Tennis, Trains and Murder

'Strangers On A Train' is another of Hitchcock's masterpieces that confronts what some would call taboo subjects, especially in 1951: Murder, Infidelity, Black Mail. 

Two men, Bruno Anthony (a psychotic millionaire mommas boy portrayed marvelously by Robert Walker) and Guy Haines (a famous tennis player played by Farley Granger) meet on a train from Washington to New York. As awkward as the conversation gets you never suspect that Bruno will comfortable sharing his theory on how to successfully rid Guy of his philandering spouse and himself of his overbearing father. The theory is that each, who had never met before the exchange on the train, would swap crimes so that a trail to the killer would be virtually impossible. 

I have to stop without unveiling how fantastic it gets, especially knowing the era in which it was released. This is another Hitchcock film that defines the great suspense thrillers of today. Walker's representation of Bruno is chilling. Much like Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter portrayal, there is a charm and tempting mystery to the character. You know there is so much more than the eye or ear can detect. Big thumbs up for the acting of Robert Walker and my respect for the magician that Hitchcock was is taken to another level. Remember as you watch that this was a daring film, exploring the subjects of murder (in a medium of entertainment) and confronting the dark side to a world that would soon be portrayed by white picket fences and stay-at-home moms (Leave It To Beaver premieres six years later). 

4 out of 5.