Thomas’s review published on Letterboxd:
Mario Bava´s “The Girl Who Knew Too Much” is a murder-mystery thriller that is widely considered to be the first giallo ever made. Some trademark elements of the genre are still missing, such as the vibrant colors or stylized hyper-violent kills, but the overall vibe and specific story tropes are already very giallo-like and it´s easy to see how the movie influenced later works of Italian cinema. Just as the film itself was clearly inspired by the works of Alfred Hitchcock, as the title should already tell you. Bava´s direction is top-notch, and his artistic touch permeates through the entire film. He once again shows his mastery over atmosphere, especially during the well-crafted suspense scenes, but also during the more lighthearted scenes which work as well. Furthermore, the black and white cinematography is stunning, and the Rome setting is well utilized. Letícia Román is a charismatic, loveable lead and her chemistry with John Saxon is endearing and enjoyable. The central mystery isn´t as well-constructed as in “Blood and Black Lace”, and especially the solution didn´t fully work for me, but it´s a fun ride overall. From the first scene on you know that you are in the hands of a masterful filmmaker, and he guides you through the story with skill, wit, and charm.
