It is a sunny autumn day in Vermont and Harry Worp is lying dead in a particularly scenic spot. His body is first found by young Arnie Rogers who runs of to get his mother, Jennifer Rogers. Meanwhile the body is found for a second time; this time by Captain Wiles. He was out rabbit hunting and worries that he'd killed Harry with a stray shot. While he is wondering what to do Arnie returns with his mother and it becomes clear that Harry was her estranged husband and she doesn't seem too upset that he is dead! It later emerges that she too thinks she killed him as she'd hit him over the head with a bottle
if that isn't enough suspects another woman thinks she may have killed Harry as well! Local artist Sam Marlowe also gets involved as he helps the Captain bury the body (several times) and falls in love with Jennifer. While these four are trying to hide Harry the local deputy sheriff has heard about the body and is determined to find out what is going on.
This is a rather strange movie; it is a gentle comedy, a mystery and a romance added to that it is directed by Alfred Hitchcock. That isn't to say it is bad; the mystery is fun even if its real purpose is to bring Sam and Jennifer together and provide a series of laughs as the four protagonists deal with the body and try to keep the deputy from finding out what is going on. This film is most notable for being Shirley MacLaine's film debut; she is a delight as Jennifer even if she is a little young for a twice widowed woman with a child; although I didn't really think about this till after it had finished. The rest of the cast do a decent job in what is a fairly light film. When we learn the truth about Harry's death it provides a satisfying explanation and fits the comic tone of the film. Overall I'd say that this may not be a classic but it is worth watching, especially if you are a fan of Hitchcock or Shirley MacLaine.
This is a rather strange movie; it is a gentle comedy, a mystery and a romance added to that it is directed by Alfred Hitchcock. That isn't to say it is bad; the mystery is fun even if its real purpose is to bring Sam and Jennifer together and provide a series of laughs as the four protagonists deal with the body and try to keep the deputy from finding out what is going on. This film is most notable for being Shirley MacLaine's film debut; she is a delight as Jennifer even if she is a little young for a twice widowed woman with a child; although I didn't really think about this till after it had finished. The rest of the cast do a decent job in what is a fairly light film. When we learn the truth about Harry's death it provides a satisfying explanation and fits the comic tone of the film. Overall I'd say that this may not be a classic but it is worth watching, especially if you are a fan of Hitchcock or Shirley MacLaine.