut, and it is closing from the inside.
- ConnectionsEdited into 365 Days, also Known as a Year (2019)
- SoundtracksStorm Clouds Cantata
(1934) (uncredited)
Music by Arthur Benjamin
Words by D.B. Wyndham-Lewis
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
Under the direction of H. Wynn Reeves
Featured review
Hitchcock's first film take on this tale...
...of a family that becomes entangled with a spy ring. Bob (Leslie Banks) and Jill Lawrence (Edna Best), along with teen daughter Betty (Nova Pilbeam), vacations in the Swiss Alps where they learn of an assassination plot masterminded by the bizarre Abbott (Peter Lorre). The gang kidnaps Betty to ensure the silence of the Lawrences until the assassination, set to take place in London at the Royal Albert Hall, but Bob and Jill try to rescue their daughter first. Also featuring Hugh Wakefield, Frank Vosper, Cicely Oates, and Pierre Fresnay.
I like this more every time I see it. Peter Lorre, in his English-language debut, makes for one of Hitchcock's most entertaining villains. It's remarkable that Lorre delivered his lines phonetically, not yet being proficient in English. I also liked Cicely Oates as Lorre's coldly efficient "nurse". The film's finale, a protracted shoot-out between the gang and the police, is well done, shockingly violent for the time, and full of little visual gags.
There's also a harrowing trip to the dentist, the big Albert Hall concert scene, a quick turn by French star Pierre Fresnay as Lawrence family friend, and a dachshund. This film is inevitably compared to the 1956 remake, and I've always liked this original take more.
I like this more every time I see it. Peter Lorre, in his English-language debut, makes for one of Hitchcock's most entertaining villains. It's remarkable that Lorre delivered his lines phonetically, not yet being proficient in English. I also liked Cicely Oates as Lorre's coldly efficient "nurse". The film's finale, a protracted shoot-out between the gang and the police, is well done, shockingly violent for the time, and full of little visual gags.
There's also a harrowing trip to the dentist, the big Albert Hall concert scene, a quick turn by French star Pierre Fresnay as Lawrence family friend, and a dachshund. This film is inevitably compared to the 1956 remake, and I've always liked this original take more.
helpful•131
- AlsExGal
- Jan 28, 2023
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Covek koji je suvise znao
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £40,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $149
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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