Sibling Cinema

This week, we are back to Hitchcock’s silent era for the first time in months, with the long-awaited 1927 thriller, The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog . It’s the story of a mysterious tenant at a family-run inn, who may or may not be an at-large serial killer. The film launched Alfred Hitchcock’s career. ***SPOILER ALERT*** We do talk about this movie in its entirety, so if you plan on watching...

We are taking a brief break from our Alfred Hitchcock series for our fourth Chaplin Checkpoint. We take a look at Charlie Chaplin's 1936 industrial comedy Modern Times. The tramp goes in and out of work and prison while falling in love and making ends meet during the Depression-era urban hustle and bustle.

Bonnie is out this week, but her daughter Juliana does an amazing job filling in for her. The subject is Saboteur , Alfred Hitchcock’s 1942 adventure spy movie. ***SPOILER ALERT*** We do talk about this movie in its entirety, so if you plan on watching it, we suggest you watch it before listening to our takes. Details: A Universal Picture released in England on December 9, 1934. Produced by Frank...

For this week’s episode we take a look at the 1934 version of The Man Who Knew Too Much , the story so nice that Hitchcock made it twice. The 1956 version with Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day is now better known, but this was one of the key early hits that established Hitchcock’s career. It’s a kidnapping thriller about a British family who gets accidently mixed up in some international intrigue while...

This week we talk about the 1953 priestly thriller, I Confess . This is the first movie in our Hitchcock series that Bonnie had seen before, at least in part. It’s the story of a priest who is suspected of a murder. He knows who the real killer, but the seal of the confessional prevents him from clearing his name. ***SPOILER ALERT*** We do talk about this movie in its entirety, so if you plan on w...

What better way to start off the new year than with a podcast? Join us this week as we discuss Alfred Hitchcock’s polarizing 1955 black comedy, The Trouble with Harry . Set in rural Vermont, an eclectic ensemble bonds over their dealings with a dead body that keeps popping up at the most inopportune times. Our hot takes with come at you when you least expect it, not unlike this film’s eponymous co...

Merry Christmas! Our stocking stuffer for you, our dear listeners, is this wildly entertaining podcast on Alfred Hitchcock's last film, Family Plot. And as an added bonus, we bring you an extra sibling! ***SPOILER ALERT*** We do talk about this movie in its entirety, so if you plan on watching it, we suggest you watch it before listening to our takes. Details: A Universal Picture released April 9,...

This week, we cover a relatively early Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Young and Innocent (also known by The Girl was Young. A young man finds himself accused of a crime he didn't commit, and in his efforts to clear his name, he finds an unlikely ally in the constable's daughter. ***SPOILER ALERT*** We do talk about this movie in its entirety, so if you plan on watching it, we suggest you watch it befo...

We're returning to Hitchcock this week with a murder mystery set amidst the London theatre world. From 1950, it's Stage Fright. An aspiring actress tries to clear her boyfriend's name by inserting herself into a highly publicized murder investigation. Check out this film and come hear our take on it. ***SPOILER ALERT*** We do talk about this movie in its entirety, so if you plan on watching it, we...

We have another Chaplin checkpoint this week. This time it's none other than City Lights, arguably Charlie Chaplin's masterpiece. Bonnie saw it for the first time! Come hear our takes on this magnificent film. Next week, we will continue with our Hitchcock countdown with 1950's Stage Fright.

This week we take a look Hitchcock's 1966 Cold War thriller, Torn Curtain , starring two of the biggest stars of the Sixties, Paul Newman and Julie Andrews. : A Universal Picture released 7/14/1966. Produced by Hitchcock. Screenplay by Brian Moore. Starring Julie Andrews, Paul Newman, Hansjorg Felmy, Lila Kedrova, Wolfgang Kieling, Ludwig Donath, Carolyn Conwell, Mort Mills, Tamara Toumanova, and...

This week we return to Hitchcock's very early sound era. In fact, our focus this episode is on the very first British talkie: Blackmail. It's a terrific little picture--I don't want to spoil it for you here. Go watch it and come back and listen to our take on this surprisingly topical, nearly-century-old picture. Details: A British International Picture released 7/28/1929. Produced by John Maxwell...

Secret Agent is a 1936 espionage thriller set during World War I. We did into this little-seen spy movie from Hitch's British era in this week's podcast. Details: A British International Picture released 5/11/1936. Produced by Michael Balcon and Ivor Montagu. Screenplay by Charles Bennett, Alma Reville, Ian Hay and Jesse Lasky Jr., based on a story by W. Somerset Maugham and a play by Campbell Dix...

This week we jump ahead to 1969, one of Alfred Hitchcock's last movies, Topaz. Based on the Leon Uris novel that itself is loosely based on events leading up to the Cuban Missile Crisis, the film features a French agent who tries to uncover Cold War developments in the US, Cuba, and France. Details: A Universal Picture released 12/19/1969. Produced and Directed by Hitchcock. Screenplay by Samuel T...

Jamaica Inn was Alfred Hitchcock's last British movie before going to Hollywood. It's a rare period piece and the first of three adaptations of a Daphne du Maurier book. Set in the wild moorish landscape of 19th Century Cornwall, Maureen O'Hara plays the young heroine with Charles Laughton chewing the scenery as the colorful magistrate. Details: Produced by Erich Pommer, released in 1939. Written...

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We head to court this week for Hitchcock’s 1947 courtroom drama, The Paradine Case . Gregory Peck leads the cast as a famed London lawyer who defends a notorious widow accused of poisoning her husband. Charles Laughton costars as a lascivious judge, and a very young Louis Jourdan appears as a French heartthrob who was valet for the victim. Details: A David O. Selznick/Vanguard Film. Released in 19...

For our second Chaplin Checkpoint, we dig into Charlie Chaplin's 1940 World War II satire, The Great Dictator. Chaplin has dual roles as a fascist dictator and a humble Jewish barber. Paulette Goddard and Jack Oakie costar.

This week we jump ahead to Under Capricorn , which practically feels modern after having spentabout14 weeks in the 20s and 30s. This 1949 period drama stars Joseph Cotton and Ingrid Bergman as a married couple in 19th Century Australia. An Irishman comes Down Under and begins unravelling the mysteries of their relationship. Details: A Transatlantic Picture, produced by Hitchcock and Sidney Bernste...

We’re nearing the end of Alfred Hitchcock’s early period. This week, we take a look at his third sound film, Murder! . The film involves a murder among a travelling acting troupe. One young actress is convicted, but a juror begins to have second thoughts and takes up his own investigation. Details: Produced by John Maxwell for British International Pictures in 1929. Screenplay by Alfred Hitchcock...

For the fourth consecutive week, we review an early silent film by Alfred Hitchcock. For those out there who are tiring of silent movies, don’t worry there’s only one left after this! The Ring is another love triangle as a sideshow boxer gets a big break, but at the expense of his relationship with his girlfriend. Details: Produced by John Maxwell for British International Pictures in 1929. Screen...

For our third straight silent Hitchcock film, we discuss The Manxman . This 1929 melodrama is the story of two childhood friends from the Isle of Man whose bond is pushed to the limits by their affections for the town barmaid. Details: Produced by John Maxwell for British International Pictures in 1929. Screenplay by Eliot Stannard based on the novel of the same name by Hall Caine. Starring Carl B...

We continue to plug our way through the lesser-known entries in Hitchcock’s filmography. Downhill was new to both of us. It’s the story of an idealistic young and wealthy college student who falls from grace after he takes the blame for the misdeeds of his friend. Details: Gainsborough-Emelka Pictures, 1927. Produced by Michael Balcon. Written by Eliot Stannard, based on the play by Ivor Novello a...

We turn our attention to Alfred Hitchcock’s first feature film, The Pleasure Garden . This movie follows two nightclub dancers whose careers and love lives take starkly different directions. There’s also a very wise dog. Details: Gainsborough-Emelka Pictures, 1925. Produced by Michael Balcon. Written by Eliot Stannard, based on the novel by Oliver Sandys. Starring Virginia Valli, Carmelita Geraght...

The subject of this week’s podcast is Rich and Strange . Emphasis on the strange—though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Also known as East of Shanghai , this follows a middle-class couple who get to travel the world in luxury, thanks to a sudden inheritance. But it turns out their journey takes them on test of their relationship. Bonnie and Dennis break down this early sound Hitchcock movie. D...