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Can you name this film?

posted 8 years ago by bim-96885
11 replies | jump to latest

I can't remember the name of this film and it's driving me mad! Can any body help because I'd love to see it again.
I'ts a real b/ w Classic in the early Hitchcock vein and is about an ordinary American middle class family whose daughter is murdered. Her sister assists the detective in finding the perpetrator. The sister wears glasses and some of the late scenes are reflected in these.
All I can remember apart from this is that the final scenes take place in a fairground on some sort of island. The daughter, I think goes to meet the perpetrator in a sort of arranged 'sting'.
I'd say it's date is early 1950's from what I can recall about the decor and fashions ( the men for instance wear trilby hats and roomy loose suits. Is it Hichcock?

[–] sfmonkeyboy 8 years ago

It's possible you are thinking of the Hitchcock movie "Strangers On A Train"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044079/?ref_=nv_sr_1

SPOILERS AHEAD SPOILERS AHEAD SPOILERS AHEAD

There is a murder on an island in the middle of a fair, and the murder is reflected in the dead woman’s glasses. The killer, Bruno, kills the wife of Guy, a man he met on a train. Bruno came up with the idea of exchanging murders since they both had someone in their respective lives they’d like gone. Guy is trying to divorce his wife, but she’s pregnant by her lover, so refuses to divorce Guy so she can pass the baby off as his when her lover refuses to take responsibility. Guy has been dating another woman, and it is her sister who wears glasses, and she is noticed by the Bruno while he is demonstrating at a cocktail party on how easy it is to strangle a woman. The resemblance to the murdered wife in her glasses and the sister in her glasses makes Bruno sort of black out. The climax of the movie takes place back at the fair with the murderer and the ‘good guy’ fighting it out on a merry-go-round that is spinning out of control.

 There's a fine line between whimsical and annoying.

[–] bim-96885 8 years ago

Thanks sfmonkeyboy but it's not Strangers on a Train. That involves two men who meet on a train and agree to each commit a murder on the others' behalf. That is Hitchcock. The period it right but I know that film well enough to say it's definitely not the film I'm searching for. Thanks anyway!

[–] jonathan_k80 8 years ago

Possibly Shadow of a Doubt (1943)... ??
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036342/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_35

[–] bim-96885 8 years ago

No but excellent suggestion because I thought it might be that. Increasingly, I don't think the film I'm searching for is a Hitchcock. Definitely has the same sort of ambience as Shadow of a Doubt though. Thanks!

[–] jonathan_k80 8 years ago

You're welcome. I hope you find the movie.

God bless.

[–] Milk_Tray_Guy 8 years ago

This is driving me mad! I know exactly the film that you are talking about and I cannot think of the title or who the male lead is! 

All for a box of chocolates...

[–] bim-96885 8 years ago

I know- drives you crazy doesn't it? I can see it in my mind's eye but can't think of the names of the two main characters!Someone out there must know this film! Thanks anyway.

[–] Milk_Tray_Guy 8 years ago

I seem to remember at some point during the climax the girl's glasses get broken by the killer.

All for a box of chocolates...