The Man Who Knew Too Much was released in 1956 and it is a re-make of a 1934 Hitchcock film that goes by the same name. This version stars James Stewart and Doris Day.
The story is about an American doctor, Dr. Ben McKenna, his wife and their son who, after attending a medical conference in France, visit Morocco.
Things don't work out well, however, and our protagonists go to the restaurant by themselves. There they meet a british couple who seem much more friendly and open to conversation than the Frenchman.
The next day, while in the market, the Frenchman approaches Dr. McKenna with a knife stabbed in his back and just before he dies, he confesses to him that there will be an attempted assassination of a statesman in London and that he must now prevent it.
Thus, James Stewart becomes the man who knew too much.
Dr. McKenna is reluctant to say anything to the police, and rightly so, because soon after, his son is kidnapped and is being kept under the threat that McKenna and his wife shouldn't reveal anything about the assassination to the authorities.
The film might not be one of Hitchcock's best but it surely is a thrilling and agonizing ride for the viewer. Even though one can see a lot of plotholes, there are many enjoyable scenes, too. The appearance of Hitchcock's composer Bernard Herrmann is one of them, for sure.
The film also features the great hit "Que Sera Sera" sang by Doris Day. At first she had refused to record it but later on, it ended winning an Oscar Award and becoming her biggest success in her recording career.
Doris Day, after seeing how the animals "extras" where treated, began her lifelong commitment and fight to prevent animal abuse.
Director Cameo: In the marketplace, on the far left of the screen while Dr. and Mrs. McKenna are watching the acrobats.
Memorable Quotes:
If you get hungry, our garden back home is full of snails. We tried everything to get rid of them. We never thought of a Frenchman.
And here's the great "Que Sera, Sera":
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