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The Trouble with Harry (1955)
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Synopsis: This black comedy from Alfred Hitchcock was based on Jack Turner's novel. When a retired sea captain, out doing a little rabbit hunting, discovers Harry's lifeless body in the hilltops of small-town Vermont, he erroneously believes that he is responsible for Harry's untimely demise. So he... This black comedy from Alfred Hitchcock was based on Jack Turner's novel. When a retired sea captain, out doing a little rabbit hunting, discovers Harry's lifeless body in the hilltops of small-town Vermont, he erroneously believes that he is responsible for Harry's untimely demise. So he decides to bury the corpse to cover his tracks. But Harry just won't stay in the ground. Soon the dead man--through no fault of his own--has set off a series of comic misunderstandings, as the town spinster and Harry's wife also blame themselves for his death. THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY was not a runaway hit when it was released, but it holds up very well, demonstrating the director's sharp and morbid humor. It is one of the few comic turns Hitchcock made, and it compares favorably with his other lighter works, MR. AND MRS. SMITH and RICH AND STRANGE, shedding the romantic comedy for grimmer subject matter and satirical wit, which probably suited him more. This was Shirley MacLaine's first film; she gives an enjoyable performance as Harry's ex-wife. The film also features Jerry Mathers of LEAVE IT TO BEAVER fame. An uncredited star of the film is the Vermont location, seen in all its full autumn splendor. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: John Forsythe, Shirley MacLaine, Edmund Gwenn, Mildred Natwick, Mildred Dunnock
Producer: Alfred Hitchcock
Story: Jack Trevor Story
Composer: Bernard Herrmann
DVD Info
Release:
Aug 6, 2007
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Snap Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono - English, Spanish
- Subtitles - English (SDH), French
Additional Release Material:
- Featurette - The Trouble with Harry Isn't Over
- Trailer - Theatrical Trailer
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Production Notes
- Photos/Stills - Production Photographs
Reviews
I love it. I've seen it more times than just about any other Hitchcock.
This latest of Mr. Hitchcock's efforts is a curiously whimsical thing.
highly entertaining romantic comedy that still has the Hitchcock touch--a dark comedy using a dead body as the central MacGuffin
Despite the artifice, or perhaps partly because of it, the film manages to be enjoyable.
Hitchcock's comedic charms shine in this delightful story about a corpse that just won't stay buried.
This is a quirky and surprisingly low-key comedy that’s more amusing than funny; it’s witty, but rarely hilarious.


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