The Trouble With Harry

Rating:
Summary: A FINE BLACK COMEDY.
Review: The trouble with Harry is that he's dead. A thoroughly eccentric film (even for Hitch), it was not a success when first released back in 1955, perhaps because it's droll humour was misunderstood by the massess who preferred something more obvious and exciting. The film clearly shows that death may be beneficial to the living, since these characters do not know each other before Harry's death and develop deep mutual affection through their common cause. Edmund Gwenn is terrific as usual and Mildred Natwick was a natural scene stealer. Shirley McLaine made her film debut in this admittedly oddball film & she's a most unlikely Hitchcock heroine!

Rating:
Summary: A Pesky Corpse
Review: The trouble with Harry is, among other things, that he won't stay buried. It's a bizarre concept, and I imagine that a lot of people will find this movie to be strange. The humour is dark and a little dry, and it's not what an unsuspecting viewer might expect from Alfred Hitchcock. Personally, I like the film, because the humour appeals to me, as do the performances. John Forsthye, Shirley MacLaine, Edmund Gwenn, and Mildred Natwick make a great foursome trying to dispose of the corpse that just won't go away. A very young Jerry Mathers shows up, too, as MacLaine's son, and it's amusing to see him in this film. If you like your humour a little dark and dry, and you can deal with a Hitchcock film that is not typical Hitchcock, than this film is for you. However, if you can't go for that, than this film is probably one that you should skip.

Rating:
Summary: delicious Hitchcock black comedy
Review: THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY was a radical departure for Hitchcock, and proved to be a lukewarm success with audiences. Upon re-examination, we can see some of the magic that Hitchcock was trying to achieve with this delicious black comedy.

Set in the colorful expanse of New England in the glowing hues of autumn, the story is about the troublesome corpse, Harry. Everyone in the sleepy locale believes that he or she may have had a hand in bringing about his demise, but no-one really cares what happens to him. His nonchalant wife (Shirley MacLaine) is already flirting with the handsome artist (John Forsythe) and the rest of the "suspects" also have more important things on their minds. But Harry has a way of popping up...in the most improper of places and circumstances!

Shirley MacLaine made her auspicious film debut inn the role of Harry's wife (after being spotted subbing for Carol Haney in a performance of Broadway's "The Pajama Game"). Her performance shows what greatness was to follow (acclaimed, award-winning and nominated performances in THE TURNING POINT, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, IRMA LA DOUCE and THE APARTMENT).

Mildred Natwick and Edmund Gwenn, as the older lovers, are fantastic and give sly, comedic performances. The film also featuresc a pre-"Leave It To Beaver" Jerry Mathers.

The DVD includes the featurette "The Trouble with Harry Isn't Over", the trailer and art gallery.

Rating:
Summary: delicious Hitchcock black comedy
Review: THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY was a radical departure for Hitchcock, and proved to be a lukewarm success with audiences. Upon re-examination, we can see some of the magic that Hitchcock was trying to achieve with this delicious black comedy.

Set in the colorful expanse of New England in the glowing hues of autumn, the story is about the troublesome corpse, Harry. Everyone in the sleepy locale believes that he or she may have had a hand in bringing about his demise, but no-one really cares what happens to him. His nonchalant wife (Shirley MacLaine) is already flirting with the handsome artist (John Forsythe) and the rest of the "suspects" also have more important things on their minds. But Harry has a way of popping up...in the most improper of places and circumstances!

Shirley MacLaine made her auspicious film debut inn the role of Harry's wife (after being spotted subbing for Carol Haney in a performance of Broadway's "The Pajama Game"). Her performance shows what greatness was to follow (acclaimed, award-winning and nominated performances in THE TURNING POINT, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, IRMA LA DOUCE and THE APARTMENT).

Mildred Natwick and Edmund Gwenn, as the older lovers, are fantastic and give sly, comedic performances. The film also featuresc a pre-"Leave It To Beaver" Jerry Mathers.

The DVD includes the featurette "The Trouble with Harry Isn't Over", the trailer and art gallery.

Rating:
Summary: Light-Hearted Hitchcock Classic
Review: The trouble with Harry was not that he got what he deserved (killed), but that no matter how many times people burried him, someone would find a reason to dig him up again. Rather than simply report a crime (since all appear to be innocent of it), the people of a remote Vermont country side find reasons "not to want to get involved". -- This is Shirley MacLaine's film debut. Also featured are John Forsythe and Jerry "Beaver" Mathers. Alfred Hitchcock is in his element, telling this comedy noire with a thick layer of sweet British humor. Not a spine chiller, as most other Hitchcock films, this is nonetheless very entertaining family fare! -- The film immediately inspired several popular song/instrumental versions of "The Trouble With Harry".

Rating:
Summary: Excellent DVD transfer, underrated film
Review: This film is a hoot, at least in a droll, vaguely British fashion. Is it underrated because it was out of circulation so long? Or is it just atypical Hitchcock and people don't look past their expectations?

Universal's new DVD transfer looks terrific--it's stable, colorful, sharp, and clean. To my eyes, it looks about as good as Warner's North by Northwest transfer, which set a high standard for material of this vintage. Both presumably benefit from being shot in VistaVision, a high-quality widescreen process that was new at the time and now largely gone. The sound is mono, reflecting the original 1954 recordings, and shows Bernard Hermann's score to good advantage. Give it a spin.

Rating:
Summary: Some Rural New England Insanity, Anyone?
Review: This is not your typical Alfred Hitchcock film. Rather, this is a mildly weird, somewhat stylized romantic comedy which uses a dead body as it's axis.
Harry is dead. Three of the four main characters think they are responsible, each though is unaware of all the facts. To say this is funny though is a stretch. In the documentary called "The Trouble With Harry Isn't Over," there is reference to this being a dark comedy. True. But each of the main characters has a detached angle on Harry. To his wife and to strangers his death is something more of an obstacle, a nuisance than an event. In this way the film carries a sort of perverse quality.
As well in a production notes special feature, it says that Hitchcock was interested in challenging American audiences notions of comedy, believing that obvious comedy wasn't necessary, instead cloaking it in such taboo's as murder, burial and exumation, and the old stalwarts: flirting between young and old couples, marriage, art and sex.
I must admit I was more curious watching the whole film than engrossed, and didn't find it out and out funny. Rather I found it oddly funny. Surely this was Hitchcock's hope.
There is also mention in the documentary that this was a kind of pastoral English comedy, soft and easy going in it's nature. That I agree with.
For Hitchcock fans this is recommended. Since it wasn't very engaging though, some of his classics would make a better watch if a compelling film is desirable.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Plot
Review: This is not your usual Hitchcock movie (it is a comedy after all!) The first time I watched it the plot kept me guessing right up to the end as to what really happened to Harry. If you ever longed to spend Fall in Vermont you'll positively love the scenery! Any movie with Edmund Gwenn and Mildred Natwick in it is a winner in my book!

Rating:
Summary: Hitchcock's Funniest Murder Mystery
Review: This is one of my favorite murder mysteries. It is a leasurely comedic romp that builds to the expected but unusual Hitchcock twist. Shirley MacLaine in one of her first starring roles is marvelous but it's the character actors, especially Edmund Gwenn, who steal the show...Also look for Jerry Mathers (The Beaver). Curl up with the buttered popcorn and enjoy the laughs along with the mayhem.

Rating:
Summary: Don't expect a suspense movie!
Review: This movie first off, as said in the title, is not a suspense movie. So don't expect it. That said, this a great movie, ripe with black humor and excellant performances. This movie is at points hilarious and interesting the whole way through. Once more though, don't expect a suspense movie, just take it as it comes.