“The Lady Vanishes” is a 1938 British thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film is based on the 1936 novel “The Wheel Spins” by Ethel Lina White.
The movie takes place in the fictional European country of Bandrika, where a group of passengers are stranded at a remote hotel due to an avalanche blocking the train tracks. Among them is Iris Henderson (Margaret Lockwood), a young socialite who befriends Miss Froy (Dame May Whitty), an elderly governess who is also a passenger on the train.
When the train finally resumes its journey, Miss Froy disappears, and no one on the train seems to remember seeing her. With the help of Gilbert (Michael Redgrave), a musician, Iris sets out to find Miss Froy and uncover the truth about her disappearance.
As they investigate, Iris and Gilbert become caught up in a web of intrigue and conspiracy involving Bandrikan politics and a group of spies who are determined to prevent Miss Froy from returning to England with her valuable information.
“The Lady Vanishes” is regarded as one of Hitchcock’s greatest films, with its blend of suspense, humor, and romance. The movie is notable for its strong performances, particularly from Lockwood and Redgrave, as well as its inventive use of the confined space of a train. The film’s themes of deception, identity, and memory have also been the subject of critical analysis and interpretation over the years.
Directors:
Alfred Hitchcock
Writer:
Ethel Lina White, Sidney Gilliat, Frank Launder
Stars:
Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas
