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
Vintage Hitchcock that is a little too stiff for it's own good
Whilst on holiday in Switzerland to compete in winter sports the Lawrence family inadvertently meet a spy who is killed in front of them. He passes information to them relating to an assassination but, before they can pass on the information their daughter is kidnapped for their silence. Back in London they decide to start looking for the kidnappers and prevent the assassination themselves.
Hitchcock's strength here is that an wholly unlikely plot which is full of holes is masked by a sense of wit and good feeling that covers the flaws. The whole thing falls down under scrutiny and as a thriller it doesn't really cut it as well as I'd hoped it certainly doesn't compare to The 39 Steps. However the film is very classy and very, very British.
I expect to American audiences nowadays that the very polite gentleman like approach of the film is very strange but it works quite well. The final shoot out lacks excitement simply because it is unrealistic in the extreme but it's still quite enjoyable and has it's moments. Lorre is good as the villain but lacks the smarmy qualities he brought to later films. Leslie Banks is very good as the solid British hero and Best is good as his sassy (if underused) wife. Wakefield has a good comedy role as Banks' side kick.
Overall the age of the film means it feels very stagy and very stiff but there's still much to enjoy with good settings, comedy and vintage Hitchcockian touches.
Hitchcock's strength here is that an wholly unlikely plot which is full of holes is masked by a sense of wit and good feeling that covers the flaws. The whole thing falls down under scrutiny and as a thriller it doesn't really cut it as well as I'd hoped it certainly doesn't compare to The 39 Steps. However the film is very classy and very, very British.
I expect to American audiences nowadays that the very polite gentleman like approach of the film is very strange but it works quite well. The final shoot out lacks excitement simply because it is unrealistic in the extreme but it's still quite enjoyable and has it's moments. Lorre is good as the villain but lacks the smarmy qualities he brought to later films. Leslie Banks is very good as the solid British hero and Best is good as his sassy (if underused) wife. Wakefield has a good comedy role as Banks' side kick.
Overall the age of the film means it feels very stagy and very stiff but there's still much to enjoy with good settings, comedy and vintage Hitchcockian touches.
helpful•3715
- bob the moo
- Jul 22, 2002
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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