The Man Who Knew Too Much (on DVD)

The Man Who Knew Too Much

[DVD Man]

Alfred Hitchcock originally made this film in 1934 with a British cast featuring Peter Lorre. In 1956 Hitchcock remade the movie with an American cast (James Stewart and Doris Day). This film won an Oscar for best music for the song “Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)”. This tune later became Doris Day’s signature song. When asked to compare the two movies, Hitchcock felt that the remake was more polished. In an interview, he said “the first version is the work of a talented amateur and the second was made by a professional.”

Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day play a married couple, Ben and Jo McKenna, who are vacationing in Morocco with their son when they become embroiled in an international assassination plot. Their son, Hank, is kidnapped and taken to London to keep the McKennas from talking to the authorities. Their only clue is words whispered to Ben by a dying man. He tells Ben that a foreign statesman is going to be assassinated in London and to tell the British authorities to try Ambrose Chapel. A mysterious man calls Ben and tells him not to talk to the police or Hank will be harmed. The McKennas elude the authorities and go to London to find their son.

Stewart and Day give strong performances as frantic parents. And Hitchcock shows why he is a master at building suspense.

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ]

Recommended by Donna G.
Virtual Services Department

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