Search - Alfred Hitchock: Jamaican Inn/Murder on DVD

Double Bill of Murder and Mayhem, Laughton and O'Hara...Earl

L. Shirley | fountain valley, ca United States | 06/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Jamaica Inn"(1939)...

The talent combined in this 1939 film is immense. Based on a novel by Daphne Du Maurier,Alfred Hitchcock skillfully directs an extraordinary cast, all turning in strong performances, that bring the characters depth and the story to life.Marueen O'Hara is amazing in her first feature role, showing us way back then what made her the great star she has been all these years. It also stars other great British actors Lelsie Banks,Emlyn Williams and Robert Newton. But it is the legendary Charles Laughton who you can't take your eyes off of in this thriller. The depth with which he portrays his multi-faceted character is simple awesome.

The story is set off a rugged coastline.A group of dangerous cut-throats are misguiding innocent vessels, causing them to crash into the rocky terrain,so they can loot all the cargo.When young and beautiful Mary(O'Hara)is on to them, she risks life and limb to try and stop them. She turns to the only one she can trust..Sir Humphrey Pengallan(Laughton)for help. But yikes!... has she even endangered herself further with this move? He may be the most deranged of all!

Where's Hitch?....Although he made an appearance in the one before this one("The Lady Vanishes"/1938) and the one after("Rebecca"/1940), he seems to have eluded us in this one!

"Murder"(1930)... is the story of one man's quest for justice.

He was the last hold out on the jury of a murder trial(of a beautiful woman of course), and was convinced to vote guilty. He is an esteemed actor, but realizes that this case was real life, has second thoughts about the woman's guilt and plays detective to try and prove her innocence, and find the real killer.Can he make his case in time or will the death penalty be be invoked? It's a thrilling game of beat the clock!

This early "talkie" stars Herbert Marshall and Norah Barring, and you will see even in this early stage of Hitch's illustrious career, his sense of style and his sense of humor mixed in with the mayhem.

Looking for Hitch: About an hour in, take a stroll with him past the scene of the crime.

Laserlight may not always be the most pristeen transfers. But considering the age of these films, they are decent and a fun view at this price for the Hitch enthusiast. Laserlight has several Hitchcock sets offered here at Amazon.

Rated separately..5 stars for "Jamaica Inn" 4 Stars for "Murder"


Get the popcorn ready and enjoy...Laurie"

Old but slill good

Desmond D Babbage | North Dandalup, West Australia Australia | 08/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I saw the film many moons ago I liked it then and still enjoy watching it today, for the era it was very well made it's a great pity its's not colour, Jamaica Inn is real and it is in the middle of the moor's I have had many a beer there it is not a hollywood set and the cornish coast is how it is, they had to realy act in those day's to get work and by the way the guy that drove the stage was the only guy the could find that could do this job I knew him well he wore thick horn rimmed glasses and was still blind as a bat,Ibought this dvd some time ago if you don't mind B/W GO FOR IT. Des; from downunder"