Number 17 (1932)

A gang of thieves gather at a safe house following a robbery, but a detective is on their trail.

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writers:

Joseph Jefferson Farjeon (as J. Jefferson Farjeon), Joseph Jefferson Farjeon (play) (as J. Jefferson Farjeon)

Stars:

Leon M. Lion, Anne Grey, John Stuart

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Leon M. Lion	...	Ben
Anne Grey	...	Nora Brant - the Girl
John Stuart	...	Barton - the Detective
Donald Calthrop	...	Brant - Nora's Escort
Barry Jones	...	Henry Doyle
Ann Casson	...	Rose Ackroyd
Henry Caine	...	Mr. Ackroyd
Garry Marsh	...	Sheldrake

Storyline

Detective Gilbert is searching for a necklace robbed by a gang of thieves. In the beginning, the gang is in a house in London, then they are running away from police. It will not be easy for the detective to recover the jewel.

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Plot Keywords:

based on play | based on novel | number in title | pretending to be deaf | detective | 

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1932 (UK)

Also Known As:

Number 17

Filming Locations:

Elstree, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British International Pictures (BIP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

66 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The locomotive involved in the chase was LNER (London North Eastern Railway) no. 2547, the "Doncaster", an A1 class locomotive built in 1924. It continued in service into 1963, by which time LNER had become part of British Railways and its number had been changed to 60048.

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Goofs

Barton is shot in his right wrist early in the film, and his wrist is bandaged. The bandage is visible for most of the movie, but when Barton jumps in the water to save Nora, we don't see the bandage any longer. Barton is able to pull Nora to safety with his right arm, and afterwards when he is talking to Doyle, we still don't see the bandage, and Barton puts his right hand in his pocket repeatedly, not showing any sign of injury.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ben: Oh! Oh, Gawd! Oh, Gawd! Oh, Gawd! Oh!
Fordyce/Barton: How do you feel? Now, where's that candle? Here, have some of this.

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Connections

Spoofed in A City of Shoulders and Noses

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Soundtracks

I Don't Need a Television
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Shalson
Lyrics by John Malvern

User Reviews

Hitch playing with atmosphere

One of Alfred Hitchcock's British earlies: "Number Seventeen" shows his experimentation in the area of suspense and atmosphere. The plot is shaky and frankly I didn't quite get it in the first time around but I enjoyed the fact that you never knew who anyone was, were they telling the truth?

The story involves a vacant house in which assorted characters meet up for various reasons and possibly nefarious purposes.

A jewel heist is at the core of the situation but that is just the Maguffin as it is hard to fathom why some of the characters have any good reason for being in the house.

it took me a second watching for all the information to sieve through and to come to some kind of understanding of the plot.

I loved some of the closing scenes, particularly the historic value of the English Channel crossing complete with train. Lots of amusement, I must say, at the miniature sets of trains and buses racing around. Hitch having fun with his toys comes to mind.

This is a short movie - just over an hour and packs a lot of punches. Anne Grey is stellar in her leading lady role, she retired not too long after, having failed to make it in Hollywood.

For those fans of the master, it is well worth watching, if only to see how he honed his craft.

6 out of 10