STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951) Movie Reaction - FIRST TIME WATCHING 

Alllllllll aboard! I definitely thought this movie took place exclusively on a train but it turns out most of it is not on a train. I really really enjoyed this film and some of the shots and set pieces were extremely good! Thanks for watching! Have a great day! :)

If you like close-quarter movies like "Rope" and "Rear Window", Hitchcock has another one, "Lifeboat".

I think this is the most underappreciated of Sir Alfred Hitchcock's films, even by Hitchcock enthusiasts. Thankfully it has seen a resurgence in popularity of late. Fun Fact: The stunt where the man crawled under the carousel was not done with trick photography. Sir Alfred Hitchcock claimed that this was the most dangerous stunt ever performed under his direction, and he would never allow it to be done again.

Hitchcock's daughter Patricia was also in "Psycho"! She was the other bookkeeper in Janet Leigh's office. In fact, she is in the very same shot in which her father appeared, with the shot beginning on him outside the office and continuing through the office to the other side where she's sitting.

For another train-bound Hitchcock thriller, try the original version of The Lady Vanishes with Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave (NOT the remake with Elliott Gould and Cybill Shepherd).

It’s a shame we didn’t get more movies with Robert Walker, who played Bruno. He was an interesting actor. He died of an overdose a couple of months after this film was released.

The best part of the tennis scene where people look to the left, then to the right, then back to the left, etc., is that one person *isn't*--smack dab in the center of the crowd is Bruno staring straight ahead...at Guy. Brilliant. This and Saboteur (not Sabotage--another of his movies) are my two favorite films from Hitch, but Shadow of a Doubt is up there, too. Thanks for paying your respects to the master!

Patricia Hitchcock was also Marion Crane's co-worker in "Psycho". "He was flirting with you. I guess he must have noticed my wedding ring."

Favorite shot: When they're outside Guy's home & Bruno is telling him about the murder, Bruno is behind the gate, like jail bars. Then the cop car rolls up and Guy jumps behind the gate, showing them "behind bars" together. Hitch is amazing!

FYI, Double Indemnity was not directed by Hitchcock. It was directed by Billy Wilder, another seminal director. Even so, it is another of the classic film noir genre and you would also probably really enjoy it.

Sometime in the 2000's I saw Farley Granger speak after a showing of "Strangers" at Film Forum in NYC. Afterwards I saw him close-up and, remarkably, with the exception of snowy white hair, he looked exactly the same as he did in 1951

If you want to see an alternative version of this movie watch "Throw Momma From the Train" from 1987.

I wish I could smash the Like button fifteen more times! It was an absolute joy watching this reaction, one of my faves! I feel like you really get your Hitchcock-as-master-of-suspense box checked with this movie, as well as some spectacular cinematography....and one of his best villains! Tragically, Robert Walker who played Bruno killed himself right after this movie! He's so perfect, what a loss to acting! Yes, Patricia Hitchcock is cool, she also played the other secretary in "Psycho", near the beginning of the movie.: As soon as the carnival scene began, you talked about how much you love black & white; this is EXACTLY the scene I would use to show it off! Everything you're saying about the black & white photography is so on the money, I'm LOVING everything you're saying. You are having the same reaction I did when I first saw this. I second guessed it also! You were not wrong to be "faked out". And I have no problem with Farley Granger in this movie (or "Rope")! GREAT REACTION! Thank you!

Shadow of a Doubt is also great.

Famed Hollywood producer David O. Selznick, who produced “Gone With The Wind,” among other films, moved in and stole Robert Walker’s wife Jennifer Jones. They had already had 2 kids. That led to Walkers mental breakdown. He spent most of his career playing nice guys, which he soon hated, so he must have had a field day finally playing this creepy character. I think it comes through how much he enjoyed it.

The shot of Bruno amongst the tennis onlookers is one of Hitchcock's wittiest visuals.

Farley Granger. Great actor. He lived a long live. Robert Walker had a horrible demise.

I loved seeing you really get into this. "Double Indemnity" isn't Hitchcock, but Billy Wilder and it's really damn good b&w noir. And there's a train too. Highly recommend.

Watch Night of the Hunter for gorgeous b&w cinematography.

Guy's wife Miriam was plyed by Kasey Rogers who played Darren's boss' wife on Bewitched.

Now you have to watch Throw Momma from a Train. It's a must after this.

You wondered about the "operator" during the phone call. At this time, long distance calls could not be dialed direct: you had to dial O for operator, and ask to be connected to a particular number in another city (we didn't have area codes yet either!). Operators had to be used for other special purposes too, like "collect" calls (the person receiving the call agrees to pay). Strangers on a Train is probably my #1 top Hitchcock movie (though Rear Window is not far behind). Because of many factors, but certainly in great part because of the unforgettable performance of Robert Walker as Bruno (he had played only ordinary guys before -- Hitchcock saw his capacity for a really unbalanced character like this). And Farley Granger as Guy too; his performance doesn't always get as much respect, but his soft, passive sort of aura is ideal for this character (similar to the one he played in Rope), who just lets Bruno talk on the train and nods politely, rather than shutting him down and moving somewhere else.

I think you overlooked one key Hitchcock shot. That is when he was playing tennis and everyone in the crowd was moving their head left to right, which made you laugh, except for Bruno - who was looking straight ahead and never moved. It’s the contrast that made that shot so great.

Patricia Hitchcock is Hitchcock’s only child with his wife Alma Reville. Pat acted in some of Hitchcock’s movie’s and Alfred Hitchcock Presents television episodes. She got married in the early fifties and was busy making granddaughters for Alfred and Alma. You have seen her in Psycho, she played the other secretary in the real estate office. If you want some really great Hitchcock movies try; Notorious 1946 Shadow of a Doubt 1944

I just realized I used to own one of those old tennis rackets, they weigh like three times as much as the modern ones. That is probably why they play slower.

You may like the Narrow Margin with Marie Winsor. Most of it takes place on a train.

I was hoping you would notice that the man who played the Senator was the same CIA “professor” in North by Northwest.”

His daughter played one of the bank employees in Psycho too

Co written by my favorite 30s 40s crime writer... Raymond Chandler.

Awesome to see you watching so many Hitch movies.

i love the ending . such a good movie

The instrument in Hitchcock's cameo was a double bass. Part of the duality motif.

Great film and I enjoyed watching your reactions. Check out Shadow of a Doubt - Hitchcock's favorite of his films. You don't hear about it as much as others, but it is brilliantly done!

Nice reaction and analysis. One of my favorite scenes is when Bruno visits Guy after he murders Marion. They are talking outside and both standing on opposite sides of a wrought iron fence as if they are on opposite sides of the law. When the police show up, Guy scampers through the gate and stands next to Bruno. Now we are looking at both of them "behind bars", as Guy realizes how implicated he would appear to be to the law. It's a film about pairs of people, getting mixed up with each other, "criss-cross". Guy and Bruno, Marion and Barbara, so of course, Hitchcock appears with his own double - the double bass - as he boards the train.

Pat Hitchcock, the director's daughter was a very useful supporting player in the role of Barbara ... she plays Marion's fellow secretary in the office at the start of Psycho, another nice little part. Did you realise that Bruno's mother was Samantha's Aunt Clara from Bewitched?

So glad you finally did this one! It's such a great suspense.. Now, I have to keep pushing you to watch "The Man Who Knew Too Much", 1950s version, he did it twice.. The 1930s version, not so much... The 1950s version had Jimi Stewart and Doris Day and had the same type of color as Vertigo.. Gotta catch that one!!

Barbara was played by Hitchcock's daughter Patricia

At 10:25, you said, "There is never a perfect murder; there is always something that goes wrong." You're right, of course, but your comment made me think of another great murder movie, Body Heat (1981), which if you haven't seen I highly recommend. Also, as you continue your Hitchcock series, I really hope you'll react to a couple of my favorites, The 39 Steps (1935) and Shadow of a Doubt (1943). Both are in B&W, beautifully conceived, shot, and edited. 😁

Hitchcock’s camera work is amazing.

Robert Walker’s daughter is a friend. Rope is amazing.

Pat Hitchcock also has a brief appearance with Marion Craine in the office scene in PSYCHO. ("He was flirting with you. I guess he didn't see my wedding ring.")

Written by Patricia Highsmith - a GREAT film. Bruno is the best - he cracks me up hard in this movie 😂. CRISS. CROSS!

I love your reactions! I remember seeing this movie a few years back. Seriously underrated. I love your take on the movie. Thanks for sharing!

You definitely picked one of the most inventive and entertaining Hitchcock's. Hitchcock would be delighted by your rapt attention and enthusiastic reaction as the film unfolded. Boat guy rocks!

OMG! Aunt Clara from Bewitched played the mother!!!

Thank you for watching this movie, great reaction. Keep up with your Hitchcock journey, there's more good films to see.

Shadow of a Doubt

A young person (relative to me) watching Hitchcock! You are kinda lucky. Think of all the Hitchcock gems you haven't seen.

Wow great reaction, great movie. I think you've covered now most all of Hitchcock's top tier films. The only one missing maybe is Shadow of a Doubt, which I think was Hitchcock's favorite. But reading from that list of movies you did, I think "Double Indemnity " would be a great next choice. Its not Hutchcock, but its a film noir thriller that will keep you in the edge of your seat.

my favourite Hitchcock film! these reactions are so good, you have a really good understanding of film & your commentary is always fun to hear

I Hitchcock had a bass which was often used in jazz music.

Bruno's hand half looked like a giant maggot when he was reaching for the lighter in the drain.

You have great intuition. One minute into the film you say jokingly about the two man "Aah, they're in love'. The handsome one of the two (brown shoes) was the lover of Anthony Perkins among other pretty young man.

Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt is one of my favorites.

I liked Strangers On a Train, thank you for commenting it. The three Hitchcock I love best are Dial M For Murder, Shadow Of a Doubt and Sabotage. You should also watch a Hitchcock like movie : Gaslight (George Cukor - 1944) starring Ingrid Bergman whom you saw in Casablanca, Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotten who played in two Hitchcock’s movies, Dame May Whitty, the lady who vanishes and introducing Angela Lansbury : great plot, great director, great actors ; you’ll enjoy it. By the way, Ingrid Bergman’s first Oscar which she really deserved !

Yes..Rebecca his first american flick, Lady vanishes from the 30s its half comedy half thriller, 39 steps, Man who knew too much, Marnie very weird one.

You would love the lighting in To Catch a Thief.

Those shoes are "spats", I think. And, sometimes operators had to join two lines.

"I hate Bruno!!" Bro........why do you think we never talk about him. We even sing together as a family that we don't talk about him.

If you like movies set in a single constrained location, consider The Lady Vanishes or Lifeboat for your next Hitchcock reaction video. Both are fabulous. Also, since you love B&W cinematography, check out Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter. It’s one of the most creative and beautiful black and white films ever made:

Now that we've gotten you into 50s movies we have to get you to watch 'No Way Out' from 1950, starring Sidney Poitier (in his first main role), Richard Widmark, Linda Darnell, and Stephen McNally - also starring Ruby Dee and her husband Ossie Davis in his first movie role (they'd met when on the stage together) though I think Ossie Davis went uncredited. Not to be confused with the 1980s movie of the same name, that has a completely different storyline. Or maybe you could d react to both and tell us what you think?

She was in Betwitched. Miram so is Guy’s mom.

GREATEST HITCHCOCK MOVIE IN MY HUMBLE OPINION

I'm certain Guy is an innocent so the watch edit is a way of creating their two different senses of time and at the very same time reveals an emotional complicity rather than s literal one

Some beautiful cinematography in this a many other Hitchcock movies. Fun fact you may not yet have heard. Hitchcock hand drew each shot setup in a storyboard and meticulously planned every scene. He is quoted as saying that once filming began he found it mundane and just kept the actors on track with his vision.

The amusement park is great. Bruno is a stalker.

Double Indemnity is not a Hitchcock film, but Its my Fav. movie all time, the best ever Film Noir movie IMHO.

It’s not a Hitchcock film, but Double Indemnity is another awesome black and white film.

It's refreshing to hear someone your age to explain why they appreciate B&W movies. You would probably like the genre film noir movies that were made exclusively in the 40s and 50s. You should look into the other Hitchcock movies that were made in that time period. You already did "Rebecca" but there's "Foreign Corresponant," "Suspiion," "Saboteur," "Shadow of a Doubt," "Lifeboat," Notorius," The Paradine Case," "Stage Fright," I Confess," and "The Wrong Man." Hitchcock films are like homemade chocolate chip cookies...you can't just have one. Of all the Hitchcock films the only one I really did not like was "Frenzy." It brought him back to the style of filmmaking he did during his silent film years and it seemed quite forced and not up to par to the style he did in the 40s, 50s and the 60s up to "Topaz." Looking forward to more Hitchcock reactions and more B&W movie reactions.

This movie inspired the modern comedy "Throw Mama from the Train" you should compare and contrast lol

In my mind Guy was never in on it from the very start. Did anyone else think Guy was in on it after he left the train? I'm trying to think of the indicators because when they checked their watch I suppose one could read it as them being in it together. However I always read that as an indicator that Guy on the train and Bruno murdering were happening at the same time (as would later be implied at the police station actually so I'm probably right about that). So what did indicate to me that Guy wasn't in on it? I believe it was the in-congruence of Bruno's face when they are parting to Guy's. Bruno's eyes are filled with eagerness and enthusiasm but Guy's smile, even the way he says, 'Sure Bruno,' is almost mockingly exaggerated. His expression is exaggerated like he's trying to seem nice to this strange man. He's humouring him. Sometimes it's not about a shot or a cut, sometimes it's just about the faces of the characters. Watch the scene again and watch their faces carefully. Another excellent reaction to an amazing Hitchcock film. But now I would suggest Throw Momma From the Train (1988). It's exactly the same story idea - and it acknowledges that instead of pretending to be something original - but a comedy. Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal (and Mama Fratelli).

"i dont think there's going to be a murder on a train in this movie" You're right. That would be Murder on the Orient Express :D

You have to wonder if Guy lied the whole time

Guy has a crazy laugh.

The most amusing thing about this movie is the tennis match involving Guy. The way people turn their heads right left right left & so on it is no wonder they don't suffer from a sore neck. My point is even back in those days why didn't people at a tennis game use peripheral vision as we do today. I just don't get it.

Farley Granger was effing HOT

Hitchcock wanted to use another blonde for Guy's love interest, but the studio forced Ruth Roman on him. Double Indemnity" is not a Hitchcock movie. Also, Hitchcock's daughter Pat had a small role in "Psycho."

I’d be interested to see your reaction to 1959’s Compulsion, similar to Rope in theme and subject matter, but different directorial vision.

I love it. I have the poster and my own DVD. HITCHCOCK at his best.

I dated a film major in Oregon.

If you liked the trading-murders for the perfect crime idea, check out season two of the British series Unforgotten. It's like Strangers on a Train to the fourth power.

I am not a music man, but I like listening to various kinds of music. Had to check that instrument in the cameo. Hitchcock is carrying a double bass aboard the train. Now, he never did anything without a reason, like using symbols of doubles. Double doors, double candles, double pictures, right man, wrong man, good, bad, black, white, opposite motives, dual personality. So a double bass should hint at the twosome?

Bruno didn't only kill Miriam, remember she told Guy that she was pregnant by someone else.

you're amazing😍 I'm going to watch all your reactions

Check out Robert Walker in “The Clock.” A world war 2 drama opposite Judy Garland

Yeah the shoes have nothing to do.

Excellent. Here's hoping you get more subscribers, you certainly deserve to

You should watch The Man Who Knew Too Much with James Stewart and Doris Day. Very exciting Hitchcock movie

Moving forward: 10 Cloverfield Lane. (2016). Very much Hitchcock inspired, single venue, excellent score by composer Bear McCreary. It also showcases one of John Goodman's better roles. I wouldn't call him underrated, but definitely underappreciated.

Throw Mama from the Train is a comedy based on this concept.

Hitch didn't direct Double Indemnity; Billy Wilder did. Nevertheless, I think you would love it. It's also in B&W. I applaud your taste in films. You like older movies so much, particularly in B&W. So many younger fans don't gravitate toward films made before 2000, especially those produced in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. But I generally prefer them. I hope you keep watching. Have you seen The Killing, directed by Stanley Kubrick?

If you want to see a gorgeous b&w movie, and one thet gives you the feels, look out for Paper Moon (1973) from Peter Bogdanovich

Upright bass

The. WHite party of the shoes may be a fashion accessory called spats. It a sign that the wearer is moneyed, and perhaps shallow and youthful.

Your t-shirt rocks.

Double indemnity isn't a Hitchcock, but it's fantastic.

Strangers on a Train is an earlier Hitchcock masterpiece. Great plot. Terrific performance by Robert Walker as Bruno. Interesting that he is gay. Subtle but gay. Another reason Hitch was ahead of his time. Great black and white cinematography by Robert Burk who worked with Hitchcock on his best color films to come. A classic.

Check out The Third Man. That’s a great, classic film.

SILENCIO BRUNO!

Definitely check out Thrown Momma From The Train after seeing this movie.