Rich and Strange (1931)

Thanks for the memories!

Sadly Over-hyped

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

An expectation cast by the later half of Hitchcock's oeuvre may not do justice to "Rich and Strange" (1931), but when seen in the context of Hitchcock's early sound films it really sticks out for the better. In fact, I would say it is the best of them. In addition to critical treatises on marriage, gender and sexuality, Hitchcock studies one of his favorite themes of a man who yearns for something different and thus practically invites chaos to his life which otherwise would be in perfect order. This perfect order of harmonious dimensions is portrayed in the opening dolly shot of the protagonist's dull office life. Then, however, we see that he doesn't quite fit this seeming order, revealing distress beneath, as he cannot open up his umbrella with the others. The story begins when he and his wife, bored with their mundane life, hear of an early inheritance which leads them to a trip round the world. Unlike in "The 39 Steps" (1935) or "Saboteur" (1942), here the abundance of settings doesn't equal exciting adventure, although quite a fast pace, but a fragmentary episode-like structure and a ground for the theme of alienation. These may be among the reasons why "Rich and Strange" was back in the day so poorly received, but, nonetheless, has later been commended by several critics (Truffaut, Spoto) as well as favored by the master himself. In the essence of the film's moral (which may be a word too puny for Hitchcock's level of mastery) is that the main couple yearn for excitement and adventure, but instead of enriching, life-enhancing experiences, go through severe disillusionment. This disillusionment, however, doesn't affect their life for better or worse. It remains the same. Donald Spoto has written that it is in these moments of disillusionment where lies the main point of the film: the acceptance for the extremes of life and death as they are. In comparison to "The Skin Game" (1931), which Hitchcock made just before this, "Rich and Strange" is much more original and cinematic. The same happened with "Murder!" (1930) which is far more superior than its theatrical predecessor "Juno and the Paycock" (1929). But what really makes "Rich and Strange" so special, and a fascinating part of Hitchcock's oeuvre, is its absurdity. This absurdity is not only gained from story nor humor but, above all, from their odd execution. The absurdity emerges from the film's unique, strange atmosphere. This atmosphere must be experienced to be understood and it is eternally guarded by the magical aura of the film given to it by early sound cinema.

Rich & Strange, part of my 5 disc The Hitchcock Collection box-set is essentially a World whistle-stop Tour, taken by 1930's 'Society' and which could only be beyond the wildest dreams of your average, everyday working couple.So, when the Hill's - Fred & Emily (I think he's a clerk) get a letter conveniently announcing that their inheritance is being unlocked early, so they can enjoy life now, and the next moment they're soon eyeing up the Eiffel Tower. This would have been wondrous escapism and extremely fashionable fodder for cinema audiences of the day and Hitch gets to some quite exotic locations and generally makes good use of them. Some of ship scenes aboard look very set-like, though.He adds some stylistic touches that echo his playfulness - seasickness is superbly portrayed, with items on the rich food menu floating off the printed sheet in wavy lines, echoing the nausea that poor Fred is suffering.Things get more heated and exotic once the Far East is reached, as friendships are made and dalliances with fellow cruise members start putting a strain on their relationship. It doesn't really matter who these others are and all that, it's all far too fluffy and forgettable to matter but it's a quiet joy, as long as it's taken for what it is - and no more.The look and style is very early 30's but strangely, the transfer quality is good to very good, with the odd flicker and blemish and is much better than the later 'Secret Agent' in that box-set of mine. It's of the quality where you only see the blemishes once you've been watching for a while, rather than the other way round.

Lots of little moments in RICH AND STRANGE (American title) assured me that Hitchcock was gradually developing the kind of touches that became his trademark later on. His opening scenes of London bustle aboard trains and buses on a rainy day is a foreshadow of things to come in FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT (with its sea of umbrellas on display).These opening sequences are very modern in concept, so it's a pity the rest of the film doesn't match it in true Hitchcock style.JOAN BARRY and HENRY KENDALL are a bored, restless married couple not content to stay by the fireside after he receives a letter from an uncle who is leaving him a great deal of money. They embark on a cruise to the Orient wherein both of them get involved in ill-fated love affairs. Hitchcock tries to provide comic touches, particular with an obnoxious female passenger clumsily trying to fit into shipboard events, but frankly this aspect of the film comes across as painfully unfunny.Not until the finale, do we get a real Hitchcock moment involving a seldom glimpsed black cat that becomes part of a macabre twist aboard a junk-boat of Chinese fishermen. It's a most unappetizing moment that must have been deliberately written into the script at Hitchcock's insistence on wry black humor.But all in all, this is a clunky exercise in early filmmaking combining a tedious romantic yarn with a few amusing moments about a couple whose marriage survives despite some unlikely circumstances that almost tear them apart. The special effects of a sinking boat gradually filling with water are especially well done for the time.Summing up: For serious Hitchcock completists only.

He was only 31 when he made this, another exercise in style and experimental and innovative in its approach to a marriage that is sinking into boredom and predictability.Highly enjoyable to this die-hard Hitchcock fan, it has a little of everything: humour, escape from the mundane, unexpected windfalls changing one's life and not necessarily for the better, extra marital affairs and little peeks at life as seen through the eyes of the protagonists.No big 2X4's but many subtleties such as the appealing discreet affair between Emily and the commander and the blatant in your face affair conducted by Fred, her husband, and the princess.Some dark bits as well, signalling Hitch's lasting fascination with the macabre, exemplified by the treatment of a pet cat.One amusing bit has some characters marching around the deck, the first all female and I do believe Hitch's cameo has him in the second all male appearance being hauled around by two athletic types.Hitch never disappoints me.6 out of 10.