Yesterday was the first time watching this film since I was about 12 (over 30 yrs ago). I would have say after all these years that Nigel Bruce is still my favorite part of this film. He played the part of Beaky excellently!
shareI agree. He was great.
shareI have to say that he's always been one of my favorite actors. Did Johnny kill him though? The movie sort of implies that he does but I've never been sure.
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Hitchcock wanted to make Cary Grant's character Guilty. But the studio said no. So he had to create an open ending for the audience. So its up to the audience create a conclusion. I don't think Johnnie killed Beaky.
In the movie Johnny says he was in Liverpool trying to get a loan on her life insurance policy and not in Paris with Beaky. It explains both her questions about the life insurance letter and Beaky's death.
shareIt isn´t even established what did he die of - for all we know, he may have kicked the bucket due to alcohol poisoning. If, however, he was poisoned with something other than what is naturally present in a glass of booze, Johnny´s guilt is obvious. Who else would have wanted him dead and used such a refined method for offing him?
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
Maybe I missed something, but he saved Beaky's life at the cliffs. Why would he save his life just to murder him a day or two later in a pub? This was the point I knew Johnny was being unjustly accused of his crimes (and turned this "thriller" into a predictable "snoozer").
shareIMO, it isn't clear whether Grant's character actually saves Beaky or whether the incident is an unsuccessful attempt on his life. Similarly, the viewer isn't quite sure of Johnnie's intent in the closing scene depicting the couple's drive to Mrs. McLaidlaw's. As has been mentioned, the audience is left to judge the situation for themselves.
shareWhen Johnnie saved Beaky's life at the cliffs, they were still partners. Beaky had gone to Paris to dissolve the partnership, but died before he was able to do so. So there _is_ motive. But I don't want to think Johnnie did it. He tried to stop Beaky from drinking the brandy before they were ever partners, when Beaky had his first "fit" onscreen, and I like to think he really cared about his goofy, generous friend. And I agree-- Nigel Bruce was perfect.
shareI agree, best supporting actor of the film I'd say.
"Life after death is as improbable as sex after marriage"- Madeleine Kahn(CLUE, 1985)
I agree. Mexican actor Nigel Bruce is terrific in almost every film he did.
shareSo stupid to say that Nigel Bruce is Mexican. He was born in Mexico but his parents were British and he was a subject of the British empire from the day of his birth. Mexico practices jus soli but Bruce never exercised any form of Mexican citizenship. Quite the contrary-despite his long stay in the United States he maintained not only his British citizenship until his death, but also his membership in two London clubs, the Garrick Club and Buck's club.
http://thinkingoutloud-descartes.blogspot.com/
Earlier this week I read the novel BEFORE THE FACT, and it was impossible not to picture Bruce as Beaky Thwaite - the dialog as written in the novel was absolutely perfect for him, though it's doubtful the author (Iles) had any clue about Bruce when he wrote the novel in the early 1930s.
"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."