This is a noteworthy movie, because Hitchcock shot it in a series of long takes. The Wiki article has a table of the length and time codes for each shot. This is fascinating, since it's actually 10 shots. The length varies between 10 minutes and about 4:37 for the shortest one. The edits are disguised by moving the camera into a static frame - usually blacked out by someone's back. The first couple of these are done masterfully. Then I started to notice them.
But the story is told in real-time. This brings up some of the other wonderful things about this one. I love that not all of the dialogue is important. Among the dialogue that moves things forward, there are plenty of lighthearted bits, as well as some completely irrelevant bits. In particular, I really love when two characters join the party at the same time. We get the two of them talking to two people who were already there. There are two conversations happening at the same time, and it adds a level of realism that you almost never see in any movie.
I had seen this movie when I was younger - probably in high school, possibly in college. And I remember thinking that it was kind of slow, even if it was technically interesting. At this point in time, it's much better than I remember. Things move along, there are plenty of interesting subtexts, and the direction is satisfying.
This was released in 1948, and Hitchcock had made considerable strides since Saboteur and Shadow of a Doubt. Edits are smoother, the script is tighter, and it still retains his interests.
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