The Trouble with Harry Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A group of quirky New Englanders play a game of hot potato with a corpse, accidentally finding love and art sales along the way.

🍿 The Trouble with Harry: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Discovery of Harry

In a picturesque Vermont town during autumn, young Arnie Rogers discovers a well-dressed dead man in the woods. Simultaneously, Captain Albert Wiles, hunting rabbits, stumbles upon the same body, fearing he accidentally shot him. This sets off a chain of comedic and bizarre events.

A Web of Confessions

Captain Wiles seeks to hide the body, leading to encounters with Jennifer Rogers (Arnie’s mother and Harry’s estranged wife), spinster Ivy Gravely, and artist Sam Marlowe. Each has a connection to Harry and a reason to believe they might be responsible for his demise. Sam, drawn to Jennifer, gets entangled in the cover-up.

Burial and Reburial

The characters engage in a series of comical attempts to bury and rebury Harry’s body, driven by shifting suspicions and revelations. Captain Wiles realizes he shot a rabbit, not Harry; Miss Gravely confesses to hitting Harry with her shoe; Jennifer reveals she struck Harry with a milk bottle. The corpse becomes a symbol of their intertwined secrets and anxieties.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sam Marlowe (John Forsythe): A struggling artist who becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding Harry’s death and falls in love with Jennifer.
• Jennifer Rogers (Shirley MacLaine): A young single mother and Harry’s estranged wife, who initially seems unconcerned about his death but later finds romance with Sam.
• Capt. Albert Wiles (Edmund Gwenn): A retired sea captain who believes he accidentally shot Harry and attempts to hide the body, leading to further complications.
• Miss Ivy Gravely (Mildred Natwick): A spinster who stumbles upon Capt. Wiles and Harry’s body, and later confesses she might have contributed to Harry’s death.
• Arnie Rogers (Jerry Mathers): Jennifer’s young son who first discovers Harry’s body and innocently observes the unfolding events.
• Deputy Sheriff Calvin Wiggs (Royal Dano): The local deputy sheriff who becomes suspicious and investigates the mysterious circumstances surrounding Harry’s disappearance.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Miss Graveley: “How old do you think I am young man?” – Miss Graveley playfully questions Sam about her age, showcasing her youthful spirit.
• Sam Marlowe: “I’m afraid you’re going to have to show more than your birth certificate to convince a man of that.” – Sam responds flirtatiously to Miss Graveley’s question about her age.
• Jennifer Rogers: “Now he won’t be bothering me anymore.” – Jennifer’s initial reaction upon seeing Harry’s body reveals her complicated relationship with him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.2M
• Domestic Gross: $7.4M
• Worldwide Gross: $7.4M

💥 The Trouble with Harry Reviews

Personal Review

I have to admit, I was completely surprised by “The Trouble with Harry.” It’s not the Hitchcock I’m used to, but in a good way! The small-town setting and quirky characters created such a unique atmosphere. I found myself laughing at the absurdity of the situations, especially the constant burying and unearthing of Harry. The ending was unexpected, but satisfying. Definitely a must-see for any Hitchcock fan looking for something different.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Alfred Hitchcock”
  • “Viewers who appreciate dark comedies”
  • “Those interested in films set in picturesque New England settings”
  • “Audiences looking for something quirky and different”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depiction of a corpse”
  • “Dark humor involving death”
  • “Mild suggestive dialogue”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Hitchcock’s foray into black comedy is a delightful oddity. The picturesque Vermont setting contrasts sharply with the morbid subject matter, creating a unique and memorable cinematic experience. While not his most suspenseful, it’s a charming and darkly humorous film.
• Screen Daily: “The Trouble with Harry is an overlooked gem that showcases Hitchcock’s versatility. The film’s offbeat humor and quirky characters make it a refreshing departure from his usual suspenseful thrillers. MacLaine’s debut performance is a standout.
• N/A: “While I respect Hitchcock’s attempt at dark comedy, “The Trouble With Harry” didn’t quite land for me. The plot felt thin, and the humor, while present, didn’t elicit the big laughs I was hoping for. However, the gorgeous Vermont scenery and Shirley MacLaine’s debut performance were definite highlights.

Audience Reactions

The film’s unique blend of dark humor and charming characters was a refreshing surprise.: Viewers appreciated the film’s quirky tone and the performances of the cast, particularly Shirley MacLaine.

The beautiful Vermont scenery provided a stunning backdrop for the film’s macabre events.: Many found the cinematography to be a highlight, capturing the essence of autumn in New England.

Overall Consensus: A quirky and humorous departure from Hitchcock’s usual suspenseful fare, “The Trouble with Harry” offers a unique and memorable cinematic experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This film was Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s experiment to see how audiences would react to a non-star-driven movie.”
• “Alfred Hitchcock insisted on using a real actor for the body of Harry.”
• “Many exterior scenes were actually filmed on sets constructed in a local high school gymnasium due to heavy rainfall.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Trouble with Harry?

Currently, “The Trouble with Harry” can be streamed on platforms like Apple TV or rented/purchased on Amazon Prime Video and other digital movie retailers. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as options may change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Trouble with Harry, you might like these similar films:

• Arsenic and Old Lace (1944): Shares the dark comedy theme of dealing with dead bodies in a farcical way and focuses on the eccentricities of small-town life.
• Fargo (1996): Features a dark, quirky sense of humor and ordinary people getting entangled in extraordinary criminal circumstances.
• Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949): A British black comedy involving a series of murders, similar to the dark humor present in ‘The Trouble with Harry’.

🛒 The Trouble with Harry Related Products

• The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection [Blu-ray]: Own a piece of cinematic history with this Blu-ray collection featuring several of Hitchcock’s masterpieces, including “The Trouble with Harry”. Experience the thrill of suspense and black humor in stunning high definition.
• Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light: Dive into the life and career of the legendary director with this insightful biography. Discover the secrets behind his filmmaking techniques and the inspiration for his iconic films, including “The Trouble with Harry”.
• Hitchcock: The Definitive Ranking: A fun and interesting look at Hitchcock’s filmography. This ranking will help you compare it with other movies.
• The Trouble with Harry Movie Poster: Decorate your walls with this classic movie poster featuring the iconic imagery from “The Trouble with Harry”. A perfect conversation starter and a stylish addition to any film lover’s collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Trouble with Harry features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Flaggin’ the Train to Tuscaloosa” – performed by Ray McKinley & Orchestra

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Shirley MacLaine: 60 Second Bio

Want to know more about the captivating Shirley MacLaine from “The Trouble with Harry”? This quick bio gives you the highlights of her amazing career – it’s really fascinating to see how she got her start!

✨ Rate