Lady Vanishes, The
Date: 1938
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Production Company: Gainsborough Pictures
Stars: Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas, Dame May Whitty
Location(s): Hampshire, London, Var (France)
Region(s): France, London H-L, South East E-L
Storyline:
While travelling across continental Europe by rail, a rich young socialite realises that an elderly lady appears to have disappeared from the train.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
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Returning home from Bandrika to get married, Iris Henderson is delayed when an avalanche blocks the railway line. Clearly a model, no doubt constructed at Islington Studios.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
After spending the night at a hotel, Iris and her fellow passengers, including Gilbert Redman, lawyer Eric Todhunter, cricket fans Charters and Caldicott and governess Miss Froy, board the train. This is a set, highly likely to be at Islington Studios in Shepherd's Bush. The Longmoor Military Railway in Hampshire is cited as a location for this production although no action appears to take place there. Manuel Gurtner believes that the back projection images used for the locomotive cab scenes as well as the car chase seen later were filmed on the LMR.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
As the journey gets under way, Iris wakes after sleeping off a bump on the head and is given eau de cologne by Miss Froy before the two head to the dining car. Manuel Gurtner advises that this stock or second unit footage shows the main line of the Compagnie Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée (PLM) as it runs along the French Riviera to the east of Anthéor (Cap Roux) in the Var department. The Marseilles bound express is hauled by one of the mighty Mountain 4-8-2 type tender locos of PLM, class 241.A, built between 1925 and 1931. In the background stands the Estérel mountain range with the peaks of the Rocher Saint-Barthélémy.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
When she wakes from another sleep after returning to her compartment, Iris finds that the governess has vanished and other passengers on the train deny ever seeing her. Manuel suggests that the rest of the railway sequences could also have been shot on the Compagnie Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée main line along the Côte d'Azur.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
After Iris searches the train with Gilbert's assistance and Todhunter pretends not to recall Miss Froy, the train calls at a station where a bandaged patient of Dr. Hartz is brought on board by stretcher.
- Capture 6
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Dr. Hartz suggests that Iris may be suffering from concussion-related hallucinations before she and Gilbert are attacked by magician Signor Doppo after two clues are found.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Iris and Gilbert are drugged by Dr. Hartz after questioning the Nun looking after his Patient.
- Capture 8
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The train approaches the station where an ambulance is waiting for Dr. Hartz's Patient.
- Capture 9
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After the train is brought to a stand near the border, Soldiers follow when it restarts with Gilbert and Caldicot at the controls. With this as part of the only exterior featuring actors, Manuel Gurtner is of the opinion that the car chase through the forest was filmed around the LMR in Hampshire.
- Capture 10
- 31 Dec 2022
With their adventure over, Iris and Gilbert arrive in London. Terminus Place outside Victoria station in London SW1.
Quite similar after 80 years. SJ
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
The boat train pulls into Victoria station. London's Victoria station with buildings at the corner of Hugh Street and Belgrave Road in the right background. Ray Glenister identifies this as Victoria station in SW1 while Manuel Gurtner advises that the train is hauled by one of the Southern Railway's School class 4-4-0 tender locomotives.