Don't miss this RARE chance to see Hitchcock's diabolical masterpiece STRANGERS ON A TRAIN IN 35MM this weekend!
Get tickets here!
"Alfred Hitchcock often made films about 'the perfect murder.' His films involved perfectly planned plots, with the killer acting on the hubris that he or she wouldn’t be caught. In 1951, Hitchcock made Strangers on a Train (adapted from Patricia Highsmith's novel), a 'perfect murder' film with a very intriguing premise.
Farley Granger and Robert Walker in 'Strangers on a Train.'
"Two men meet on a train: handsome athlete and political hopeful Guy Haines (Farley Granger) and the odd but charming Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker). Each man has a nagging past that is hindering a better future. Guy’s wife is pregnant by another man but won’t divorce him. Bruno hates his neglectful father. Bruno suggests they 'swap murders.' They have no connection to each other, and would not be a suspect. Guy kind of laughs it off and pretends to be amused—but Bruno takes the response as an agreement. And so Bruno murders Miriam and expects Guy to return the favour.
"Alfred Hitchcock explores the idea of doubles and counterparts throughout the film. Bruno and Guy are mirrored versions of each other. Guy is popular, handsome, athletic, and successful. Bruno is weird, repressed, unloved, and crazy. Miriam is a nag, while Guy’s current girlfriend Anne (Ruth Roman) is warm and compassionate. Hitchcock even connects Miriam to Anne’s sister Barbara (Patricia Hitchcock, the daughter of the director) with their similar appearance.
Robert Walker in the famous "tennis match scene" from 'Strangers on a Train."
"Strangers on a Train is also notable for its contrast of light and dark. Hitchcock is again being very expressive—often keeping one side of the screen lighter and the other darker. This highlights the theme of duality, of having a dark side, and also highlights the grey space between light and dark. Hitchcock designs the mise-en-scène to reflect the constant threat of danger, and often takes Guy out of his comfort zone to interact with Bruno’s world.
"Farley Granger made two films with Hitchcock: Strangers on a Train and Rope in 1948. Both films are known as Hitchcock 'gay films.' Granger himself later came out as bisexual. In these two films, there is a homoerotic undercurrent. While Rope can be seen as more explicitly gay, even under the confines of 1940s Hollywood, Strangers on a Train’s subtext is hard to ignore.
"Hitchcock’s direction, the screenplay, the measured performances, and the themes make Strangers on a Train a must-see film. It is deceptively low-key and inarguably fascinating and intense." - Manish Mathur, TalkFilmSociety
Get tickets now for STRANGERS ON A TRAIN IN 35MM. Only at the Playhouse!
Don't miss out. Only three shows: March 26th, 27th and 30th.
This 35mm print came from Hollywood and will be shipped back after these very special screenings.
This opportunity to see STRANGERS ON A TRAIN IN 35MM likely won't come again.
Get tickets here!
Only at the Playhouse!
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