The Trouble with Harry (1955)

Even more than a brilliant director, I think that Alfred Hitchcock was a truly fascinating individual! Just the idea of making an unconventional and anti-commercial black comedy amidst a series of immensely popular and polished thrillers displays a lot of courage, stubbornness and willpower. The decision to make "The Trouble with Harry" in 1955 was possibly even more risky and unexpected than single-handedly giving birth to modern horror with "Psycho" in 1960. It shouldn't come too much of a surprise, however, that Hitch's experiment flopped at the box office due to audiences (especially the American ones) not being ready for the pitch-black and progressive type of humor of the script. Heck, even today a lot of people are still too prudish and too easily offended by good cynical & oppressed humor! Especially the first half of "The Trouble with Harry" is refreshing and very funny, with a creative premise, a light-headed atmosphere, common but amiable lead characters and subtle but hilarious dialogues. My personal favorite is definitely: "I didn't know you had such a beautiful mother". "Really? Then wait until you see my slingshot". This piece of conversation between aspiring artist Sam Marlowe and 8-year-old brat Arnie perhaps doesn't relate to the plot, but it magnificently illustrates the wittiness of the script and simplicity of the protagonists. The greatest comical triumph of the film, though, is how Hitchcock & Co create total detachment towards a sensitive taboo subject like death. These people deal with the dead body of a fellow human being like it's a coffee stain on a shirt or a crushed insect on the windshield! This certain Harry may be lying dead in a meadow, but he certainly isn't worth panicking over; - not even if they might be partially responsible for his condition or when the number of witnesses keeps increasing. When the element of surprise has somewhat vanished, "The Trouble with Harry" admittedly becomes rather tedious and repetitive. The entire second half, including the finale, are disappointing, but there's still always plenty to enjoy, like the fantastic score by Bernard Herrmann or the magnificent filming locations. Vermont, the Green Mountain State, is truly the most beautiful garden of America!

Recommended by a friend with kids, I'd actually never seen this Hitchcock film and had been thinking maybe we should check some of his stuff out.As others indicate, this is not a typical Hitchcock film, more in tune with his TV show if you've ever seen that. Anyways my kids (14 years old) enjoyed this film, they do have a sense of humor somewhere between mordant and morbid so bear that in mind. They enjoyed the comedy here and the cleverness to the story.The film has a strong stagey feel, and some of the concocted dialog that I connect with older films, and I think my boys liked just fine. As a product of the 50's the film although fatal in some ways, never feels dangerous. So the odd humor is not really all that jarring (Shirley MacLaine's hyper-quirky character was the most jarring, and yet in an endearing manner.) Edmund Gwenn as the captain feels very much like a cartoon character composite, though he predates almost all that my boys have seen.Sex and death have long been constants in the universe, in this film they are handled rather tidily. As for teens, and maybe many viewers, there's something about being in on a secret with the characters on screen that in particular really resonates with some (one of my boys in particular.) I'd extend the recommendation made to me to you, based upon the above. As a bonus, it is the first time that Hitchcock worked with Bernard Herrmann.

In the woods outside a small town in Vermont, several people, in turn, stumble across a dead body, that of Harry. Captain Wiles is convinced that he shot him accidentally while hunting, and tries to hide the body. Things quickly get rather complicated...Directed by Alfred Hitchcock but quite unlike any Hitchcock movie you'll see, in many ways. Even before the movie begins you can tell this does not fit in with his usual movies - the cast gives it away. No James Stewart, no Cary Grant, no big-name stars. Then the movie starts and instead of the usual Hitchcock thriller tone of dark, foreboding colours, even black and white, we have the beautiful scenery of Vermont, in glorious bright colours!Turns out this isn't a thriller, this is a comedy, though not a good one. More Carry On than Woody Allen, this is basically a farce: one event sets a series of reactions and related events in motion. Unforeseen events then occur and/or new information comes to light, and the participants then do something even more ludicrous to cover up their previous actions. Rinse and repeat for over 90 minutes. Very silly at times, and beneath Hitchcock's standards and dignity. One thing that prevents this from being a total waste of time is the dialogue, on occasion. Too wordy, generally, feeling like a play, but there are some very good passages of dialogue sprinkled through the movie.About the only other positive is Shirley MacLaine, in her cinematic debut. She lights up the screen and gives easily the most convincing performance of the movie.On that note, another Hitchcock signature trait that bit the dust in this movie - no blonde lead actress. He really was just phoning it in.

Captain Wiles (Edmund Gwenn) is out shooting rabbits and finds a well dressed Harry Worp shot dead. He figures that he accidentally killed her and tries to hide the body. Harry's estranged wife Jennifer Rogers (Shirley MacLaine) is brought to the body by her son Arnie and she's glad he's dead. She thinks that she killed Harry as well as spinster Ivy Gravely (Mildred Natwick). Artist Sam Marlowe comes along and tries to help Captain Wiles and the others as they try to hide the situation from Deputy Sheriff Calvin Wiggs (Royal Dano).It's a black comedy from Hitchcock except I found none of it that funny. The situations are quirky but the characters aren't particularly comical. The start is rather boring with the constant stream of odd characters. It seems to be trying way too hard especially with the guy reading the book or the tramp who takes the shoes. It's bad slapstick or bad something. The story gets even more boring with all the talking. My eyes glazed over and I don't recall half of Jennifer's story. None of the characters truly interested me. The multiple burials and reburials are almost funny. That's the best I can say about the movie.