Stage Fright
A struggling actress tries to help a friend prove his innocence when he's accused of murdering the husband of a high-society entertainer.
Critics Sentiment
Police use hidden microphone while Doris confronts Charlotte in theatre
Jonathan is killed by the falling safety curtain as police corner him
The film peaks during the climactic theater confrontation with the hidden microphone setup, then drops significantly as the rushed ending fails to provide a satisfying resolution.
Stage Fright builds steadily from a solid setup through increasingly engaging middle sequences, reaching its peak during the clever theater confrontation scenes. While critics consistently praise the performances, particularly Dietrich, Sim, and Wyman's multiple identities, the film loses momentum in its final act with an abrupt and somewhat unsatisfying conclusion. The controversial flashback device divides opinion but doesn't prevent most reviewers from finding it an entertaining, if minor, Hitchcock work.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 57
Jane Wyman
Eve Gill
Marlene Dietrich
Charlotte Inwood
Michael Wilding
Det. Insp. Wilfried 'Ordinary' Smith
Richard Todd
Jonathan Cooper
Alastair Sim
Commodore Gill
Sybil Thorndike
Mrs. Gill
Kay Walsh
Nellie Goode
Miles Malleson
Mr. Fortesque
Hector MacGregor
Freddie Williams
Joyce Grenfell
'Lovely Ducks'
André Morell
Inspector Byard
Patricia Hitchcock
Chubby Bannister
Ballard Berkeley
Sergeant Mellish
John Harvey
Inspector Loomis (uncredited)
Alfred Hitchcock
Man Staring at Eve on Street (uncredited)
Robert Adair
Rough Individual (uncredited)
Alfie Bass
Stage Hand with Microphone (uncredited)
Hyma Beckley
Man in Pub (uncredited)
Gordon Bell
2nd Chauffeur (uncredited)
Gerald Case
Policeman (uncredited)
Crew
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