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Strangers on a Train (1951)

Director(s) Alfred Hitchcock
Producer(s) Alfred Hitchcock (uncredited)
Top Genres Crime, Film Adaptation, Film Noir, Mystery, Romance, Thriller/Suspense
Top Topics Book-Based, Psychological Thrillers, Romance (Drama)
More Films Directed by Alfred Hitchcock More Films Produced by Alfred Hitchcock More Films from 1951 More Films from the 1950s Top Classic Movies of the 1950s Top Book-Based Films

Strangers on a Train Overview:

Strangers on a Train (1951) was a Crime - Film Noir Film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and produced by Alfred Hitchcock.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Patricia Highsmith published in 1950.

SYNOPSIS

This Hitchcock masterpiece provided the iconic images of the tennis match at which the swiveling heads reveal a dangerous presence, the murder seen in the fallen glasses of the victim, and the crushing, out-of-control merry-go-round. In a brilliantly sinister performance, Walker plays a witty, urbane young madman who offhandedly suggests to tennis star Granger, a man he had just met on a train, that they solve each other's problems by exchanging murders. Though Granger shrugs off the suggestion as insane, Walker persists, stalking the tennis player until Granger nearly succumbs to Walker's plan. After Walker accomplishes his murder of Granger's wife at an amusement park, he redoubles his pursuit of Granger to ensure he fulfills his end of the deal, and threatens to drop evidence that would implicate Granger in his wife's murder. A terrified Granger rushes to retrieve the evidence and clear his name, leading to the climactic struggle on the merry-go-round. A terrific situation conceived by novelist Patricia Highsmith, and developed by famed mystery writer Raymond Chandler (with a polish by Ben Hecht). A primer in film style, gripping plotting, and technical mastery from Hitchcock.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Academy Awards 1951 --- Ceremony Number 24 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best CinematographyRobert BurksNominated
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Strangers on a Train BlogHub Articles:

Strangers on a Train

By Barry P. on Nov 14, 2021 From Cinematic Catharsis

(1951) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock; Screenplay by Raymond Chandler and Czenzi Ormonde; Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith; Starring: Farley Granger, Ruth Roman, Robert Walker, Leo G. Carroll, Patricia Hitchcock and Kasey Rogers; Available on Blu-ray and DVD Rating: **** Thanks to Rebecca ... Read full article

Don’t talk to “Strangers on a Train”

By Stephen Reginald on Oct 16, 2020 From Classic Movie Man

Don’t talk to “Strangers on a Train” Strangers on a Train (1951) is a psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock starring Farley Granger, Ruth Roman, and Robert Walker. The film was based on the novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr. Ripley), w... Read full article

Classic Films in Focus: STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951)

By Jennifer Garlen on May 17, 2016 From Virtual Virago

Strangers on a Train (1951) brought Alfred Hitchcock back to box office success after the lull that followed Notorious (1946), and today it remains a favorite with the auteur's fans. Hitchcock presents a deliciously twisted thriller in this tale of murder and blackmail, with Farley Granger returning... Read full article

Classic Films in Focus: STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951)

By Jennifer Garlen on May 17, 2016 From Virtual Virago

Strangers on a Train (1951) brought Alfred Hitchcock back to box office success after the lull that followed Notorious (1946), and today it remains a favorite with the auteur's fans. Hitchcock presents a deliciously twisted thriller in this tale of murder and blackmail, with Farley Granger returning... Read full article

Strangers on a Train (1951)

By Beatrice on Jul 20, 2015 From Flickers in Time

Strangers on a Train Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Written by Raymond Chandler, Czenzi Ormonde and Whitfield Cook from a novel by Patricia Highsmith 1951/USA Warner Bros. Repeat viewing/My DVD Collection #244 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die The bravura direction and Robert Walker’... Read full article

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Strangers on a Train Quotes:

Bruno: I have the perfect weapon right here: these two hands.
Guy Haines: I may be old-fashioned, but I thought murder was against the law.
Barbara Morton: Oh, Daddy doesn't mind a little scandal. He's a senator.
Guy Haines: Doesn't that bloodhound ever relax? He sticks so close he's beginning to grow on me - like a fungus.
Anne Morton: How did you get him to do it?
Guy Haines: I get him to do it?
Anne Morton: Bruno Anthony. He killed Miriam, didn't he? It wasn't you, it was him.
Guy Haines: Yes...
Anne Morton: Tell me the truth, how did you get Mr. Anthony to do it?
Guy Haines: I didn't. He's a maniac. I met him three weeks ago on the train to Metcalf. We got to talking and he came up with this crazy idea about swapping murders. He does my murder, I do his.
Anne Morton: What do you mean "your murder"?
Guy Haines: He read all about me in the newspapers and magazines. He knew about me, Miriam, and you. He told me that if he were to get rid of Miriam so I would be free to marry you, I should kill his father so he could be free of him.
Anne Morton: But you should have known that he was only talking nonsense.
Guy Haines: But he wasn't! And now he's after me to see I fulfill my end. Now, a lunatic wants me to kill his father.
Anne Morton: Incredible.
Guy Haines: I know. I wouldn't have given it a second though had I known about what he had planned and done.
Anne Morton: Wait... you mean, you knew about Miriam this whole time?
Guy Haines: Since that very first night. He showed up at my place and gave me her glasses.
Anne Morton: Why didn't you call the police right away? Why didn't you turn Bruno in right then?
Guy Haines: And have the police say to me the exact same thing you just said? "Mr. Haines, how did you get him to do it?" Bruno will tell them that we planned it together... on the train.
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Strangers on a Train Facts
Alfred Hitchcock wanted to end the film with Guy (Farley Granger) saying "Bruno, Bruno Anthony - a clever fellow." But the studio forced him to shoot a happy ending.
Raymond Chandler is credited as the main author of the script, but it was almost completely written by Czenzi Ormonde who was credited as second author.
In the scene where Bruno searches for the cigarette lighter in the drain, Alfred Hitchcock personally selected the items of rubbish that lie on the floor.
Raymond Chandler seems to have gone out of his way to behave disagreeably to Alfred Hitchcock. When Hitchcock arrived at Chandler's home for a story meeting, Chandler hollered from his window, "Look at the fat bastard trying to get out of his car!"
Alfred Hitchcock's cameo in the film was directed by his daughter, Patricia Hitchcock.
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