Foreign Correspondent

( 1 )

Overview

Fourteen scriptwriters spent five years toiling over a movie adaptation of war correspondent Vincent Sheehan's Personal History before producer Walter Wanger brought the property to the screen as Foreign Correspondent. What emerged was approximately 2 parts Sheehan and 8 parts director Alfred Hitchcock--and what's wrong with that? Joel McCrea stars as an American journalist sent by his newspaper to cover the volatile war scene in Europe in the years 1938 to 1940. He has barely arrived in Holland before he ...
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Overview

Fourteen scriptwriters spent five years toiling over a movie adaptation of war correspondent Vincent Sheehan's Personal History before producer Walter Wanger brought the property to the screen as Foreign Correspondent. What emerged was approximately 2 parts Sheehan and 8 parts director Alfred Hitchcock--and what's wrong with that? Joel McCrea stars as an American journalist sent by his newspaper to cover the volatile war scene in Europe in the years 1938 to 1940. He has barely arrived in Holland before he witnesses the assassination of Dutch diplomat Albert Basserman: at least, that's what he thinks he sees. McCrea makes the acquaintance of peace-activist Herbert Marshall, his like-minded daughter Laraine Day, and cheeky British secret agent George Sanders. A wild chase through the streets of Amsterdam, with McCrea dodging bullets, leads to the classic "alternating windmills" scene, which tips Our Hero to the existence of a formidable subversive organization. McCrea returns to England, where he nearly falls victim to the machinations of jovial hired-killer Edmund Gwenn. The leader of the spy ring is revealed during the climactic plane-crash sequence--which, like the aforementioned windmill scene, is a cinematic tour de force for director Hitchcock and cinematographer Rudolph Mate. Producer Wanger kept abreast of breaking news events all through the filming of Foreign Correspondent, enabling him to keep the picture as "hot" as possible: the final scene, with McCrea broadcasting to a "sleeping" America from London while Nazi bombs drop all around him, was filmed only a short time after the actual London blitz. The script was co-written by Robert Benchley, who has a wonderful supporting role as an eternally tippling newsman. Foreign Correspondent was Alfred Hitchcock's second American film, and remained one of his and his fans' personal favorites.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide
Alfred Hitchcock's second American film, Foreign Correspondent is a typically skillful, well-balanced suspense thriller from the unrivalled master of the genre. Popular upon its release and still considered one of the director's most entertaining works, the picture is undercut somewhat by its lackluster leads, Joel McCrea and Laraine Day. Hitchcock originally wanted Gary Cooper for the lead, but often had trouble attracting Hollywood stars since many considered his films mere pulp entertainment. Regardless, Foreign Correspondent is most memorable for its grand set pieces. All are prime examples of Hitchcockian art: the assassin's escape into a crowd of umbrellas; the plane crash into the ocean (shot indoors on a huge set at MGM); and the famous windmill sequence. The film's blatant call for America to take arms against Nazi Germany was penned by screenwriter Ben Hecht (Scarface, Notorious). Hitchcock's other anti-Nazi movies from the World War II era included Saboteur, Lifeboat, and Notorious; he also made two French-language propaganda films.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 3/28/1995
  • UPC: 085393508036
  • Original Release: 1940

    • Rating:

  • Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Joel McCrea Johnny Jones
Laraine Day Carol Fisher
Herbert Marshall Stephen Fisher
George Sanders Scott Folliott
Albert Basserman Van Meer
Robert Benchley Stebbins
Edmund Gwenn Rowley
Harry Davenport Mr. Powers
Barbara Pepper Doreen
Eddie Conrad Latvian Diplomat
Martin Kosleck Tramp
Sam Adams Impersonator
Meeka Aldrich Donald's Wife
Bunny Beatty Bit part
Frank Benson Bit part
Barry Bernard Steward
Henry Blair Bit part
Louis Borell Capt. Lansom
Louise Brien Secretary
John Burton English Radio Announcer
Horace B. Carpenter Bit part
Frances Carson Mrs. Sprague
Willy Castello
George Cathrey Flight Officer
Ken Christy
Eduardo Ciannelli Mr. Krug
E.E. Clive Mr. Naismith
Gino Corrado Italian Waiter
Harry Depp Uncle Biren
Elspeth Dudgeon Bit part
Herbert Evans English Doorman
Helena Phillips Evans Maid
James Finlayson Dutch Peasant
Robert C. Fischer Manager
George B. French Bit part
John George Bit part
Roy Gordon Mr. Brood
Douglas Gordon Taxi Driver
Alexander Granach Valet
Charles Halton Bradley
Holmes Herbert Commissioner Ffolliott
Alfred Hitchcock Man with newspaper
Gertrude W. Hoffman Mrs. Benson
Otto Hoffman Telegrapher
Paul Irving Dr. Williamson
Colin Kenny Bit part
Crauford Kent Toastmaster
Terry Kilburn Boy
Marten Lamont Plane Captain
Joan Leslie Jones' Sister
Gwendolen Logan Bit part
Eily Malyon Hotel Cashier
Ted Mapes Double for Joel McCrea
John Meredith Bit part
Hans Von Morhart Dutch Policeman
Leonard Mudie Inspector McKenna
John T. Murray Bit part
Jane Novak Miss Benson
Ted Offenbecker Copy Boy
George Offerman Bit part
Emory Parnell John Martin, Captain of the Mohican
Hilda Plowright Miss Pimm
Thomas Pogue Bit part
Jack Rice Donald
Loulette Sablon Nesta
Harry Semels Bit part
Raymond Severn English Boy
Ernie Stanton Bit part
William Stelling
Donald Stuart Bit part
Paul Sutton Male Nurse
Ferris Taylor Jones' Father
Dorothy Vaughan Jones's Mother
Charles Wagenheim Assassin
Wheaton Chambers Committeeman
Ian Wolfe Stiles the Butler
William Yetter Jr. Bit part
Mary Young Auntie Maude
Technical Credits
Alfred Hitchcock Director
Robert Benchley Screenwriter
Charles Bennett Screenwriter
Edmond F. Bernoudy Asst. Director
Paul Eagler Special Effects
Alexander Golitzen Art Director
Burnett Guffey Camera Operator
Joan Harrison Screenwriter
Julia Heron Set Decoration/Design
James Hilton Screenwriter
Otho Lovering Editor
Frank Maher Sound/Sound Designer
Richard Maibaum Screenwriter
Rudolph Maté Cinematographer
William Cameron Menzies Set Decoration/Design
Alfred Newman Score Composer
Norman Pringle Makeup
Dorothy Spencer Editor
Walter Wanger Producer
Lee Zavitz Special Effects
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
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Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Hitchcock is fabulous!

    I watched this movie for the very first time. I thought it was excellent. I love the old 40's and 50's Hitchcock movies. They're the best. I just thought this was an exciting and suspenseful movie.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review