Marnie (1964)

A raven-haired woman walks down the railway platform with a yellow bag under her arm.  The scene switches to Sidney Strutt who explains to a pair of officers that he has been robbed by a recently-hired employee, a raven-haired beauty named Marion Holland.  He is still detailing the thief when Mark Rutland (Sean Connery) arrives on business.  Strutt tells him about the robbery and even says that he pointed Marion out to him on an earlier visit.  Rutland nods, remembering the attractive woman.  The rave-haired woman dyes her hair blonde and resumes her true name, Marnie Edgar (Tippi Hedren).  She visits her mother, with whom she has a loveless relationship.  Sometime later, an auburn-haired "Mary Taylor" arrives at Rutland & Co. to apply as payroll clerk.  Though she has only one reference, Mark Rutland instructs Sam Ward to hire her.  Mark takes a particular interest in her, taking her to the horse races and introducing her to his father.  Clearly, Mark suspects that she is Marion Holland, which is confirmed when she disappears with the money in the safe of Mr. Ward's office.  However, Mark has learned enough to track her down and catch her.  Now he has her, and he intends to keep her.  Moreover, he wants to know why she is the way she is.

Here is a story about a psychologically damaged woman.  Marnie hates men, distrusts people, and has no compunction about lying or stealing.  That she fears lightning, abhors the color red, and often suffers nightmares is just a mystery to her.  Mark, the amateur Freud, hired her as a curiosity, but has since come to love her despite her hostility.  Can he untangle her psychological issues before she runs away again.  He is certain that the next person to catch her will not be as understanding as him; no, next time will be prison.

A middle of the road Hitchcock movie.  Worthwhile if only to see Connery play something other than a gun-wielding action hero.  It was quite funny to see Alfred Pennyworth (Alan Napier) from the Batman TV series (1966-68) playing Sean Connery's father.  Just okay.