STUFF YOU GOTTA WATCH

NUMBER SEVENTEEN

(1932)
With Leon M. Lion, Anne Grey, Donald Calthrop, John Stuart, Ann Casson
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Black and White
Reviewed by JL

A complete shambles of a film, all the more regrettable for being Alfred Hitchcock's only attempt at something roughly resembling a haunted-house thriller. With an utterly confusing plot (that does get clearer on second viewing, even if the film doesn't warrant a second viewing) concerning jewel thieves hiding out in an abandoned mansion, NUMBER 17 looks as hastily thrown together as it was. Hitch was reportedly preoccupied with preparations for his next film (the quirky and personal RICH AND STRANGE) and cranked out this studio-enforced project as fast as he could. A dud and a snoozer. - JL