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Stage Fright (1950)

 -  Thriller  -  15 April 1950 (USA)
7.0
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Ratings: 7.0/10 from 6,611 users  
Reviews: 81 user | 33 critic

A struggling actress tries to help a friend prove his innocence when he's accused of murdering the husband of a high society entertainer.

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(screen play), (adaptation), 3 more credits »
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Title: Stage Fright (1950)

Stage Fright (1950) on IMDb 7/10

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2 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
...
...
...
...
Commodore Gill (as Alistair Sim)
...
Mrs. Gill
Kay Walsh ...
Nellie Goode
Miles Malleson ...
Mr. Fortesque (as Miles Mallison)
Hector MacGregor ...
Freddie Williams
Joyce Grenfell ...
'Lovely Ducks'
...
Inspector Byard (as Andre Morell)
...
Chubby Bannister
Ballard Berkeley ...
Sergeant Mellish
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Storyline

Jonathan Cooper is wanted by the police who suspect him of killing his lover's husband. His friend Eve Gill offers to hide him and Jonathan explains to her that his lover, actress Charlotte Inwood is the real murderer. Eve decides to investigate for herself, but when she meets the detective in charge of the case, she starts to fall in love. Written by Col Needham <col@imdb.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

police | actress | friend | love | maid | See more »

Taglines:

Every time I'm beginning to think what color your eyes are, you disappear! See more »

Genres:

Thriller

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

15 April 1950 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Desesperación  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The scenes where Jane Wyman first enters Marlene Dietrich's home undercover she introduces her self as Doris Tynsdale, but Dietrich refers to her first as Phyliss, then Elsie, then Doris, then lastly Mavis. It was classic dialogue play for Hitchcock. See more »

Goofs

When Charlotte's maid is talking about the murder at the pub, her hands change positions between shots. First being held at her side to her right hand scratching the back of her head. See more »

Quotes

Charlotte Inwood: He was an abominable man. Why do women marry abominable men?
See more »

Connections

Featured in Hitchcock and Dial M (2004) See more »

Soundtracks

"In Grandma's Day"
(1917) (uncredited)
Music by Dave Stamper
Lyrics by Gene Buck
Sung by a chorus after Charlotte exits the stage
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Frightfully good!
17 May 2009 | by (South Wales, UK) – See all my reviews

This superb film incredibly contains Marlene Dietrich and Alistair Sim among its great cast, in a blend of Hitchcock thrills and chills, humour and even musical interludes. It is mostly overlooked due to it's original 'failure' with fans and critics caused mainly by misguided hatred of a plot device used in the film. Also people fail to cope with the very different moods the film moves between. From whimsical British comedy to chilling psychological drama. It may not be one of Hitchcock's perfect 10/10 best but is easily 9 1/2 out of 10.

Hitchcock did something in the film, as he did in his classic Sabotage, which upset filmgoers and critics because it was 'not the done thing'. I wouldn't wish to spoil the film for a 1st time viewer by saying what this was but it is mentioned in the spoilers section of trivia on this films IMDb homepage. It is a mistake, I feel to overlook this film, especially due to this 'unconventional plot device'.

I find the 'unconventional plot device' in Sabotage one of a great many highlights of the film and it lifts it beyond what it would have been with the predictable/conventional resolution of that scene. The same is true in Stage Fright. Filmgoers who cannot cope with being confused by clever directorial choices are people I pity. The surprising, unusual aspects of this plot are terrific and Hitchcock was entirely correct in his choices which hugely add to the impact of the film.

Apart from all that Stage Fright is simply thoroughly entertaining. It is very very funny with Alistair Sim as brilliant and hilarious as ever in a great role for him as well as an entirely satisfying cast. Marlene Dietrich is superbly cold in a wonderful, striking addition to her acting career and sings a classic Dietrich style song. The twists from humour to chilling suspense make terrific enthralling moments.

A highly unusual and near perfectly executed film.


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