I read through the review of gleywong@erols.com and they were absolutely right. This film, while watchable, could have been a lot better in the hands of a master director. They suggested that Hitchcock could have done a much better job, as essentially the same sort of material had been done better earlier with THE 39 STEPS or THE LADY VANISHES. There just isn't that much suspense in HOTEL RESERVE--even though it is meant to be a suspense film. It's a shame, too, as the film has a few very good actors (James Mason and especially the terrific performance by a sinister Herbert Lom).
The film begins with an interesting plot idea. It's 1938 (just before WWII) and James Mason takes his film to be developed and he's arrested when he goes to pick it up later. It seems that in addition to his photos of lizards (!), the first few photos on the roll of film were of secret naval installation! Mason must have accidentally had his camera switched with a resident at the hotel where he resides. It's obvious to anyone with half a brain he is not a spy--after all, what spy would take their film to be developed at a local shop?! Here's an odd twist. They decide to let Mason go BUT insist that he goes back to the hotel and try to look around to find out whose camera got switched with his. I assume the police in France can legally search without a warrant but maybe they can't and it's a great way to get around this. Whatever the case, Mason tries to eliminate the guests one by one from being suspects until he is able to uncover the Nazi spy. However, in the conclusion which looks like it's right from THE 39 STEPS, the ending just sort of fizzles and Mason and France are spared--at least until June 1940.
Overall, a decent time-passer but not all that much more. Too bad, as I usually like British movies from this time period and this one should have been better.
The film begins with an interesting plot idea. It's 1938 (just before WWII) and James Mason takes his film to be developed and he's arrested when he goes to pick it up later. It seems that in addition to his photos of lizards (!), the first few photos on the roll of film were of secret naval installation! Mason must have accidentally had his camera switched with a resident at the hotel where he resides. It's obvious to anyone with half a brain he is not a spy--after all, what spy would take their film to be developed at a local shop?! Here's an odd twist. They decide to let Mason go BUT insist that he goes back to the hotel and try to look around to find out whose camera got switched with his. I assume the police in France can legally search without a warrant but maybe they can't and it's a great way to get around this. Whatever the case, Mason tries to eliminate the guests one by one from being suspects until he is able to uncover the Nazi spy. However, in the conclusion which looks like it's right from THE 39 STEPS, the ending just sort of fizzles and Mason and France are spared--at least until June 1940.
Overall, a decent time-passer but not all that much more. Too bad, as I usually like British movies from this time period and this one should have been better.