Moving into the director section of this year's countdown, we take a look at the work of Alfred Hitchcock. The man's work and reputation was growing by this point, churning at least one film a year.
One night London is plunged into total darkness. People are alternating between fear and annoyance. At one particular cinema, the crowd is leaning towards the latter. The manager, Karl Verloc (Oscar Homolka), enters via the back door and goes into the living quarters above the theater. He claims he's been asleep the whole time. He also orders his wife to refund everyone's ticket. Mrs. Verloc (Sylvia Sidney) is annoyed, but Karl swears he has some money coming in soon, so refunds for everyone.
The next day Karl meets with a friend of his. In short order we learn that the blackout was caused by sand being put into the city's boilers, and that Karl is working for someone to cause havoc in London. The contact is irritated by Karl's latest act, and suggests someone put some 'fireworks' in the Piccadilly train station.
Scotland Yard, meanwhile, is looking into the event and even have Karl figured as being responsible. Detective Sargent Spencer (John Loder) has already been working undercover as a greengrocer near the cinema and he's been working his mojo on Mrs. Verloc and her little brother Stevie (Desmond Tester). He's learning some facts on Karl, but at the moment he's unsure if the Mrs. is in on it or not.
Karl is busy though. Going to a pet shop, Karl is ordered to deliver a bomb to the train station. When Spencer is discovered eavesdropping, this sends everyone into a panic, but plans are plans and the attack will continue. However, when Karl sees Spencer talking with his wife, his convictions start to wilt. He shoves the bomb into Stevie's hands, telling him it's a roll of film that must be delivered to a friend.
Stevie does as he is told, but the bus is delayed and the timer isn't...
Pretty good, and the tension is so thick you could slice through it. It might be the best film Hitchcock ever made at this point, as it shows what kind of suspense he could build.
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