The Alfred Hitchcock Signature Collection (Strangers on a Train Two-Disc Edition / North by Northwest / Dial M for Murder / Foreign Correspondent / Suspicion / The Wrong Man / Stage Fright / I Confess / Mr. and Mrs. Smith) Reviews

• "I have the perfect weapon right here"..........

  
  By A2XX5EFIPRK438 on 2004-08-26
  How can a film lover resist buying this amazing collection. Alfred Hitchcock now has another marvelous collection featuring some of his great and less-well-known films:
  
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  *"STRANGERS ON A TRAIN" 2-Disc Special Edition: One of Hitch's most brilliant films in which a tennis-pro, Guy (Farley Granger), meets an insane fan, Bruno (Robert Walker), on a train who tries to convince him that they should "criss-cross" murders: Guy's free-spirited, pregnant wife whom he knows his baring someone else's child for Bruno's domineering father. The tension just builds from there.
  
  -Special Features-
  1. Alternate 'preview' version of the film
  2. Commentary by director Peter Bogdanovich, Psycho screenwriter Joseph Stephano, Strangers on a Train author Patricia Highsmith and biographer Andrew Wilson
  3. New making-of documentary= "Strangers on a Train: A Hitchcock Classic", with Farley Granger, film historian Richard Schickel, Patricia Hitchcock O'Connell and other Hitchcock family members and colleagues recalling the making of this suspense landmark
  4. Three intriguing featurettes:
  ...The Hitchcocks on Hitch
  ...Strangers on a Train: The Victim's P.O.V.
  ...Strangers on a Train by M. Night Shyamalan
  5. Alfred Hitchcock's Historical Meeting, a vintage newsreel
  6. Theatrical Trailers
  
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  *"SUSPICION": One of my favorite films, in which a beautiful and rich heiress (Joan Fontaine in an Oscar-winning role) marries playboy (Cary Grant) only to suspect that he is trying to kill her! Wait for the stunning climax!
  
  -Special Features-
  1. New making-of documentary= "Before the Fact: Suspicious Hitchcock"
  2. Theatrical Trailer
  
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  *"NORTH BY NORTHWEST": One Hitchcock's most famed films, in which a advertising exec (Cary Grant) is mistaken for an FBI spy and is followed by a cool blonde (Eva Marie Saint), a vicious villain (James Mason), and a low-flying cropduster all the way to Mount Rushmore! This is an amazing film and won Hitch's most enjoyable.
  
  -Special Features-
  This DVD has all the old features on the original DVD with the addition of a music only track in Dolby stereo of Bernard Herrmann's classic score.
  
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  *"DIAL 'M' FOR MURDER": One of Hitchcock's best now on a long-awaited DVD. Set in England, a man named Tony (Ray Milland) decides to murder his wife (Grace Kelly) when he learns she is having an affair with a writer from America (Robert Cummings). He blackmails an old "friend" (Anthony Dawson) into murdering her, but when something goes wrong, he has to decide on a different plan. Look for the famous "Scissors" scene. This film was originally filmed in 3-D.
  
  -Special Features-
  1. New documentaries:
  ...Hitchcock and Dial M
  ...3D: A Brief History
  2. Newsreel footage from the movie's premiere event
  3. Theatrical Trailer
  
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  *"MR. & MRS. SMITH": This is one of Hitchcock's only straight comedies. Ann and David Smith (Carole Lombard, Robert Montgomery) are a feuding couple. When they find out their marriage isn't legal, Ann finds it as a way out while David wishes to stay with her. The comedy begins in this story of two problematic spouses.
  
  -Special Features-
  1. New making-of documentary: "Mr. Hitchcock Meets the Smiths"
  2. Theatrical Trailer
  
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  *"FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT": This Best Picture Oscar Nominee for 1940 is another classic. John Jones (Joel McCrea) is a American reporter who travels to Europe on what he think is the biggest story of the time. There, with the help of a girl named Carol (Laraine Day), he must track down a ring of spies!
  
  -Special Features-
  1. New making-of documentary= "Personal History: Foreign Hitchcock"
  2. Theatrical Trailer
  
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  *"THE WRONG MAN": This film is based on a true story featured in LIFE Magazine. The film is about Manny Balestrero (Henry Fonda) who is arrested for crimes committed by a look-alike robber. His wife, Rose (pre-"PSYCHO" Vera Miles), is distraught while Manny's anger is visible, but never spoken. Hitchcock also cast real-life Balestrero case witnesses in minor roles.
  
  -Special Features-
  1. New making-of documentary= "Guilt Trip: Hitchcock and the Wrong Man"
  2. Premiere newsreel
  3. Theatrical Trailer
  
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  *"STAGE FRIGHT": A great cast gets together to give a interesting "performance". A dramatic student, Eve (Jane Wyman), tries to clear her friend (Richard Todd) of the murder of his lover's, the famous actress Charlott Inwood's (Marlene Dietrich), husband by getting a job as her personal maid to investigate. But as Eve investigates on her own, she finds herself in love with the real detective on the case (Micheal Wilding).
  
  -Special Features-
  1. New making-of documentary= "Hitchcock and Stage Fright"
  2. Theatrical Trailer
  
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  *"I CONFESS": Father Michael Logan (Montgomery Clift) is Catholic priest. During confession one day, the church caretaker, Otto (O.E. Hasse) admits to murdering a man. Soon the murder is known everywhere but the authorities believe Father Logan committed the crime! Since the Father cannot reveal what was said to him in confession he doesn't know what to do. His friends, Ruth (Anne Baxter) who was once his flame and Police Inspector Larrue (Karl Malden) try to help him but bring him deeper into trouble.
  
  -Special Features-
  1. New making-of documentary= "Hitchcock's Confession: A Look at I Confess"
  2. Premiere newsreel
  3. Theatrical Trailer
  
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  This DVD set looks amazing! Warner Bros. has been really great with DVD releases this year. Look for three more Signature Collections from Warner Home Video in October: The John Wayne Signature Collection (Featuring the already released DVDs of "STAGECOACH", "THE SEARCHERS","RIO BRAVO", and "THE COWBOYS"), The Katharine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy Signature Collection (With the already released DVDs of "ADAM'S RIB", "WOMAN OF THE YEAR", and "PAT AND MIKE" and the new DVD "THE SPENCER TRACY LEGACY: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn", a 1986 Documentary on Tracy's life and career as told by Hepburn), and the Elizabeth Taylor Signature Collection (Featuring the already released "CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF", "NATIONAL VELVET", "FATHER OF THE BRIDE", and "BUTTERFIELD 8").
  
  
  

• Great collection of classics and minor gems from the master

  
  By AQP1VPK16SVWM on 2004-09-11
  It's rare that an artist can be both popular and one of the best at what he or she does. Alfred Hitchcock embodied both these elements. His films used suspenseful thrillers as a vehicle to try out inventive and often groundbreaking editing and camera techniques. While this collection from Warner Brothers doesn't include all his best films, there are enough here to justify picking up this generous and beautifully remastered collection of some of Hitch's best films.
  
  "Suspicion" is the oldest of the nine films included in this boxed set. Cary Grant plays Johnny Aysgarth a womanizing gambler who flirts with the bookish Lina McLaidlaw (Joan Fontaine in her Oscar winning role). After he woos and marries her, Lina begins to suspect that Johnny may be trying to kill her for her money. Although RKO forced Hitchcock to change the ending from the one he wanted (I'll let you watch the short documentary on the film that's included to find out what occurred) and the film was seriously compromised by studio interference, it's still a worthwhile thriller that has Grant playing a cad at a point in his career when he was put into romantic leads. I'd be suspicious of anyone who said he loved me and still called me "monkey face".
  
  "Foreign Correspondent" was made by Hitchcock while he was on loan from David O. Selznick's studio. Hitchcock relished the opportunity to work elsewhere as Selznick interfered too much with the making of the films he produced. Shot just as World War II was erupting in Europe dragging in other countries into the fray, the film stars Joel McCrea as reporter Johnny Jones (what's with all these Johnny's in Hitch's films?) discovers a conspiracy of fascists threatening to take over Europe. McCrea gives a energetic performance and, although he wasn't Hitch's first choice (Henry Fonda was his first choice but the production couldn't afford him), he more than lives up to the potential of the role.
  
  "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" features Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery in a screw-ball (!) comedy directed by the master of suspense. Hitch directed the film as a favor to Carole Lombard a very good friend at the time. While the script has some clever moments and Hitch's direction has a number of nice set pieces, it's one of Hitchcock's lesser works. It's still worth viewing.
  
  "Strangers on a Train" is a flawed masterpiece from Hitch. Guy (Farley Granger) frustrated because his unfaithful wife won't give him a divorce so he can remarry, chats with Bruno (the marvelous Robert Walker in one of his best roles) a passenger he meets on the train back to Washington D.C. After a drink Guy spills the beans about his wife and Bruno offers to swap murders. In essence, their crime will be perfect because their complete strangers and have no other connection other than the meeting on the train. Guy believes Bruno is joking and plays along. When Guy's wife is brutally murdered (in a stunning sequence where we see the murder reflected in the woman's glasses), Bruno expects Guy to reciprocate. Otherwise, he threatens to pin the murder on Guy. The stunning conclusion on the merry-go-round ranks as one of Hitch's best. This edition includes both the final theatrical version and "preview" versions of the film which differ slightly.
  
  "Dial M for Murder" caught Hitchcock recharging his batteries. Whenever he felt the need to creatively regenerate, he'd pick a subject that would interest him technically but that was already put together. It's ironic, though, that he should pick another main character who is a tennis player. "Dial M" plays as a inverted version of "Strangers". Based on Frederick Knott's Broadway hit play, "Dial M for Murder" was originally shot in 3-D (and it's a wonderful film to see in that format if for no other reason than to see what a great film director can do with the format with subtly and style) but only exhibited in that format in certain venues. Ray Milland (subbing for Cary Grant who had an argument with Hitchcock and withdrew from the film) plays a slick tennis player who devises the perfect murder. He blackmails an old college chum (the impressive Anthony Dawson) to fake a break in and murder his wealthy wife (Grace Kelly). It seems that Milland has discovered that she had an affair with an American mystery writer (Bob Cummings). The inspector (the droll John Williams) in the case recognizes that appearances can be deceiving when he investigates a murder.
  
  Hitch believed "Stage Fright" to be one of his miscalculations because of a technical narrative trick he used to clue in viewers on the story. Richard Todd plays an actor being pursued for the murder of a lover's (Marlene Dietrich) husband. Eve Gill (Jane Wyman) believes her male friend is innocent and goes undercover to try and catch the real killer. It's a marvelous and underrated Hitchcock minor classic with a brilliant opening sequence and conclusion. The actors all give exceptional performances particularly Todd and Wyman. Playing with the artifice of the theater world, Hitch also plays with audience expectations.
  
  "I Confess" had a troubled history during its production. Breen's censorship office (which used to censor films even at the scripting stage) objected to Hitch's story of a Priest (Montgomery Clift) who hears a murder confession and is torn about reporting it to the police. His vow prevents him from doing so but it also implicates him in the murder. Also featuring Anne Baxter and Karl Malden, "I Confess" isn't entirely successful but its daring theme, performances and two stunning set pieces make it a worthwhile movie.
  
  With "The Wrong Man" Hitch finally got his wish to work with all American icon Henry Fonda. Hitch elected to try the approach used by the Italian Neo-realism movement (best represented by DeSica's "The Bicycle Thief") in telling the true story of a musician named Manny who is identified as a robbery and murder suspect. This case of mistaken identity, the opposite of Hitch's later experiment with "Psycho", took an unusual tact with a more realistic performance style and less stylized look. It's a minor Hitchcock classic with a strong performance by Vera Miles as Manny's wife who ends up having a nervous break down due to what occurs.
  
  All the movies look exceptional. The older movies have some analog inherent analog flaws due to the age of the films but, on the whole, have never looked better. "Strangers on a Train" has been digitally remastered for this edition and features a sharper image with less grain problems. The blacks, grays and whites are solid and less murky looking than on the previous edition. "Dial M for Murder" suffers from haloing due to the 3-D process used to shoot the movie but the colors are vibrant and rich. "North by Northwest" looks terrific. It was previously released on DVD and this is the same transfer using a cleaned up restored version of the film. The restored mono sound on "Dial M" and the many other films included here sounds crisp with good presence.
  
  Making up for some of their oversights in the past, Warner has spent a lot of money to spiff up these classic movies. Every single movie has a short documentary on the making of the film featuring directors Richard Franklin ("Psycho 2", "Roadgames", "Flatland") and Peter Bogdanovich ("Paper Moon", "The Last Picture Show", "What's Up Doc?") commenting on Hitch's films. Franklin's a good choice as he's demonstrated tremendous skill in his overlooked suspense films. Bogdanovich who enjoyed a friendship with Hitch and interviewed the master for his book on Hitchcock has tremendous insight. He also does a killer Hitchcock imitation. Patricia Hitchcock O'Connell a fine character actress who appeared in two of the nine films included here, provides an insider's perspective on the great director's work and his overlooked collaborator his wife Alma Reville Hitchcock. There's also a generous amount of behind-the-scenes photos included in many of the documentaries and clips from various films included in the set.
  
  Both "North by Northwest" and "Strangers on a Train" come with commentary tracks. "North by Northwest" features the same commentary track by the late great Ernest Lehman as the previous edition. "Strangers on a Train" combines comments from Bogdanovich, "Psycho" screenwriter Jospeh Stefano and clips from Patricia Highsmith who wrote the novel the film is based on. It's a pity that more clips of Hitch from Bogdanovich's interviews and others over the years weren't assembled to give us a running commentary from the master himself but both Bogdanovich and Stefano give great insight as they knew the man and/or worked with him and also have the distance of collaborators.
  
  A great set from Warner Brothers, "The Alfred Hitchcock Signature Collection" should be an essential purchase for any fan of Hitch's. There's only one glaring omission from this set and that's "Lifeboat" which Hitchcock directed for Fox. Unfortunately, Warner wasn't able to secure the rights to include that for this DVD set. Oh, and I forgot to mention that every single title here is in the plastic Amray cases that Warner has recently begun releasing movies in so they're more durable than the cardboard sleeves for the previous editions of "North by Northwest" and "Strangers on a Train". My only complaint is with the box itself; it isn't all that sturdy and could have more details about the films and the extras. I'd also like to have seen an additional disc featuring maybe Hitchcock's films he made for the War Office during WWII as an extras here (similar to the episodes of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" that Universal packaged with their boxed sets). Still, one can't argue with the price as it works out to be roughly $10.00 for each movie. You'd pay nearly double that to buy them separately.
  
  
  

• THE MASTER OF SUSPENSE IN AN ECLECTIC BOX SET

  
  By A1M9DQDGE07Q0U on 2004-09-17
  Alfred Hitchcock is unquestionably a master director of cinema. In Warner's new box set "Alfred Hitchcock: The Signature Series" film buffs will get to see why. This latest collection of Hitchcock classics is a revelation of sorts in that it allows audience to examine and judge the critical merit of a string of films that, for the most part, haven't been given a lot of play time. Many represent rarities and experimentations in the Hitchcock formula.
  
  For some reason Hitchcock's first WWII thriller, "Foreign
  Correspondent" (1940), never quite achieved the critical accolades orfame of say, "Notorious." It stars matinee idol, Joel McCrea as Johnny Jones, a New York reporter dispatched to Europe who inadvertently stumbles upon a troupe of fascists preparing to take over the world. Along the way, he encounters Carol Fisher (Laraine Day) whose father, Stephan (Herbert Marshall) may or may not be the lynch pin in all the espionage.
  
  Next up is "Suspicion (1941). Following quickly on the heals of her success in "Rebecca" Joan Fontaine scored the coveted Best Actress Oscar for her role as Lina McLaidlaw, a bizarrely disturbed romantic wallflower. Lina's a repressed soul. But her traditional reservations are merely a façade for lusty home fires that seem to be sparked to satisfaction with her encounter of handsome playboy, Jonnie Aysgarth (Cary Grant). The two soon marry. However, as the romance progresses
  Jonnie seems to be more than just an elegant rogue. Could it be? Is he a murderer?
  
  "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" (1941) is the most uncharacteristic film in
  Hitchcock's canon and, indeed, this box set - a featherweight romantic comedy with shifting undercurrents; all about a feuding husband (David/Robert Montgomery) and wife (Ann/Carol Lombard) who, after living together for three years, suddenly discover that they're not legally married. When David hesitates in legitimizing their union Ann bolts for the nearest quick fix - a stoic romance with her business partner, Jeff Custer (Gene Raymond). In keeping with the formulaic conventions of classic screwball comedies, this one employs a series of hopelessly inept, though nevertheless hilarious, bits of complicated mischief in which David plots to win Ann back.
  
  "Stage Fright" (1950) is a convoluted charmer. Rarely has Hitchcock's attention to comedy and suspense been more seamlessly blended than on this occasion. Jane Wyman stars as Eve Gill, a novice sleuth determined to solve a murderous who-dun-it in a theatrical setting. Together with her flighty father, Commodore Gill(Alastair Simms), a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the likes of Charlotte Inwood (Marlene Dietrich) the conspicuously aloof and greedy stage diva.
  
  "Strangers on a Train" (1951) is often credited as beginning Hitchcock's second renaissance in Hollywood. It's a diabolical struggle of wills between the seemingly congenial tennis pro, Guy Haines (Farley Granger) and sycophantic admirer, Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker). When the two accidentally meet on a west bound train they exchange intriguing ideas on how to commit the perfect murder. Just one problem; Bruno takes the game seriously, murdering Guy's pregnant wife, Miriam (Kasey Rogers) in what is perhaps Hitchcock's most terrifying cinematic example of strangulation. This is decidedly a high water mark in Hitchcock's tenure, capped off by a visceral climax aboard a careening carousel.
  
  It seems Hitch' had a yen for tennis players. In "Dial M for Murder" (1954) tennis pro, Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) plots the perfect murder of his wealthy wife, Margot (Grace Kelly) after he discovers she is having an affair with prominent writer, Mark Halliday (Robert Cummings). But things backfire when Margot accidentally kills her attacker with a pair of scissors, thus opening up Tony's chances at improvisation. Shot during the briefly trendy period of 3-D, Hitch' chose to eschew the usual (let's throw things at the screen) gimmicky approach and instead shot "Dial M for Murder" with a distinct foreground, middle ground, background perspective that really places
  the audience in the center of the goings on. Only once, when Margot is being strangled by her attacker, does Hitch' succumb to the gimmick by having Margot reach behind her back (out into the audience) to grasp her lethal pair of shears; quite effective!
  
  "The Wrong Man" (1956) is unique in its semi-documentary/film noir approach to a real life New York case. Henry Fonda is Manny Balestrero, a struggling musician wrongfully accused of robbery when he attempts to cash in his wife, Rose's (Vera Miles) insurance policy. The trail of accusations leads to a meticulous examination of police procedure in which the pressure of labeling the victim and hunting down the accused eventually culminate in desperation and a complete - if coerced - confession.
  
  And finally we have the `wrong man' scenario to put all others to shame; "North by Northwest" (1959) is Hitchcock's slick and polished cross country adventure meets `the wrong man' scenario. When advertising executive Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) is mistaken for an American CIA agent by the man he is supposed to be tailing, Mr. Van Damme (James Mason), Roger finds himself the victim of multiple attempted assassinations and a harried chase to unravel the mystery behind the insidious girl with whom he's suddenly fallen in love - Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint).
  
  The black and white elements for "Strangers on A Train" and "Mr. And Mrs. Smith are impressive to say the least, with pure whites, deep solid blacks and little in the way of age related artifacts. The remaining B&W films (I Confess, Foreign Correspondent, Stage Fright, The Wrong Man and Suspicion) have varying degrees of visual clarity and cleanliness. The short answer is that NONE of the films will disappoint. The longer response is that of the remaining aforementioned titles, there is considerable disparity in both age related and digital artifacts. There's a somewhat obtrusive shimmering effect to darker scenes in "I Confess", some serious film grain in "Stage Fright" and varying degrees of tonality and rendering of fine details in the gray scale of "Suspicion". The contrast levels on "The Wrong Man" seem a tad low too. As for the remaining two color films in this box set, "Dial M for Murder" and "North By Northwest"...only the latter will amaze you. The former, although a considerable improvement on previously released versions, continues to suffer from grainy, haze and slightly out of focus image quality - which is in keeping with the shortcomings of 3-D photography, NOT the transfer itself. Finally, succinct featurettes accompany every film in this box set - with rare footage and interviews from surviving cast members.
  BOTTOM LINE: An absolute must!
  
  
  

• Great box set, but one complaint

  
  By A53IXX7MH6DHI on 2004-09-29
  I love this box set and the fact that Dial M for Murder, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Foreign Correspondent have finally been released on DVD. However, I have the same complaint as M. Aubin that booklets, even chapter listing sheets, have not been included. I called Warner Brothers (after they failed to respond to 2 e-mails) and was told that many of the studios are no longer bothering with package inserts. That's a shame. I'm sure it's a minimal expense and the chapter listings make it easier for DVD viewers and usually include some extra art from the film.
  
  North by Northwest is one of my favorite Hitchcock films, but this DVD is identical in all respects to the one previously released except that it's now in a plastic rather than cardboard case. I would have appreciated at least one new extra on this. The second disc containing many new features on Strangers on a Train is exceptional. I do join with some of the other reviewers in wishing that Dial M had been released in its original 3-D format.
  
  I've never been a big fan of Suspicion or I Confess, but it's great to have the films available. Also, I'm pleased that this set includes the very interesting and underrated Stage Fright and The Wrong Man.
  
  All in all, a great set and certainly worth the money, but let's complain to the studios that are omitting the paper inserts.
  
  

• Showing off Hitch's versatility!

  
  By A21B2TJBWCSK1R on 2004-11-23
  The newly released Alfred Hitchcock Signature Collection contains nine of the Master of Suspense's movies from 1940 to 1959. It's an intriguing mix of the famous (North by Northwest) and the underrated (Mr. and Mrs. Smith). All of the films in the set range from Hitchcock's early American efforts to when he had fully hit his stride in the `50s. The mix of genres is also varied, from his trademark thrillers (Strangers on a Train) to an uncharacteristic foray into screwball comedy (Mr. and Mrs. Smith) to hard-hitting drama (I Confess).
  
  All the DVDs include Making Of featurettes with such notables as Hitchcock's daughter, Pat, filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich and various film historians (like Robert Osbourne) talk about the significance of each movie and how they came to be. Also included are theatrical trailers for each movie as well.
  
  Not surprisingly, the two most popular films of the set, Strangers on a Train and North by Northwest get the deluxe treatment in terms of extras.
  
  The first disc of Strangers on a Train includes an audio commentary with several participants, most notably Bogdanovich interviewing Hitchcock about the movie back in the day and a Patricia Highsmith biographer who talks at length about the origins of the novel and its relation to the movie.
  
  The second disc features the bulk of the extras, including a preview version of the movie that was discovered in 1991 and runs two minutes longer. "Strangers on a Train: A Hitchcock Classic" is an excellent 36-minute documentary that looks at the Hitchcockian themes prevalent in this movie: the wrong man and the flawed hero and villain tainted with guilt. The screenplay's troubled past is examined-at one point Hitch started filming without a finished script, a practice he rarely did. Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan shows up in his own featurette where he gushes about the movie and explains why it is one of his favourite films. "The Victim's P.O.V." is a seven-minute interview with Kasey Rogers who played Miriam in the film. She talks about how she got the role and her experiences working on the movie. "The Hitchcocks on Hitch" is an 11-minute look at the director's personal life with nice vintage home movie footage of the man spending quality time with his family that shows a warm, playful side to the filmmaker. Finally, there is "Alfred Hitchcock's Historical Meeting," silent footage of the director meeting someone and then getting on a train (?).
  
  North by Northwest features a decent collection of extras. Up first is an audio commentary by the film's screenwriter, Ernest Lehman. This commentary tends to be a let down as Lehman often simply describes what we are already seeing with lots of lulls between comments.
  
  An excellent 39-minute Making Of documentary more than makes up for the lackluster commentary. Hosted by Eva Marie Saint, this doc examines the film's origins: Hitch had the idea of filming a thriller that would feature a chase across the faces of Mt. Rushmore. Lehman rose to the challenge and set out to make the ultimate Hitchcock thriller. This was considered a very ambitious and expensive project at the time but has since gone to become a classic. There are also several trailers, including one hosted by Hitchcock with his trademark dry, cheeky humour. Also included is a behind-the-scenes stills gallery. Finally, one can listen to Bernard Herrmann's memorable score on a music-only track. This is a nice touch for a film where the music plays such an important role.
  
  Fans of Hitchcock are in for a real treat with this collection. Many of the films included in this set have never been released on DVD before. Each movie features top notch transfers and substantial extras. Obviously, a lot of work went into this set and it shows on every DVD. Most significantly, this collection showcases some of the director's under-appreciated works with two of his more famous efforts demonstrating a versatility he possessed and that is not often recognized.
  
  
• Contains Seven Never before available Hitchcock films
  By A29RJJ42ZMB30Q on 2004-06-28
  The box set will include new to DVD Hitchcock releases Dial M for Murder, Foreign Correspondent, Suspicion, The Wrong Man, Stage Fright, I Confess, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, each of which will include a new documentary on the film. The box set will also include the 2 disc Strangers on the Train and North By Northwest special edition DVDs.
  
  
• A wonderful assortment of some of his best along with some lesser known works
  By A315K47GRB024C on 2005-09-14
  The Alfred Hitchcock Signature Collection includes 9 different movies. These are not his nine best, but several are, and most rank near the top of his legendary career. Here are the reviews for the each movie:
  
  
  NORTH BY NORTHWEST
  
  North by Northwest is a timeless classic involving action, adventure, drama, suspense and even some well-timed comedy, all rooted from a simple case of mistaken identity. Cary Grant stars as Roger Thornhill, a Madison Avenue executive, who is accidentally mistaken for a secret government agent named George Kaplan. Thornhill's main adversary is a spy for a foreign government named Phillip Vandamm (James Mason). Along the way, Thornhill meets a beautiful blond named Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint) who adds a lot of sex appeal along with several surprises to this wild and wonderful plot.
  
  The movie is masterpiece for numerous reasons. The first reason is because of the some of the unforgettable action shots including Grant being attacked by a crop dusting plane in a remote cornfield and then being chased across the face of Mount Rushmore. But beyond just the action, there many brilliant scenes where Grant either alludes the people tracking him or simply just outsmarts them and does some impressive detective work on his own. The script oozes with witty and clever lines with many visually memorable scenes as well. Another strength of the movie is a powerful music score that accentuates every crucial moment in the film. Furthermore, Grant and Mason give outstanding performances, perhaps their best. The movie also breaks out of the old Hollywood overly restrained romance situations with some very forward dialogue and some sexually suggestive scenes between Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint (but still extremely tame by today's standards). Finally, the widescreen color presentation is nothing short of spectacular. Not only is this Hitchcock's best, but from my personal viewpoint, it ranks #4 on my list of the greatest movies ever made behind Casablanca and The Godfather I & II. I have watched this movie at least six times over the past 25 years (now for the first time on DVD) and it still hasn't lost its edge.
  
  As mentioned, the DVD quality is utterly fantastic for a film this old. The widescreen color transfer is completely immaculate, and rich in color and sharpness - rivaling movies made today. The sound is also outstanding for a film this old. There many bonuses, but the best is the making of the film with a cross the country diary of how and where the movie was shot. There is also a very good commentary by the Earnest Lehman who wrote the screenplay.
  
  Movie: A+
  
  DVD Quality: A+
  
  
  
  SUSPICION
  
  The movie opens on train where Johnnie Aysgarth (Cary Grant) sits down in a private first class compartment with a frumpy young woman named Lina (Joan Fontaine). Johnnie makes an excuse that he was in another first class car but couldn't stand the smoke. When the conductor collects the tickets, he finds that Johnnie doesn't have a first class ticket or enough money to cover the difference in fare. With some slick salesmanship, Johnnie gets Lina to pay the additional fare. This is a foreshadowing of things to come. They meet again and have a whirlwind romance and get married. Lida quickly finds out that Johnnie has champaign tastes on a beer drinker's budget and uses a lot of charm and shrewd chicanery to obtain money without doing an honest day's work. As time goes on, Lida losses trust in Johnnie but later develops legitimate fears that he may go as far as committing murder for financial gain. This sets up the remainder of the film with plenty of suspense and drama finding out who the real Johnnie is and how far he'll go with his money scheming shenanigans.
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed this movie for many reasons, but mainly because of the two leading actors: Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine. Not only were their individual performances terrific, but also the chemistry between the two was astounding. The Johnnie Aysgarth character was a spellbinding enigma throughout the entire film. Alfred Hitchcock masterfully directed the acting so that it was hard to tell if Johnnie was a charming, but irresponsible child in a man's body or deadly sociopath. Joan Fontaine won an Oscar for her performance as the emotionally tortured wife. Nigel Bruce also did a great job in a supporting role as Johnnie's old friend 'Beaky'. Another wonderful thing about this movie is that there is a clear comical element to the film - especially when Johnnie assumes that his newly wedded wife has lots of money but finds out she doesn't. The way Johnnie wiggles his way out several tight spots is a fascinating display of his creative and spontaneous ingenuity. All in all, it's a terrific suspense film with virtually no wasted moments in the entire movie. The ending is slightly controversial only because we find out in the commentary that the ending was change at the last minute. Some people would have undoubtedly preferred the original ending. I'm fine with the released version.
  
  The DVD picture quality is nearly perfect for a movie this old. The transfer is sharp and blemish-free, with only a few grainy scenes. The sound was fine and DVD includes a bonus commentary segment about "Suspicion".
  
  Movie: A
  
  DVD Quality: A
  
  
  
  STAGE FRIGHT
  
  The movie 'Stage Fright' opens with Jonathan Cooper (Richard Todd) and Eve Gill (Jane Wyman) fleeing London in a car. As they are driving off eluding the police, Jonathon tells Eve of the mess that he's in. His story in a nutshell is that a famous actress named Charlotte Inwood (Marlene Dietrich) killed her husband in their home and splattered blood on her dress and came to Jonathon's apartment for help. Jonathon explains that he ended up going back to the murder scene to get Charlotte a clean dress but was seen, thus making him the primary suspect. From this point on Eve does a number of things to protect and exonerate him including working as an operative so that she can find evidence to convict Charlotte of the murder.
  
  The film uses some shameless chicanery to misdirect the audience. To avoid spoiling the plot, my problem wasn't so much that a subterfuge was used, but that it carried on this charade for just about the entire movie (until the final few minutes of the film). But that wasn't the biggest flaw for me. My bigger problem with the film is that its obvious that Jonathan is grossly infatuated or in love with Charlotte, and this becomes crystal clear to Eve, yet she still does everything possible to help him get out of this mess. Another significant problem is that Eve, who lives in London and has British parents speaks with an American accent except when she's a spy.
  
  But in spite of these problems, Marlene Dietrich gives a mesmerizing performance that's truly Oscar-worthy. Even beyond her radiant beauty, she exudes confidence and poise in every scene she's in. Alastair Sim, who plays Eve's father in a supporting role, gives a very witty and extremely entertaining performance. If you get past the American accent, Jane Wyman does a decent job too. The movie is still very entertaining and fun to watch - again mainly due to Marlene Dietrich.
  
  The B&W picture quality of this DVD is sharp but the presentation is marred by specs of film deterioration throughout the film. Sadly, a severe vertical scratch appearing for at least 6 or 7 seconds severely distracts the final scene of the movie. The sound was good for a film this old. The only worthwhile bonus on the DVD is a short commentary about the film `Stage Fright'.
  
  Movie: B+
  
  DVD Quality: B
  
  
  
  DIAL M FOR MURDER
  
  The movie 'Dial "M" for Murder' is film adapted from a successful play. Alfred Hitchcock directed this picture and since almost all of the movie takes place in one setting, it really does have the look of a play put on film. But that does not in anyway denegrate the quality nor entertainment value of this movie. On the contrary, because of a brilliantly conceived story, coupled with superb acting, the film is terrific.
  
  The story is set in London and involves a love triangle between a retired tennis pro Tony Wendice (Ray Milland), his wealthy and beautiful wife Margot (Grace Kelly), and an American novelist Mark Halliday (Robert Cummings). Halliday returns to London after an extended absence and Tony knows about this affair and concocts a brilliant plot to murder his wife. He develops what seems like a perfect murder plan by blackmailing an old college friend Charles Swann (Anthony Dawson), into committing the murder so that Tony has a perfect alibi. This sets up the remainder of the film where a death occurs and an investigation is opened by the police, and Tony, Halliday and the police detectives match wits figuring out what really happened.
  
  The film is rather simple in format and even though there are several twists, the real magic of the movie is how well Tony Wendice, Halliday and the police intellectually involve themselves in the murder plot. Another major strength of the movie is the performance of Ray Milland, who plays a smooth, charming and very cunning mastermind of what seems like the perfect murder. His cool compsure from beginning to end in all sorts of troubled spots is an amazing sight to watch. When he confronts Swann with his plan, Swann seems like a trapped animal and appears to have no choice to commit the crime since Wendice has him between a rock and a hard spot. But the murder seems so well thought out that the risks appear to be minimal. Once the police are involved, Chief Inspector Hubbard played by John Williams shines as well with superb detective work figuring out how and why this killing really occurred. Grace Kelly also does a fine acting job in this film. Overall, its a great movie, but clearly a lesser challenging film for Hitchcock's cinematic brilliance. This was originally filmed in 3-D, so the movie exploits a lot of foreground/background subjects instead of showing characters and props mostly equal distant to the camera.
  
  The DVD transfer is top notch. There is virtually no film deterioration present and the full-screen color is vibrant. The sharpness is very good, but not great and there were a few times some of the subjects seems out of focus, but that's probably attributed to the 3-D technology of that era. Overall, its still an excellent visual presentation of the movie. The sound was fine also. The extras include a short documentary analysis of the film plus a very short segment on the history of 3-D.
  
  Movie: A
  
  DVD Quality: A
  
  
  
  I CONFESS
  
  I've been a big fan of Hitchcock since I saw the movie "The Birds" in the late 1960's and since then I thought I'd seen all of his movies on either video, TV or the big screen at some movie festivals. I recently bought the nine DVD "Signature Collection" and had seen all but two movies, one of which was "I Confess". I really didn't know what to expect and was a bit disturbed with the artwork which shows a priest holding a beautiful woman.
  
  The storyline involves an immigrant named Otto Keller (O.E. Hasse) who works as a maintenance man in a Catholic Church in Quebec. One night Otto comes into the cathedral and sees a priest named Father Logan (Montgomery Clift) and asks the priest hear his confessions. Otto confesses to Father Logan that he killed someone earlier that night. Father Logan goes to that house of the murdered man the following morning, but the police have already arrived and Logan also runs into Ruth Grandfort (Ann Baxter), a woman he knows. The police have only one lead and it appears that some witnesses saw a priest leave the scene of the crime. The plot thickens intensely as Father Logan becomes a primary suspect, and his credibility is challenged since he appears to be involved with a married woman yet because of his oath as a priest, he cannot divulge the confessions of the killer. This sets up the rest of the movie for plenty drama and suspense.
  
  This was one of those movies that sticks with you long after you watch it and gives you a lot to think about. There could be many parallels made to the life of Jesus who served and sacrificed his life for the sake of the sinners of the world (although Father Logan is in no way a Messiah). Other allegories include being ridiculed and scorned for acts he never committed or for being compassionate and forgiving for those who've harmed him. In all, its a story of compassion, sacrifice and love, but perhaps most of all staying true to your oath and calling, even in the face of death. The acting was nothing extra special, but I would say Karl Maldon was the best of the bunch. The script was superb and the picture certainly had that "Hitchcock look", especially in the opening segment at night. In case anyone cares, I'm not a Roman Catholic, but a Christian who attends a protestant church, yet I found this movie very inspiring. It was also refreshing to see a movie that wasn't trying to viciously scandalize the church as many movies do today. This film may be more for acquired tastes, but for myself, I was thoroughly pleased with the story, and was more challenged than entertained.
  
  The DVD quality is nearly perfect for a movie this old. The transfer is sharp and blemish-free, but seemed a tad grainy in some scenes. The sound was fine and there were a few bonus features including a commentary segment about "I Confess".
  
  Movie: A
  
  DVD Quality: A-
  
  
  
  FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT
  
  The story takes place in the late 1930's where an American newspaper reporter named Johnny Jones (Joel McCrea) is assigned to go to Europe to report on the possibility of a pending global war. His editor emphasizes that he doesn't want correspondence - he wants news. So Jones goes first to England and later to Holland where he witnesses an apparent assassination of a Dutch diplomat. This starts the beginning of a wild and dangerous investigation where Jones tries to uncover all the details and people responsible for this incident.
  
  There are several things that I liked about this movie. The settings in Europe, especially the windmills in Holland, made a great backdrop to a very good plot. The underlying theme of foreign espionage with several surprising twists was also a major asset to the film. The acting was excellent and so was the cinematography. My only minor turnoff with the film was the noticeable complacency of the characters in very life threatening situations. Overall, it was an extremely relevant film, especially considering it was released shortly before America entered World War II. For me it was a very good movie but not a great one.
  
  The B&W picture quality of this DVD is sharp and crisp but the film was clearly un-restored due to tiny specs of film deterioration showing up sporadically throughout the movie. The sound was very satisfactory. The only bonuses on the DVD include a trailer and a short feature entitled "Foreign Hitchcock".
  
  Movie: B+
  
  DVD Quality: B
  
  
  
  STRANGERS ON A TRAIN
  
  'Strangers on a Train' is Alfred Hitchcock's first American movie and certainly one of his better ones. The storyline involves a young tennis player named Guy Haines (Farley Granger), who sits with another man named Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker) on a several hour train ride. Guy is somewhat of a celebrity and Bruno seems to know a lot about his turbulent personal life. At one point Bruno proposes a scheme where he could murder Guy's estranged wife in exchange for murdering Bruno's tyrannical and wealthy father. The plot appears foolproof since the each murderer in theory would be nearly impossible to track down. Guy is greatly disturbed by this proposal, yet through Bruno's distorted perspective, he seems convinced that the agreement to this devious plot is mutual. Not too long after this meeting, Bruno tracks down Guy's separated wife and murders her and reveals his so called end of the bargain to Guy. This sets up the remainder of the movie where Guy is put in a very precarious position by not only the police who view him as the primary suspect, but from Bruno who expects Guy to perform his end of the deal.
  
  This movie is a lot of fun, mainly because Robert Walker does such an outstanding job as this devious sociopathic killer. His performance as the cool and calculated murderer masked by his wealthy, refined and well-educated appearance is extraordinary. His persistence of involving himself by in effect blackmailing and stalking his pseudo partner is also well done. Another fine performance is by Marion Lorne who plays Bruno's mother. Her naiveté and constant denial of her son's clear psychological problems is a real treasure to watch. There is also some terrific camera work in this movie, clearly due to the creative genius of Alfred Hitchcock. I was slightly unimpressed with the ending, but overall, its a very entertaining movie.
  
  The DVD quality is a pristine full screen B&W transfer. The contrast and sharpness are superb for a movie this old. The DVD comes with plenty of bonuses including a second "preview" version of the film and lots of commentaries and documentaries.
  
  Movie: A-
  
  DVD Quality: A
  
  
  
  THE WRONG MAN
  
  This movie is in effect a real life documentary of man being arrested and tried for crimes he did not commit. Henry Fonda stars as Manny Balestrero, a New York nightclub bass player who is arrested for a series of armed robberies. Balestrero has a wife named Rose (Vera Miles) and two sons, so his surprise arrest puts a huge financial and emotional burden on this family. The movie is very detailed as it goes through the entire legal process of his interrogation, arrest, arraignment, legal counseling and finally his trial.
  
  This is a very serious movie and it's a clear departure from other mid-50's Hitchcock American films. The movie is shot in full-screen black and white, and has a very noir-type look. The soundtrack also doesn't sound like it's from a studio orchestra but rather a jazz band with it's very prominent score as opposed to being just background music. I liked the movie, but didn't love it. It seemed like Hitchcock went through the motions on this one but it does have a very strong ending. Overall, the film is emotionally draining and uses very little artistic creativity, but it's obvious that Hitchcock did not intend to entertain his audience but rather send a sobering message regarding how fragile life is. To it's credit, the film also reveals a message of divine intervention when we turn to God in our time of deepest pain.
  
  The DVD transfer very sharp but some tiny deterioration was noticeable periodically throughout the film. The sound is excellent as the music soundtrack sets an important tone to the movie. The extras include a short documentary analysis of the film.
  
  Movie: B
  
  DVD Quality: B+
  
  
  
  MR. & MRS. SMITH
  
  This was Hitchcock's first and last attempt of directing a comedy. 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' is a comical farce about a married couple named Anne (Carole Lombard) and David Smith (Robert Montgomery) who clearly have some relationship issues since Anne has an established pattern of spending days at a time in bed anytime she has a disagreement with her husband. After making up from their latest tiff, Anne asks David, "If given the chance to go back in time would you marry me again"? His instant response is "No", but then realizes he's made a terrible gaff and unsuccessfully tries to cover his tracks, but at least does enough damage control to keep them together. Shortly after David learns that through a legal snafu, their marriage is void. When Anne learns about this legal wrinkle, she separates and this sets up a cat and mouse game between the two seeing if they can salvage their relationship.
  
  As much as I like Hitchcock and Carole Lombard, both Hollywood legends in their own right, I can't say this movie worked magic for me. I do know that films like this were very popular in their day, but I didn't find any of it laugh-out-loud funny, although some of scenes put a smile on my face. I did like the slice of life look of the film as it showed many interesting backdrops including several original interior shots plus scenes at an amusement park and a ski resort. If you like screwball comedies from this era, you will probably be very entertained with the film. If you don't like that type of humor, or hope to find lots of Hitchcock's creative artistry and cinematic brilliance, you will probably be disappointed with the film.
  
  The B&W picture quality of this DVD is sharp and crisp but tiny specs of film deterioration showed up sporadically throughout the movie. The sound was very satisfactory for a film this old. The only bonus on the DVD is a short commentary about the film.
  
  Movie: C
  
  DVD Quality: B+
  
  
• Worth every penny...
  By A2RFG9LI7JDILS on 2004-10-13
  If you make one dvd purchase this year - make it this collection. This set includes some of the master's best work - and features some excellent performances by Cary Grant, Robert Walker, Joan Fontaine, Henry Fonda, etc.
  
  I have nothing bad to say about the quality of the discs - they are all restored and feature documentaries about the making of the films.
  
  There are a few titles that stand out Dial M for Murder is a treat, as is Suspision (the follow up to Rebecca), and the much anticipated Strangers on a Train.
  
  Hitchcock was truly a master film maker - and you can feel it in each one of these movies.
  
  
• Great but still no 3D version of Dial M
  By A13K8XT134B52I on 2004-08-15
  Great to see these wonderfull films being released on DVD but still no 3D version of Dial M for murder, I can't understand why film studios are not releasing there original 3D films on DVD so that we can all see what the director intended, there are great new ways to view 3D on dvd like the new ColorCode system, These use Red / Yellow cardboard 3D glasses, much better than the old anaglyph Red / Blue system, then there's the LCD Switching system. Millions of people out there with millions of 3D glasses but no content. it's such a shame. Look at my 3D site for more info on 3D. www.media55.co.uk.
  
  
• GREAT SCOTT!!
  By A2IU2BSVWQLKJ7 on 2004-09-07
  I agree with, MOVIEFANATIC, the reviewer below. Where's LIFEBOAT? One of Hitch's greatest films is still unavailable on DVD. But this collection looks great. Some Hitch CLASSICS. STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, DIAL M FOR MURDER (Which has been unavailable on DVD), NORTH BY NORTHWEST, and one of my all time favorites, THE WRONG MAN. if you're just starting a Hitchcock collection, you can't go wrong with this set.
  
  I just hope two of these are being sold separately. I need DIAL M and THE WRONG MAN.
  
  If you've never seen STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, you don't know what you're missing. Robert Walker's Bruno is quite possibly the most delicious villain ever to double-cross a Hitchcock protagonist. A dark comedic performance that will make you howl with delight. SEE IT. I can't say if it includes both the American and British versions which are included on the Warner Brothers single DVD that I own. This package doesn't come out until tomorrow. It looks like a 2 disc Special Edition. Wow. Enjoy.
  
  
• IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!
  By A26YQG9BHN58OQ on 2004-07-26
  It's about time they release these!!! "Strangers" "N By NW" and "Dial M" are pretty well known, but the rest of these are hidden jems that I'm really surprised were not released a long time ago. I promise that whoever buys this will not be disappointed; well maybe I shouldn't promise, but I know I won't be!!!
  
  
• N by NW shouldn't be here!!!
  By A1I9ZF0615HJ9L on 2004-09-07
  I agree that North by Northwest shouldn't be in this new set since it hasn't been updated in this release. Unfortunatley "Lifeboat" which should be in this set is owned by 20th Century Fox so it couldn't be included. Might have included the pretty bad "Under Capricorn" or "Paradine Case" in better editions or the very good"Young and Innocent"
  Better yet a 2 disc edition of "Dial M" with a copy of the 3-D print on the second disc would have been great.
  
  
• Hitch Did Better & So Can you
  By A3CIYAHOSN4F0Z on 2005-08-27
  The rarely seen Foreign Correspondent and I Confess. The failed comedy Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The experimental Dial M for Murder and The Wrong Man. The middling Stage Fright. Only Strangers on a Train and North By Northwest are signature Hitchcock. Where are Psycho, Vertigo, The Birds, Rear Window, Notorious, Shadow of a Doubt, Rebecca, The 39 Steps, The Lady Vanishes and, purhaps even, The Lodger? A signature collection would include all or most of these titles with North by Northwest and Strangers on a Train. Of course this would oblidge the different studios to cooperate with each other. God forbid. Warner Bros is developing a reputation for shortchanging and lying to its customers. You're much better off buying your favorite Hitchcock titles individually new or used.
  
  
• Great but Could be Better!
  By A55LR5L4EIWBV on 2004-09-06
  It's incredible for any Hitchcock's lover to see seven never released on DVD movies introduced all at once. What a thrill! My only complaint about the selection is that "The Stranger on the Train" and "North by Northwest" have already been released before. If only "Lifeboat" would be selected instead... Everybody is entitled to a dream!
  
  
• Dial M for Murder
  By ADJZB0BNMLOXZ on 2004-12-28
  I've seen "Dial M for Murder" in a restored 3-D theatrical presentation. The use of 3-D is the icing on the cake of this thriller. What a shame to not have released this classic in 3-D.
  
  
• Great Collection... but...
  By A3TPTTERJ79TGQ on 2004-09-09
  This is more of a question that an actual review. I just purchased this long anticipated collection, but each DVD case is missing the standard chapter listings sheet. Am I the only one? Did Warner Bros. feel the need to exclude the usual liner notes? Just wondering...
  
  
• A true treasure trove for Hitchcock devotees
  By A2INV4B3M088OS on 2005-07-26
  "The Alfred Hitchcock Signature Collection" brings together nine of the director's many, many great films. There are innumerable highlights to this set. Foremost among them is the first DVD release of Hitchcock's lone (and smashingly successful) foray into the screwball comedy genre, 1941's "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery star in this hilarious romp, a making of documentary is included. As with all the DVDs in the set, the print is excellent.
  "Foreign Correspondent" (1940) with Joel McCrea and a superb supporting cast led by George Sanders and Herbert Marshall, is an excellent spy thriller and a great look at Europe and America at the outset of the second world war. McCrea in his only appearance for Hitch, is a New York newspaper reporter sent to Europe to report on international turmoil. The making of documentary here is particularly revealing.
  Another highlight is one of America's most underrated films, "I Confess" which features the brilliant Montgomery Clift as a priest who hears the confession of a murder and then is accused of the same murder. To me, "I Confess" is classic Hitchcock, in mood, setting, camera angle and the performances he illicits. Along with the making of documentary, this disc has newsreels footage of the movie's premier.
  "Strangers on a Train" comes in two discs. The first disc includes the final release version and can be watched with commentary with an entire crew of Hitchcock experts and associates, led by Peter Bogdanovich. The second disc is a real treat with the preview version, and several featurettes. All told it is a deserving presentation of a great film (albeit one with an improbable ending).
  That would seem plenty there but, as they say on the TV ads: "there's more!" Cary Grant appears in two films, 18 years apart. "Supicion" (1941) with an Oscar-winning performance by the lovely Joan Fontaine, and the classic, "North by Northwest." The former is to me (and not incidentally to Hitchcock) ruined by the studio-imposed ending, the latter holds a deserving place among the most highly regarded of American films.
  "The Wrong Man" stars Henry Fonda in the true story of a musician wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime. Shot in many of the real locations, the movie has the feel of a stylized documentary, to coin a phrase.
  "DIal M for Murder" features a great cast led by Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings and John Williams. A love triangle, murder plots and sophisticated banter highlight this engaging story.
  Lastly there is "Stage Fright" which is not one of Hitchcock's most critically acclaimed film, in part because of a twist that to many viewers wrongfully deceives the viewer. But the film works for me and its hard to go wrong any time Marlene Dietrich appears on screen. All films include a making of featurette.
  It's impossible to imagine even a casual Hitchcock fan not wanting this set. For diehards, this is a must!
  
  
• Pick this along with Masterpiece Collection and you're done!
  By A2O7QITKPFZG07 on 2007-08-23
  This collection is brilliant and the packaging is insignificant, It is just 9 standard DVD boxes put in one outer box.
  
  This set does not include certain must-have classics like
  Psycho
  Vertigo
  Rear Window
  The Rope,
  The Man Who Knew Too Much etc
  
  All this is available in the brilliant Masterpiece Collection which I picked up from here.
  
  So if you buy these 2 box sets, you're done!!!
  
  
  
• Is there EVER enough commentary?
  By A2D9TA1EYXA9KR on 2005-09-12
  The answer for me is ... rarely is there enough good, insightful commentary in these sets, but this set has it pretty well done. The special features are, for the most part, unique to the specific movie, and add interesting background notes.
  
  While SUSPICION is one of my all time favorites that I can watch a million times, the suprise of this set for me was I CONFESS. Hitchcock really delves into his twin interests of wrongful imprisonment and religious conviction. It also includes a delightfully misty romantic flashback which is silly and endearing because it is the lopsided memory of someone obsessed in love. (Another favorite theme.)
  
  These are not Hitchock's glossies (except for DIAL M, and North by Northwest), and I do prefer them to some in this predominantly smaller, darker set. This set seems to be fairly random - but - definitely worth every penny.
  
  
• a must for a fan
  By A3691IXP0N9MD9 on 2007-03-08
  As a long time fan of Hitchcock, I am always looking for more. I have approx. 20 of his films on DVD. This collection has some that I had never seen before. In addition, the "making of" special features are great for someone who wants to know what made Hitch so unique as a film director. I have (and will) spend many hours viewing these discs.
  
  
• Wonderful Collection
  By AD624F8GWW7XW on 2007-04-05
  This collection is absolutely fabulous. All the movies are remastered and are excellent quality especially on a big screen. Just as I remembered them. Too cool...
  
  
• 9 CLASSIC GEMS FROM THE MASTER OF SUSPENSE!
  By A8V74RZY8TIRJ on 2007-09-17
  "Alfred Hitchcock: The Signature Collection" gathers nine classic films from the director best known for his suspense and film noir expertise!
  
  "Strangers On A Train" (1951) (2 disc Special Ediiton)
  Psychotic mother's boy Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker) meets famous tennis professional Guy Haines (Farley Granger) on a train. Guy wants to move into a career in politics and has been dating a senator's daughter, Ann Morton, (Ruth Roman) while awaiting a divorce from his wife, Miriam (Kasesy Rogers). Bruno wants to kill his father, but knows he will be caught because he has a motive. Bruno dreams up a crazy scheme whereby he and Guy exchange murders. Guy takes this as a joke, but Bruno is serious and takes things into his own hands. Classic Hitchcock suspense has everything that suspense fan could ask for- great script, perfect cast, and an over-the-top finale! It even co-starred Hitchcock's own daughter, Patricia Hitchcock as Ruth Roman's on screen sister, Barbara Morton. It's also nice to see Marion Lorne (Aunt Clara from TV's "Bewitched") playing Robert Walker's on screen Mother. Each performance here is solid and gives the film a true sense of believability as the tension builds in each scene. The film's finale takes place in an amusement park and is still one of the best ever!
  
  "North By Northwest" (1959)
  New York advertising executive Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) is kidnapped by a gang of spies led by Philip Vandamm, (James Mason) who believes Thornhill is CIA agent George Kaplan. Thornhill escapes, but must find Kaplan in order to clear himself of a murder it is believed he committed. Following Kaplan to Chicago as a fugitive from justice, Thornhill is helped by beautiful Eve Kendall. (Eva Marie Saint) In Chicago, she delivers a message to Kaplan that almost costs Thornhill his life when a crop-dusting plane thrillingly chases him across a cornfield! One of the crown jewels of the Hitchcock suspense films and justly so, with standout performances by Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason. The infamous "Mount Rushmore" chase scene is still quiet breathtaking to behold!
  
  "Dial `M' For Murder" (1954)
  Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) learns that his wife, Margo (Grace Kelly) had an affair but even though it's over, he decides to kill her but chooses to bid his time. He waits until Mark Halliday, (Robert Cummings) his wife's lover, returns to town. He then begins to put his plan into play. He summons a man, who he is sure, will carry out his plan, for he recalls him from his college years. Explaining what he believes to be `the perfect murder,' he gets the man to agree to kill his wife. The night of his wife's murder is played out brilliantly and the suspense factor goes from 0 to 100 as Margo fights for her life and in the struggle takes the life of her would-be-killer! Tony, trying to cover everything up, decides then to make it appear that Margo had an ulterior motive for killing the man. And it appears to be working except Halliday doesn't believe she's guilty and the police uncover a few anomalies. Truly one of the underappreciated Hitchcock classics with Milland, Kelley, and Cummings in top form! The leading Scotland Yard Detective Hubbard, is played brilliantly by British actor John Williams, who gives "Dial M For Murder" an extra shot of class! It's really clever how each piece of the murder puzzle is discovered throughout the film and makes you want to see it again, just to see it all unfold once more!
  
  "Foreign Correspondent" (1940)
  Johnny Jones (Joel McCrea) is an action reporter on a New York newspaper. The editor appoints him European correspondent because he is fed up with the dry, reports he currently gets. Johnny's first assignment is to get the inside story on a secret treaty agreed between two European countries by the famous diplomat, Mr. Van Meer. (Albert Bassermann) An assassination of a foreign government official begins the spiraling espionage that Johnny finds himself submerging in, taking the viewer along for the ride! Johnny enlists the help of a young woman, Caroll Fisher (Laraine Day) to help track down a group of spies as the story progresses into one of Hitchcock's best espionage adventures!
  
  "Suspicion" (1941)
  Johnny Aysgarth (Cary Grant) is a handsome gambler who seems to live by borrowing money from friends. He meets shy Lina McLaidlaw (Joan Fontaine) on a train whilst trying to travel in a first class carriage with a third class ticket. He begins to court Lina and before long they are married. It is only after the honeymoon that she discovers his true character and she starts to become suspicious when Johnny's friend and business partner, Beaky (Nigel Bruce) is killed mysteriously. The story builds with suspense as you keep guessing, along with Lina, could Johnny truly be a cold-hearted murderer or am I just imagining things? "Suspicion" is Joan Fontaine's second Hitchcock film, following her brilliant performance in 1939's "Rebecca." Cary Grant is, as always, suave and debonair, bringing his character to the front as either cunningly evil or simply misunderstood. Joan Fontaine had a quality about her that made you want to protect her from the menaces on the screen, and I believe that this is what endured her to movie audiences in films like "Rebecca" and `Suspicion." Another great suspense film from the master of suspense, however, I would have preferred the original ending to "Suspicion," as I'm sure Mr. Hitchcock would have preferred as well.
  
  "The Wrong Man" (1956)
  The true story of Manny Balestrero (Henry Fonda), a musician unjustly accused of armed robbery. In classic Hitchcock form, Balestrero vehemently protests his innocence but acts thoroughly guilty, leading a host of policemen and witnesses to finger him as the thief. The trial goes badly for Manny, but life is worse for his wife, Rose (Vera Miles), who falls apart under the strain of his ordeal. With intense and heartbreaking performances from both Fonda and Miles, "The Wrong Man" is more of a testament to what can happen when a person is submerged in a case of "mistaken identity." Hitchcock brings Manny's story to life with great camera angle shots and the b&w cinematography is top notch throughout. Not your typical Hitchcock suspense film, but essential for its star's performances and Hitchcock's dead on direction.
  
  "Stage Fright" (1950)
  Eve Gill (Jane Wyman), an aspiring young actress, shelters a fellow acting student, Jonathan Cooper (Richard Todd), from the police. He is suspected of murdering the husband of his mistress, Charlotte Inwood (Marlene Dietrich), a famous singer. Jonathan claims that he became implicated when he tried to help Charlotte destroy the evidence. Eve's eccentric father, Commodore Gill (Alastair Sim), agrees to hide Jonathan in his house while she proves his innocence. To do this, Eve becomes Charlotte's temporary maid. Eve's Father devises a plan to force Charlotte to confess in front of the inspector investigating the case, Wilfred Smith (Michael Wilding). When the plan doesn't work, Eve tries blackmailing Charlotte into a confession while the police listen outside her dressing room. Charlotte agrees to pay, but insists that Jonathan is the real killer. "Stage Fright" has that spark of suspense, which captures you from the very beginning. Jane Wyman brings a Nancy Drew-like character to her role, as the energetic Eve. In search of both romance and redemption for the innocent, Eve takes charge in this fun and thought provoking Hitchcock classic!
  
  "I Confess" (1953)
  In Quebec City, Father Michael Logan (Montgomery Clift) is accused of killing a well-known lawyer. The priest knows the murderer, but he can't reveal his identity because the man confessed the crime to him in the confessional. So begins Hitchcock's "I Confess," with stellar performances throughout and top notch suspense as Father Logan is set to unravel the web of deceit and murder that he has found himself caught up in. In true Hitchcock fashion, "I Confess" takes its audience on a well-rounded ride of suspense with criminals caught up in their sins of murder and persecuting the innocent. In this case, a Catholic priest, who is at odds with being able to tell the identity of the real murderer in court or keeping his vows to the Church and not revealing the confessional which was told to him by the true killer!
  
  "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" (1941)
  Sophisticated New York couple David (Robert Montgomery) and Annie Smith (Carole Lombard) have an unusual marriage with an inordinate number of rules and regulations. One rule entitles them to ask each other one question per month, which the other must answer completely and honestly. Annie asks David if he would marry her again if he could do it over again and David confides that he misses his freedom and so he probably wouldn't. Later that day, an official from the town where they got married calls to see David. He explains that owing to a state boundary dispute, all couples married between 1936 and 1939 in the county were not legally married. David decides to have fun with this fact, but unbeknown to him, the county official calls to see Annie too and disaster results. Not at all your typical Hitchcock film! "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" is more on the lighthearted, romantic comedy category, than anything obtaining to suspense whatsoever. It's inclusion here is purely of the fact that it was directed by Hitchcock and therefore rounded out the `box set.' Still an enjoyable picture with Montgomery and Lombard giving fine performances as love struck newlyweds having a bit of a squabble. A rare film from the Master of suspense, indeed!
  
  
  
  
• Love Hitch
  By ACGSPELKR861Y on 2008-01-07
  I can't get enough Hitchcock. He was a brillant director. If you are a fan this is a great collection. It also has a little book with interesting tid-bits. Almost as good as the movies are the extras, fantastic.
  
  
• Alfred Hitchcock-The Best Classic!
  By A3IXW65YKWWCFL on 2004-09-05
  Although this set doesn't contain all of his "best", His stories are all great! This set is a "Can't miss this one"! I read his stories as a young person (under the age of 10) over and over! Now you can get his well written stories in DVD collections! Don't miss out on this one! I just recieved an email from the "Younger Generation", so I need to update this review! Alfred Hitchcock is no longer alive. He did direct these selections! Before his untimely death several years ago, he directed all of his selections. I was alive in the era where you were lucky to be able to watch his "shows" on a 3 channel TV without the access to a remote control. That technology was yet to be out for public access. I read his books, his writings that were eventually put into "Movie" form. He's the best! Screenplays/Books he wrote/co-wrote! The Ring (1927), The Lodger (1927), The Farmer's Wife (1928), Blackmail (1929), Juno and the Paycock (1930)...I thank the curator of his online site! Watch his DVD's and find out why I give Alfred Hitchcock his well deserved 5 star rating! My New Update! He's still the best in paving the way for future Sci-Fi, Horror & Mystery Movie Screenplay & Book Writers!
  
  
• Essential Hitchcock
  By A29R4FCO6RFX4K on 2005-06-28
  Equaled only by Scorsese and Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock brought so many classic thrillers and chilling tales of murder and macabre to the screen, he will forever be remembered as the master of suspense. This impressive DVD collection contains some of Hitch's finest films that will last forever in Hollywood history. STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951) is one of my personal favorites, superbly acted by Farley Granger (Who had previously worked with Hitch on ROPE) as Guy Haynes and Robert Walker gives a nuanced, chilling performance as Guy's murder-switching partner Bruno Antony. This 'lesser' film of Hitch's canon is perhaps his greatest achievement. Sharply edited and featuring an amazing score by Hitchcock stalwart buddy Dimitri Tiomkin, SOAT contains all the right ingredients that make a classic thriller, building up to a fantastic climax. It should be noted that most directors today would give their right arm to make films of this caliber.
  
  NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) showed just how apt Alfred was with faced-paced action as well as suspense, Cary Grant gives his finest performance as Roger Thornhill. The classic scene with Grant being chased unmercifully by a plane in the desert is the highlight of the film. The razor-sharp editing from George Tomasini makes this an essential in the collection. DIAL M FOR MUDER (1954) is classic suspense, showcasing several fabulous Hollywood talents, especially Robert Cummings and Anthony Dawson. When one dotes on Hitchcock's overall work, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT (1940) isn't probably the first one mentioned. However, the film is just a fun work of a true legend. THE WRONG MAN (1956) has a fascinating take on human nature and the true meanings of people's uncdercurrent. And the superb STAGE FRIGHT (1950) is a fantastic example of the genre, boasting great scrpitwork, stunning cinematography and fast-paced action. Veteran actor Montgomery Clift carries the 1953 film I CONFESS, which, while it's not made as sharply as Hitch's other films, still displays burgeoning talent from the visionary director and cinematography from Robert Burks. Wrapping up the box set with MR. AND MRS. SMITH (The 1941 classic, not the lackluster Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie dud) this is an essential collection of Hitchcock classics that can be cherished by film fans forever.
  
  
• I love Hitch
  By AZ6F8TBX4M4FZ on 2005-08-08
  I love Hitchcock and some of my favorites are in this box set. Not only do you get to see North by Northwest and Dial M for Murder, but the special features on each DVD are wonderful - a mini-documentary on the making of each film. It's wonderful.
  
  
• CLASSIC SUSPENSE AT ITS BEST
  By AN6XFOO6FD8VM on 2005-09-10
  Before owning this collection I had only seen a handfull of Hitchock movies (ie. Psycho and Rear Window). Though it is to bad that these movies were not included in this collection, the films that are; are great!
  
  I recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys a movies with intriguing plots, great characters, and amazing set and lighting design.
  
  
• Excellent value!!
  By AAKPZYQ915MTG on 2005-10-19
  Hey, it's Hitchcock. What else do you need to know? But buying these movies in a set for only $70 is fantastic compared to $15-$20 individually. If you love Hitch, then pick up this set today!
  
  
• Great Value
  By AMXUGLHV7TIFP on 2006-09-15
  Not even 9 bucks a film you can't go wrong. I only wanted 3-4 titles, but each individually would be more than the value of this set - Dial M, North by Northwest, Strangers on a Train, and The Wrong Man are must have themselves and would cost about $80 individually, so this set's a GREAT VALUE - it's like saving a few bucks on a few classic Hitchcocks you want to buy and getting 5-6 other films for free almost - never even knew of some of these until buying this set, great way to spend a rainy/boring night.
  
  
• Alfred Hitchcock
  By A8J8IBIAGVU9E on 2007-01-16
  This was a gift to my son, he was thoroughly excited about it, he said he loved it.
  
  

• Alfred Hitchcock - The Masterpiece Collection (Psycho / Vertigo / Rear Window / The Birds / Shadow of a Doubt / Family Plot / Frenzy / The Man Who Knew Too Much / Marnie / Rope / Saboteur / Topaz / Torn Curtain / The Trouble with Harry)
• To Catch a Thief (Special Collector's Edition)
• Lifeboat (Special Edition)
• Bogie and Bacall - The Signature Collection (The Big Sleep / Dark Passage / Key Largo / To Have and Have Not)
• Citizen Kane (Two-Disc Special Edition)