I always enjoy the Hitchcock movies. Always. This one was no exception. Adapted from a famous novel by Daphne Du Maurier, Jamaica Inn is a period piece, one of a select few directed by Sir Alfred. The action also seems from a former time. It is overly romantic and slightly melodramatic. But that suits the picture, perfectly. The cast is excellent all around. Charles Laughton's performance is exemplary. He nuances his role as Sir Humphrey (the unknown behind the scenes leader of the wrecking gang) with sardonic wit and a slightly mad glee. It is said there were a few clashes between he and the director. It does not surprise me. They were similar characters, demanding as much space as space would allow, probably. I enjoyed Maureen O'Hara's performance. She avoided the usual naivete exhibited by many female leads for pictures of this ilk, though she never did more than she needed to. Robert Newton & the rest of the cast were similarly excellent, including deft performances by the older couple at the Inn (Leslie Banks and Marie Ney). Not much cinematography, but the storm scenes and final climactic ship scene at the end were well carried off. Sir Humphrey's palace was well and lavishly depicted as well. All in all, despite a few minor flaws here and there, a very enjoyable watch!

Alfred Hitchcock's last film made in the UK before heading to the US is one of his worst. It's a period thriller (light on thrills) about a gang of criminals who cause shipwrecks on the coast in order to steal the cargo and kill the surviving crew. The gang uses a spooky inn as a headquarters to meet and discuss their shipwrecking schemes. The film opens strong but once Charles Laughton's character appears, things start to unravel. Laughton is usually cited as one of the main reasons why this movie is so flawed. Laughton was one of the producers on the film and evidently interfered with Hitchcock at every turn. Without even knowing the story behind the production, it's easy to lay primary blame at Laughton's doorstep while watching this. He's over the top and campy; often comical to the point that it's impossible for Hitchcock to effectively build any suspense. There are some nice atmospheric moments with howling winds and stormy nights and the like. But the atmosphere is undone by Laughton's ridiculousness. The unconvincing makeup and fake nose don't help. The rest of the cast isn't that much better, with master ham Leslie Banks overacting as much as possible and a stiff Maureen O'Hara as the heroine. Maureen's as lovely as ever but, this being one of her earliest roles, her acting is pretty limited. It's a flawed movie with many boring stretches, too much bad acting, and mysteries that are not very mysterious. Still, it's Hitchcock so there are enough interesting things going on to warrant a look. But you'll likely be satisfied with just one look.

Having been talked into it by Laughton, Hitchcock soon regretted his involvement, not least when the co-producer/star insisted on doing things his way. Besides, he knew he would soon have bigger fish to fry across the pond. Had this been directed, say, by Roy William Neill, it would be seen for what it is, a melodramatic tale of a piratical gang of cut-throats, that is if anything, above average for a British film of its day. Though perhaps no classic, it is gripping and fast moving, reminding me of a Hammer film so much, I was expecting an appearance from Michael Ripper at any minute. Charlie's eccentric, theatrical performance is fun, let's face it, while in contrast Emlyn Williams is all too convincing as a 'street-wise' psychopathic thug; when he fetches the rope in the attempt to hang Robert Newton, early on, you almost think he means to do it for real. The young Maureen O'Hara, recruited by Laughton, does well in the lead, considering little help from the director. The initial ride to the Inn is memorable, and the wrecking scenes are convincingly portrayed, considering that even the top British studios could not match the resources of the major Hollywood outfits, a weighty factor in Hitch's decision to work for them.

Jamaica Inn begins with a gang of pirates wrecking a ship, killing the survivors, and looting the booty. We cut to Charles Laughton and a false nose and eyebrows, taking a lady in who is looking for her sister at the infamous Jamaica Inn.The picture is not really about the Jamaica Inn so much as about the pirates who operate out of there. There are a few cool twists, and some attractive leads, but the tone is Dickensian and theatrical, not what you might expect from a Hitchcock. Its a period piece, and some of the costuming and acting contributes to the hokey tone. That was initially what turned me off it, along with the VHS-like quality of that first public domain release I saw. Don't bother unless you're watching the high definition version. This is a public domain piece so is quite common in horrible versions with fuzzy picture and audio so bad you can hardly understand it. The 2015 Cohan Blu Ray is the only way to watch.Overall its a good news bad news situation. At times, the dialogue is wooden and the framing boring mid-shots like in the worst Hitchcock movies. At other times, it has a nice flair for a dramatic twist, like the best Hitchcock. I'd call it non-essential viewing.