The Lady Vanishes (1938)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

The Lady Vanishes (1938) -- A. Hitchcock

I'd say this is Hitchcock's masterpiece from the British period -- a comic spy story that contains some clear warnings about the growing tensions in Europe and British diffidence toward them. Margaret Lockwood convinces Michael Redgrave to help her search for Dame May Whitty, a "whimsical" old governess who has gone missing on the train. Paul Lukas is the charming but possibly obfuscating brain specialist who helps them out. The screenplay manages to click along nicely, building suspense and providing the "answer" in a way that still leads to an exciting climax. Hitch's sly sense of humor is most definitely on display.