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Tuesday’s Overlooked Film: Rope (1948)

November 8, 2011 By 11 Comments

This week I have chosen to talk about Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope from 1948.

At the film’s start, we see a murder taking place in an apartment. After ‘disposing’ of the body in a less-than-discreet place, our antagonists, Brandon Shaw (John Dall) and Phillip Morgan (Farley Granger) are in throws of preparing for a dinner party. Among the guests to this party are the victim’s fiance, father and former romantic rival. Rounding out the guest list is the pair’s former teacher and mentor, Rupert Cadell, portrayed by James Stewart.

As the evening transpires, the conversation becomes increasingly morose; and James Stewart’s Rupert begins to piece together that something is just not right. As the party dies down, Rupert makes the shocking and unimaginable discovery.

Rope has many layers to it. For one, the story is based on a play, which in turn was ‘inspired’ by the real life case of Leopold and Loeb, who were convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a 14 year old boy. It also deals with the intellectual exercise of executing the ‘perfect murder’ (presumably one where the perpetrators do not get caught). Another debate the characters have in the film is about the philosophical concept of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche‘s Übermensch (Superman) and the notion of one man’s superiority to another.

Rope is well regarded in film circles and among Hitchcock fans, but is not as well known to the general public. Among the film’s various accomplishments are:

  • it is the first of Hitchcock’s Technicolor films
  • it takes place in real time
  • it was edited so as to appear as a single continuous shot through the use of long takes. This was achieved by panning, closeups and dissolves, among other techniques. (Source: Wikipedia)

This piece of cinema represents Hitchcock at his most experimental and daring. The idea of Hitchcock being an experimental filmmaker seems antithetical to the impression often associated with him – that is he is often characterized as a controlling taskmaster who methodically laid out all the scenes from his films shot-by-shot. It is worth seeing for this alone.

* For another Hitchcock recommendation this week, go to Flixchatter and read  Ruth’s take on 1945′s Spellbound

* Also be sure to go to Todd Mason’s blog for more Overlooked Films


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To Catch A Thief™ Barbie® Doll (Hitchcock Kitsch)

August 7, 2011 By 7 Comments

As a fan of Grace Kelly and Hitch this is a perfect combination – check out the To Catch A Thief™ Barbie® Doll.

Image Credit: Barbie® and Mattel©

This is definitely an improvement upon a previous Hitchcock/Barbie collaboration. My initial excitement concerning this piece of Hitchcock kitsch was almost immediately tempered by one cold hard fact – plainly stated, that “Birds” doll is rather creepy. I could not get past Barbie/Melanie staring (and smiling) blankly off into the horizon whilst being attacked by birds. EEWW

On a related matter, let me know what you think about movie related kitsch and tie-ins … do you own any:

  • Books
  • Dolls/Figurines/Toy Sets
  • Games
  • Clothing
  • Other sundry items

 

UPDATE *8/8/2011: Looks like Total Film covered this territory a couple of years ago with their feature 9 Surprising Moving Barbies. ENJOY!

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Favorite Films Set in Berlin

July 14, 2011 By 9 Comments

 

As many readers may know, I have recently returned from a trip to London. A natural consequence of my excursions is a renewed wanderlust – no sooner am I back in the States am I contemplating my next trip.

After some deliberation and consideration I have decided on Central Europe. In anticipation of this trip, I have put together a list of my favorite films from each of the cities I plan to visit. Over the next several months I will compile lists of my favorite films from each of these locales.

The first location I will focus on is Berlin. The criteria I have used in the case of Berlin is a bit loose in that the film only needed to be set in Berlin and not necessarily shot there – although I think that at minimum that criteria is met.

Without further ado .. here are my SIX films (stills below):

M (Fritz Lang, 1931) German Expressionism at its finest.

 

A Foreign Affair (Billy Wilder, 1948) Fine example of what a romantic comedy should be. The film was principally shot in Soviet occupied zone (source: Wikipedia). Features one of my favorite leading ladies of the era, Jean Arthur.

 

The Big Lift (George Seaton, 1950) As the title suggests, the Big Lift  takes places during the Berlin Air Lift (1948-9). Shot on location in Berlin, really seems to capture the scale of devastation and the recovery efforts made post-war.

 

Torn Curtain (Alfred Hitchcock, 1966) While not one of his finest outings, there are some great set pieces. One that immediately springs to mind is the scene where Paul Newman and a civilian go about the very difficult task of killing a baddie. According to Hitchcock, he wanted to show just how difficult it is to kill someone. This also marks the one-time-only pairing of one of my favorite directors and actors (Newman).

 

Bourne Supremacy (Paul Greengrass, 2004) A frenetically paced spy-story. In many ways, breathed new life into a somewhat stale genre.

 

The Lives of Others or Das Leben der Anderen in German (Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, 2006) Don’t know what to say about this film except that I really really liked it. It was my first glimpse into seeing what life in GDR was probably like.

What do you think of the list? Is there anything that you think I left out? And before anyone says Wings of Desire or Run Lola Run please note I have not seen either (I know, for shame!)

 

UPDATE: Honorable mention to The Edukators and The Baader Meinhof Complex

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Tuesday’s Overlooked Films: Lifeboat and Foreign Correspondent

June 28, 2011 By 6 Comments

To modern cinemagoers, when they think of Alfred Hitchcock, assuredly titles such as Rear Window, Vertigo, Psycho or The Birds come to mind.

Still for many Hitchcock devotees, the cut goes a little deeper and when back-cataloging his work, many are surprised to find that the majority of his films made when he first came to Hollywood were more derivative character-based dramas which may or may not contain elements of thrill and suspense. Also let us not forget the interspersed moments of light comedic relief often found in many of his productions.

This week’s installment of my overlooked films features a double-bill from this era (the 1940′s) in Mr. Hitchcock’s career, focusing on titles you may not have heard oft: Foreign Corresponent and Lifeboat. I chose to list these films jointly because they were produced around the same time and dealt with similar theme – World War II. World War II (and the subsequent Cold War) seemed to provide Hitchcock with ample material to drive his plots along now and in years to come.

Foreign Correspondent (1940)

It should be noted that this film was made prior to America’s entry into The War. The plot centers around a foreign correspondent working in Europe and being propelled into a global conspiracy. It is a taut, action-packed film that keeps you engaged until the very end. My favorite scenes: one involving Edmund Gwenn (I will say no more except to say, ‘NOT Saint Nick!’) and an amazing airplane crash sequence that was undoubtedly revolutionary for its time and still resonates with me.

Lifeboat (1944)

Four years later, Hitchcock made Lifeboat. This film strikes an even-keeled balance between ensemble piece, character drama and tense, nail-biting suspense. What is even more fascinating about this movie is it setting – it all takes place in and around a lifeboat floating in the Atlantic Ocean, in the aftermath of a German U-Boat attack. Standout performances include William Bendix, Walter Slezak and the one and only Tallulah Bankhead.

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BBC Magazine Article on Hitchcock’s Psycho

April 1, 2010 By 1 Comment

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8593508.stm

This BBC article is all about the 50th Anniversary of one of Hitchcock’s masterpieces, “Psycho.”

As a youth, the scene that scared me was always  the shower scene. As I got a bit older, my “favorite” scene was the scene when Martin Balsam walks (creaks) up the stairs to meet his fate. Still disturbs me to this day.

Psycho

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Blondes in Film (w/ Focus on Hitchcock)

March 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The slideshow featured in the Guardian(UK) is an extension of  the film festival titled “Birds Eye View” and in particular the BFI’s Blonde Crazy season which is a complementary piece to the festival. One theme that was highlighted during this season at the BFI involved taking a look at Alfred Hitchcock’s Blonde. A featured presenter during this festival/season was Laura Mulvey, who composed the seminal essay, Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema in 1975 and is a leading authority in feminist film theory.

Here is a video from the BFI which offers a little more insight in to the Blonde Crazy season:

As I previously stated I am very interested in the aspect of this piece that primarily deals with Alfred Hitchcock. For those interested in academically studying this topic I promise that it is very fascinating.

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Obsession, Revisted

November 9, 2009 By 2 Comments
VertigoSome time ago i mentioned I saw Brian de Palma’s 1976 homage to Hitchcock’s Vertigo, Obsession and was not a fan of it.

One thing I failed to do was give a full on review laying out my disappointment in the experience.

Just the very implication of incest … hmm

As a theme it is a tough sell in so many ways. Of course many folks generally do not feel comfortable with it as a general rule of thumb. Should it not be addressed as a topic? I am not saying that at all. What I take exception with how it is handled in this movie is that I am supposed to believe that he does not know that this is his daughter or that there is some biological connection between he and she?

I find that a little hard to accept. Especially since his daughter was kidnapped and never seen for a number of years. I guess the conclusion to possibly be drawn from that (and I am sure the filmmaker will agree) that he is so blind with obsession over the memory of his dead wife that he cannot fathom this as a possibility. Me? I am not buying it.

Homage is one thing…

Maybe some think that it is clever that de Palma uses a similar cinematically literary device, the idea of the double, the reveal in the middle of the film and the protagonist as the pawn – all central elements in both films but somehow more effective in the master’s work.  I think to model one’s own work after someone you admire is slightly double edged. And while you admire someone sometimes it is best to simply mention your admiration or refer to it (with a wink and a nod) in your own style. So while I may be in the same boat of admiration as De Palma, I think that some things are better left undone and not to be replicated.

Maybe I will give it another go…

For the sake of my love of Hitchcock’s Vertigo I will go back and re-watch Obsession, but be warned I am already slightly put off by it so a major epiphany will have to wash over me if my mind is going to be changed.  This second chance is something that I gave vertigo which I admit was a film that was a bit over my head when I first watched it on VHS.

In the end movies like all works of expression and art are pieces that inspire diverse reactions in many people. Also one’s idea of the creative or artistic evolves and morphs over time. So maybe, in time, I will come to see Obsession as De Palma would want me to see it.

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TCM Star of the Month Alert

October 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

GraceKellySet your DVRs. During the month of November, TCM’s Star of the Month is none other than Grace Kelly. Although her film career was remarkably short:

Year Title
1951 Fourteen Hours
1952 High Noon
1953 Mogambo
1954 Dial M for Murder
Rear Window
The Country Girl
Green Fire
The Bridges at Toko-Riki
1955 To Catch a Thief
1956 The Swan
High Society

Almost all of her performances are memorable. Her collaboration with Hitchcock in three of films put her in select company for actors who had repeat performances in his film (Grant, Stewart, Bergman, Fontaine, Peck to name a few).

Of course a great part of hear legacy has to do with her leaving Hollywood to marry Prince Rainier and preside over the principality of Monaco until her untimely death in 1982.

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Another Day … Another Barbie Doll

October 16, 2009 By 1 Comment

But this Barbie Doll is one featuring a film from my favorite director … Alfred Hitchcock! I already have the Alfred Hitchcock Edition of the game Clue, so what better way to augment my fantastic collection than with this:

The Birds Barbie

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On Location – NYC

July 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Since I live in the greater NYC area, I have a wealth of “On Locations” to report. This first installment is probably one of my favorites from a favorite director of mine.

I already have featured one location from the masterpiece that is Vertigo. The second Hitchcock film I will refer to is “North by Northwest.”
Here is a photo of the corner of 5th Avenue and 42nd Street as it is now (from my cell phone) …

42nd 55th new

… and a few years back when Nat Sherman was there …. 59271535_884f7d9f2c

In the film, it was a passing shot pretty early on. There are plenty of other NYC locations that Hitchcock used throughout the filming of NbNW, but for me, a frequent passerby of the area, I felt a nice little connection to the location. In my research it is no doubt a “shout out” to the store. According to Cigar Aficionado, Hitch was a huge fan of cigars.

As for Nat Sherman, it has moved a few hundred feet to a less conspicuous location – along 42nd Street.

nat new

Here is a really cool site I discovered that listed many of the location shots from North by Northwest.

I also found this awesome compendium of film locations. Using this guide as a resource, you may even be able to plan a nice trip around a film or two!

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