The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

James Stewart, Doris Day

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Available to stream on Prime Video

In November we will be watching some of our favorite films from the 1950's beginning with a classic Hitchcock thriller.

"A  single clash of Cymbals and how it rocked the lives of an American family."

In The Man Who Knew Too Much director Alfred Hitchcock returns to his favorite theme of exploring what can happen when ordinary people are unexpectedly plunged into terrifying situations.  Jimmy Stewart, a doctor from the Midwest and his wife Doris Day (formerly a popular singer), and their small son are vacationing in Morocco when they become involved in international intrigue, kidnapping and attempted assassination. 

Doris Day and James Stewart

Why we love it: The stars, the suspense, the music, and the setting all add up to great entertainment.

The unlikely pairing of stars Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day results in a very believable couple, as the film moves slowly at first, building up our familiarity with them and their son as a nice normal family.  Doris Day, usually known as a singer and comedian, shows her capability as a dramatic actress, playing the mother whose only child has been kidnapped.  Her character is both distraught and resilient and resourceful all at the same time, as she and husband Jimmy Stewart work together to rescue Hank.  Always wonderful Jimmy Stewart fits the bill as the earnest family doctor.

Daniel Gélin, Christopher Olsen, Doris Day, and James Stewart

Fun Facts:

• This film is a remake of Hitchcock's 1934 film also titled The Man Who Knew Too Much. It's the only film Hitchcock ever made twice.

  
  

• Composer Bernard Hermann wrote the background music and also conducted the orchestra's performance of "Storm Cloud Cantata," a piece originally written for the 1934 version of the film.   When Doris Day arrives by taxi at the Albert Hall a poster can be seen in the background "London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Bernard Hermann."

  

  Doris Day at the Royal Albert Hall

• The dramatic assassination scenes were filmed on location in the circular performance space and enclosed box seats of London's Royal Albert Hall.  During twelve minutes with no dialogue Hitchcock builds and builds suspense, with Doris Day realizing what is about to happen and being unable to stop it.   The camera cuts from gunman to cymbals to chorus, back to Doris Day, to Jimmy Stewart and his frantic efforts to get into the auditorium, then to the gun.

  

  

  
  
  

• The famous "Que Sera, Sera" singing scene (later satirized hilariously by Carol Burnett) is nevertheless very effective, as Doris Day repeats the song louder and louder - and we all cheer when the little boy's responding whistle can finally be heard, and a very satisfactory rescue can take place.   

  
  

• The song "Que Sera, Sera" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Doris Day originally didn't really like it, but it went on to become her signature song and she performed it numerous times throughout the rest of her career.

  

  Alfred Hitchcock, Jimmy Stewart, and Doris Day

• Alfred Hitchock's cameo is towards the beginning of the film in Marrakech -- he stands with his back to the camera watching the acrobats in marketplace.

Doris Day and James Stewart

For reviews from the time, go to the Fan Magazine Reviews page.

Featured Cocktail:

Embassy Cocktail

Invented in the 1930a at Hollywood’s Embassy Club from which it drew its name.

1 oz (30 ml) cognac or brandy

1 oz (30 ml) amber or dark rum

1 oz (30 ml) Cointreau

¾ oz (22 ½ ml) lime juice

1 dash Angostura bitters

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with lime wedge.

Cheers to the Classics!