When a famous actress washes up on a beach after a stormy night, Robert Tisdall (Derrick De Marney) is the first on the scene. When two women see him running to find help, they assume he is the killer. The police flub the investigation, simply taking the women at their word. Robert is brought to trial for murder. Before the case can begin, he slips out of custody and towards his only hope of proving his innocence: A missing raincoat. Erica Burgoyne (Nova Pilbeam) becomes his unwilling assistant when he pays for her petrol.
Together, they crisscross England, their love for one another growing as they seek evidence of Robert’s innocence. Their quest and relationship are challenged at every turn by police pursuit. Will Robert find the justice he so desperately seeks, or will the Young and Innocent be tried for the crimes they didn’t commit?
It should be stated that the film’s final scenes see extensive use of blackface, and this may shock or offend modern viewers. As a window into history, Young and Innocent is valuable, as it shows many societal norms of the 1930s that are often swept under the rug. The cinematography is striking at nearly every point in the film, making at least some scenes from Young and Innocent required viewing for film classes. Clever use of projectors, models, camera speed, and other simple camera tricks set the stage for future action thrillers.
If you’re looking to fill out your classic film or Hitchcock collections, Young and Innocent is a solid choice: Of Hitchcock’s British films, Young and Innocent remains surprisingly popular, coming in at 7.6/10 on IMDB. Several restored—and at least one colorized—versions of the film can be found on Blu-Ray and DVD. Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Young and Innocent would fit best in classic film, thriller, and Hitchcock collections.
What type of college instructor could use this film?
Those teaching film history and filmmaking would be most interested in using this film.