Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
http://hitchcock.umwblogs.org/files/...es-621x414.jpg I caught this on Vudu the other night, with Blade Runner & Casablanca to follow. From the trailer, I was expecting a lesser film. I was blown away from the start by the rich technicolor. This may be one of the best-looking films that I have ever seen, including the camerawork, visual quality and locations. Reviews seem to confirm this, with even the smashed tomato scores saying "it still looks really good." Was it released this way? I was wondering because Psycho was b&w when I watched it way back when. They seemed proud of the photographic effects in the credits, and it was pretty trippy and neat. Anyway, the story had an interesting twist. And then it kind of The ending was quite a descent, and I felt so bad for him. Dude already was in a mental ward for 6 months (kind of an odd cut after that part to him just being fine again), so how long is he going to need now? Never mind the fact that he Themes like obsession were neat, and the first act with Jimmy Stewart made him almost disappear to me. I'd previously seen him in Rear Window, but enjoyed him in this a lot more. He Kim Novak--wowzers! She's up there with Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn in my book. Gorgeous, and fit well with Stewart I thought. I also admired the suits and fashion. I've recently gotten into collar pins and tie bars and got into hats a couple years ago, so it's nice to see the older movies proving the old style was a thing. But from my eye, this appeared to be set in the time of the release date. I'd thought the hat-and-suit thing fell out of favor moving into the 60s (this was late 50s), so not sure about the accuracy there. What are your thoughts on Vertigo? I felt like the trailer really made it seem like it would be more about Stewart being dizzy all the time. That was more of an afterthought, other than it stopping him from
WARNING: "spoiler" spoilers below
seeing the dead-wife scheme play out the first go around
Question: What was with the first time he's trailing the "wife" and she disappears from the hotel? He sees her in the window, but then the receptionist calls his bluff. This was one reason why I thought it would be more of an Identity-type flick, with stuff not making sense or some possible ghost action (it being more in his mind, so to speak). |
Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
Pyscho was in black and white because if it was in color the blood would look pink or so ive heard.
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Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
Yep it's Hitchcock's best movie in my opinion. The odd cut I read was cause the movie wants to imply that Scottie imagined getting out of the ward, and everything that happened from then on was in his imagination, when in fact, he was still in the ward all along. But that was just a theory as to why they skip ahead like that.
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Originally Posted by BearSkinBathRobe (Post 1892028)
... This may be one of the best-looking films that I have ever seen, including the camerawork, visual quality and locations. Reviews seem to confirm this, with even the smashed tomato scores saying "it still looks really good." Was it released this way? ... Yes it was. It was beautifully filmed by Robert Burks in VistaVision and Technicolor.
Question: What was with the first time he's trailing the "wife" and she disappears from the hotel? He sees her in the window, but then the receptionist calls his bluff. This was one reason why I thought it would be more of an Identity-type flick, with stuff not making sense or some possible ghost action (it being more in his mind, so to speak).
Hitchcock simply believed explanations of these two events were unnecessary to the plot. From the McKittrick Hotel scene we're left to feel that the mystery plays into the story that Madeline was representing the reincarnation of Carlotta Valdes. In the case of Scottie's cliff hanger, by the next scene no one cares. He obviously survived it, so let's move on..;) ~Doc |
Originally Posted by GulfportDoc (Post 1892290)
Yes it was. It was beautifully filmed by Robert Burks in VistaVision and Technicolor. It looked AMAZING!
Originally Posted by GulfportDoc (Post 1892290)
That was never explained, which Hitchcock admitted. Scottie follows Madeline into the McKittrick Hotel, but it was determined that she had never been there, despite the fact that she was shown through the window. In the same way, at the beginning of the film, we see Scottie hanging precariously off of a ledge with no way to escape. But the film moves on to the next scene without any explanation as to how Scottie was rescued.
Hitchcock simply believed explanations of these two events were unnecessary to the plot. From the McKittrick Hotel scene we're left to feel that the mystery plays into the story that Madeline was representing the reincarnation of Carlotta Valdes. In the case of Scottie's cliff hanger, by the next scene no one cares. He obviously survived it, so let's move on..;) ~Doc https://heinzekehrlist.wordpress.com...big-sleep-198/ |
Originally Posted by ironpony (Post 1892087)
Yep it's Hitchcock's best movie in my opinion. The odd cut I read was cause the movie wants to imply that Scottie imagined getting out of the ward, and everything that happened from then on was in his imagination, when in fact, he was still in the ward all along. But that was just a theory as to why they skip ahead like that.
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Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
Why do you call it 'awfully impressive?
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Originally Posted by Dani8 (Post 1892314)
Why do you call it 'awfully impressive?
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Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
thank you for specifying which vertigo you were talking about in the thread title
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Originally Posted by BearSkinBathRobe (Post 1892323)
Just to mean very. Now that I think of it, not sure why it's such a popular expression.
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Vertigo was a mess.
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Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
The hotel disappearance scene I found really oddly out of place, especially since it's before Scottie goes kind of crazy, so he's not delusional at that point.
As for how Scottie is rescued, I think we can assume he called for back, or back up already new and was on the way, or someone heard the gunshots and called the police to respond. |
Originally Posted by Loner (Post 1892377)
Vertigo was a mess.
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Originally Posted by BearSkinBathRobe (Post 1892311)
...
Ha, reminds me of the mysterious death of the chauffeur in The Big Sleep. I think even Chandler admitted it was an "oops" moment, whereas Hitchcock's focus seems to be more of the cause behind these scenes. The hotel disappearing act definitely added intrigue to the story for me, so it paid off. As long as it's all going somewhere, I'll stay on the train. ~Doc |
Originally Posted by GulfportDoc (Post 1892461)
Great comparison! As you know, during filming of The Big Sleep, Howard Hawks' crew contacted Chandler to ask him who killed the chauffeur, Owen Taylor. Chandler said didn't know. There again, as in Vertigo, it didn't really matter to the story. A plausible prevailing view is that Taylor, distraught over being dumped by Carmen Sternwood, drove off the pier to commit suicide. No one really had any motive to murder him.
~Doc |
Originally Posted by Dani8 (Post 1892344)
Thanks for clarifying, BearSkin. I'm fascinated by words at the moment:up: It's funny how "how Awfully' and 'How dreadfully' became common usage terms for something positive, isnt it. I've been picking up alot of stuff like this lately. Reminds me of the common usage of 'dead' with young people back in the 80s and 90s. "That's so dead alive" was uttered by a friend of mine at the movies. LOL. "Wicked" was another. "Your mum's soup is wicked good'
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Originally Posted by Loner (Post 1892377)
Vertigo was a mess.
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Originally Posted by ironpony (Post 1892403)
The hotel disappearance scene I found really oddly out of place, especially since it's before Scottie goes kind of crazy, so he's not delusional at that point.
As for how Scottie is rescued, I think we can assume he called for back, or back up already new and was on the way, or someone heard the gunshots and called the police to respond. And yes, the disappearing act is a head scratcher. I'm guessing it was just to throw some red herrings at the audience. It worked for me, but on its face it doesn't make a lick of sense! Neither did the wife's mental/forgetful issues. I don't know much about mental health, but I'm not seeing a connection other than say schizophrenia. There's also that odd scene toward the end of them being back in that Mexican village when they embrace. |
Originally Posted by BearSkinBathRobe (Post 1892472)
Ah, the power of slang and free will to use words we feel like using and then it catches on. I've always appreciated etymology, so join the club! :highfive:
:modest: Did i see a post when I was quickly running in and out of mofo the other morning that 'Lil' was an internet word now? I tried to find it later but no luckC'Mon!!! I'veonly seen me use it. I think it was from my mate Larry. Dont follow my words, Larry. I just make up nonsense for some fun on mofo. |
Originally Posted by BearSkinBathRobe (Post 1892474)
That was a strange scene, especially since it's in the trailer. Like I said the theme really wasn't equated to a serious physical disability but rather "vertigo" in the sense of his discovery of the scheme. That rooftop scene is also started mid-scene of them chasing somebody. Oh, well.
And yes, the disappearing act is a head scratcher. I'm guessing it was just to throw some red herrings at the audience. It worked for me, but on its face it doesn't make a lick of sense! Neither did the wife's mental/forgetful issues. I don't know much about mental health, but I'm not seeing a connection other than say schizophrenia. There's also that odd scene toward the end of them being back in that Mexican village when they embrace. THANK YOU, MOFO! |
Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
This
This is an interesting video. Whether you liked the movie or not, you can sure appreciate this analysis. |
Originally Posted by BearSkinBathRobe (Post 1892469)
Right, funny that. I've read I believe the next 2 or 3 books in Chandler's Marlowe series. Took a break to read a sci-fi book, but my reading has kind of stalled as of late. Would like to read the official sequel to Big Sleep. Is the other adaptation any good? Have you seen it?
Several times I did start to read Poodle Springs, Chandler's unfinished novel, subsequently finished by Parker. But don't recall ever finishing it. I did read Playback, Chandler's final finished novel (developed from a screen play of his). Now I'm reading The Long Goodbye again. Or, if you are referring to the later film remake of The Big Sleep in 1978 set in London, starring Robert Mitchum, yes, I have seen that and it's very good. Not as good as the original though. ~Doc |
Originally Posted by GulfportDoc (Post 1892616)
Are you referring to the authorized sequel novel to The Big Sleep, by Robert B. Parker, entitled Perchance to Dream? If so, no, I haven't read it. I'm surprised it hasn't been turned into a film.
Several times I did start to read Poodle Springs, Chandler's unfinished novel, subsequently finished by Parker. But don't recall ever finishing it. I did read Playback, Chandler's final finished novel (developed from a screen play of his). Now I'm reading The Long Goodbye again. Or, if you are referring to the later film remake of The Big Sleep in 1978 set in London, starring Robert Mitchum, yes, I have seen that and it's very good. Not as good as the original though. ~Doc |
Originally Posted by Frightened Inmate No. 2 (Post 1892328)
thank you for specifying which vertigo you were talking about in the thread title
https://www.space.ca/wp-content/uplo...nz97o4_500.gif |
Originally Posted by BearSkinBathRobe (Post 1892474)
That was a strange scene, especially since it's in the trailer. Like I said the theme really wasn't equated to a serious physical disability but rather "vertigo" in the sense of his discovery of the scheme. That rooftop scene is also started mid-scene of them chasing somebody. Oh, well.
And yes, the disappearing act is a head scratcher. I'm guessing it was just to throw some red herrings at the audience. It worked for me, but on its face it doesn't make a lick of sense! Neither did the wife's mental/forgetful issues. I don't know much about mental health, but I'm not seeing a connection other than say schizophrenia. There's also that odd scene toward the end of them being back in that Mexican village when they embrace. Anyway, he said that "...The husband was planning to throw his wife down from the top of the tower. But how could he know that James Stewart wouldn't make it up those stairs? Because he became dizzy? How could he be sure of that?" Funny, that's the one possible plot foil that I never considered. ~Doc |
Originally Posted by BearSkinBathRobe (Post 1892801)
Nice to hear the other adaptation may be worth a watch. And yes, I was talking about the "approved" sequel since Chandler kind of went monster of the week with each story. I love reading them! I liked Farewell my Lovely a lot, more so than the High Window. I guess Long Goodbye will take me awhile. I've got two in front of it, dunno if I'll read the novellas. They haven't seemed very connected other than a few mentions of past events in earlier stories. The mountain one seems interesting, too, not sure which one that is. Big Sleep was aching for a sequel, though, I felt, so I need to get on that!
It was made into an interesting film starring Robert Montgomery. But I always felt that it deserved a better production. The book was much more absorbing. ~Doc |
Originally Posted by Jabs (Post 1892559)
... This is an interesting video. Whether you liked the movie or not, you can sure appreciate this analysis.
~Doc |
Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
Hell Novak's likely up their with INGRID BERGMAN.
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Originally Posted by GulfportDoc (Post 1893258)
Great find, Jabs. It's an accurate and intuitive analysis of the blocking of an early and integral scene in Vertigo.
~Doc |
Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
Vertigo is cinematic perfection at the highest level, and to me, easily one of the best films ever made.
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Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
Probably the grandfather of all romance thriller films, an amazing atmosphere and a brilliant screen presence by kim novak,she s a beauty and her acting is sublime, a film that goes down as the essence of the thriller type, a genius behind the camera, and a brilliant director
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Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
One thing about Vertigo is, is that Hitchcock decided to reveal the twist early on, before the main character finds out about it near the end. Usually in movies, the director will save the audience from knowing the twist until the main character does. For example, The Sixth Sense, Oldboy, etc.
But in Vertigo, the director reveals it earlier on before the main character finds out. I was told before that Hitchcock did this so we would have more sympathy for the Madeleine character, as we journey with Madeliene through the last half of the story. Which makes sense. However, if Vertigo were to come out today, in the age of streaming services, would Hitchcock have chosen to keep the twist hidden until Scottie found out? Because in today's age, people can be surprised and shocked by a twist, but then easily watch the movie again with little pay and instant access, and then have the sympathy for the character the second time around, now that they know the twist. But back then, since people only saw movies in theaters once typically, perhaps Hitchcock felt he had to spoil the twist early on, for the audience, for them to get the full experience of it, knowing that they will not likely see the movie again anytime soon, compared to today? |
Vertigo is a better representation of Hitchcock's style than Psycho, not just through the genres but through the visuals.
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Originally Posted by KeyserCorleone (Post 2234073)
Hitchcock is a better representation of Hitchcock's style than Psycho, not just through the genres but through the visuals.
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Originally Posted by StuSmallz (Post 2234124)
Huh?
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Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
On another note, leaving vertigo aside, from the movies of that era, i remember i really enjoyed: Dark Passage, but some people say the movie goes downhill after the hour mark...i found it very engaging
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Originally Posted by StuSmallz (Post 2234124)
Huh?
Check again |
Originally Posted by ironpony (Post 2234063)
One thing about Vertigo is, is that Hitchcock decided to reveal the twist early on, before the main character finds out about it near the end....
****Spoilers Ahead**** The bell tower murder scene which is shown & explained in a flashback way too early in the film. There was no need for Hitch to include a flashback explanation for the audience on how the bell tower 'suicide' worked. This flashback happens after Stewart has met a mysterious woman who looks just like the dead Madeline. The audience knows she's Kim Novak...It's the mystery as to what's happened that drives the tension in the film...Is this other Kim Novak a figment of James Stewart's troubled psyche? He did have a mental break down after the suicide of Madeline. OR is the new Kim Novak part of a devious scheme? Or even a long lost twin sister who has no connection to the other Madeline? But Hitch 'shoots his wad' way to fast by conceding to the audience the mystery of the film. The dream sequence, Hitch was known for his crowd pleasing 'camera tricks' that he performed in most all of his later films. In other Hitch films these are fun kitsch and fit well with Hitch's style of block buster entertainment. But here in the more maturely filmed Vertigo it just looks silly, like today's bad CG added just for a thrill....The initial dream scene works great with Stewart in bed with neon lights coloring his face from green to purple (that's odd looking enough)....then he wakes up from his nightmare with a scream, that alone would've said more about Stewart's condition than the candy coated, animated dream stuff. |
I enjoy Hitchcock/s 40's output more than his 50's catalogue
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Vertigo is a masterpiece. Simple.
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Re: Vertigo was awfully impressive! (Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo)
Yeah, I love those late, technicolor Hitchcock movies. Vertigo is right up there with The Rear Window.
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Originally Posted by theronmad (Post 2237397)
Yep it is Hitchcock's nice film in my opinion. The strange reduce I study became motive the film desires to mean that Scottie imagined getting out of the ward, and the whole thing that came about from then on became in his imagination, whilst in fact, he became nonetheless withinside the ward all along. But that became only a idea as to why they pass beforehand like that.
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