Fresh and Exciting

Awesome Movie

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This is not so much a review as it is a comment. But since we no longer have message boards, I guess I'll make it here.I have read a variety of reviews and synopses of this movie, including every one on this website, but nobody ever mentions the fact that Fred and Emily are going to have a baby. Perhaps no one thinks that is important, but to me, that is the ultimate absurdity of their marriage.While Fred and Emily are on the Chinese junk, a woman has a baby. From the way they look at each other, there seems to be the suggestion that Fred and Emily are inspired to have a baby themselves, now that they are reconciled. Back home, Fred wonders whether they can get a "pram" (baby carriage) up the stairs, and Emily responds that they are going to have to get a bigger place anyway, presumably because they will need an extra bedroom.But I could not help wondering, "Whose baby is it?" The movie is not explicit about how far these two went with their philandering, although one gets the sense that Fred and the "princess" went all the way, while Emily and Gordon never went beyond kissing. But with these old movies, so much is left to the imagination that it is hard to tell.Then again, even if we assume that Emily and Gordon did not have sex, I can't help but wonder how long it will take Fred to start wondering whose baby it is.And in any event, if Fred gets so irritated with their cat, what is he going to be like when the squalling baby arrives?Are we really supposed to regard this as a happy ending?

If you love Sir Alfred Hitchcock's films, you might be surprised by this unusual film. There is no gore or mystery but its rich and strange in other ways. This film is about an attractive British couple in London, England who inherit some money from a relative. They board a ship and travel to the Far East. Aboard the ship, they meet a delightful funny spinster played by Elsie Randolph. Aboard ship is a German princess who is not what appears to be. The cast is first rate with mostly actors from the theater. Hitchcock was smart to cast experienced actors for his films in England. This film is more like an early romantic comedy and coming from Hitchcock that's strange indeed.

Rich & Strange, part of my 5 disc The Hitchcock Collection box-set is essentially a World whistle-stop Tour, taken by 1930's 'Society' and which could only be beyond the wildest dreams of your average, everyday working couple.So, when the Hill's - Fred & Emily (I think he's a clerk) get a letter conveniently announcing that their inheritance is being unlocked early, so they can enjoy life now, and the next moment they're soon eyeing up the Eiffel Tower. This would have been wondrous escapism and extremely fashionable fodder for cinema audiences of the day and Hitch gets to some quite exotic locations and generally makes good use of them. Some of ship scenes aboard look very set-like, though.He adds some stylistic touches that echo his playfulness - seasickness is superbly portrayed, with items on the rich food menu floating off the printed sheet in wavy lines, echoing the nausea that poor Fred is suffering.Things get more heated and exotic once the Far East is reached, as friendships are made and dalliances with fellow cruise members start putting a strain on their relationship. It doesn't really matter who these others are and all that, it's all far too fluffy and forgettable to matter but it's a quiet joy, as long as it's taken for what it is - and no more.The look and style is very early 30's but strangely, the transfer quality is good to very good, with the odd flicker and blemish and is much better than the later 'Secret Agent' in that box-set of mine. It's of the quality where you only see the blemishes once you've been watching for a while, rather than the other way round.

This is a very interesting movie to watch. Almost a mix between a silent film and a talkie, there is very little talking in it with a lot of usage of titles to let us know what is going on. The first few minutes features no talking at all. A fascinating glimpse into the 30s though and an earlier film age/time. The "young" couple - married 8 years and apparently he is bored - have the opportunity to enjoy life/spend some money/go on a cruise when a wealthy uncle gives them so money to enjoy now instead of waiting till he is dead. Nice uncle! They go on a trip and eventually a cruise. Loved the cruising scenes including the pool. I have been cruising and the pools are much more crowded now it appears! She seems to meet her soul mate and have a largely platonic affair while he is quickly seduced by a "Princess" who turns out to be something less. Fun to see the scenes with the street vending. The makeup on the lead character is off putting, but it was a fun movie to watch.