The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956 film)

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956 film) is a thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring James Stewart and Doris Day. The film is a remake of the 1934 film of the same name, also directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and features a score by Bernard Herrmann. The movie was produced by Paramount Pictures and Filwite Productions, with Herbert Coleman serving as the producer. The film's cinematography was handled by Robert Burks, who had previously worked with Alfred Hitchcock on films such as Rear Window and Vertigo.

● Plot

The film's plot follows Dr. Benjamin McKenna (played by James Stewart) and his wife Jo McKenna (played by Doris Day), who are on a vacation in Morocco with their son Hank McKenna (played by Christopher Olsen). While in Marrakech, they meet a Frenchman named Louis Bernard (played by Daniel Gélin), who is assassinated in front of them. Before he dies, Louis Bernard reveals to Dr. Benjamin McKenna that a plot to assassinate a foreign dignitary is underway, and that his son Hank McKenna has been kidnapped to prevent them from interfering. The McKennas then embark on a mission to rescue their son and thwart the assassination plot, which takes them to London and involves encounters with Ambrose Chappell (played by Alan Mowbray) and Mrs. Lucy Drayton (played by Brenda de Banzie). Along the way, they visit famous London landmarks such as Covent Garden and Albert Hall, and interact with characters like Inspector Buchanan (played by Ralph Truman) and Edna Finkel (played by Mogens Wieth).

● Production

The production of the film was handled by Paramount Pictures and Filwite Productions, with Alfred Hitchcock serving as the director and producer. The film's screenplay was written by Charles Bennett and D.B. Wyndham-Lewis, and features a score by Bernard Herrmann. The film was shot on location in Morocco and London, with Robert Burks handling the cinematography. The film's editing was handled by George Tomasini, who had previously worked with Alfred Hitchcock on films such as Rear Window and Psycho. The film's production design was handled by Hal Pereira and Henry Bumstead, who had previously worked on films such as The Ten Commandments and Vertigo.

● Cast

The film features a cast that includes James Stewart as Dr. Benjamin McKenna, Doris Day as Jo McKenna, Brenda de Banzie as Mrs. Lucy Drayton, and Bernard Miles as Mr. Edward Drayton. The film also features Christopher Olsen as Hank McKenna, Daniel Gélin as Louis Bernard, and Alan Mowbray as Ambrose Chappell. Other notable actors in the film include Ralph Truman as Inspector Buchanan, Mogens Wieth as Edna Finkel, and Reggie Nalder as Rien. The film's cast also includes Hilary Brooke as Jan Peterson, Richard Wattis as Assistant Manager, and Carolyn Jones as Cindy Fontaine.

● Release

The film was released in 1956 by Paramount Pictures, and premiered at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The film was a commercial success, and received positive reviews from critics such as Bosley Crowther of The New York Times and Charles Champlin of the Los Angeles Times. The film has since become a classic of the thriller genre, and is widely regarded as one of the best films of Alfred Hitchcock's career. The film has been restored and released on DVD and Blu-ray by Paramount Home Entertainment, and is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max.

● Reception

The film received positive reviews from critics upon its release, with many praising the film's direction, acting, and score. The film holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The film has also been nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)". The film has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, and is widely regarded as a classic of American cinema. The film has also been influenced by the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Graham Greene, and features references to Shakespeare's Hamlet and Macbeth.

● Themes_and_influences

The film explores several themes, including the consequences of interfering with fate, and the importance of family and loyalty. The film is also influenced by the works of Alfred Hitchcock's previous films, such as Rear Window and Vertigo, and features references to film noir and German Expressionism. The film's score by Bernard Herrmann is also notable for its use of jazz and classical music elements, and features a famous cue that has become synonymous with suspense and tension. The film has also been influenced by the Cold War and the Red Scare, and features references to espionage and counter-intelligence. The film's influence can be seen in the works of filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese and Brian De Palma, and continues to be studied and admired by film scholars and critics today. Category:1956 films