“The Man Who Knew Too Much”(1934) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Peter Lorre / Z-View

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Screenplay: Charles Bennett, D. B. Wyndham-Lewis, Edwin Greenwood (scenario), A. R. Rawlinson (scenario)

Stars: Leslie Banks, Edna Best, Peter Lorre and Nova Pilbeam.

Tagline: Public Enemy No. 1 of all the world…

The Plot…

Bob (Banks), Jill (Best) and their daughter, Betty (Pilbeam) are on vacation in Switzerland.  One evening, a man that they recently met is shot.  As the man is dying he tells Jill where he’s hidden information about a terrorist group.  She is to get the note to the British consulate.

The criminals kidnap Betty when they learn that Bob and Jill have information about their planned political assassination.  It will be up to Bob and Jill to get Betty back and foil the assassination.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Peter Lorre was still learning English when Hitchcock cast him.  Lorre had to learn his part phonetically.

The film is in public domain so beware of bad copies.

Alfred Hitchcock has a cameo crossing the street from right to left in a black trenchcoat before Bob and Clive enter the chapel.

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) rates 3 of 5 stars.