One of Alfred Hitchcock's British earlies: "Number Seventeen" shows his experimentation in the area of suspense and atmosphere. The plot is shaky and frankly I didn't quite get it in the first time around but I enjoyed the fact that you never knew who anyone was, were they telling the truth?
The story involves a vacant house in which assorted characters meet up for various reasons and possibly nefarious purposes.
A jewel heist is at the core of the situation but that is just the Maguffin as it is hard to fathom why some of the characters have any good reason for being in the house.
it took me a second watching for all the information to sieve through and to come to some kind of understanding of the plot.
I loved some of the closing scenes, particularly the historic value of the English Channel crossing complete with train. Lots of amusement, I must say, at the miniature sets of trains and buses racing around. Hitch having fun with his toys comes to mind.
This is a short movie - just over an hour and packs a lot of punches. Anne Grey is stellar in her leading lady role, she retired not too long after, having failed to make it in Hollywood.
For those fans of the master, it is well worth watching, if only to see how he honed his craft.
6 out of 10
