The Best Hitchcock Movies (That Hitchcock Never Made) Blogathon: Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965)

Dorian of Tales of The Easily Distracted and Becky of Classic Becky's Brain Food came up with this wonderful blogathon about movies similar to Alfred Hitchcock movies that were not made by Hitch. So once I heard about it I quickly signed up. Here is the link to see what other films are being done all week long. Seems a lot people were eager to join in on the fun. doriantb.blogspot.com/p/best-hitchcock-movies-that-hitchcock.html

Ann surrounded by dolls... a little creepy

My contribution is the 1965 film Bunny Lake Is Missing, directed by Otto Preminger. The underrated Carol Lynley is Ann Lake, a transplanted American woman in England, with a daughter named Bunny. On the first day of school, Ann arrives to pick Bunny up, only to find that no child by that name is registered there. You can just imagine Ann's shock upon hearing that. So the police is called in to investigate. Sir Laurence Olivier is police inspector Newhouse who wraps his head around this missing person case. Well that's what Ann calls it. Everyone else has their doubts. 

Ann and her brother Stephen

Her brother Stephen (Keir Dullea..very weird here) comes to his sister's aid, but he has some personal issues of his own. The main focus is on Ann and whether she is of sound mind. Does she really have a daughter? or she has just imagined the whole thing? Stephen backs up her story as he should since he is Bunny's uncle but things are not black and white.

Inspector Newhouse is on the case

You can feel the resemblance to a Hitchcock film when you watch Bunny Lake. From the everyone is a suspect scenarios to the woman in distraught. Of course most of Hitch's films had the leading man dealing with things but Carol Lynley is more than up to the challenge. Giving one of her best performances. It helped having a veteran like Olivier on hand too. He brings some distinction and quality to this film. And Otto Preminger is a seasoned director who knows how to keep things flowing.

Bunny..is she real or imagined?

I don't want to go into anymore detail about this film in case some people haven't seen it. It's the type of film where you really can't talk about it without giving things away. So let me just say that Bunny Lake is a worthy film that Hitchcock never made. I think most people will enjoy it.

Some birthday treats from Jack Lemmon and Lana Turner

About set to watch some movies in honor of two stars who have birthdays today. Jack Lemmon and Lana Turner. Up first will be Jack Lemmon in a funny if very sexist 60's comedy, Under The Yum Yum Tree. He plays a lecherous landlord named Hogan who rents out units to luscious young women at half price.  And then tries to make a move on them. He meets his match in Robin Austin (played by Carol Lynley). I haven't seen this movie in years but remembering liking it. Has a super supporting cast in Edie Adams (yay!), Dean Jones, Paul Lynde, and Imogen Coca. It fits in with all those sex comedies of the 60's like Sunday In New York, Barefoot In The Park, Don't Make Waves, Sex and the Single Girl and others.

Next up will be Lana in Who's Got The Action?, another comedy from the 60's. Paired with Dean Martin as a married couple who must deal with Dino's gambling problem. Solution..Lana as Melanie Flood becomes his mysterious bookie and hopes that her husband will lose enough money to call it quits. The opposite happens as Steve (Dean's character) gets on a lucky streak. A funny movie with a solid supporting cast, including Eddie Albert, Nita Talbot, and Walter Matthau. 

I know Jack and Lana did better movies, but I am in the mood for some mindless comedies. And these seem to fit the bill.


Happy Birthday Jack and Lana!