Alfred Hitchcock has a unique way of telling a story. He almost gives away the plot of The Man Who Knew Too Much. He does this in the beginning credits of the film; with the orchestra and the crashing of cymbals. This Hitchcock film is greatly enhanced by one of his favorite actors, James Stewart. Stewart is complimented by the presence of Doris Day. Ms. Day has a great dramatic turn in this movie. Her career is mainly known for comedy roles. Her role as Josephine Conway McKenna, will make you forget those roles. Along with this role, Day also performed her signature song, Que Sera, Sera, in this movie. Ray Livingston and Jay Evans, received the academy award for composing this hauntingly beautiful song.
James Stewart plays Dr. Benjamin McKenna, who has finished a medical conference in Paris. He takes his wife and son to Marrakech, Morocco, for a vacation. The audience can see Hitchcock at work. He shows the bus scene just like a tourist would see it.The images of the city through the windows, especially the rear ones. The family meets an interesting and mysterious man, Louis Bernard, (Daniel Gelin). Dr. McKenna is forthcoming about his background, in a conversation. This makes Josephine McKenna uncomfortable, and lends to Bernard trusting him. Bernard is invited to dinner by Dr. McKenna, but declines, because an assassin is seen by him. The doctor and his wife meet a British couple at dinner, The Draytons, Edward, (Bernard Miles) and Lucy, (Brenda de Banzie). They strike up a conversation, and meet at the marketplace, the next day. Lucy Dayton tells the McKenna’s that she’ll watch their son, while they stroll around.
There is a commotion as a man collapses in Dr. McKenna’s arms. It is Louis Bernard; disguised as an Arab. He has been fatally stabbed. He discloses a secret to Stewart’s character, before dying. The Doctor writes it down, and conceals it. The police inspector asks the McKenna’s to come to the station for a statement. The Drayton’s say they will take care of Hank, {the McKenna’s son}, until they come back. The inspector reveals that the deceased, was a spy for the French government. Doctor McKenna is pressed to reveal what was said by Louis Bernard, but doesn’t. McKenna received a phone call while at the police station. The mysterious caller said his son was kidnapped, and McKenna should not reveal what he knows. The inspector is unhappy but let’s McKenna leave.
Doctor McKenna reveals the information to his wife. It involves an plot to kill an ambassador in London. He later tells his wife that their son was kidnapped. This causes Josephine McKenna, anguish and stress. It is an example of the range of Doris Day’s acting ability. The McKenna’s also find out that the Drayton’s have left on a plane to London. They take the first plane out.
It is here that this already interesting story hits high gear. The McKennas check into their hotel, and find Josephine’s friends waiting for her. Josephine was a famous singer, before she was married, and her friends want to talk about old times. The couple politely brush them off. Doctor McKenna has figured out that The Royal Albert Hall is the place for the assassination attempt. In the masterful climactic scene, James Stewart’s character frantically tells the police. This scene is done without dialogue. Mrs. McKenna sees the assassin, and in desperation screams, messing up the killer’s aim. He falls to his death, when Doctor McKenna attacks him. Later the prime minister in gratitude, invites the McKenna’s to be his guests, at the embassy. Mrs. McKenna, performs for him and his guests.The first song she chooses is Que Sera Sera. This is a song she would sing to her son. Her son, Hank hears it. Lucy Drayton, not wanting harm to come to the boy, encourages him to whistle loudly. He does, and Doctor McKenna runs up and breaks down the door, and rescues his son. Edward Drayton grabs them, at gun point, and uses them for a shield. Benjamin McKenna pushes Drayton, and his gun goes off, killing Drayton. The McKenna’s go back to the hotel, and apologize to their guests for their delay. They tell them they had to get their son.
It is hard to say which Hitchcock film stands out. There are so many good films. The Man Who Knew Too Much does. It does that because of it’s hero, Doctor Benjamin McKenna. He shows no fear in confronting evil. It is also James Stewart’s best role, in a Hitchcock film. Stewart’s character is a doctor who is put in a dangerous situation. He is a man of integrity who confronts the danger, and saves the day, without flinching. It could be argued that other actors like Cary Grant were better in Hitchcock films. James Stewart was an accomplished actor, who got better with more dramatic roles. Cary Grant owes his mainstream success to Hitchcock.
The Man Who Knew Too Much doesn’t get mentioned in the same way films like Psycho, Rear window, Vertigo and North by Northwest are. It deserves to be. It takes an ordinary midwestern family, and puts them in a terrifying situation. It is something that the genius of Hitchcock could do very well. It is also one of many reasons to watch this underrated film by the master of suspense.