The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

A doctor (James Stewart) from the mid-West and his wife (Doris Day), a former actress, are vacationing in Morocco with their small son (Christopher Olsen). During a visit to an outdoor market, a man (Daniel Gelin) is stabbed to death but before he dies, he whispers some information to the doctor that will place him and his family in danger if he reveals it. But if he doesn't, important international repercussions will occur. Alfred Hitchcock pretty much summed it up himself when comparing this film which is a remake of his 1934 film of the same name. "The first film", he is reputed to have said, "is the work of a talented amateur. The second that of a professional". I like Hitch's 1934 version but the 1956 film is much more complex and layered and better acted. Indeed, Day's breakdown scene upon hearing her son has been kidnapped may be the best things she's ever done (as an actress). As with most Hitchcock films, there is a cinematic highpoint and here it's the classic Albert Hall sequence culminating in Day's scream. The film also has one of Hitchcock's most amusing codas. The film features the Oscar winning song Que Sera Sera which became Day's signature tune. With Brenda De Banzie, Carolyn Jones, Hillary Brooke, Alan Mowbray, Alix Talton and Bernard Miles.