"Strangers on a Train" A nightmare beckoned by a doppelganger

“Messenger of Darkness” Bruno

How do you “draw” a story? Hitchcock was particular about the pleasure of the film, even to the point of infuriating Chandler. He is a cinematic artist to the core. ``The Strangers on a Train'' is also full of captivating shots that can be said to be design-like.

For example, the scene where Bruno strangles Guy's wife Miriam (Casey Rogers) to death. The two people reflected through the glasses are extremely distorted by the thick lenses. Miriam's body slowly sinks as if floating through space. Bruno confirms the death like a prosecutor. Although it is supposed to be a gruesome scene, it has a mysterious charm to it. For Hitchcock, murder is sensual and sexy.

Or a shot of Bruno staring at Guy from far away, with a huge temple-like structure in the background. Although it is impossible to make out his face due to the extremely long shot, we can tell from his appearance, such as his black hat and coat, that he is Bruno. Well, perhaps it would be better to say that the Mephistopheles-like, Satanic atmosphere makes us intuit that it is Bruno. In this film, Hitchcock thoroughly portrays Bruno as a ``messenger of darkness.''

This is especially evident in the scene where Guy is playing tennis under the bright sun and Bruno is struggling in the darkness to pick up a lighter that has fallen into the sewers. Yin and Yang. Light and shadow. Hitchcock brings together all of his techniques to portray the nightmare that a doppelgänger brings.

"Strangers on a Train" (c)Photofest / Getty Images

The Strangers on a Train was the last film for Robert Walker, who played Bruno. Eight months after filming ended, he passed away due to an allergic reaction to medication used to treat alcoholism. Farley Granger, who thoroughly enjoyed working with Walker and declared this film one of her favorites, said she was deeply shaken by Walker's sudden death.

Robert Walker imprinted a powerful nightmare on the viewer, and it passed by at breakneck speed. Guy's doppelganger isn't the only reason he's one of Hitchcock's most fascinating villains. This is because we, the viewers, have discovered another Robert Walker, to whom the "black parts" and "dark parts" have taken over. Because she found in him a doppelganger, a symbol of bad luck. At least, that's how I think.

(*1), (*2) “Standard Film Technique Hitchcock/Truffaut” Shobunsha

(*3)https://www.openculture.com/2013/08/raymond-chandler-denounces-hitchcocks-strangers-on-a-train.html

Text: Rui Takeshima

A pop culture writer who wants to be kicked by Hit Girl. Host of the web magazine "POP MASTER".

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(c) Photofest / Getty Images