This movie is a solid Hitchcock thriller, without going above and beyond. It feels very similar to Hitchcock’s other early work, specifically The 39 Steps and Secret Agent, but done a bit better here. Peter Lorre steals the show as always but there’s a good, thrilling narrative to hold up this film as well.
Closest comparison: It’s like The Lady Vanishes by way of The 39 Steps.
Setting: Espionage
Plot: Detective
Tone: Noir
This movie is not quite funny enough to justify the detour, but if it’s your brand of comedy of course you’ll get more mileage for your money. The story is darkly whimsical, the double infidelity subplot played for a laugh rather than impact, and all the backstabbing from the protagonist crew is more of a punchline than a plot point. Unfortunately, the film’s tone never seems to understand it’s a comedy.
Closest comparison: It’s like a cross between The Holiday and Treasure of the Sierra Madre.
Setting: Adventure
Plot: Crime
Tone: Comedy
This movie hits all the film noir staples, from the world-weary private eye hired by a dame at the end of her rope, to the twisting larger-than-life narrative. It stays very close to the source material, which portrays its protagonist as if Dashiell Hammett had Humphrey Bogart in mind. Its characters are complex and subtle, so casual viewers will be easily lost, but a more attentive audience will be rewarded with an intricate web of lies and deceit. There’s no substitute for the golden dialogue delivery and pre-war era style that easily cements itself as a time-tested classic.
Closest comparison: It’s like a less sleazy Chinatown by way of The Big Sleep (1946).
Setting: Drama
Plot: Detective
Tone: Noir
Better than The 39 Steps, this movie at least has an interesting turn in the middle. Instead of plot contrivances it actually takes a meta-commentary on films with plot contrivances and bakes it into the plot. Peter Lorre is marvelous here, as always, and the cast has chemistry and is well-suited to their individual roles. Unfortunately the ending leaves quite a bit to be desired, opting for more of a ‘that’s all, folks’ wrap-up than a more satisfying ‘Hitchcockian’ twist. Still, it’s good film-making overall and a fun older movie.
Closest comparison: It’s a more interesting 39 Steps
Setting: WWI
Plot: Spy
Tone: Spy
