Free Friday Hitchcock Screenings: Foreign Correspondent (Hulu/Criterion)

Alfred Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent


This is Hitchcock's best "war" film (made about and during WWII--Notorious was released after the war) somehow balances humor, suspense and patriotism with an almost Lubitsch-like elegance and control.  Foreign Correspondent is closer in tone and overall effect to North by Northwest then that film's more direct antecedents Saboteur or The 39 Steps.  FC is a four star movie, yet for some reason doesn't get a lot of play and attention.  Maybe it's time, my fair citizens of Vertigo Falls, for a few weeks on this little "foreign" number from the Master.  And, it does feel foreign.  Perhaps part of the appeal of this film (and maybe the reason for the slight disconnect with American audiences) is it's independent/international feel.  I like to think of it Hitchcock's first British film made in America.


The film runs above, courtesy of Hulu.  If you have HuluPlus, you can watch this great film on the big screen and without interruption. The film's details are below (from and linked to hitchcockwiki.com).


Next Friday, another Hitchcock classic!


(NB For Netflix subscribers, Trouble with Harry, Vertigo and Frenzy are currently available for screening--add 'em to your cue of Hitchcock Presents, and most of his sound British films)

Cast and Crew

Directed by:
Alfred Hitchcock

Starring:
Joel McCrea - John Jones
George Sanders - Scott ffolliott
Laraine Day - Carol Fisher
Herbert Marshall - Stephen Fisher
Albert Bassermann - Van Meer
Robert Benchley - Stebbins
Edmund Gwenn - Rowley
Eduardo Ciannelli - Mr Krug
Harry Davenport - Mr Powers
Martin Kosleck - Tramp
Frances Carson - Mrs Sprague
Ian Wolfe - Stiles
Charles Wagenheim - Assassin
Eddie Conrad - Latvian
Charles Halton - Bradley
Barbara Pepper - Dorine
Emory Parnell - "Mohican" Captain
Roy Gordon - Mr Brood
Gertrude Hoffman - Mrs Benson
Marten Lamont - Captain
Barry Bernard - Steward

Produced by:
Walter Wanger

Written by:
Robert Benchley
Charles Bennett
Joan Harrison
Ben Hecht

Photographed by:
Rudolph Maté

Edited by:
Dorothy Spencer

Music by:
Alfred Newman

Costume Design by:
I Magnin