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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:

Mrs. Anthony: Well, I do hope you've forgotten about that silly little plan of yours.
Bruno Anthony: Which one?
Mrs. Anthony: About blowing up the White House.
Bruno Anthony: Oh, Ma, I was only fooling. Besides, what would the President say?
Mrs. Anthony: You're a naughty boy, Bruno.
Barbara Morton: Oh, Daddy doesn't mind a little scandal. He's a senator.
Barbara Morton: I still think it would be wonderful to have a man love you so much he'd kill for you.
Guy Haines: I may be old-fashioned, but I thought murder was against the law.
Bruno Anthony: Everyone has somebody that they want to put out of the way. Oh now surely, Madam, you're not going to tell me that there hasn't been a time that you didn't want to dispose of someone. Your husband, for instance?
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Strangers on a Train Facts
As Guy leaves the last match, part of a quotation clearly including the words "two impostors" is visible on the beam above his head. It is from Rudyard Kipling's poem "If." The line reads "If you can meet with triumph and disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same..."
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on December 3, 1951 with Ruth Roman reprising her film role.
This is the movie that determined the location of Carol Burnett's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1951, she was working as an usher when this film was playing at the Warner Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. A couple arrived late, and Burnett, having already seen the film, advised them that it was a wonderful film that should be seen from the very beginning. The manager of the theatre very rudely fired her for this. Years later, when Carol Burnett was asked where she would like to have her star placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she requested that it be placed in front of that theatre.
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.
There were several changes made from the original novel: the character Bruno Antony was named Charles Anthony Bruno and Guy Haines was an architect, not a tennis player. Also, Anne Morton was originally named Anne Faulkner.
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