MovieChat Forums > The Lady Vanishes (1938) Discussion > Is horrid model shot charming or embarra...

Is horrid model shot charming or embarrassing?

posted 18 years ago by filmfancritic
32 replies | jump to latest

Spoilers ahead.

Part of me finds it rather endearing , that is looking at a model car village which is supposed to be real location, but I mostly find it hilariously bad that such blatant minatures were allowed into a Hitchcock movie.

At first I thought it was a deliberate model shot, that the camera would pan back to reveal a kid playing with his train set and model village but I simply couldn't believe it when it was supposed to be real.

Don't get me wrong I really like Hitchcock and I enjoyed this film, but could you imagine Tarantino or Fincher inserting this shot into their films, I don't think so. The mere thought of this makes me laugh.

[–] Prismark10 11 years ago

Its more endearing than embarrassing.

Its that man again!!

[–] poetcomic1 10 years ago

Hitchcock had a passion for models, toy trains and miniatures, they are just as obvious in another great early film 'Young and Innocent' but we must allow Hitch his toys - he so good in so many other ways.

[–] pt100 10 years ago

Endearing. It made me wish I could be in an Alpine village just like that, sipping hot chocolate.

It is better to be kind than to be clever or good looking. -- Derek

[–] Molly-31 10 years ago

I think it's obvious it's a model, I thought Hitch did it on purpose, and I think it's cute as hell. I love it.

You've got me?! Who's got you?!

[–] A_Friend_of_Sarah_Connor 10 years ago

Horrible, obviously fake model shot in a Hitchcock film= charming or endearing because he's above reproach.

Terrible CGI shot from a Hollywood blockbuster= automatically makes whole movie unwatchable.

"Some men are coming to kill us. We're gonna kill them first."

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] NewtonFigg 10 years ago

Not just limited budget, but also limited technology. Hitchcock wanted to zoom in on the village but zoom lenses were rare then. He could dolly in to the model.

[–] brand78 10 years ago

I must admit I found this movie disappointing - I know it dates from 1938 but the story is too far-fetched for me.

[–] Degree7 9 years ago

I also found the opening shot of the model town to be delightfully quirky.

It's definitely something where I could see a modern day filmmaker like Wes Anderson emulating in reference to 30s cinema. In fact, Wes Anderson's two movies "The Darjeeling Limited" and "Grand Hotel Budapest" remind me of this Hitchcock Classic, and must have been influenced by it in some way.

~ I'm a 21st century man and I don't wanna be here.

[–] ewaf58 9 years ago

It simply adds to the charm -