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Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (09/Apr/1938) - The Girl Was Young: Fair Hitchcock-Directed Mystery

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"THE GIRL WAS YOUNG" FAIR HITCHCOCK-DIRECTED MYSTERY

Rates ** for nabe[1] and action duals.

Gaumont-British, 70 Minutes
Nova Pilbeam, Derrick De Marney, Percy Marmont, Edward Rigby
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

That English master director of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, has lent his hand to this with fairly gratifying results. That THE GIRL WAS YOUNG does not approach his 39 STEPS is not his fault; the story is below par. Despite the weak material, Hitchcock has turned out an engrossing little film that builds steadily mounting suspense. The observant spectator is bound to be fascinated by his clever touches and the atmospheric photography. There is enough action and an occasional Hitchcock shock to thrill mystery fans. The dialogue is clear and not too English THE GIRL WAS YOUNG should get average grosses, or slightly better, where it is sold. It is a splendid dual bill attraction.

Nova Pilbeam, daughter of Percy Marmont, chief constable, becomes enamoured with De Marney, falsely accused of a murder by stupid English police. She aids him to escape. Chase and hide and seek with English cops leads them into many adventures and to eventual love, after they have traced down all of the clues, which range through such apparently trivial things as a raincoat, a box of paper matches, a broken tea cup, and a man with twitching eyes.

Miss Pilbeam, now an attractive woman, and De Marney compose an engaging romantic team. Acting honors go to Edward Rigby, who makes the most of his itinerant pottery mender.

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References

  1. ↑ Short for "neighborhood theater".
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