The film has an incredible 14 writers which can be explained by the desire to keep up with current events during the. After making only two films in america, rebecca and foreign correspondent both 1940, alfred hitchcock became one of the most publicly recognized movie directors. Its sets, locations, and characters are truly amazing. Nominated for the academy award for best film editing on four occasions, she is remembered for editing three of director john fords best known movies, including stagecoach 1939 and my darling clementine 1946, which film critic roger ebert called fords. Chances are, if youre here, you are already aware of the film. Alfred hitchcocks foreign correspondent features a winning combination of international intrigue, comic. The european war was only beginning to erupt across national borders. The only other feature on foreign correspondent is a fairly substantial halfhour featurette called personal history.
So something to ask about when you borrow this film. At the peak of his career, his salary was exceeded only by that of louis b. Joel mccrea stars as an american journalist sent by his newspaper to. Foreign correspondent is a great film, and this is an american spy thriller film. Its claimed that almost 100 sets were built, ranging from a square in amsterdam needing a diversion of a river and a sewer system to provide the rainstorm. It tells the story of an american reporter who tries to expose enemy spies in britain who are involved in a fictional continentwide conspiracy in the prelude to world war ii. Foreign correspondent 1940 directed by alfred hitchcock. The film takes place from august 19 to september 5, 1939. Imposter and personal history is a 1940 american spy thriller film directed by alfred hitchcock. Foreign correspondent dvd the seattle public library. The film opens in the offices of a new york paper, the globe, where the editor, played by the fine character actor harry davenport, is trying to get a new angle on the possibility that war might break out momentarily. Rko commissioned a gallup poll in october, 1940 which asked a crosssection of the population to identify four directors and their movies. One of creatoralfredhitchcock alfred hitchcocks higher budget productions, foreign correspondent 1940 is the story of american reporter johnny jones, who is sent to investigate the rumblings of war in europe. Alma lucy reville, lady hitchcock 14 august 1899 6 july 1982, was an english screenwriter and editor, writer of many of alfred hitchcocks scripts, including shadow of a doubt, suspicion and the lady vanishes, as well as scripts for other directors, including henrik galeen, maurice elvey and berthold viertel.
All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the creative commons cc0 license. Not only does it have terrific set pieces an old dutch windmill a transatlantic clipper etc. Numerous screenplays were rejected because they lacked plot and. Johnny jones, an american crime reporter dispatched by his new york publisher to put a fresh spin on the drowsy dispatches emanating from overseas, has a nose for a good storywhich promptly. Popular upon its release and still considered one of the directors most entertaining works, the picture is undercut somewhat by its lackluster leads, joel mccrea and laraine day. Foreign correspondent is a 1940 american spy thriller film directed by alfred hitchcock. Ben hecht was hurriedly called in and wrote the tackedon final scene set at a london radio station.
Days before the start of ww2, a new york crime reporter is sen. Foreign correspondent, american spy film, released in 1940, that was a classic thriller directed by alfred hitchcock, his second hollywood production. Transatlantic travel of any kind in 1940 was in fact quite risky. Shooting started early in 1940 and was completed within three months with hitchcock bringing the film in under budget. Jones hears the hotel concierge call out van meers name and runs back. Foreign correspondent 1940 presenting hitchcock podcast. Edit to reception paragraph on article on hitchcocks foreign correspondent.
This featurette starts out by dealing with the genesis of the film, which started with a script based on a book by a correspondent in the spanish civil war. Then, after the huge success of psycho, constantin film released the film with a running time of ca. Fourteen different writers worked to transform the book into a movie, and obviously the book doesnt have joel mccrea in. Foreign correspondent rent movies and tv shows on dvd. Ironically, the film was reported to be a personal favorite of hermann goering. The 10 most difficult to spot cameos in the american films of.
Alfred hitchcocks foreign correspondent united artists 1940 when maddy loves her classic films invited me to join in on the alfred hitchcock blogathon, i jumped at the chance. Foreign correspondent 1940 the alfred hitchcock wiki. After alfred hitchcocks first american film, rebecca 1940, he turned to a war movie as his next project. A naive reporter mccrea is dispatched to europe on the eve of world war ii. The editor appoints him european correspondent because he is fed up with the dry, reports he currently gets. Ill celebrate the diamond anniversary of 1940 in film with a series of articles on the movies, actors, and directors that made 1940 such a great year for movie lovers. It was filmed on july 5, and the reallife bombing started on july 10, 1940. Mar 02, 2019 in this months episode of presenting hitchcock, cory and aaron find themselves early in hitchs studio career as they discuss foreign correspondent. It tells the story of an american reporter who tries to.
The movie milestones of this memorable year include director alfred hitchcocks american debut, comedy team laurel and hardys retirement, and the beginnings of film noir. A ship carrying british cinematographer osmond borradaile, who had photographed processscreen material in london and amsterdam for foreign correspondent, was sunk en route home to the u. Wanger had served in the air force on the italian front during world war i. Fourteen scriptwriters spent five years toiling over a movie adaptation of war correspondent vincent sheehans personal history before producer walter wanger brought the property to the screen as foreign correspondent. But, even in this film, he leaves the strong signature marks that identify virtually all of his later films. A reporter sent to europe to cover a peace conference falls in love with a diplomats daughter, but discovers that her father is the head of a nazi spy ring. With foreign correspondent and the long voyage home completed and awaiting release, walter wanger has decided to draw the curtain. Foreign correspondent is a classic film directed by the legendary alfred hitchcock. Foreign correspondent 1940 i think this is the best of the two alfred hitchcock directed films released in 1940 which is saying something given the fact that the other won the oscar. An 80foot windmill, a 10acre facsimile of amsterdam square used to stage a stunning rainsoaked assassination scene and an airship with a 120foot wingspan for a stillamazing seacrash sequence are some of the. Feb 18, 2014 transatlantic travel of any kind in 1940 was in fact quite risky.
On rebecca and foreign correspondent, hitchcocks 1940. Made in 1940, during hitchcocks early hollywood period, the plot. Cast and crew credits for foreign correspondent, 1940, directed by alfred hitchcock, with joel mccrea, laraine day, herbert marshall, at turner classic movies. Jan 10, 2019 producer walter wagner had purchased the rights to personal history, the memoirs of foreign correspondent vincent sheean, and planned to make an important and timely film about the crisis in europe, but he ran into endless problemsfrequently of his own makingalong the way.
Rent foreign correspondent 1940 starring joel mccrea and laraine day on dvd and bluray. Clearly something had to be added to his finished film before its. Regardless of director, its a suspenseful and very wellmade espionage thriller, one that holds up very well today despite a few dated elements. Its walltowall witty repartee, headspinning plot twists, and brilliantly mounted suspense set pieces, including an ocean plane crash climax with astonishing special effects. You cant help but admire a film that was on the right side of history, but foreign correspondent may play better now than it ever did because of the way its pure cinema techniques work today, a style tarantino and leone admirers will no doubt recognize and appreciate, but that anyone can enjoy.
Hitchcocks foreign correspondent comes to bluray the new. Foreign correspondent was based on vincent sheeans 1935 memoir personal history, but this movie has very little in common with the book. The house across the bay is a 1940 film directed by archie mayo, starring george raft and joan bennett, produced by walter wanger, written by myles connolly and kathryn scola, and released by united artists. He returned on july 3 with the word that the germans were expected to start bombing at any time. I will say that ive always felt it was a bit underrated. Foreign correspondent 1940 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Foreign correspondent was one of alfred hitchcocks earlier films. Zdf zweites deutsches fernsehen showed the film in 1995 for the first time ever in. Notable for its expert use of limited space the entire film is set on a lone lifeboat in the middle of the atlantic, the film is by and large muted. Spoilers 1 shooting was completed on may 29, 1940, after which, director sir alfred hitchcock made a visit to england. Completed in 1940, the same year he made his oscarwinning rebecca, this warera propaganda piece features joel mccrea as an american journalist in europe. Gallery of 72 movie poster and cover images for foreign correspondent 1940. Following completion of foreign correspondent, and as a favor to producer walter wanger, hitchcock shot a few additional scenes for the film the house across.
Find similar and related movies for foreign correspondent 1940 alfred hitchcock on allmovie. Foreign correspondent dvd greene county public library. Foreign correspondent 1940 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses. Foreign correspondent was alfred hitchcocks second american film, and. He focused on hiring hitchcock after the director completed his first american film, and he agreed to david o.
The subsequent production, foreign correspondent 1940, is the story of an american correspondent joel mccrea in europe who becomes committed to the fight against fascism during his investigation of a kidnapped dutch diplomat, a situation that requires him to travel from london to holland. Though rebecca prevailed, foreign correspondent is the more quintessential hitch film. Foreign correspondent 1940 alfred hitchcock releases. Foreign correspondent dvd, 2004 for sale online ebay. Foreign correspondent is prime alfred hitchcock, a showcase of the directors best cinematic tricks and executed on a grand scale. While joel mccrea remained married to frances dee until his death, he filed for a divorce in april 1966, but the couple later reconciled.
Hitchcocks cameo in foreign correspondent 1940 occurs about 12 minutes into the film as john jones joel mccrea walks down the street from the hotel, hitchcock passes by reading a newspaper. Find release information for foreign correspondent 1940 alfred hitchcock on allmovie. Five days after the last scene was shot, germany dropped bombs on london. Find great deals on ebay for foreign correspondent dvd. Borradaile survived but lost his film, and went back to do the job. The first of alfred hitchcocks world war ii features, foreign correspondent was completed in 1940, as the european war was only beginning to erupt across national borders. Foreign correspondent criterion collection 3 discs bluraydvd. Yet, just about every picture is a pearl and foreign correspondent stands out as one of the most polished pieces of entertainment ever made. Its titular hero, johnny jones joel mccrea, is an american crime reporter dispatched by his new york publisher to put a fresh spin on the drowsy dispatches emanating from. It stars joel mccrea and features 19year old laraine day, herbert marshall, george sanders, albert bassermann, and robert benchley. Alfred hitchcock directed this thriller, which stars joel mccrea as reporter john jones, who is sent to europe by his editor on the new york globe at the beginning of world war ii under the pen name huntley haverstock. These videos show my appreciation and to help introduce in order to watch these fullhd and complete.
It was hitchcocks attempt to help the british war effort. It also received other nominations, including several for technical categories, as. Foreign correspondent film by hitchcock 1940 britannica. He passed away on october 20, 1990, at the age of 84. Joel mccrea plays a new york reporter sent on assignment to europe on. A list of all 53 of alfred hitchcocks completed feature films. A fullthrottle espionage thriller, starring joel mccrea as a green yank reporter sent to europe to get the scoop on the imminent war. Apr 02, 2014 as in many of the films of the 40s and 50s, hitchcock appeared walking on a street, but unlike foreign correspondent 1940 and stage fright 1950 in which he is face front to the camera, in this film he is seen in profile and as the camera is craning back, making the cameo which doesnt occur until 43 minutes into the film. A graduate of dartmouth college, new hampshire, walter wanger was among the more literate and socially conscious american film producers of his time. The first paragraph of this section ends, by the time the film opened in london on october 11 the regular bombing of british cities had tapered off, and was almost finished. Project muse hitchcocks foreign correspondent 1940. Foreign correspondent was, in a sense, the first hitchcock movie made in america. Foreign correspondent dvd king county library system. One of alfred hitchcocks higherbudget productions, foreign correspondent 1940 is the story of american reporter johnny jones joel mccrea, who is sent to investigate the rumblings of war in europe.
She also completed work on her second and final hitchcock film, the propagandist wartime drama, lifeboat 1944. While not as wellknown today as some of his later films, alfred hitchcocks spy thriller foreign correspondent is entertaining, exciting, and masterfully. Shooting was completed on may 29, 1940, after which, director sir alfred hitchcock made a visit to england. His first two projects, rebecca and foreign correspondent, each released in 1940, were in both style and content diametrically opposing entertainments, though they provide a convenient shorthand for hitchcocks potential future avenues. Foreign correspondent sealed hitchcocks reputation in hollywood as a skilled director.
Foreign correspondent is a perfection of everything that makes movies great. Jones first assignment is to get the inside story on a secret treaty agreed between two european countries by the famous diplomat, mr. Being filmed during wartime, alfred hitchcocks calltoarms was, by necessity, almost totally studiobound, filming at the independentlyowned studios of samuel goldwyn. In this months episode of presenting hitchcock, cory and aaron find themselves early in hitchs studio career as they discuss foreign correspondent. The foreign correspondent is the story of reuters foreign correspondent carlo weisz, from trieste, who now lives in paris working for reuters, and in his spare time editing an antifascist publication called liberazione, which is attracting the. On rebecca and foreign correspondent, hitchcocks 1940 doubleshot at oscar glory. This experience, plus a stint at germanys ufa studios as an assistant director, help account for the expressionistic character of his films, both in their visual. Made in 1940, during hitchcocks early hollywood period, the plot centres on a europe that expects war any day. A reporter sent to europe to cover a peace conference falls in love with a diplomats daughter, but discovers that her father is.
Winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. Dorothy spencer, aka dot, was an american film editor with 75 feature film credits from a career that spanned more than 50 years. Alfred hitchcocks foreign correspondent 1940 has been newly released. Along the way, he uncovers a conspiracy, falls in love and possibly discovers the story of the century.
I wont spend time telling you the plot of foreign correspondent. And that is the lone inclination which foreign correspondent could most becomingly do without. Caidin film company, united artists, walter wanger productions. Foreign correspondent dvd tulsa citycounty library. Foreign correspondent dvd fraser valley regional library. Foreign correspondent was nominated for an oscar for best picture, losing to another hitchcock film, rebecca. Foreign correspondent 1940 full movie download full hd. His first completed film as director was the pleasure garden 1925, an anglogerman production filmed in munich. In 1940, alfred hitchcock made his official transition from the british film industry to hollywood. Alfred hitchcocks second american film, foreign correspondent is a typically skillful, wellbalanced suspense thriller from the unrivalled master of the genre. The cast was wonderful and a much better picture than hitchcocks other 1940 film, rebecca. Foreign correspondent 1940 the criterion collection.
Foreign correspondent 1940 alfred hitchcock master. Foreign correspondent 1940 alfred hitchcock related. The general opinion of it, except among certain hitchcock buffs, was that foreign correspondent was at best second rate. American reporter johnny jones played by joel mccrea is assigned to be his newspapers foreign. Theres so much going on that this film demands repeated viewings to absorb it.
It is the story of an upandcoming reporter, john jones joel mccrea, who is. While covering a pacifist conference in london, he becomes romantically involved with the daughter of the groups founder, and befriends an elderly diplomat who holds the secret of peace. Due to its political theme, no german distributor was willing to show the film until 1960. After wichita town left the air, mccrea made just a few more film appearances. One of two films directed by hitchcock in 1940, foreign correspondent was just the beginning of his rise in american cinema. Foreign correspondent 1940, directed by alfred hitchcock.
79 462 1308 616 408 545 1338 820 203 465 168 1600 78 752 796 1485 279 1278 856 298 1324 60 67 504 22 1165 518 534 73 1439 236 259 1219