Saturday, February 13, 2016

Ambitious Blonde


We're in full leaving-for-San Francisco mode over here tonight, so decided to watch "Vertigo" for the first time tonight, also as part of addressing my Hitchcock blindspot. Enjoyed it -- and found Kim Novak to be utterly mesmerizing. But I'd hardly call it the best film of all time -- as the British Film Institute did -- or even one of the best. (Am wondering if it's even his best. I think Midge needs her own film.)  Plan to watch "Rebecca" next.

What's YOUR recommendation?




15 comments:

Walt said...

I agree, I don't understand the hype over Vertigo. The music, Kim Novak, yes. Kim was great in Man With The Golden Arm with Sinatra, btw. Actually she was great in a lot of films. No wonder Candy Darling patterned herself after Kim. I like Rebecca, a little slow in patches, but Judith Anderson as Mrs. Danvers is amazing! Hickcock's The Birds, Marnie, Strangers on a Train, and Rear Window are my favorites.

Rian G. said...

North by Northwest

joel65913 said...

I've always had a soft spot for Saboteur, it's not his best but a very good one and I love Priscilla Lane.

Otherwise I'd recommend North by Northwest, Notorious, Lifeboat, Shadow of a Doubt and Strangers on a Train.

I agree about Vertigo. It's a complex, visually arresting film, and Kim Novak is great in it, but I'm puzzled by "The Best" tag.

edmcan said...

I loved this movie and loved Kim in it. I'm continually fascinated with her enormous eyebrows, in this movie and how they change color along with her hair.

Bill Carter said...

Best film of all time? It's not even the best Hitchcock.

Unknown said...

I didn't really appreciate V at first, either, but my appreciation has grown, and can definitely see it as one of the all-time best. It is a masterwork. Perhaps you are only seeing what is on the surface. There is SO much more going on, with many visual tricks helping to fuel the story and subtext. Hitchcock poured himself into this film so much more than most of his films, there is a lot going on underneath the narrative.
For other greats, IMO, 1) Rear Window, my fav Hitchcock, and all time 3rd fav film. 2) The Birds- another film with more going on than just what meets the eye, it is creepy and unnerving with some classic scenes. 3) Shadow of a Doubt - either you get it and love it, or you don't and you don't. Very suspenseful. 4) Psycho - a tacked-on ending is a little clunky (it pretty much stops the film to explain what just happened) but, overall, Hitch's most accessible film. So many classic scenes and very suspenseful (not to mention a gay lead actor and a hot supporting actor). Of course, there is also his TV series that has tons of great episodes, though Hitch was only director of maybe a dozen or so eps.

swine said...

Rope is far from his best, but has a gay twist. And The Birds has Rod Taylor at his peak of hotness.

Unknown said...

He did a fun comedy movie Called The Trouble With Harry. Dark twist, funny. Shirley MacLaine's first film. I like a lot of his films, but this was his only try at comedy.

who said...

To Catch a Thief, great story location and actors.

Brent said...

Love Saboteur!

retropian said...

Well a non-Hitchcock recommendation that features San Fran would be Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City mini series with Laura Linney. It make San Fransisco seem utterly appealing, plus there is a bit of Hitchcockian mystery about one of the minor characters. I'm sure you've seen it, but it's always good viewing.

The Polar Beast said...

The Rear Window or North by Northwest

SB said...

I love "Shadow of a Doubt" and "Rear Window". "Foreign Correspndent" has grown on me with some re-viewings in recent years (TCM shows it fairly often). I love "The Birds" and "Marnie" ,both of which are underrated. "Stage Freight" is fun but its more of a comedy which I think surprises many viewers.

I finally saw "Under Capricorn" and found it colorful and touching. It's a bit of an off-beat for Hitchcock (a costume picture in color) but well worth seeing.

Rear Entry said...

I love "Shadow of a Doubt" and "Rear Window". "Foreign Correspndent" has grown on me with some re-viewings in recent years (TCM shows it fairly often). I love "The Birds" and "Marnie" ,both of which are underrated. "Stage Freight" is fun but its more of a comedy which I think surprises many viewers. I finally saw "Under Capricorn" and found it colorful and touching. It's a bit of an off-beat for Hitchcock (a costume picture in color) but well worth seeing.

Hitched said...

Laura, starring Gene Tierny, and Dana Andrews. Directed by Otto Preminger. Classic black and white noir.