MovieChat Forums > Saboteur (1942) Discussion > Charles Tobin points to a book in the li...

Charles Tobin points to a book in the library, what was the book?

posted 19 years ago by bbbuck
14 replies | jump to latest

About 3/4 thru the movie, Charles Tobin points to a book in the library.
Actually 2 books are in the shot, one he specifically points at.
'The death of norman' 'the death of normandy' ?
What was the book?

tia.

Let me say, this was one funky movie. The dialogue was unbelievable. Dumbed down for 12 year olds? That being said, for some reason, I liked it. I guess like the 'austin powers' movies it's so dumb that somehow it grabs you.

The circus man explaining democracy, Charles Tobin explaining how power is beautiful.

Dorothy Parker? I would love to see the screenwriting breakdown.

[–] Masta_dee 19 years ago

The book he points to is called " Escape "

[–] dr_mayus 19 years ago

No Barry points to escape-Charles points to Death of a Nobody which either is referring to kane or everyone their group kills.

Narrator: I am Jack's raging bile duct.

[–] kpjf 19 years ago

Perhaps the death of his best friend, ie that Tobin meant his friend was worthless, nothing, or simply just the word 'death' in the title was referring to what might happen to Barry ?

[–] innocent_lil_devil_y2k 19 years ago

When Tobin refers to it he mentions how it could be a prophecy, hinting that the 'nobody' is Barry and that he will be killed eventually.

[–] leutishastills 18 years ago

It was "The Death of a Nobody" in reference to killing Barry Kane.

[–] zaraath 16 years ago

If John Eldredge (the butler -- I thought it was Hume Cronyn!) had killed Kane after sapping him instead of putting him in the storage room, they would have gotten away with it! Major plot hole there.

My great aunt had a copy of the painting that was hanging above Tobin's left shoulder in Mrs. Sutton's mansion. It always scared me, my brother and our cousins when we were kids because the eyes followed you.

[–] TerryThomasPhotos 16 years ago

It was so *DUMB* how Barry was wiggling his white thumb in front of a black book! Geez the only thing worse he could have done was grab a yardstick to point with.

Not very subtle!

I cringed when I watched it.

Terry Thomas
Character Actor
Atlanta, Georgia USA
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1669504/
www.TerryThomasPhotos.com

[–] !!!deleted!!! (3385874) 16 years ago

It wouldn't have been so dumb if he didn't continue doing it. If he just looked back, kinda pointed to the book, and left it alone, it would have been fine. How it was, he did it too long and made it easy to notice.

Audie Murphy, a badass war hero who proves his worth on the battlefield with his awesome badassery.

[–] 5thHobbit 16 years ago

I'm pretty sure he was pointing to it for the benefit of Pat (trying to tell her that they needed to escape), not for the benefit of the audience.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.

[–] cash_carstar 15 years ago

I'm pretty sure he was pointing to it for the benefit of Pat (trying to tell her that they needed to escape)

The purpose was to set up a lame gag. The bitch ain't that stupid. I think she was aware of the need to "Escape".

"That's what a gym teacher once told me."

[–] jsgilm 15 years ago

Well said. This movie certainly aint Hitchcock's best.

[–] rexshard93 15 years ago

I think Hitchcock put "Escape" also as an inside joke. Hitchcock was considered for directing a film based on the novel "Escape." But the project was given to somebody else for directing.

[–] jaysea2 14 years ago

I agree with 5thHobbit...I thought Barry was trying to get Pat to look at what he was pointing to with his thumb...the word "Escape". It wasn't a dumb thing for him to do. They were finally able to get out of the room when the door was opened and someone walked in talking about the caterers...or something like that.

[–] silver-surfer1 15 years ago

the hero pointed to a book named "Escape", while the villain pointed to a book named "The death of a nobody".

LOL Mr. Hitchcock, English humor...