Fab Five Friday - Alfred Hitchcock Films

Uh oh. I'm prepared for the push back on this one..."DUSTIN! You're stupid and ignorant! These aren't Hitchcock's best films by a long shot! You suck!" Sorry not sorry. These are MY personal favorite Hitch movies, I didn't say they were his best work or most celebrated, or whatever. This is my personal opinion. I think most people, at least those somewhat versed in cinema, have a couple of standout Hitchcock films. These are mine, though I'll admit it was REALLY hard to narrow it down to just five. You'll notice I didn't put The Birds on here, though It definitely is my favorite Hitchcock film. I've already done an entire blog post devoted to it which you can read here. Okay, so here they are! The 5 Hitch movies I chose that many film critics out there will judge me forever on! 

Rear Window (1954)

Starring: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter and Wendell Corey

After breaking his leg, Jeff (James Stewart) is laid up in his apartment which overlooks his apartment building's courtyard for several weeks. To entertain himself he watches his neighbors live their lives. This seemingly harmless activity soon turns into a nightmare when Jeff believes he's witnessed a man murder his wife. Now it's up to him, his girlfriend (Grace Kelly) and his nurse (Thelma Ritter) to solve the crime before the man gets away. 

"Tell me everything you saw...and what...you think it means."

This movie is interesting because it's all shown from the point of view from a window in an apartment. We never see any other perspective. Hitchcock did this so masterfully! It should also be noted that NONE of this took place outside. Everything was shot on a sound stage at Paramount Studios. James Stewart is perfect, as usual, in any role you cast him in. Grace Kelly is absolutely enchanting. This is by far my favorite role Grace Kelly has ever played. She plays Jimmy's girlfriend who wants him to commit to her. Though she's a pampered, classy socialite, she still has no problem getting her hands dirty and helping solve the crime. She's excellent as a Hitchcock leading lady. 

Rear Window at the IMDB

Psycho (1960)

Starring: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin and Janet Leigh

Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) goes on the run after stealing $40,000 from her employer's client. She checks into the Bates Motel, run by young man (Anthony Perkins) who's under the thumb of his overbearing mother. After she disappears, her sister (Vera Miles) and her lover (John Gavin) search for her, leading to a horrifying conclusion. 

"A boy's best friend is his mother."

This is one of the greatest horror films every to hit the silver screen. It's absolutely perfect. The studio had no faith in Hitchcock and Psycho. They gave him a very limited budget, so he filmed it with only $800,000 and a VERY limited theatrical release. The film was one of his biggest hits and grossed over 30 million dollars.  It's such a shame that Anthony Perkins' career was tainted by his excellent performance in this film. He was definitely the star, though Janet Leigh's screams in the iconic shower scene will forever haunt the dreams of pop culture and audience's everywhere. 

Psycho at the IMDB

Vertigo (1958)

Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak and Barbara Bel Geddes

A retired San Francisco detective (James Stewart) suffering from acrophobia becomes dangerously obsessed with an old friend's wife (Kim Novak) whom he's hired to look after. His obsession leads him into a vicious plot of lust, greed and murder. 

"If I let you change me, will that do it? If I do what you tell me, will you love me?"

This movie is just EVERYTHING a good movie is supposed to be. If you asked me to present you one movie that, in my mind, that is absolutely the perfect piece of cinema, I'd have to go with Vertigo. The acting, the story, the production... it's just sick-to-death. Kim Novak is also one of the greatest actresses ever. She can give you anything you want in a role, as she proves in spades in this film. If you haven't seen it yet, go now. Stop what you're doing and get this immediately. 

Vertigo at the IMDB

Rebecca (1940)

Starring: Joan Fontaine, Laurence Olivier, George Sanders and Judith Anderson

After moving into her newlywed husband's (Laurence Olivier) massive mansion, a self-conscious bride (Joan Fontaine) is relentlessly haunted by the memory of her husband's deceased wife and mentally tormented by the sinister head maid who still adores her (Judith Anderson). 

"You wouldn't think she'd been gone so long, would you? Sometimes, when I walk along the corridor, I fancy I hear her just behind me."

I watched this movie after reading the book "Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier, for which this movie was based on. I was so pleasantly surprised. Hitchcock took a novel that was already mysterious and suspenseful and made it even more nerve-racking! Though the book and movie aren't mirror images of one another, they hardly ever are, Hitchcock still manages to make the movie and story flow while still remaining faithful to the original work. The standout role is definitely Judith Anderson as the wicked head maid, Mrs. Danvers. She steals the show. Joan Fontaine was very well suited for this role and shines as a nameless character. One thing I'm glad Hitchcock didn't do, he didn't show a flashback of the mysterious Rebecca at all. He kept her exactly as she should be, a ghost from the past. 

Rebecca at IMDB

Marnie (1964)

Starring:  Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery and Diane Baker

A pathological liar and habitual thief, Marnie (Tippi Hedren) is forced to marry one of her targets, Mark (Sean Connery) after he catches her stealing. He tries to break through her icy exterior and help her confront her psychological issues before she's lost forever. 

"You don't love me. I'm just something you've caught! You think I'm some sort of animal you've trapped!"

This isn't everyone's favorite, and I understand why. Marnie is actually the last M in Hitchcock's Trippe M Trinity; Marion (Janet Leigh's character in Psycho.), Melanie (Tippi Hedren's character in The Birds) and Marnie. Psycho is the crime, The Birds is the punishment and Marnie is forgiveness. Marnie was panned by critics and audiences, but it's only in recent years that critics have perked up and taken notice of Marnie and what an exceptional film it really is. The reason Marnie suffered so, is because of the drama between him and Tippi Hedren behind the scenes. Hitchcock wanted to be sexual with her, but she refused his many advances. Marnie, in many ways, is Hitchcock's own fantasy. Trapping Tippi Hedren in a relationship and having his way with her, that was a dream he could only realize in Marnie. 

Marnie at the IMDB

Honorable Mentions: Suspicion (1941), Dial M for Murder (1954), To Catch a Thief (1955) and Notorious (1946)

Now, sashay away.