<P> The plot of Hitchcock's film differs considerably from White's novel . In The Wheel Spins, Miss Froy really is an innocent old lady looking forward to seeing her octogenarian parents; she is abducted because she knows something (without realising its significance) that would cause trouble for the local authorities if it came out . Iris' mental confusion is due to sunstroke, not a blow to the head . In White's novel, the wheel keeps spinning: the train never stops, and there is no final shoot - out . Additionally, the supporting cast differs somewhat; for instance, in the novel, the Gilbert character is Max Hare, a young British engineer building a dam in the hills who knows the local language, and there is also a modern - languages professor character who acts as Iris's and Max's interpreter who does not appear in the film . The cricket - obsessed characters Charters and Caldicott were created especially for the film and do not appear in the novel . </P> <P> The plot has clear references to the political situation leading up to World War II . The British characters, originally trying their hardest to keep out of the conflict, end up working together to fight off the jack - booted foreigners, while the lawyer who wishes to negotiate with the attackers by waving a white flag gets his just deserts . </P> <P> Alfred Hitchcock can be seen at Victoria Station, wearing a black coat and smoking a cigarette, near the end of the film . The film marks the first appearance of the comedy double - act Charters and Caldicott (played by Naunton Wayne and Basil Radford). </P> <P> When The Lady Vanishes opened in the UK it was an immediate hit, becoming the most successful British film to that date . It was also very successful when it opened in New York . In a contemporary review, the Monthly Film Bulletin described the film as an "out of the ordinary and exciting thriller", praising Hitchcock's direction and the cast, specifically Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas and Dame May Whitty . </P>

Where is alfred hitchcock in the lady vanishes
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