The Lady Vanishes

All aboard for one of Alfred Hitchcock's best and most entertaining films, a deft comic romantic thriller starring Margaret Lockwood as Iris, a spoiled socialite about to give up—albeit reluctantly—the party life for the sanctity and security of marriage ("I've no regrets. I've been everywhere and done everything. What is there left for me but marriage?"). Traveling by train, Iris befriends Miss Froy, a sweet, elderly governess (Dame May Whitty), who not only inexplicably disappears, but no one on board will even admit they ever saw her. Michael Redgrave costars as Gilbert, a rakishly charming musicologist who joins in the search. Although a little slow getting out of the station, The Lady Vanishes is full steam ahead when a sudden murder takes place nearly a half hour into the film. Rich with witty dialogue ("My father always taught me, never desert a lady in trouble," Gilbert states at one point. "He even carried that as far as marrying mother.") and colorful characters, this Lady is a champ, and the Criterion Collection does it justice with illuminating extras that include an audio commentary by film historian Bruce Eder, an audio excerpt from Francois Truffaut's priceless 1962 interview with Hitchcock concerning the making of the film, and—most delightful—the 1941 feature film Crook's Tour starring Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne reprising their scene-stealing characters from The Lady Vanishes: cricket-obsessed buddies Charters and Caldicott. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (D. Liebenson)[Blu-ray Review—Jan. 17, 2012—Criterion, 96 min., not rated, $39.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1938's The Lady Vanishes sports a great transfer and a mono soundtrack. Blu-ray extras are identical to the previous DVD release, including audio commentary featuring film historian Bruce Eder, the 1941 adventure film Crook's Tour with Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne reprising their characters from The Lady Vanishes (81 min.), a “Mystery Train” video essay by Hitchcock scholar Leonard Leff (34 min.), excerpts from Francois Truffaut's 1962 audio interview with Hitchcock (11 min.), a behind-the-scenes stills gallery, and a booklet featuring essays by critic Geoffrey O'Brien and Hitchcock scholar Charles Barr. Bottom line: an excellent Blu-ray debut for a Hitchcock classic.]