Rating: 
Summary: Style over substance
Review: According to Amazon.com's listing for this movie, there are currently seven different DVD versions of Alfred Hitchcock's THE LADY VANISHES available. The edition that I am discussing is the Laserlight issue that features Tony Curtis' introduction and closing remarks. The film print used in this version is surprisingly good for the price. The picture is crisp and clear while the audio track appears to be mixed well. Quite a pleasant experience and it's a real bargain at this price.The story is fairly straightforward. A woman claims that she met someone on a train that nobody else seems to remember. She befriends a suave gentleman and the two of them attempt to track down the mystery before the train gets to its final destination. The story is not complicated but has one or two positive aspects that pull it above its simplistic origins. Humour is used to great effect here as the lead characters encounter the strange people one meets on trains. These characters also provide the film with some more of its great moments, such as them withholding and failing to provide information to the protagonists not because they have anything to hide, but simply because they have their own concerns and don't want to get involved in someone else's problem. The humourous aspect that I mentioned before is one of the film's shining points. There's a wonderful fight scene between the leading man and one of the shady characters on the train. The main woman finds herself to be too short in comparison to the two men to help in the fight, but she pulls out a suitcase, stands on it and joins in the fight anyway. There are enough moments like this in the film to help it appeal to those who aren't usually thrilled by suspense films. Unfortunately, there are also a few portions of the film that are distracting. Without giving away too much, there is a spy who switches allegiances at the most convenient moment for the main characters. This seemed to be far too contrived, and it quite annoyed me. There are a few other coincidences like this, but I won't spoil anything by giving them away here. Sufficient to say that individually, these problems aren't major, but they do have a certain cumulative effect. THE LADY VANISHES is a triumph of style over substance, but Hitchcockian style is definitely worth it. After watching several others of the Laserlight DVDs, I am finally getting used to the bizarre Tony Curtis introductions. While the discussions may not be terribly informative, they are singularly entertaining. At one point during a speech on Hitchcock having never received an Oscar, the picture goes to a quick close-up of Tony Curtis who spits, "Shame on you, Academy Award!" reproachfully at the camera. That's entertainment! Besides the introduction, the only extras are subtitles and a trailer for Hitchcock's SHADOW OF A DOUBT. Tony Curtis claims to have personally gone into the film archives looking for this, which presents us with a funny mental image of him wandering around in the vaults wearing his black, leather gloves (from other Laserlight DVD introductions) demanding frightened interns to "Take me to your trailers." The subtitles are sadly lacking an English language version, which is an unfortunate omission for the hearing-impaired, though they do have Spanish, Chinese and Japanese options.
Rating: 
Summary: Witty Comedy, Taunt Suspense, And A Hitchcock Classic
Review: Although Hitchcock was noted for his wit and often sprinkled his films with wickedly funny moments, he seldom gave comic elements such a free reign as he did in THE LADY VANISHES, which is among the most memorable of his early British films. Charmingly cast with Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, and Dame May Whitty in the leads, the extremely witty script mixes 1930s romantic froth with increasingly tense suspense in the story of sharp witted young woman (Lockwood) who befriends an elderly lady (Whitty) during a train journey--and is extremely disturbed when, as the title states, the lady vanishes. Many regard this as the best of Hitchcock's early work, and it is easy to see why: the film demonstrates his growing talent for building suspense from an unlikely mix of the commonplace and the incredible. He is also remarkably blessed in his cast, with Lockwood and Redgrave possessing considerable chemistry and Dame May Whitty particularly endearing in one of the character roles at which she so excelled; the supporting cast is also particularly memorable. Hitchcock guides them all with never a misstep through a complex script that progresses from very lighthearted to extremely sinister and then back again, and the result leaves audiences with both the satisfaction of a well-made thriller and the glow of a romantic comedy. Although it lacks the subtle tones of his later work, THE LADY VANISHES is among my own favorites by Hitchcock, and fans who have never seen it are in for a real treat. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: a great release for Criterion and one of Hitchcock's best !
Review: The Lady vanishes is one of my most favorite Hitchcock films. In it a young British woman meets an older Biritsh woman on a train in continental Europe. Later, her friend is nowhere to be seen and when no one else remembers her being there, she suspects a conspiracy. It is another great one of the Pre WWII films that talks about Europe having 'problems' that will eventually lead to the second war.
Rating:
Summary: Very well written, acted, and directed.
Review: This film is one of Hitchcock's early great works. Many believe THE LADY VANISHES to be an essential film. If you ask if I think everyone should see it I answer emphatically "Yes!". Whether or not it is essential to own is a bit up for grabs. I have seen it numerous times and it is enjoyable; great script, great scenes, great acting and directing etc. The 'lady' in question is so sweet and unassuming, and the young lady and man who become 'involved' are quite fiesty as well. Yet I have never felt compelled to own THE LADY VANISHES. As far as I'm concerned, it is a great example of early Hitchcock, but not essential. That said, I am glad that Criterion Collection decided to include this title. The film elements look quite good considering the age of the negatives and how they were probably stored (without much care I'm guessing). The sound is as good as one can hope given the audio technology of the time (1939-World War Two was only just about to start!). Occasionally dialogue is not quite as crisp as I would like, but this is nothing too bothersome. All in all, this is a film that everyone should see at least once-certainly every film student or fan of Hitch. Recommended.
FROY
Rating:
Summary: DELIGHTFUL, SURPRISING GEM
Review: "The Lady Vanishes" is a sparkling Hitchcock cocktail that looks forward to "North By Northwest" with its light adventure/mystery plotline and romantic/witty humor. Lockwood and Redgrave are spirited and always believable and understated in their roles, and if the mystery ultimately is revealed to be a trifle thin, Hitchcock makes the journey there so much fun that we don't mind in the least. (After all, this doesn't have the depth and poetic quality of "Vertigo"--but it isn't meant to.) Wry support from the secondary cast adds humor and social commentary, and a few trademark Hitchcock images give what could have been (in lesser hands) a claustraphobic production, a real cinematic charge. The Criterion DVD is remarkable: crisp, clean images, and a great and always interesting commentary from Bruce Eder. This is the kind of film whose reputation will continue to grow with time; its understated performances and Nancy Drew type premise give it a surprisingly timeless feel. For Hitchcock fans, the film and the Criterion disc are a must.
Rating:
Summary: No "North by Northwest," but good early Hitchcock
Review: This is early Hitchcock and you can see the talent that was already there. He made this story into a great suspense film, even though there were quite a few implausibilities. It's an odd film, though, in that it mixes a rather dark story (woman disappearing on a train) with an almost slapstick feel at times. This caught me off guard, and sometimes subverted the tension Hitchcock was trying to create. But it's a very witty film, quite fast-paced once it gets going, and very suspenseful. Definitely a fine example of early Hitchcock and an interesting look at turn-of-the-century Scotland.
Also, since this is a Criterion edition, the special features are excellent. Even more impressive, considering that the movie was made in 1935. They include an original press book that you can zoom in on and read, as well as commentary.
Rating:
Summary: A Cinematic Masterpiece
Review: There's one thing that movies can do better than any other artistic medium. It's having you experience something from a character's point of view, and then having every other character in the movie say it never happened. Your empathy as a viewer is at its highest pitch: you saw what happened with your own eyes, and so you see it through the character's eyes as well, but then everyone denies it. This is the central scene on the train in THE LADY VANISHES. Nothing, absolutely nothing, in my opinion, is more cinematic than this. When the idea is used to trick the viewer (as in THE USUAL SUSPECTS), it's not as good (although still it's pretty good, because again it uses film in the most empathetic way possible). And when the trickery is fair--as in THE SIXTH SENSE--it can be superb. I rank THE LADY VANISHES right up there with VERTIGO, PSYCHO, and REAR WINDOW, as Hitchcock's greatest gifts to us, the moviegoers of the world. I would even add SHADOW OF A DOUBT to this pantheon. The thing I admire most about Hitchcock is that he was attracted to stories that showed what film could do as an art form. His best movies, in their different ways, display this for us. The movies I've mentioned would not be as good as novels or plays--and this is saying a great deal. It's a test, as a matter of fact, of what separates the film as an art medium from other artistic forms. The two directors who knew this best were Alfred Hitchcock and Walt Disney. It would be so terrific if someone were to come along someday who could be said to be their equal. Bottom line: THE LADY VANISHES is one of the best movies you will ever see, but please, it works at a slower pace than today's movies, so let it sink in for you, don't be in a hurry, EXPERIENCE it!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant entertainment, nicely packaged
Review: Along with The 39 Steps and The Man Who Knew Too Much, the Lady Vanishes represents the very best of Hitchcock's pre-Hollywood output. It's a gripping tale told well. All the usual Hitchcock tricks and idiosyncracies are present and correct; the blonde, the train, and of course the murder and the fiendish twists. Hitchcock was often at his best when designing films in restricted locations, so much of this takes place on a train, a train on which, of course, a lady - one Ms Foy - vanishes and everyone denies she ever even existed. Margaret Lockwood is excellent as the young woman determined to prove her own sanity by finding out what happened to Ms Foy. And Michael Redgrave is great as the caddish wiseacre who is the only passenger who'll believe her. Hitchcock was always great at getting the right chemistry between his leads, and this is another relationship with crackling, intelligent, slightly subversive dialogue. It rips along at a great speed for a film of its vintage and deserves its place in the Hitchcock canon as his last truly great English film. But even forgetting who made it, forgetting its historical interest, its still an evolving, light-hearted yarn with all the elements you would want; action, romance, comedy and, naturally, suspense. Brilliant entertainment, nicely packaged with a commentary and added material - although it's the film you'll come back to again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, decent transfer, weak on the extras
Review: One of Hitchcock's early classics, The Lady Vanishes looks pretty good on this Criterion transfer. Although it isn't up to Spellbound, Notorious or The 39 Steps in picture quality and sound, it's better than many of the other transfer I've seen. The only extra is an audio commentary by film historian Bruce Eder. It's pretty good but doesn't justify the price for this set. Seems to me Criterion should have given Lady a bargain price. What about vintage ads, any radio performances or a documentary on the making of the film? While everyone that participated is dead, it would have given this set added value and made it worthwhile for the price. It's a pity as this Lady deserved much better.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, disappointing transfer!
Review: This is one of my favorite Hitchcock movies, along with "The 39 Steps". After purchasing the Criterion Collection version of the latter movie, I was completely impressed with the technical "magic" of the Criterion people. Picture and sound were much cleaner than my VHS copy of the movie! I purchased the Criterion transfer of "The Lady Vanishes" expecting the same level of quality. I was sorely disappointed. The picture is great, no "static", etc. But the sound is very poor, no better than my VHS tape copy. It fades in and out, especially during dialogue and then blares forth at other times. I felt, frankly, cheated after paying the premium price that Criterion DVD's command. Count me unhappy.
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