Rich and Strange Movie Review

Rich and Strange is an early Hitchcock film that's widely available, but rarely discussed. It's a comedy and just what the title says it is. Joan Barry (1902–89) had previously dubbed the voice for Anny Ondra in 1929's Blackmail. She has very little onscreen chemistry with actor Henry Kendall (1892–1967), who was reportedly gay. Except for The Lodger, Blackmail, and Murder, Hitchcock's pre-1934 films are a mixed bag; he had yet to be typed as a master of the macabre. As in the 1941 screwball comedy Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Hitchcock added darkly humorous touches here and there to Rich and Strange that carry his unique signature. If you don't demand that your spine be tingled by this one, you'll have fun with it. AKA: East of Shanghai.

1932 92m/B GB Henry Kendall, Joan Barry, Betty Amann, Percy Marmont, Elsie Randolph; D: Alfred Hitchcock; W: Alfred Hitchcock, Alma Reville; C: Jack Cox, Charles Martin. VHS, LV