Rating: 
Summary: Easy to get carried away, but...
Review: Being a Hitchcock fan to the core, it's easy to get whipped into a frenzy and proclaim nearly all of this great director's films before 1963 as being "masterpieces or cinematic jewels." They are not. In my view, this is particularly true for films Alfred Hitchcock made before Selznick put him under contract to direct "Rebecca," his first American film after saying goodbye to Mother England in 1939. For me, the DVD version of "The Lady Vanishes" is the best of Hitch's films from England. Yet saying that it's the best of a rather mediocre lot may seem insulting to some, but this is how I feel. Nearly all of Hitchcock's British Gaumont films appear overrated to me in nearly every respect, hampered by the technological constraints and the primitive tools of the time. Why people fall all over themselves for films like "The 39 Steps," for example, puzzles me. It's a klinker of the highest order devoid of much if any heart-pounding suspense. "The Lady Vanishes" is the only film in my view that somewhat overcomes these constraints, greatly due to a witty script, engaging actors and an element of suspense that is of the tepid variety but interesting enough to keep you from hitting the "stop" button and coming back to it on another day. Margaret Lockwood is a fetching heroine, beautiful and smart, and Michael Redgrave, after you get past his annoying antics in the first 20 minutes, evolves into an interesting leading man, somewhat dashing and funny, perfectly cast. But it is not fair to compare "The Lady Vanishes" to the true, timeless masterpieces that the master of suspense created later in his career, when the world of cinema and improving technology freed him to turn out a kaleidescope of stories that are far superior to this rather lightweight film. Criterion has done a superb job once again, presenting a near pristine transfer and good commentary and production notes. It's a great product. But the film is, well, another matter. The only scene that comes close to being a harbinger of things to come with Alfred Hitchcock, a scene that bears his familiar "stamp," is a very short sequence involving Michael Redgrave climbing out of a window of a moving train to get into another compartment, and in doing so, hangs onto dear life as an oncoming train passes him with lightning speed. Other than that, there are no thrills or spills or anything close to what Hitchcock accomplishes later in his career. And this makes total sense. As you get older and more sophisticated, you're supposed to get better. In "The Lady Vanishes," Hitch doesn't even use music as an integral element of the cinematic process the way he used it later in his career. I don't even think he thought it to be very important yet. Oh, music does turn up here and there, but when it does, it does nothing to enhance what could have have been a more nail-biting film. There is much that is primitive and elementary in the finished product of "The Lady Vanishes" that it should be regarded as no more than the following -- a good film from a legendary director, not a great one comparable to his dazzling output that started (if one discounts "Rebecca" as an aberration due to the "hands-on" treatment Selznick applied to all of his films, especially after his success with "Gone with the Wind" the year before) with the masterful "Shadow of a Doubt" in 1942 (and not "Foreign Correspondent" or "Saboteur," or even the slightly better "Suspicion"), picking up speed with "Spellbound" (which is quite laughable in parts, unintentionally, however), "Notorious" and then knocking out a few duds like "The Paradine Case" before finally hitting the jackpot with "Strangers on a Train," continuing on sporadically until he hit full stride in the mid-to-late 1950s through the early 1960s. Is this product worth buying? No. Not unless you're a "completist." Is it worth watching? Definitely yes, more so than any of Hitchcock's other early British films. Is it a waste of 97 minutes? No, but don't force yourself to proclaim that it's a fabulous picture in every respect, and don't use the technological constraints of the 1930s as a post to lean back on in its defense. A great film is a great film, regardless of era. And "The Lady Vanishes" is good, not great. Save your money and rent this film, then decide. It pains me to write these words but I'm just as big a fan of Alfred Hitchcock as everyone else. I just don't want people jaded into thinking that this film is a "keeper" that you "have to think is great lest you be cast as a fool or a heretic." Despite my refusal to enter "The Lady Vanishes" into the pantheon of "Great Hitchcock Films," it's still an accomplished piece of work that I like far better than the more lauded "The 39 Steps." But buy to own forever that which is timeless and truly great, something that holds your interest even after numerous multiple viewings, like "North by Northwest" or "Rear Window" or "Vertigo" -- don't settle for something which is only good. Hitchcock made 50 films. But he only made about 15 near flawless pictures. That's still a great batting average in my view, considering the dreck that Hollywood puts out these days. Put your hard-earned dollars into those 15 films and you're still ahead of the game. These 15 gave Hitchcock his name and stature. Everything else -- well, to me, they're just curio pieces, still to be treasured -- but only as a record of the trajectory of one of the greatest filmmakers the earth has ever seen.
Rating: 
Summary: Criterion version is worth the money
Review: Criterion do a good job on this film and is the one to get.I have never seen a laserlight DVD of a classic film that wasn't a poorly copied washed out version.
Rating:
Summary: Nice package from Laserlight
Review: While I have no doubt that the Criterion edition of this early Hitchcock classic is probably the one to own if cost isn't a factor, I have to say that the Laserlight DVD of "The Lady Vanishes" is no slouch, either. You get a solid print of the film; the full trailer from the "Shadow of a Doubt" re-release; and a Tony Curtis introduction that, while not very illuminating, at least does a good job in whetting the appetite for the film. I had my fingers crossed when I purchased a few of these Laserlight DVDs, as an apparent bargain isn't always so, but it turned out that I needn't have worried. SOMEBODY at Laserlight is assuring that good product is being turned out.
Rating: 
Summary: THE WHEEL SPINS
Review: When a kindly old lady disappears from a swift moving train, her young acquaintance finds an imposter in her place and a spiraling mystery to solve. Hitchcock's first real winner, a smarmy, wit-drenched mystery which precipitated his Hollywood welcome. For a movie that is regarded throughout the world as one of Hitchcock's lighter masterpieces, the oddest thing about it is that it was conceived for another director altogether: Roy William Neill, who later made most of the Basil Rathbone/Sherlock Holmes thillers. The first half of the adventure is not an adventure at all, but a rather jolly comedy about perennial Britishers abroad, being forced to share the maid's room in a mittle-European railway hotel and finding, when they have dressed for dinner, that there is nothing left to eat. Margaret Lockwood plays a spoiled heiress who's forced to share her room with Michael Redgrave after she has him ejected for making too much noise with his peasant clog-dancing..........THE LADY VANISHES is pure, harmless entertainment of a kind which is no longer considered commercial. With superb control, it pleases and it satisfies, and years after seeing it, one remembers its characters with the affection usually reserved for the oldest and dearest of friends. This, along with "39 Steps" is considered early classic Hitchcock; from the novel THE WHEEL SPINS by Ethel Lina White.
Rating:
Summary: Truly a must see
Review: The movie begins in a quaint Swiss hotel. A train has just been avalanched (is that how you spell that?) and there are no rooms left. At first our story seems to center two dim-witted British cricket enthusiasts, but then our focus changes to a young, witty American woman, Iris, who is engaged to a rich old codger whom she could care less about. She is on her way to meet him. In the inn, she meets the annoying yet witty young jerk (who of course is quite handsome and has a heart of gold) whose name is Gilbert Redmanr. After bantering with him for a while (his last jab is not to be missed- 'Confidentially, you're pretty much of a stinker yourself.'), it's finally time to leave. On the way to the train she sees an old woman whom she recognizes from the hotel. As she helps the woman onto the train, Iris is hit on the head. Miss Froy (that turns out to be the old woman's name) promises Iris' friends to take care of her. But while Iris is asleep, she dissapears! Assisted by none other than Gilbert ('If I'd known you were going to be on this train, I would have stayed in that hotel another week.'), she sets out to find Miss Froy. What follows is a suspenseful story (if sometimes easy to see through) where Gilbert gets to play detective. For instance: 'Let us marshall our facts, Watson, over a bit of shag tobacco.' Or, if you prefer: 'I just got an extremely idiotic idea.' At the same time, he woos Iris ('Do you like me?'). It ends with a touching scene in which Miss Froy is reunited with her young friends, Mr. and Mrs. Redmanr. (<: Some of the best quotes: 'Don't just stand there like a referee! DO SOMETHING! ' (Gilbert to Iris, while wrestling with an enemy) 'We'll never get home in time for the match now.' (To properly understand that one you must see the movie) 'Shut up that stupid whistle! I'm trying to remember a tune!' (Gilbert to one of the British gentlemen, while running a train) In short, one of Hitchcock's best, and FAR superior to the original 'Man who knew too much' and '39 Steps'.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece.
Review: I don't want to say a whole lot about this wonderful film, 'cos you already know how great it is, ofcourse. I can never make up my mind which of his films is the best and most perfect; I guess that's just impossible to say. But I rank it in the Top 10, no question about that. Actually, if we ever send an all-time Top 100 movie-list into space, it probably deserves to be on it !.
Rating:
Summary: My all-time favorite Hitchcock!
Review: This is a great combination of suspense and comedy. A girl gets a bump on the head intended for someone else just before boarding a train and is helped by an elderly English woman. But shortly after boarding the train, the lady vanishes! Was the girl hallucinating after the bump on the head or did the lady really disappear? This story has everything--sharp, witty dialogue, spies, suspense and drama. In between the darker moments, two hilarious Englishmen, Charters and Caldicott nearly steal the show. This is one movie that I never get tired of watching!
Rating:
Summary: The Best of Hitchcock- on a moving train
Review: This no-budget Hitchcock is one of my all-time favorites. A must for all Hitchcock fans and train-movie fans. In classic Hitchcock-style, you are constantly wondering who everyone is. It's great fun, and the British humor is hilarious. Hey, they're all just trying to get somewhere on this train, but someone has an eye to murder. One of the best scenes in cinema is here, after Miss Froy's name appears in a smoke-filled tunnel. It's an eerie, puzzling A.H. mystery. Enjoy it over and over!!!
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: Easily the best of all early Hitchcock
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this release and was especially surprised at how well Laserlight had processed the film. This is easily the best print of same that I have seen. As to the quality of the movie, it is the best of all early Hitchcock. Characters are very well developed and the plot is a winner. Quaint is the best description of the opening scene with the famous car pulled along a track, but remember when the film was made and the almost non-existant budget.
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