Alfred Hitchcock directs this brilliant comedy about a dead body in the countryside, and the varying opinions and attitudes as to how it got there, and what should be done with it.
Legendary for his suspenseful thrillers, comedy is not a genre one would typically associate with Hitchcock, but The Trouble With Harry is a well-scripted, witty piece of drama that causes as many laughs as The Birds does gasps.
It starts with one old man hunting in the forest, called Captain Wiles (Edmund Gwenn), whom believes one of his stray shots has killed the man lying on the forest floor. After inspecting the man’s jacket, Wiles learns he is called Harry, and begins plans for burying the body before anybody notices. Unfortunately, numerous passers by happen upon Harry, noticing the body, but only taking a faint interest. Some believe he is sleeping, others only seem partially concerned that he is dead, and carry on their way. The people’s indifferent reaction to this dead body is utterly hilarious.
Meanwhile, a local quick-mouthed artist also happens upon Harry’s body when he comes to sketch the location. He soon realises that Wiles is there, and learns of the stray bullet. However, after the two bury Harry, they realise they may have made a mistake, and that Captain Wiles may not have been the killer.
It is a cleverly funny film, and, considering the age, it is still a very effective movie. The characters are wonderfully eccentric, the plot thickens and twists enough to make it interesting, and the whole performance seems like a stage comedy. Some of the editing in places is a bit dated, and the music, whilst very reflective of that era, draws the viewer away from the unfolding drama, but overall, this is a very enjoyable film, and a great piece of Hitchcock to enjoy if you love his work, or if you have never seen any.
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