The Movie: The Wrong Man (1956)
What Is It?: Although
it explores the director’s pet topic to the point that its title basically
translates to Generic Alfred Hitchcock Movie, The Wrong Man is one of Hitch’s
more unusual films because it is based on a true story and manages more
sympathy for its characters than his usual brilliant exercises in style do.
Really, there are no more heartbreaking people in the Hitchcock cannon than
Manny Balestrero (Henry Fonda), a bass player wrongfully accused of being a
“hold up man” (I can’t help but find that designation hilarious and wonder if
there is a less awkward term for someone who holds places up), and his wife
Rose (Vera Miles), who loses her grip on reality while going through the ordeal
of her husband’s incarceration and trial. Wrenching stuff.
Why Today?: On
this day in 1909, the real Manny
Balestrero is born.
