IMDb >
The Lady Vanishes (1938)
Watch It
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
at Internet Archive

BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Lady Vanishes (1938) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos (see all 2 NEW) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
1 November 1938 (USA) moreTagline:
Spies! Playing the game of love - and sudden death!Plot:
While traveling in continental Europe, a rich young playgirl realizes that an elderly lady seems to have disappeared from the train. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
1 win moreNewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Hammer Horror to Ink Books With Blood (From Atomic Popcorn. 14 October 2009, 6:13 AM, PDT)
From 1922-1979: Get Your Film School Starter Pack Now
(From Rope Of Silicon. 23 November 2008, 10:07 PM, PST)
User Comments:
An Early Hitchcock Classic more (135 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Margaret Lockwood | ... | Iris Henderson | |
| Michael Redgrave | ... | Gilbert | |
| Paul Lukas | ... | Dr. Hartz | |
| Dame May Whitty | ... | Miss Froy | |
| Cecil Parker | ... | Mr. Todhunter | |
| Linden Travers | ... | 'Mrs.' Todhunter | |
| Naunton Wayne | ... | Caldicott | |
| Basil Radford | ... | Charters | |
| Mary Clare | ... | Baroness | |
| Emile Boreo | ... | Boris - Hotel Manager | |
| Googie Withers | ... | Blanche | |
| Sally Stewart | ... | Julie | |
| Philip Leaver | ... | Signor Doppo | |
| Selma Vaz Dias | ... | Signora Doppo (as Zelma Vas Dias) | |
| Catherine Lacey | ... | The Nun (as Catherine Lacy) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
96 minCountry:
UKColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Full Range Recording System)Certification:
Portugal:M/12 | Finland:K-15 (2006) | USA:Approved (PCA #02144) | South Korea:15 (2003) | USA:Passed | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:G (original rating) | Australia:PG (alternate rating) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Germany:12 | Peru:14 | Sweden:15 | UK:A | Canada:PGFun Stuff
Trivia:
In the original cut, as seen in the 25th Anniversary national re-release of 1963, Charters and Caldicott have to share the same pair of pyjamas in the hotel after Charters has accidentally dropped his in the water jug. In later years and showings this innocent preamble has been snipped out and we cut straight to them in bed together. Though we can still see Charters' pyjamas hanging up to dry during the scene the explanation has disappeared. moreGoofs:
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: In the noisy dancing scene above Lockwood's hotel room, the clarinet is shown with the mouthpiece turned with the reed upwards. Normally the mouthpiece is turned so that the reed is downwards, but in some European folk traditions the clarinet was played with the mouthpiece "upside down". moreQuotes:
Gilbert: What was she wearing? Scotch tweeds wasn't it?Iris Henderson: Oatmeal tweeds.
Gilbert: I knew it had something to do with porridge.
more
Soundtrack:
Colonel Bogey March moreFAQ
How does the movie end?In what country do the opening scenes take place?
Any recommendations for other movies that use the vanishing person plot?
more
more (135 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Lady Vanishes (1938) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The 39 Steps | Strangers on a Train | Marie Galante | On Her Majesty's Secret Service | The Man Who Knew Too Much |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb top 250 movies | IMDb Comedy section |
| IMDb UK section | Add this title to MyMovies |



Although Hitchcock was noted for his wit and often sprinkled his films with wickedly funny moments, he seldom gave comic elements such a free reign as he did in THE LADY VANISHES, which is among the most memorable of his early British films. Charmingly cast with Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, and Dame May Witty in the leads, the extremely witty script mixes 1930s romantic froth with increasingly tense suspense in the story of sharp witted young woman (Lockwood) who befriends an elderly lady (Witty) during a train journey--and is extremely disturbed when, as the title states, the lady vanishes.
Many regard this as the best of Hitchcock's early work, and it is easy to see why: the film demonstrates his growing talent for building suspense from an unlikely mix of the commonplace and the incredible. He is also remarkably blessed in his cast, with Lockwood and Redgrave possessing considerable chemistry and Dame May Witty particularly endearing in one of the character roles at which she so excelled; the supporting cast is also particularly memorable.
Hitchcock guides them all with never a misstep through a complex script that progresses from very lighthearted to extremely sinister and then back again, and the result leaves audiences with both the satisfaction of a well-made thriller and the glow of a romantic comedy. Although it lacks the subtle tones of his later work, THE LADY VANISHES is among my own favorites by Hitchcock, and fans who have never seen it are in for a real treat. Highly recommended.
Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer