Watch Number 17

Number 17 is a British thriller film from 1932 starring Leon M. Lion, Anne Grey, and John Stuart. The film follows a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in a deserted house in the middle of nowhere. The plot begins when a detective is trailed to an empty house by an unknown assailant. He is quickly overpowered, and left for dead on the floor as the mysterious intruder takes off with a package that was in his possession. Shortly after, a group of people, who are unacquainted with each other, arrive at the same house during a London fog. Amongst them, a young girl, a drunkard, an escaped convict, a businessman and a mysterious detective-like character.

As they find themselves inside the house, the group is initially unaware of each others presence. However, when one of the tenants discovers the murdered detective lying on the floor, they all begin to suspect each other of being the killer. As they begin to explore the old and decrepit property, strange and eerie goings-on start to occur, and the tension steadily rises.

Unbeknownst to them, the house has a history of crime involving a missing necklace, which is believed to be worth millions. As they continue their exploration of the house, they come across a hidden room containing a number of clues that could lead them to the identity of the killer and the whereabouts of the necklace.

The film is full of unexpected twists and turns, and as the story unravels, the audience is left guessing who the real killer is. Despite the limited budget of the film, the director, Alfred Hitchcock, uses his signature style of cinematography that elevates the movie to a higher level. His resourcefulness is evident in the way he manages to create suspense through cuts, shadows, and camera movements even with limited resources.

The performances of the cast are noteworthy, with Leon M. Lion's portrayal of the detective being one of the standouts. Anne Grey also excels in her role as the precocious young girl who seems to know more than the rest of the characters. The film's score is haunting and perfectly complements the overall tone of suspense and horror.

Number 17 is one of Alfred Hitchcock's earlier films. It may not be as well-known or as popular as some of his later work, but it is still an essential watch for any Hitchcock fan. The charm of the film lies in its simplicity, with its focus on suspense, intrigue, and whodunit-style mystery.

It is worth noting that some film historians consider the film to be somewhat of a failure, but this can be attributed to the limitations of the time, the tight budget, and the varying trends in the film industry in the early '30s. However, despite these flaws, the film is still enjoyable for its creepy ambiance, intrigue, and the way it draws the audience into the story.

To conclude, Number 17 is a classic thriller that showcases the early potential of one of the greatest directors in cinema history. Alfred Hitchcock's resourcefulness and creativity are on full display in this movie, which makes it a must-watch for his admirers.

Number 17 is a 1932 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 4 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.