SNMR 3.17: "Rope"

The second feature in this month's SNMR tribute to James Stewart is "Rope" (1948, NR, 81 minutes), starring James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Joan Chandler, Constance Collier, Edith Evanson and Douglas Dick. The film was directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

I haven't seen this film since I was in that film history and appreciation class in college, so I don't remember much about this movie. It'll be just like I'm watching it for the first time tonight.

From the DVD's dust case:

James Stewart stars with Farley Granger and John Dall in a highly charged thriller inspired by the real-life Leopold-Loeb murder case. Granger and Dall give riveting performances as two friends who strangle a classmate for intellectual thrills, then proceed to throw a party for the victim's family and friends - with the body stuffed inside the trunk they use for a buffet table. As the killers turn the conversation to committing the "perfect murder", their former teacher (Stewart) becomes increasingly suspicious. Before the night is over, the professor will discover how brutally his students have turned his academic theories into chilling reality in Hitchcock's spellbinding excursion into the macabre.

From Martin and Porter's DVD & Video Guide 2007, p.962:

Recently resurrected Alfred Hitchcock film is based in part on the famous Leopold-Loeb thrill-murder case in Chicago in the 1920's. In it, the two killers divulge clues to their horrific escapade at a dinner party, to the growing suspicion of the other guests. It's one of Hitchcock's best.

This was an excellent film with an interesting premise and excellent script. John Dall is excellent as the creepy, overconfident Brandon and Farley Granger is good as Philip, the conspirator with the cracking conscience. Joan Chandler (Janet Walker) reminded me very much of Donna Reed in mannerism and looks. Stewart's performance once again is solid. Alfred Hitchcock does a masterful job at controlling what we see and when to keep the suspense taut. This is the first of four Stewart/Hitchcock collaborations and is a worthwhile viewing experience. I'll give this film four out of five stars.