"Young and Innocent" would have to be one of the most overlooked films in the Alfred Hitchcock oeuvre, that is, until recently when the film has enjoyed some much-needed audience attention on DVD. Its a shame that the film has been overlooked until now, as it is actually one of Hitchcock's most easily accessible films and perhaps his warmest film of all. It doesn't have the technical brilliance and emotional reach of "Vertigo" and "Notorious", yet it has a warm, almost bucolic quality, in large part thanks to an excellent performance from the amazing 19 year old leading lady Nova Pilbeam.
The plot resembles "The 39 Steps', in that an innocent man is accused of murder and must go on the run to avoid capture. His innocence is eventually proved by help from a gorgeous blonde accomplice. This similarity to an earlier, very popular Hitchcock classic may well be the reason "Young and Innocent" has been passed by over the years. "Inferior re-hash", they say. But "Young and Innocent" is really quite different in its concerns- the heart of the story is really about a young woman's (Nova Pilbeam's character Erica Burgoyne)emotional growth and discovery of love.
Pilbeam gives a lovely performance as Erica, startling in its complexity and maturity given she was only 19 (I am 19 and I find her performance just amazing). Its a shame that Hitchcock didn't use her in more of his films, she was quite a talent. Derrick De Marney plays her love interest, the "wrong man" in question, and he fares less well. He's never really bad in the role, its just that it is hard to see why such a lovely young woman as Pilbeam would be interested in a nice, yet rather drippy Dee Marney. Marvellous English character actors fill out the supporting cast.
Hitchcock creates a wonderful, warm English countryside feel to this film. It looks and feels innately "real". His technique is as sharp as ever, and "Young and Innocent" flows rather seamlessly. Its a great, entertaining little film that should be better known.
The plot resembles "The 39 Steps', in that an innocent man is accused of murder and must go on the run to avoid capture. His innocence is eventually proved by help from a gorgeous blonde accomplice. This similarity to an earlier, very popular Hitchcock classic may well be the reason "Young and Innocent" has been passed by over the years. "Inferior re-hash", they say. But "Young and Innocent" is really quite different in its concerns- the heart of the story is really about a young woman's (Nova Pilbeam's character Erica Burgoyne)emotional growth and discovery of love.
Pilbeam gives a lovely performance as Erica, startling in its complexity and maturity given she was only 19 (I am 19 and I find her performance just amazing). Its a shame that Hitchcock didn't use her in more of his films, she was quite a talent. Derrick De Marney plays her love interest, the "wrong man" in question, and he fares less well. He's never really bad in the role, its just that it is hard to see why such a lovely young woman as Pilbeam would be interested in a nice, yet rather drippy Dee Marney. Marvellous English character actors fill out the supporting cast.
Hitchcock creates a wonderful, warm English countryside feel to this film. It looks and feels innately "real". His technique is as sharp as ever, and "Young and Innocent" flows rather seamlessly. Its a great, entertaining little film that should be better known.