Under-appreciated Hitchcock Classic!

Rating: Null/10 (16 January 2000)

The scene is World War II, and a man at an aircraft factory is mistakenly accused of killing his buddy in an act of sabotage. He must find the man who framed him in order to prove his innocence. This is the story behind one of Alfred Hitchcock's lesser known films, and certainly one of his better suspense thrillers. The story is really nothing unique to Hitchcock as it is the basic premise behind films like The Man Who Knew Too Much, North By Northwest, The 39 Steps, The Lady Vanishes, etc... It is, however, as with most of Hitch's film, the execution of the plot that makes the film so good. The acting is first-rate, and Bob Cummings probably gives his best performance. Norman Lloyd excels as the villain Frye, and Otto Krueger is magnificent as an evil traitor bent on ruining the framework of America so as to allow a Fascist regime to take over. Yes, the movie is very patriotic, and it does have some very sentimental dialogue, etc....but this film must be looked at in the context with which it was made. Beside having some very thrilling and climactic scenes, the best revolve around the good of people and the spirit of man to help his fellow man, as with the encounter with the blind man and with the traveling circus. Enjoy!