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Posted on 01/31/2026 3:58:29 PM PST by Twotone
Sometimes momentum counts for more than we imagine in creative careers. James Stewart, Hitchcock's preferred leading man during much of this period, had started the decade with a series of westerns directed by Anthony Mann (Winchester '73, Bend of the River, The Naked Spur, The Far Country, The Man from Laramie) that have passed the test of time as genre classics. And nothing becomes an American legend more than playing legendary Americans like Glenn Miller (The Glenn Miller Story) and Charles Lindbergh (The Spirit of St. Louis).
But the secret weapon would turn out to be Stewart's leading lady in The Man Who Knew Too Much. Doris Day arrived in Hollywood as a band singer recruited for her voice and wholesome good looks, and made a string of films for Warner Bros. that made it look like she was coasting on these two attributes – nearly a decade of perky fluff punctuated by one notable dramatic role as a Klan member's wife in Storm Warning (1950). But her performance as Ruth Etting in Love Me or Leave Me proved what she was capable of – and provided Hitchcock with a gift he didn't anticipate.
You could argue that The Man Who Knew Too Much was the director coasting on his momentum – the only remake in his whole career, of a film he made in 1934, a highlight of his career in Britain and the beginning of a string of thrillers that would make his reputation and send him to Hollywood just as war descended on Britain: The 39 Steps (1935), Secret Agent and Sabotage (both 1936), Young and Innocent (1937) and The Lady Vanishes (1938).
(Excerpt) Read more at steynonline.com ...
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Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
Que sera sera...
Now do “Rebecca”
Cary Grant 4 films
James Stewart 4 films
Grace Kelly 3 films
Ingrid Bergman 3 films
Gregory Peck 2 films
Joseph Cotton 2 films
Farley Granger 2 films
John Forsythe 2 films
Tippi Hedren 2 films
Joan Fontaine 2 films
Madeleine Carroll 2 films
Nova Pilbeam 2 films
(I have no idea why that data is even in my head)
Thanks for always posting these!
‘The 39 Steps’ was one of the best movies ever made - IMHO.
That was a great article. Thanks for posting. :)
I grew up watching Alfred Hitchock’s TV show. But recently, I watched the old reruns and was stunned to see how anti-Christian he was. Saddens me to think where he might be today....
I shall always treasure the outspoken points Doris Day raised when she was featured in a blue outfit on Johnny Carson’s show.
Cary Grant / Eva Marie Saint - best looking Hitchcock movie couple
or
Jimmy Stewart / Kim Novak
or
Jimmy Stewart / Grace Kelly
Yes, quite pronounced points.
This was the movie where Doris Day became an animal rights advocate. She was shocked at the way the animals were treated in Morocco.
Hard to be a Christian in 20th century England.
You and I and Johnny certainly noticed. Points well taken.
I worked with someone who used to frequently say in meetings “I see your point” and then smile or wink. He would do this only to women.
He couldn’t get away with that these days.
Twelve years ago, I interviewed Tippi Hedren then, a week later, chatted with her at a party. I know better than to talk shop with these celebrity level talents, but she LOVES to talk about Hitchcock. Was a treat to be exposed to such history. She was so lovely, too.
LOL. :-)
And well made too.
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