Strangers on a Train
- Director: Alfred Hitchcock
- Writer: Raymond Chandler; Czenzi Ormonde
- Producer: Alfred Hitchcock
CGiii Comment
Oooh the subtext.
Hitchcock injects much humour into this little gem.
And, he forgoes any subtlety with regards to the gay character - Bruno, camper than camp, is a very naughty boy.
It veers off into the surreal which makes it so compelling.
Bruno is a creep and Hitchcock paints him with unbridled artistry.
The film itself is a testament to tongue-in-cheek suspense. You can almost hear the director giggle behind the camera.
Simply superb.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Bruno Anthony thinks he has the perfect plot to rid himself of his hated father and when he meets tennis player Guy Haines on a train, he thinks he's found the partner he needs to pull it off. His plan is relatively simple. Two strangers each agree to kill someone the other person wants disposed of. For example, Guy could kill his father and he could get rid of Guy's wife Miriam, freeing him to marry Anne Morton, the beautiful daughter of a U.S. Senator. Guy dismisses it all out of hand but but Bruno goes ahead with his half of the 'bargain' and disposes of Miriam. When Guy balks, Bruno makes it quite clear that he will plant evidence to implicate Guy in her murder if he doesn't get rid of his father. Guy had also made some unfortunate statements about Miriam after she had refused him a divorce. It all leads the police to believe Guy is responsible for the murder, forcing him to deal with Bruno's mad ravings.
Cast & Characters
Farley Granger as Guy Haines;
Ruth Roman as Anne Morton;
Robert Walker as Bruno Anthony;
Leo G. Carroll as Sen. Morton;
Patricia Hitchcock as Barbara Morton;
Kasey Rogers as Miriam Joyce Haines;
Marion Lorne as Mrs. Anthony;
Jonathan Hale as Mr. Anthony;
Howard St. John as Police Capt. Turley;
John Brown as Prof. Collins;
Norma Varden as Mrs. Cunningham;
Robert Gist as Leslie Hennessy;
Joel Allen as Policeman;
Murray Alper as Boatman;
Monya Andre as Dowager