Although his name will forever be linked with 'suspense' films, this 1928 silent feature from Alfred Hitchcock shows the man had considerable comic sensibilities, too. The story concerns a widowed farmer (Jameson Thomas) who decides he needs a wife...129 minutes later, he finds that the perfect woman he was after was under his nose the entire time. Thomas is great as the desperate for love farmer -- watch how he makes a list of desirable women and goes to each one individually to propose, crossing each off the list when they turn him down. It may be overlong (those who've seen the edited 97 minute version yearn for this extended one...personally I think it too long),but the wry humour and the charming characters make this a nice enough early effort from Hitch.

Had this movie been made in the age of the talkies and not at the tail end of silents, it would have no doubt scored a lot lower due to its very simple plot. However, in many silents the plot is more streamlined and this is no surprise. What was a surprise was the leisurely pace that this romantic comedy took to get to its rather predictable but satisfying conclusion. Instead of a 60 to 75 minute film (pretty much the norm for 1928),it was over two hours and was given many beautiful and artistic camera shots that make this a real standout film and very much unlike Hitchcock's later films. In addition, since no one is murdered and there is no terror in the film, it's not at all what many would expect from the director. As for me, I sure didn't mind at all. The only thing I did mind was that I didn't notice a Hitchcock cameo--something that is not in all of his films. If you saw him in the film, drop me a line--it's easy to miss him in those scenes.

Alfred Hitchcock- my personal favourite director- has done better with the likes of Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, Rebecca, The Lady Vanishes, Strangers on a Train and North By Northwest but he has also done worse with Juno and the Paycock, Champagne, Number Seventeen, Jamaica Inn, Topaz and Under Capricorn(though all have their redeeming merits). The Farmer's Wife is neither among the best or worst of Hitchcock, but it is still well worth watching and among the better of his silent films. It is too long, can get pedestrian and somewhat too slight in places(with a beginning that takes a little too long to set up) and the music score can feel repetitive. However, it is well shot and has lovely scenery, one of the better looking films of Hitchcock's silent era. Prepare yourself for a lot of point-of-view camera shots but they are not distracting at all(some may think differently though). Hitchcock directs with assurance and technical skill though he has done better in films more in his comfort zone. With the house party there are many subtle touches where you are thinking "yeah, this is unmistakably Hitchcock". The comedy is funny and charming if occasionally falling on the broad side, thankfully it is not overplayed and played with a degree of subtlety while making clear that the actors are enjoying themselves. The story is not always involving but does have its charms and you will be drawn in by the comedy and the likable if stock characters, it may have its slow spots but stick with it. The ending is very touching. The acting is good, again at times broad but not too much or that continuous. Gordon Harker is the standout and is immensely fun to watch, though Lillian Hall-Davies is suitably sympathetic and Jameson Thomas carries the film competently(his character is not easy to warm to straight away this said). Overall, interesting and providing that you don't expect masterpiece status- this is early Hitchcock where he was still finding his feet/style in a way- is also a good film. 7/10 Bethany Cox