Dial M For Murder

-by Ann Marie

Another of Hitchcock's classic movies, "Dial M for Murder," follows the storyline of Tony Wendice (Ray Milland), an ex-professional tennis player, finds out his wife, Margot Mary Wendice (Grace Kelly) was having an affair with Mark Halliday (Robert Cummings). After Tony learns about his wife's affair, Tony decided to kill Margot and put the plan into action. However, the plan goes hay wire and Tony tries to cover up his faults and convinces Margot that she had an alternative motive. The movie becomes a game of clue as the Margot and Mark figure out how Tony planned out the murder.

Hitchcock's cast was full of heavy hitters with Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings. The acting in the movie was questionable in certain scenes. Kelly seemed to force her emotions through many scenes. However, Kelly's acting didn't ruin the storyline, but did make it painful to watch at times.

The acting might not be the strongest in "Dial M for Murder," but Hitchcock used some fascinating shots. An interesting scene was when Tony was talking to his hired murder, the camera sits behind a table just watching the characters interact with each other. Ever now and then the camera will zoom out, pan a little then zoom back in. It is fascinating because it makes the viewer feel they are sitting in the room with the characters observing.

Another technique Hitchcock uses is when describing how the actual murder will happen, the camera moves into an arial shot and follows the Tony as he walks out the murder. The camera stays in this position until Tony is done, then cuts to a two shot. It makes the viewer feel like a fly on the wall beacuse the viewer see how the whole plan, but the actual plan doesn't pan out the way Tony thought.

This movie would be recommended for Hitchcock fans and people who are big into thriller movies.

Vertigo

By: James Ryder

When first talking to my counterpart about doing a series of reviews on Alfred Hitchock’s films, I said, Vertigo is one we should not review. Vertigo is one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous movies, and disputed to be his finest and as such, what can I add to an already expansive literature about “The Master’s Masterpiece”? So instead of a true review or an analysis of cinematic techniques, I encourage you to watch the film and will share my thought on it and on the 2008 DVD transfer.

Rated #9 on AFI’s 2007 version of its 100 Greatest Movies and their #1 greatest mystery film, (I never have taken much stock in AFI’s anything, as they are far to Studio-centric for my tastes but they do make a cool lists of “movies to see”) Vertigo is a fantastic film from front to back, with use of film trickery for which Hitch is known. You’ve undoubtedly seen the “vertigo effect” in commercials or parody before which was achieved by zooming in with the camera lens while pulling the camera physically back on a crane. The whole film uses extensive use of fog filters to create an ethereal atmosphere, and often distorted lenses to show Jimmy Stewart’s view of Kim Novak’s character. The entire film is also mired with “spirals” in one form or another throughout. First in Saul Bass’ title sequence comprised of spirals, then in characters' hair, flowers, plates, tree rings and especially spiral stair cases - all of which form the visual tapestry of the film. Also, the use of color, in particular red and green, are closely manipulated. (Watch for Kim Novak's entrances in particular...) Finally, the extensive, exclusive use in fact, of dissolves to move between scenes adds to the dreamlike and otherworldly nature of the film.

The 2008 DVD transfer is how DVDs should be released of classic movies. The film is absolutely gorgeous, with no dirt, dust, or scratches on the screen. The special features include cast and crew reminiscing on the picture, the restoration team discussing the process, and an audio commentary by William Friedkin (The Exorcist). I think that great movies can be ruined by the presentation, ugly cover art with cheap packaging and dirty transfers being the biggest offenders, Vertigo in the Universal Legacy Series is a great set for any collector or fan of the film or Hitchcock. While many viewers may not care about the 70mm stock footage, most will enjoy the insights into the film by various commentators. Disk 2 is on the “skimpier” side of things, but offerings like the alternate censorship ending and the except from Hitchcock/Truffaut are must for fans of the film.

Rope

-by Ann Marie

Ever think the perfect murder could be accomplished and no one would notice? Well that's what two classmates thought.

In Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope," the beginning scene shows two classmates, Brandon Shaw (John Dall) and Phillip Morgan (Farley Granger) strangling their friend David Kentley (Dick Hogan) and then placing him into an old chest in the family room. The murder took place before Brandon and Phillip's small party begins. As the guests arrive Brandon becomes more boisterious about the murder. The two classmates have a surprise ending that makes them realize their actions have consequences.

The cast for the film worked well. There were many actors that weren't known right away, with the exception of James Stewart. Stewart was used in many of Hitchcock's films and always works well with the other actors on the screen. Other actors included John Dall, Farely Granger, Kenneth Lawrence and Janet Walker.

"Rope" uses an interesting technique unlike many other films produced by Hitchcock. When shooting this film, the viewer will noticed that the camera moves with the characters as if the viewer is in the room. Also, there is the use of never having the film edited until it the reel runs out, then the camera moves behind one of the characters zooming in on their jacket causing the screen to turn black and then picking back up where the camera left off.

Hitchcock is famous for using one studio with a single scene in his films. In "Rope," Hitchcock keeps the majority of the plot in the family room, the camera does follow into the entry hall, but never moves into the kitchen. This technique helps the viewer understand that the entry hall and family room are important rooms in the film.

There is one other scene that stands out in the film, when Brandon is placing the rope in the kitchen drawer the camera is in a still shot and as the door swings open and close the viewer sees the rope being dropped into the drawer and Brandon's reaction. It is a process that requires timing because of the swinging door and the film being continuously shot without any edits.

Hitchcock demonstrates his talent in story telling and would recommend this film to anyone who is a fan of Hitchcock or his story telling techniques.

Shadow of a Doubt....a different perspective

-by Ann Marie

Alfred Hitchock's "Shadow of a Doubt" contains Hitchcock's signature techniques in the film, however, the film seems to be off, at least for his standards.

The storyline makes sense and keeps the viewer intrigued, however there seems to be many references insinuated within the storyline that makes the viewer feel a little uncomfortable. The niece, Charlie, (Teresa Wright) and uncle, Charlie, (Joseph Cotten) have a strange relationship where they seem to have sexual tension although they are related.

Though Hitchcock is the master of thriller/suspense films, it seemed he was off on the making of this film. There were many shots that didn't seem to match very well with the story. Even the acting seemed off at times throughout the storyline.

One fascinating aspect about "Shadow of a Doubt" was the use of children. Throughout the film, the children came off as being the annoying characters. They were loud and obnoxious as the story was being told, it gives a sense that Hitchcock didn't like children.

The camera angles and shots didn't come across as Hitchcock, instead it just seemed to come across as a basic movie with a plot, actors and an ending.

I do recommend anyone who is a Hitchcock or thriller film fan to try this film out and see if it tickles your fancy.

Shadow of a Doubt

By: James Ryder

Alfred Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt (1943) is regarded as a marvelous film to this day. Following the Newton Family, the film presents the “average American Family” turned upside down with the arrival of Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotton, Citizen Kane). The subject matter alone influenced countless films that followed, especially David Lynch’s Blue Velvet which is so thematically close, that it almost seems in vein of The Searches/Taxi Driver or Yojimbo/A Fistful of Dollars.

Shadow of a Doubt telescopes in on the relationship between Uncle Charlie and his namesake niece (Teresa Wright). Playing off of themes of duality (the two Charlies are constantly referred to as twins or having ESP) gives a creepy dynamic to their relationship. Adding to the subtext of the “American Nightmare” government omnipotence is abound as idyllic American existence turned upside down for the Newtons. The detectives never state what agency they are from, but clearly have jurisdiction from the East to West Coasts; the Newton’s constantly want to “do their part” (see Starship Troopers for how fascist that sounds in retrospect); and in true G-Man Conspiracy fashion, only one member of the Newton family finds out the true nature of Uncle Charlie. The fact that the film was shot in the midst of WWII undoubtedly played a role...

The cast of SOAD is simply wonderful. Every single character is truly unique, and 3-dimensional. While certain traits of early film are seen (that is to say the trend toward a more theatrical performances) the performances were fantastic, with every character nailing her part. Truly an ensemble film, every character shines and adds to the tremendous achievement of the film. Standouts for me were the Newton’s patriarch Joe (Henry Traver, best known as “Clarence” from It’s a Wonderful Life) and his friend Herb (Hume Cronyn), who constantly meet to discuss murder novels and the best ways to kill each other off (which brilliantly adds macabre humor to the mix).

Technically, Shadow of a Doubt is simply amazing. The film features fantastic uses of insert shots and montage to set scenes up and give the viewer. Shots such as the opening sequence, give the viewer a plethora of visual information without pandering. Other technical marvels include the Camera seemingly “going through” a door (these are pre-CGI days kids). The Cinematography was wonderful, however, it seems that Universal did not go through a through restoration process as scratches, damaged frames, etc call still be seen (2006 DVD single disk release. I believe that it is the same disk included in Universal’s Box set of Hitchcock, and likely the same disk repacked from its first DVD release.) I would to see the film get the full restoration effort to truly present the film in a way it deserves.

A wonderful film, full of humor, macabre and even some genuinely touching moments (most come from the Newton matriarch Emma [Patricia Collinge]), I cannot recommend this film enough.

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

-by Ann Marie

"The Man Who Knew Too Much" follows the storyline of the McKenna family vacationing in Africa when they meet a mysterious man, Louis Bernard (Daniel Gelin) on a touring bus. Later Bernard is killed in the marketplace and whispers important information regarding an assassination about to take place in London to Dr. Ben McKenna (James Stewart). The assassins kidnap Hank (Christopher Olsen) because they are afraid their plan might be revealed. Ben and Jo (Doris Day) work together to save their son.

Hitchcock's casting for this film didn't work too well on screen. The two big stars were Stewart and Day, but this wasn't their top notch acting. The two characters didn't grab the viewer and the acting seemed a little forced at times.

Being a Hitchcock film it still contained many characterstics of a thriller film. Hitchcock always uses amazing scores throughout the film to help push the intense, suspensful scenes. Hitchcock also uses many close up shots to demonstrate important objects in the movie. However, this movie was not the first of it's kind. Hitchcock decided to remake the movie from his 1934 version, which starred Peter Lorre.

Hitchcock is famous for his thriller style movies and is also known for many other films he has done such as "Pyscho," "Birds" and "Rear Window."

I would recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of thriller or Hitchcock movies.