Described by many critics as the best Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never made, Charade is a witty murder mystery as Regina is pursued by shady characters demanding the money they claim her recently murdered husband owes them.
The sudden death of her husband sees Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) cut short her skiing holiday and return to Paris – only to discover their apartment stripped bare. Seems Monsieur Lampert was making a run for it with three former colleagues demanding $250,000. Clueless, Regina turns to Peter Joshua (Cary Grant), the charming American met recently in the Alps. But not everything is as it seems – even Joshua has his own agenda.
Oozing charm and style, director Stanley Donen choreographs his wry and suspenseful feature to genteel perfection as the two look to keep one step ahead of the likes of the menacing Herman Scobie (George Kennedy) and angry Tex Panthollow (James Coburn).
Nominated for best original song Oscar in 1964 (Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer)
Rating: 78%
Director: Stanley Donen (Singin’ in the Rain, Funny Face)
Writer: Peter Stone (Sweet Charity, Father Goose)
Main cast: Audrey Hepburn (The Nun’s Story, Breakfast at Tiffany’s), Cary Grant (North By Northwest, Father Goose), Walter Matthau (The Odd Couple, The Fortune Cookie)
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