This is my personal favorite Hitchcock film, largely due to the amazing set and its liveliness. Not just the main plot, but the details sprinkled throughout the entire film were wonderful. I would say that “North by Northwest” is a good follow up to this one, followed by Stewart’s “The Man who knew too much”
The apartment-courtyard set for “Rear Window” was constructed at Stage 18 on the Paramount lot. At the time, it was the largest indoor set ever built at Paramount. It measured ninety-eight feet wide, one hundred eighty-five feet long, and forty feet high, and consisted of thirty-one apartments, eight of which were completely furnished and provided with electricity and running water. The courtyard was set was below stage level; the soundstage floor was removed so the courtyard could be built in what had previously been a basement storage space.
I read that as well, Eric. Thank you for commenting that. Rear Window is my favorite Hitchcock movie because that courtyard and the surrounding buildings are like a huge terrarium letting the main character and the viewer observe all the many characters. The sound design and the set really envelope the viewer and except for a couple shots sped up slightly and the one woman crying about her dead dog, it's a perfect movie. I'm just starting to watch Shan's reaction but I had to reply to your comment. I'm looking forward to how he reacts when Lisa goes solo in Thorwald's apartment when he comes in, especially with that beautiful music playing. I also love when Jeff is fighting with Thorwald and as he struggles he lets out a "gggggggg" grunt that sounds so real as he fights for his life.
Stewart's later film career role in "The Flight of the Phoenix" is worth watching. As far as Hitchcock, I love "North by Northwest" for the film locations and movie drama tension.
Stewart was great in "How The West Was Won" as well. 56 years old at the time, got a 20yo girl to fall for him. "I'm a sinful man, Eve. Deep dark sinful. And I'm goin' to Pittsburgh to be sinful again."
The two most significant Jimmy Stewart films are probably 'Mr Smith Goes to Washington' and 'It's a Wonderful Life' (both also being Frank Capra films).
Hitchcock: _Strangers on a Train_ and _Shadow of a Doubt_ Stewart: _The Philadelphia Story_ Kelly: _Dial M for Murder_ and _To Catch a Thief_ (also Hitchcock films!) Just really good films: _Casablanca, Some Like It Hot, Arsenic and Old Lace, Double Indemnity, Gilda, His Girl Friday, Gaslight_ (the version with Bergman and Boyer), _Rebecca,_ and _Sunset Boulevard._ If you want to try something more unusual, please watch _The Red Shoes,_ which has truly remarkable visuals and colors; I thought of it the moment you mentioned the "washed-out" look of Technicolor. If you want to go back even further, it would be interesting to see your reaction to some even older films like _The General_ (with Buster Keaton) or _M_ (by Fritz Lang and featuring Peter Lorre). Lots of really great older stuff out there if you're willing to give it a chance.
I totally agree with your suggestion. You even included The General - A masterpiece! And I like to add the screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby (by Howard Hawks, featuring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant) and Operation Petticoat (by Blake Edwards, staring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis).
Excellent list, Bean. First off: you cited the top two Hitchcock films I would recommend after seeing "Psycho" and 'Rear Window", so I love you for that: "Strangers On A Train" and "Shadow Of A Doubt". Love "Philadelphia Story" and I agree with your Kelly picks. "The General", "M", "Sunset Boulevard"......you can't go wrong with those!!!! Those are three of my faves! You can't go wrong with any of those titles, but DEFINITELY those three are great. "Red Shoes", definitely.
You really should give “12 Angry Men” starring Henry Fonda a watch. It’s another fantastic classic. Stewart is great in almost every movie he’s in. Some of my favorite Stewart films are “It’s a Wonderful Life” , Vertigo, Flight of the Phoenix, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance with John Wayne. Notice during the open panning scene you see a photo of a race car crashing toward the camera and the broken camera sitting on the table. It establishes how he broke his leg.
Some critics have suggested Rear Window was Hitchcock commentary on television: how we had become a nation of voyeurs (like we were looking through a window into others lives), changing channels (looking from one window to another) for the biggest thrill, and sometimes would miss plot points because of that channel changing. Of course, tv can also be a comfort to the lonely (like Ms. Lonelyhearts hearing the piano).
North By Northwest is one of my favorites... and the Blu Ray Criterion collection is likely one of the cleanest releases I've ever seen. You need to watch this one.
This may be my favourite Hitch film, and Grace Kelly's entrance takes my breath away every time. I think you'll really like To Catch a Thief, another Hitchcock film with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.
Movie recommendations : Stewart : the man who killed liberty valance Kelly: high society Hitchcock : basically anything, but my favorites are * rope (also with James Stewart) *the birds *frenzy
Liberty Valence is my favorite western of his, but he made a slew of them that seem to be overlooked now. The ones directed by Anthony Mann are all worth a viewing.
Stewart’s Harvey and It’s A Wonderful Life are truly masterpieces of his. Harvey was filmed after James had played the part on stage for several year… He breaths the part… so good.
Loved this movie and when I saw this the first time in the 80s I just fell in love with Grace Kelly. As a 10 yr old I was mesmerized by her beauty. And the flick is something special, that is for sure!
Check out Hitchcock's Rope (1948) also starring Stewart. It's one of his lesser popular movies, yet my absolute favourite of his - because of its deconstructed murder mystery and unique setup, almost shot like a play. It would have been that way too (one long continuous shot) if it wasn't for the camera limitations of the era (it has therefore 10 cleverly hidden cuts). Rope was sort of an experiment of Hitchcock, yet If you enjoy Rear Window or murder mysteries in general I'm sure you'll love Rope. It's thst tenseful and well-acted. More people should check it out 🙂
I don't understand why so many people like Rope. It is almost a dry, sterile exercise in technique.. Probably Hitchcock's least cinematic movie. Good acting, but not a great movie.
One of my favorite Jimmy Stewart film that doesn’t get talked about enough is “Anatomy of a Murder”. Such a good film wIth an amazing soundtrack by Duke Ellington.
One of my all time favorites and one of the best courtroom dramas of all time. George C. Scott is intimidating, but still not unlikeable, as the lead prosecutor. Jimmy Stewart plays the down home lawyer to perfection. Arthur O’Connell and Eve Arden are authentic and colorful as his law office coworkers. Joseph Welch quietly steals scenes as the amiable but no-nonsense judge. The entire cast play their respective rolls in service of an excellent script. So many great lines skillfully delivered. Old school Hollywood at its finest.
Ohmygosh, I've been waiting for someone to do a reaction to Rear Window since I started watching reactions on TH-cam. This was my 2nd favorite "old" movie when I was a kid (behind The Wizard of Oz).
Another Hitchcock/Stewart film that I love is "Rope". It seems to be shot in one long take. It isn't but the illusion is there. It's also a pretty short film which makes sense for a one room drama.
You can not go wrong with Hitchcock. Some recommendations: Strangers on a Train The Birds The Man Who Knew Too Much (Either version but the Jimmy Stewart version is better imo) Rope North By Northwest
I know, it's hilarious. Literally, one of the most beautiful women anyone could possibly imagine, and Jimmy is like, "Meh, I don't know..." I guess every movie requires some suspension of disbelief!
@@markdodson6453 it wasn't about her it was about their lifestyles. Joe DiMaggio finally got his girl Marylin Monroe but didnt like she was always gone making movies. Well she was a movie star.
@@zedwpd It’s surprising to me how often people miss this about it. Relationships are about more than love or attraction, compatibility is equally important. It’s viewers being unrealistic, not the movie.
I almost forgot: "Spellbound" (1945) is one of Hitchcock's greatest movies ever! It dives deep into the world of psychoanalysis and has even the great artist Salvador Dali as the designer of the dream parts. Starring young Gregory Peck and astonishlingly beautiful Ingrid Bergman.
You can really see Hitchcock's silent film background in his reliance on visual storytelling. They say you could turn off the sound of a Hitchcock film and still follow it, and it's true here more than ever. Although I'd never want to do that because what a screenplay too.
I can kill two birds with one stone by recommending Rope. Hitchcock and Stewart together again in a highly experimental film for its time. Another of their team-ups to watch would be The Man Who Knew Too Much, which is a remake of Hitchcock's own film from the 1930s. And I'll second the recommendation a few others have made for North by Northwest. No Stewart, but a damn good chaser to go with the 007 movies you're watching.
I know it's not Hitchcock, but I'll suggest "Harvey" down the line, because it's Stewart and he's absolutely amazing. A heartwarming film to the point that so many people turned down the role of Dowd in adaptations of "Harvey", simply because they don't believe they could ever live up to Stewart's own.
This is one of my top 5 all time favorite movies. I watch this numerous times a year. Grace Kelly is so elegant in this. Love her. And of course, Jimmy Stewart. So glad you watched it. Another Hitchcock movie that features Grace Kelly that is great is, "Dial M for Murder". Another must see.
Thank you for doing this, I never saw this, but after watching the birds this weekend , and totally enjoying it, like you I have heard of these classics , but was told young to enjoy, I was turned off by black n white when I was a kid, now I can see thru that, and the art of the cinema comes thru… these are amazing films, it’s nice to see the light shined on them , have a super week I.e Raymond burr played in the great series , perry mason
Re: technicolor… I had the opportunity to see restored prints of Vertigo and this film back in the mid-80s. There’s nothing quite like it, the colours you’re seeing in this are a very pale reflection of how they appeared when they were originally projected. It was almost hallucinogenic, so deep and vivid. Re: social commentary… the film is a commentary on film, we are all voyeurs, watching Jeff watch his neighbours, it’s what movies are. Other great James Stewart films include Mr Smith Goes to Washington, Winchester 73, Harvey, The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance, The Shop Around the Corner… and some of his other Hitchcock films like The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo and Rope.
Same here, in Sydney in late 84 ... I've got vivid memories of being utterly entranced & enchanted with these two films ... while also being thoroughly thrilled & entertained, of course!. And yes, those colours certainly helped.
Thorwald's motivation for the murder was that he had a mistress. He wanted to be with the mistress and not his wife. Also, divorce in the 1950s was a little trickier than today, so Thorwald may have felt trapped in a loveless marriage. I'm not saying it's a morally good motive, but that's why he does it.
Always liked how the actor who portrayed Thorwald went on to star as a TV trial lawyer who's job it was to reveal so many people who'd done exactly that.
I had the good fortune to be introduced to this particular film on the big screen - I was visiting my brother at college (this was the mid-80s) and went with him and his friends to a revival movie house that happened to be showing Rear Window. It was magnificent! Up until then, I had only seen such older, classic movies on television screens so it was something of a revelation to see it as it was meant to be seen. And such a WONDERFUL film, too.
Jeff's injury from getting too close to a photo subject is a metaphor for the risk of getting too close, which is also a metaphor for Jeffries' fear of commitment,
Oh wow, Love this movie. Shows how you can film something extraordinary without special effects or constant set changes if you have the story, script and acting.
The bad guy is Raymond Burr - Perry Mason himself. Also, Stewart's housekeeper is Thelma Ritter - an amazing talent in her own right. She quick-witted, no-nonsense, and very very funny.
"Philadelphia Story" (1940), and "You Can't Take it With You" (1939) are two good Jimmy Stewart flicks. "High Noon" (1952), and "To Catch a Thief" (1955) for Grace Kelly.
YES!!! They spoofed the plot of the movie in an episode of The Simpsons, called Bart Of Darkness, where Bart injured his leg while he's diving into his pool, and is bound to a wheelchair. He even sees his neighbor Ned Flanders kill his wife Maude, but Lisa never believes him until she spots Ned burying a body in his backyard.
What I love about this movie is all the stories that we *glimpse* before (and while) focusing in on the main story of the murder. And the love affair between Jeff and Lisa.
This is one of my favorite films. I first watched this as a 10 year old boy growing up in public housing projects where you see all kinds of craziness happening outside your window. Stabbings, gang fights, sex in the stairwells, and so on. This movie literally transports me to the 50’s even though I was born in the late 80s. Absolutely brilliant movie and in my opinion Hitchcock’s best.
what a movie! my favorite Hitchcock by far. I know this sounds kinda boring, but my favorite Stewart movie is It's a Wonderful life. I know it's overplayed in the USA, but it's my all time 'go to' movie when I need some comfort
My favorite Hitchcock masterpiece! Glad you enjoyed it. Saw it in theaters once; it was fun! Other thrillers to watch not directed by Hitchcock but might as well be: Charade (1963) and Wait Until Dark (1967)
Technicolor was shot through a beamsplitter on three strips of black and white film, which required a massive amount of light and huge cameras. It's also one of the most stable forms of archiving film -- silver doesn't fade. Eastman color stock faded so quickly.
"Rear Window" is probably tied with "Casablanca" for me as my favorite films of all time. Jimmy Stewart did four films with Hitchcock: Rear Window (1954), Vertigo (1958 - which you've also seen), and then Rope (1948), and The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956 also w/Doris Day). Rope, as others have said, was a bit of experimenting for Hitchcock. An attempt at shooting the film all in one take, one long continuous shot. Of course, due to the length of film reels at the time, he could actually only shoot about 10 minutes at a time, but tried to mask the cuts, so it was as if there were no cuts in the film at all. A lot of people discount this film or don't like it. But I still really like it and think its a great watch for anyone interested in the art of filmmaking for the performances, to see Hitchcock's skill with camera movements, for the theatre-like style, and especially for the atmosphere. The changing from afternoon to evening across the city out the window of the apartment as the film progresses is amazing (similar to what you pointed out with Rear Window...the set and the depth, atmosphere, mood, and realness Hitch created with it). Others of my favorite Hitchcock films are: Shadow of a Doubt (1943), The Lady Vanishes (1938), North By Northwest (1959 - w/Cary Grant), The 39 Steps (1935), Rebecca (1940 - w/Laurence Olivier), Saboteur (1942), and Lifeboat (1944). Other great Jimmy Stewart movies include: Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939), Winchester '73 (1950), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962 - w/John Wayne), The Philadelphia Story (1940 - w/Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn), Harvey (1950), and of course, It's a Wonderful Life (1946). I've also really been enjoying watching you go through the Jame Bond films in order! Thumbs up Shan!
The Man Who Knew Too Much by Hitchcock stars Stewart with Doris Day. I gotta add to the chorus though Shan...you gotta watch North By Northwest! ETA - Shan you MUST watch Vertigo!!!
Grace Kelly.. I mean... 😍 North by Northwest is top tier Hitchcock. Also To Catch a Thief is fun too which also has Grace being stunning. Both star Cary Grant who was always fantastic.
Here's an interesting factoid about Hitchcock and Rear Window. Hitchcock first came to Hollywood under the wing of Producer/Director David O. Selznick. After a few movies together Hitchcock began to feel stifled by the oppressive control Selznick was exerting over his movies. This eventually led to a very acrimonious split. When Hitchcock made Rear Window he ordered that the villain of the movie, played by Raymond Burr, be made up to look like Selznick
Not Hitchcock (or the other two) but I’m going to recommend The Night of the Hunter (1955) starring Robert Mitchum. Great tension, solid story and Mitchum plays a menacing traveling preacher who has LOVE and HATE tattooed on his knuckles. The cinematography is very film noir and is shot on elaborate sets like this one.
Besides being a early master of suspense, Hitchcock was a 1very technically innovative director and created a lot of techniques that are still in use. Vertigo was a great example of this. Rope is another good one, also with Jimmy Stewart. Hitchcock shot it all on a single set, and hid the cuts to make it look like one continuous shot. North by Northwest is another Hitchcock film with Stewart that is well worth watching. If you want to see a really young Stewart, he shows up in the 2nd Thin Man film, After the Thin Man. The Thin Man series is well worth watching for the on-screen chemistry between the leads (William Powel and Myrna Loy).
Yeah, the first two "The Thin Man" films are must watches, absolutely agree re: Powell & Myrna Loy...they're so good in those and way ahead of their time.
@@harryholmes8624 Strangers on a Train is a classic must watch for Hitchcock. Vertigo is also very good, and a good showcase for his technical ingenuity for how it's shot. Shadow of a Doubt and Suspicion are a pair of good Hitchock films that are not as well known as his more famous films. To Catch a Thief is fun and a bit lighter fare. There is also The Birds, not one of my favs but another one of those must watch Hitchcock films.
"North By Northwest" is my favorite Hitchcock film. (Grace Kelly is also beautiful in Hitchcock's 1955 "To Catch A Thief" with exquisite locations - but story and emotions not as compelling to me for some reason.)
Rope's another good James Stewart Hitchcock film and I see North by Northwest is being listed, personally 'Frenzy' is one of my favourite Hitchcock films. Set in London around a serial killer on the loose... I won't spoil it, but it's sooooo good and nobody ever seems to talk about it.
I'm a Hitchcock and James Stewart fan. I was able to watch Rear Window and some other Hitchcock films at a movie theater a few years ago at a Hitchcock retrospective in Santa Monica California a few years ago. It is a totally different experience watching these films with an audience even though I've seen them many times. It seems like I paid more attention to the films at the theater than i did when I watched them on DVD. Vertigo on the big screen was awesome. I never realized how much James Stewart could speak without uttering a word just by using certain facial expressions.
So, so happy to see you reacting to classic movies. May I suggest: "Dial M For Murder" - Grace Kelly and Ray Milland (Hitchcock directs) "The Birds" - Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor (Hitchcock directs) "Casablanca" - Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman "Key Largo" - Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall "To Have And Have Not" - Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall "To Catch A Thief" - Cary Grant and Grace Kelly (Hitchock directs) "On The Beach" - Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner "Rio Bravo" - John Wayne and Dean Martin "The Searchers" - John Wayne and Jeffrey Hunter
The guy in the studio apartment who was the composer was an actor/musician named Ross Bagdasarian. He later went on to some fame under the stage name David Seville. The act was David Seville and the Chipmunks. (Alvin and the Chipmunks.)
One of my absolute favorite movies of all time. And it is without a doubt my nineteen-year-old son's favorite movie he even has a movie poster of it on the wall in his room
@@chrisdiem5386 Absolutely, both of those films are great but Foreign Correspondent is under rated & I read that Shadow of a Doubt was one of Hitchcocks favorites.Joseph Cotton is the embodiment of bland evil transported to small town America.
Shan, I still enjoy your channel and I'm glad you're still posting. A lot of people are comforted by reaction channels, I think, and yours is splendid. Be well.
Hitchcock's main commentary in this film was about you, the voyeur, er viewer. Virtually all of his films are multi layered storylines with options for storylines and interpretations. I'm so happy to see you watching and commenting on Hitchcock because it is a rich and rewarding cinematic journey. Great job after only one viewing.
Hitchcock: The 39 Steps Notorious Rebecca Strangers on a Train Dial M for Murder (also has Grace Kelly) The Birds Jimmy Stewart: Anatomy of a Murder It's a Wonderful Life Mr. Smith Goes to Washington The Philadelphia Story The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Grace Kelly: High Noon To Catch a Thief (also Hitchcock) The Country Girl High Society
The films of Hitchcock I teach in class are in my opinion the essentials, 3 of which you've seen, are The 39 Steps, Rebecca, Shadow Of A Doubt, Notorious, Strangers on a Train, Rear Window, The Wrong Man, Vertigo, North by Nortjwest, Psycho, The Birds, Marnie and Frenzy. Also I Confess I will sometimes add to the lineup as a transition film. And Rope also has quite a following as well and is quite experimental in the Hitchcock oeuvre. Rear Window is in my very top of Hitchcock's work though along with Notorious.
I once showed I Confess in a film class that I was given the opportunity to teach (when my professor went on sabbatical), because at the time (and before video) it was a Hitchcock film that was never shown on campus, so ‘I’ wanted to see it, along with a bunch of other rarely/never shown films.
Outstanding list, I wouldn't change a thing, other than maybe add one of the silents (my favorite is "The Ring", but I'm sure "The Lodger" would be what most people would choose.) If I had to choose two from that list to do next: "Strangers On A Train" and "Shadow Of A Doubt". (PS: I love that you've got "The Wrong Man" on there, and "Frenzy"!) (Interesting addition of "I Confess"!)
@@TTM9691 yes, the silents are an interesting period for Hitchcock. The Lodger as you say would be the likely choice and Hitch said it's his first real Hitchcock movie although I think it's The 39 Steps where everything comes together in terms of pure Hitchcock iconography, but I think you're right that The Ring is more interesting in many ways. And of course Blackmail was originally shot as a silent and it's quite good and bridges Hitch's creativity with sound in a very Hitchcockian way.
@@robertjewell9727 He was such a pioneer in sound, so happy to hear you say that! Last year, I watched maybe 20 movies from 1930 all in a row, and "Murder" was head and shoulders above what most movies were doing with sound (especially while retaining camera movement, practically unheard of for the early sound era). "All Quiet On The Western Front" was another. I always think "Man Who Knew Too Much" (first version) as the one where he started hitting his stride, especially when he followed it three or four good ones, culminating in "39 Steps", but obviously "39 Steps" is the culmination of his British period. Great talking Hitch with you, Mr. Jewell!!
@@TTM9691 , yes, the British period is really fascinating because one can see the development of his craft and worldview in storytelling terms: use of subjective camera, appearances vs. reality, the shadowy relationship between guilt and innocence and on and on. I even really like Jamaica Inn although it's considered minor Hitchcock. The only real what the heck? movie is Waltzes from Vienna, which of course was an assignment rather than an interest. Good chatting with you as well.
Of all the great movie sets built during the last 130 years, I think the set for Rear Window is the one I would most love to go back in time to visit. To wind your way through the stage, beneath massive, high walls, seeing all the stairs to the various apartments, and then to find you way into the courtyard, and to see all the practical rooms and hallways (in Thorwald's building). Amazing.
One of the best things about the final scene between Thorwald and Jeff is that Thorwald is the one who's afraid, by his words and his actions, he's more scared than Jeff is.
To Catch a Thief is another great Hitchcock film with Grace Kelly, with Cary Grant in the lead. It has the unintended twist of taking place in the scenic winding roads of Monaco, where Grace Kelly died, but it's a great film.
Excellent review. I have watched it countless times simply observing the directing itself. And I don't even make films but I do like good direction. I highly recommend, To Catch a Thief, yet another Hitchcock. Again with Grace Kelley but with Cary Grant this time. It is spectacular.
Hey Shan, if 1954 is the oldest movie you've watched on your channel, I wonder if that includes what you've seen. You are missing out on a lot with the 30s and 40s if you haven't seen any or many from that period, as well as the 50s! Dig into these real classics, especially the B&W ones as you will find lots of cinema gold. For more of Jimmy Stewart's do "It's A Wonderful Life" (1946) which is one of the best of Frank Capra, but you should save it for the Christmas season. Another two of Stewart's you would like are "Harvey" (1950), and another Capra classic "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" (1939). A couple of Hitchcock's you'd enjoy too are "The Birds" and "Dial M For Murder". You'll spot Hitch in The Birds pretty easy, but you'll have to look a little closer form him in Dial M! ✌️😎
It absolutely was a set. At the time it was the largest single set ever built for a film. Indeed, they cut the floor out of the stage and used the basement area of the stage. So Jeff's apartment actually sat on what was originally the floor stage level.
I appreciate you mentioning the theme of relationship in the film, and the way the protagonist avoids choosing relationship. It's no coincidence that he chose to respond to the only toxic relationship. Hitchcock created such a wonderful tapestry of humanity in his work. If you're interested in Hitchcock's dark humor, I highly recommend "The Trouble With Harry." As always, Great review-- I enjoy the content you share on your channel!
Hitchcock must-sees: North by Northwest, Shadow of a Doubt, Notorious, Rebecca, Rope, Strangers on a Train, The 39 Steps, Dial M for Murder, The Birds, Spellbound, The Lady Vanishes, Lifeboat.
Yes, i'm so happy to see more reactions for Hitch's movies. And i absolute love Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter and Raymond Burr are amazing as well. Recommendations: Rebecca, Notorious, Rope, Strangers on a Train, Marnie, Shadow of a Doubt, Lifeboat, The 39 Steps, The Lady Vanishes, Anatomy of a Murder, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Harvey, The Shop Around the Corner, The Philadelphia Story.
Check out 'Dial M For Murder' it is another Grace Kelly film directed by Sir Alfred Hitchcock (also it was the only Hitchcock movie shot & filmed in 3D, when the 3D craze was at its hight in the early 1950s) ... 😉 Also 'To Catch A Thief' with Cary Grant (from North By Northwest) and Grace Kelly is another good Hitchcock film as well. 😁
One of my favorite Hitchcock movies is "Shadow of a Doubt". Much earlier film of his, but so very good and an interesting snapshot of that time. Joseph Cotten is superb in this as well. Plus, still has that Hitchcock humor that eases tension at the right time. Hope you decide to check it out!!! Thanks for the very thoughtful review of Rear Window. Really love how you go into sets, soundtracks, lighting...
Always liked how the 2nd detective looked like such an oaf snapping that picture of Cotten and then having to give up his film. Later, you find out the detective pulled a sly switch on Uncle Charlie.
@@billolsen4360 Ditto. Great use of acting the fool. Also loved the youngest daughter's character. She was so matter of fact and certain of what she knew. Generally right, too.
My favorite Hitchcock movie that rarely ever seems to get mentioned or covered is Rebecca (1940), based on the famous Daphne du Maurier novel of the same name. It’s in the IMDb Top 250, so obviously people have heard of it, and it really is excellent. Maybe its age puts people off? Judith Anderson gives one of the best villainous performances of all time, in my opinion. It was remade recently by Netflix but I heard it wasn’t very good (it also starred Armie Hammer…) Anyway, even if you don’t cover it on the channel, I hope you check it out some day, it’s absolutely a must-see and a truly masterful film and story. It’s a ghost story without a ghost, sort of perfect for this time of year.
My grandfather's favorte Jimmy Stewart movie is Bend of the River. It's one of the first Jimmy Stewart films he introduced me to and it's become one of my favorites as well. Definitely recommend it.
Check out Hitchcock's "Rope" (1948), also starring James Stewart. I think it may be my favorite Hitchcock movie, but Rear Window would be up there as well.
Jeff's apartment didn't *have* a bedroom. He had a studio apartment; that's why his bed is in the living room - Leeza sits on it at the end, there, while she's reading. He had 3 rooms - kitchen, living room, bathroom, and that's it. If you haven't seen them, you might also enjoy: Dial M for Murder, To Catch a Thief, Wait Until Dark, and Sabrina (the original with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, not the remake!). The first two also have Grace Kelly, To Catch a Thief also has Jimmy Stewart. Wait Until Dark and Sabrina both have Audrey Hepburn at her best. :)
I had the privilege of seeing this on the big screen the first time I saw it (back in the eighties). The amazing thing was half way through the movie I realized I was literally on the edge of my seat with suspense, yet nothing scary was actually happening on the screen.
I will recommend a film that everyone thinks is Hitchcock, but isn't. CHARADE by Stanley Donen. I thought that it was Hitchcock until recently. You'll see why. Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, suspense and comedic flirtation. Excellent!
This is my personal favorite Hitchcock film, largely due to the amazing set and its liveliness. Not just the main plot, but the details sprinkled throughout the entire film were wonderful. I would say that “North by Northwest” is a good follow up to this one, followed by Stewart’s “The Man who knew too much”
The apartment-courtyard set for “Rear Window” was constructed at Stage 18 on the Paramount lot. At the time, it was the largest indoor set ever built at Paramount. It measured ninety-eight feet wide, one hundred eighty-five feet long, and forty feet high, and consisted of thirty-one apartments, eight of which were completely furnished and provided with electricity and running water. The courtyard was set was below stage level; the soundstage floor was removed so the courtyard could be built in what had previously been a basement storage space.
I read that as well, Eric. Thank you for commenting that. Rear Window is my favorite Hitchcock movie because that courtyard and the surrounding buildings are like a huge terrarium letting the main character and the viewer observe all the many characters. The sound design and the set really envelope the viewer and except for a couple shots sped up slightly and the one woman crying about her dead dog, it's a perfect movie. I'm just starting to watch Shan's reaction but I had to reply to your comment. I'm looking forward to how he reacts when Lisa goes solo in Thorwald's apartment when he comes in, especially with that beautiful music playing. I also love when Jeff is fighting with Thorwald and as he struggles he lets out a "gggggggg" grunt that sounds so real as he fights for his life.
Also, if I remember correctly, the composer is the man who created Alvin and the Chipmunks.
i knew this too! Very impressive sey!
That is damn cool to learn. I drive by Paramount on the regular, but I didn't know how huge they could build shit inside.
@@bighuge1060 you couldn’t have remembered LESS correctly.
Stewart's later film career role in "The Flight of the Phoenix" is worth watching.
As far as Hitchcock, I love "North by Northwest" for the film locations and movie drama tension.
North by Northwest is great!
Yes, that’s another good one. Excellent choice.
Flight of the Phoenix is amazing. The remake with Dennis Quaid is excellent as well.
Good choice, Sir!
Stewart was great in "How The West Was Won" as well. 56 years old at the time, got a 20yo girl to fall for him. "I'm a sinful man, Eve. Deep dark sinful. And I'm goin' to Pittsburgh to be sinful again."
The two most significant Jimmy Stewart films are probably 'Mr Smith Goes to Washington' and 'It's a Wonderful Life' (both also being Frank Capra films).
I'd throw "Vertigo" in there as well.
And The Philadelphia Story.
It's considered more of a John Wayne film but Jimmy Stewart plays just as important of a role as Wayne does in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
This is one of my favorite Hitchcock movies, and Thelma Ritter always makes any movie she is in better.
Without Thelma, "All About Eve" would have been slightly boring,
Thelma Ritter always delivered!
James Stewart is arguably the greatest American actor ever! Mr. Smith goes to Washington is a real Gem!
Flight of the Phoenix he’s such a hard ass love that movie
Don't forget the Christmas classic 'It's A Wonderful Life' staring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed 😁
No way!! Steve Guttenburg, Corben Bernson and Yahoo Serious are the Greatest actors ever!! ;)
@@nachoxm Corbin Bernsen in Disorganized Crime was brilliant!
I love Disorganized Crime. The whole cast is a blast in that one!!
Hitchcock: _Strangers on a Train_ and _Shadow of a Doubt_
Stewart: _The Philadelphia Story_
Kelly: _Dial M for Murder_ and _To Catch a Thief_ (also Hitchcock films!)
Just really good films: _Casablanca, Some Like It Hot, Arsenic and Old Lace, Double Indemnity, Gilda, His Girl Friday, Gaslight_ (the version with Bergman and Boyer), _Rebecca,_ and _Sunset Boulevard._ If you want to try something more unusual, please watch _The Red Shoes,_ which has truly remarkable visuals and colors; I thought of it the moment you mentioned the "washed-out" look of Technicolor. If you want to go back even further, it would be interesting to see your reaction to some even older films like _The General_ (with Buster Keaton) or _M_ (by Fritz Lang and featuring Peter Lorre). Lots of really great older stuff out there if you're willing to give it a chance.
EXCELLENT recommendations B.F. I'm waiting for someone to react to "M".
I totally agree with your suggestion. You even included The General - A masterpiece! And I like to add the screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby (by Howard Hawks, featuring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant) and Operation Petticoat (by Blake Edwards, staring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis).
To Catch a Thief also stars Cary Grant but the real star of that film is the French Riviera.
Excellent list, Bean. First off: you cited the top two Hitchcock films I would recommend after seeing "Psycho" and 'Rear Window", so I love you for that: "Strangers On A Train" and "Shadow Of A Doubt". Love "Philadelphia Story" and I agree with your Kelly picks. "The General", "M", "Sunset Boulevard"......you can't go wrong with those!!!! Those are three of my faves! You can't go wrong with any of those titles, but DEFINITELY those three are great. "Red Shoes", definitely.
Philadelphia, what a cast
You really should give “12 Angry Men” starring Henry Fonda a watch. It’s another fantastic classic. Stewart is great in almost every movie he’s in. Some of my favorite Stewart films are “It’s a Wonderful Life” , Vertigo, Flight of the Phoenix, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance with John Wayne.
Notice during the open panning scene you see a photo of a race car crashing toward the camera and the broken camera sitting on the table. It establishes how he broke his leg.
Another vote for "12 Angry Men" (1957) with Henry Fonda in black and white.
Be careful, there are later colour remakes.
@@Kavala76 yepp, the only one!
+1 Phenomenal film
Even the other versions are good because the story is amazing. Of course, Fonda's version is the best. 😀
Some critics have suggested Rear Window was Hitchcock commentary on television: how we had become a nation of voyeurs (like we were looking through a window into others lives), changing channels (looking from one window to another) for the biggest thrill, and sometimes would miss plot points because of that channel changing. Of course, tv can also be a comfort to the lonely (like Ms. Lonelyhearts hearing the piano).
looking at the world in 2021 its hard for me to argue with him
@@MattMajcan I think the film actually works better as a commentary on social media.
It's also about how people look at their neighbors and assume the worst rather than getting to know them.
@@sylvesterstewart868 Their neighbors or anybody.
@@sexysadie2901 anyone I suppose. Are you a Manson Family fan?
North By Northwest is one of my favorites... and the Blu Ray Criterion collection is likely one of the cleanest releases I've ever seen. You need to watch this one.
This may be my favourite Hitch film, and Grace Kelly's entrance takes my breath away every time.
I think you'll really like To Catch a Thief, another Hitchcock film with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.
Agree with you about Grace Kelly's entrance. Only rivaled by Kim Novak's first close up in Vertigo.
Yes! I would add High Noon and Dial M for Murder to the Grace Kelly list
Many men felt deserted when she quit acting and married the Prince of Monaco.
One of my favorites, enjoy and see The Lady Vanishes (1938), another spectacular Hitchcock.
Movie recommendations :
Stewart : the man who killed liberty valance
Kelly: high society
Hitchcock : basically anything, but my favorites are
* rope (also with James Stewart)
*the birds
*frenzy
Birds and Rope are two of my favourites!
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence (agree, great film).
Liberty Valence is my favorite western of his, but he made a slew of them that seem to be overlooked now. The ones directed by Anthony Mann are all worth a viewing.
So happy you're watching this, my favourite Hitchcock movie by far! So tense and so great after all these years!
Stewart’s Harvey and It’s A Wonderful Life are truly masterpieces of his.
Harvey was filmed after James had played the part on stage for several year… He breaths the part… so good.
Loved this movie and when I saw this the first time in the 80s I just fell in love with Grace Kelly. As a 10 yr old I was mesmerized by her beauty. And the flick is something special, that is for sure!
Check out Hitchcock's Rope (1948) also starring Stewart. It's one of his lesser popular movies, yet my absolute favourite of his - because of its deconstructed murder mystery and unique setup, almost shot like a play. It would have been that way too (one long continuous shot) if it wasn't for the camera limitations of the era (it has therefore 10 cleverly hidden cuts). Rope was sort of an experiment of Hitchcock, yet If you enjoy Rear Window or murder mysteries in general I'm sure you'll love Rope. It's thst tenseful and well-acted. More people should check it out 🙂
Absolutly!!
My favorite too. Based on a true story, the Leopold/Loeb case. Another good movie based on the same case is Compulsion, starting Dean Stockwell.
I also strongly suggest that movie. I find it very interesting that the premise of "Rope" is based on Nietzsche's idea of the Übermensch.
Actually it was a stage play originally.
I don't understand why so many people like Rope. It is almost a dry, sterile exercise in technique.. Probably Hitchcock's least cinematic movie. Good acting, but not a great movie.
Imagine all the lighting that went into filming this classic brilliant! Thanks Shan also Grace Kelly an all time beauty
Oh MAN, Shan. This is a true, absolute classic film. One of the best ever made.
is this a joke?
@@azazello1784 No...? Why would it be?
@@adarael This movie is slightly better than watching paint dry.
@@azazello1784 I'm sorry you dislike quality.
Thorwald is played by Raymond Burr, better known for playing good-guy Perry Mason.
Has a smart private eye working for him, but is also a detective himself. Almost like the original Holmes & Watson.
One of my favorite Jimmy Stewart film that doesn’t get talked about enough is “Anatomy of a Murder”. Such a good film wIth an amazing soundtrack by Duke Ellington.
Yes!
Listed before, but Otto Preminger's "Anatomy of a Murder" from 1959 with James Stewart and a notable cast is definitely recommended.
I love Anatomy of a Murder. It's just so good!
One of my all time favorites and one of the best courtroom dramas of all time. George C. Scott is intimidating, but still not unlikeable, as the lead prosecutor. Jimmy Stewart plays the down home lawyer to perfection. Arthur O’Connell and Eve Arden are authentic and colorful as his law office coworkers. Joseph Welch quietly steals scenes as the amiable but no-nonsense judge. The entire cast play their respective rolls in service of an excellent script. So many great lines skillfully delivered. Old school Hollywood at its finest.
Lee Remick is the bomb in that flick.
Ohmygosh, I've been waiting for someone to do a reaction to Rear Window since I started watching reactions on TH-cam. This was my 2nd favorite "old" movie when I was a kid (behind The Wizard of Oz).
It's a Wonderful Life is a must when it comes to Jimmy Stewart.
As for Hitchcock, North by Northwest, Dial M for Murder and The Birds
Another Hitchcock/Stewart film that I love is "Rope". It seems to be shot in one long take. It isn't but the illusion is there. It's also a pretty short film which makes sense for a one room drama.
Any exploration into Jimmy Stewart has to include Its a Wonderful Life. Christmas season is coming and it’s a masterpiece.
You can not go wrong with Hitchcock. Some recommendations:
Strangers on a Train
The Birds
The Man Who Knew Too Much (Either version but the Jimmy Stewart version is better imo)
Rope
North By Northwest
aww poor Jimmy he has a girlfriend that is actual perfection
I know, it's hilarious. Literally, one of the most beautiful women anyone could possibly imagine, and Jimmy is like, "Meh, I don't know..." I guess every movie requires some suspension of disbelief!
@@markdodson6453 it wasn't about her it was about their lifestyles. Joe DiMaggio finally got his girl Marylin Monroe but didnt like she was always gone making movies. Well she was a movie star.
@@zedwpd It’s surprising to me how often people miss this about it. Relationships are about more than love or attraction, compatibility is equally important. It’s viewers being unrealistic, not the movie.
A literal princess.
Are you that shallow ? Relationships aren't about looks buddy
Rope, Strangers on the Train, Marnie, Vertigo, The Birds, Psycho, North by Northwest are my other favorite Hitchcock movies.
Absolutely love the movie Rope. It's based on a true story if I remember right.
Dial M for Murder is another super great Hitchcock movie that starts Grace Kelly!!
Ever seen Hitchcock's "Saboteur"?
I almost forgot: "Spellbound" (1945) is one of Hitchcock's greatest movies ever! It dives deep into the world of psychoanalysis and has even the great artist Salvador Dali as the designer of the dream parts. Starring young Gregory Peck and astonishlingly beautiful Ingrid Bergman.
It's one of my favorites of his. Great film! 👍
Shirley Maclaine’s first film was a Hitchcock “comedy”. The Trouble with Harry. It is delightful. Obscure recommendation.
Wasn't the little boy in that Jerry Mathers ("Beaver" Cleaver)?
@@inkfishpete8695 yes it was actually. Had to look it up. Just watched it recently too, and didn’t even notice. 😳
@@inkfishpete8695 Too bad there was no Eddie Haskle role
I actually love technicolor. It adds that certain MOVIE feel to a movie, creating a different reality.
You can really see Hitchcock's silent film background in his reliance on visual storytelling. They say you could turn off the sound of a Hitchcock film and still follow it, and it's true here more than ever. Although I'd never want to do that because what a screenplay too.
Indeed. All those clever lines. Stella kills me every time.
James Stewart is one of my all time favorite actors. His film Harvey is a real treat
Fantastic choice, Shan! I really enjoy your reactions and insights to masterpieces of cinema like this one. More Hitch please!
I can kill two birds with one stone by recommending Rope. Hitchcock and Stewart together again in a highly experimental film for its time. Another of their team-ups to watch would be The Man Who Knew Too Much, which is a remake of Hitchcock's own film from the 1930s.
And I'll second the recommendation a few others have made for North by Northwest. No Stewart, but a damn good chaser to go with the 007 movies you're watching.
Rope is a lot of fun and very re-watchable IMO.
Some of the takes in Rope go on for about ten minutes. Absolutely amazing. I would second that recommendation.
I know it's not Hitchcock, but I'll suggest "Harvey" down the line, because it's Stewart and he's absolutely amazing. A heartwarming film to the point that so many people turned down the role of Dowd in adaptations of "Harvey", simply because they don't believe they could ever live up to Stewart's own.
This is one of my top 5 all time favorite movies. I watch this numerous times a year. Grace Kelly is so elegant in this. Love her. And of course, Jimmy Stewart. So glad you watched it. Another Hitchcock movie that features Grace Kelly that is great is, "Dial M for Murder". Another must see.
Thank you for doing this, I never saw this, but after watching the birds this weekend , and totally enjoying it, like you I have heard of these classics , but was told young to enjoy, I was turned off by black n white when I was a kid, now I can see thru that, and the art of the cinema comes thru… these are amazing films, it’s nice to see the light shined on them , have a super week I.e Raymond burr played in the great series , perry mason
Re: technicolor… I had the opportunity to see restored prints of Vertigo and this film back in the mid-80s. There’s nothing quite like it, the colours you’re seeing in this are a very pale reflection of how they appeared when they were originally projected. It was almost hallucinogenic, so deep and vivid. Re: social commentary… the film is a commentary on film, we are all voyeurs, watching Jeff watch his neighbours, it’s what movies are. Other great James Stewart films include Mr Smith Goes to Washington, Winchester 73, Harvey, The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance, The Shop Around the Corner… and some of his other Hitchcock films like The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo and Rope.
Same here, in Sydney in late 84 ... I've got vivid memories of being utterly entranced & enchanted with these two films ... while also being thoroughly thrilled & entertained, of course!. And yes, those colours certainly helped.
Thorwald's motivation for the murder was that he had a mistress. He wanted to be with the mistress and not his wife. Also, divorce in the 1950s was a little trickier than today, so Thorwald may have felt trapped in a loveless marriage. I'm not saying it's a morally good motive, but that's why he does it.
Always liked how the actor who portrayed Thorwald went on to star as a TV trial lawyer who's job it was to reveal so many people who'd done exactly that.
I had the good fortune to be introduced to this particular film on the big screen - I was visiting my brother at college (this was the mid-80s) and went with him and his friends to a revival movie house that happened to be showing Rear Window. It was magnificent! Up until then, I had only seen such older, classic movies on television screens so it was something of a revelation to see it as it was meant to be seen. And such a WONDERFUL film, too.
I wish there were more opportunities to see these great old films in a theater.
Bell, Book and Candle is probably my favorite James Stewart film. It also stars another Hitchcock alumni, the beautiful Kim Novak.
Jeff's injury from getting too close to a photo subject is a metaphor for the risk of getting too close, which is also a metaphor for Jeffries' fear of commitment,
Aside from Psycho, this my favourite Hitchcock film.
Oh wow, Love this movie. Shows how you can film something extraordinary without special effects or constant set changes if you have the story, script and acting.
Thelma Ritter is the nurse/masseuse. Wonderful character actress.
Absolutely. I was just writing about how great she was in "The Misfits". And everything else! :D
My all time FAVOURITE MOVIE. No joke. I spent time in quarantine to actually rank my favourites and Rear Window came on top. Love it so much!
The bad guy is Raymond Burr - Perry Mason himself. Also, Stewart's housekeeper is Thelma Ritter - an amazing talent in her own right. She quick-witted, no-nonsense, and very very funny.
“My guess is she’s scattered all over town.” 😂 Love Stella.
"Philadelphia Story" (1940), and "You Can't Take it With You" (1939) are two good Jimmy Stewart flicks. "High Noon" (1952), and "To Catch a Thief" (1955) for Grace Kelly.
High noon is a MUST!
YES!!! They spoofed the plot of the movie in an episode of The Simpsons, called Bart Of Darkness, where Bart injured his leg while he's diving into his pool, and is bound to a wheelchair. He even sees his neighbor Ned Flanders kill his wife Maude, but Lisa never believes him until she spots Ned burying a body in his backyard.
Rocko's Modern Life also spoofed this movie.
@@the-NightStar @Shaine White
Family Guy is another show that spoofed this movie as well.
I’ve seen this movie about 6 or 7 times and it always breezes through. Definitely one of my favorites of all time.
What I love about this movie is all the stories that we *glimpse* before (and while) focusing in on the main story of the murder. And the love affair between Jeff and Lisa.
This is one of my favorite films. I first watched this as a 10 year old boy growing up in public housing projects where you see all kinds of craziness happening outside your window. Stabbings, gang fights, sex in the stairwells, and so on. This movie literally transports me to the 50’s even though I was born in the late 80s. Absolutely brilliant movie and in my opinion Hitchcock’s best.
I am a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock; amazes me that he makes a movie in one room or 3 places and keeps your attention
17:37 I remember watching this with my film class and everyone in the room gasped at that moment. Such a great movie!
what a movie! my favorite Hitchcock by far. I know this sounds kinda boring, but my favorite Stewart movie is It's a Wonderful life. I know it's overplayed in the USA, but it's my all time 'go to' movie when I need some comfort
My favorite Hitchcock masterpiece! Glad you enjoyed it. Saw it in theaters once; it was fun!
Other thrillers to watch not directed by Hitchcock but might as well be: Charade (1963) and Wait Until Dark (1967)
Also "Witness For The Prosecution"
Technicolor was shot through a beamsplitter on three strips of black and white film, which required a massive amount of light and huge cameras. It's also one of the most stable forms of archiving film -- silver doesn't fade. Eastman color stock faded so quickly.
"Rear Window" is probably tied with "Casablanca" for me as my favorite films of all time. Jimmy Stewart did four films with Hitchcock: Rear Window (1954), Vertigo (1958 - which you've also seen), and then Rope (1948), and The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956 also w/Doris Day). Rope, as others have said, was a bit of experimenting for Hitchcock. An attempt at shooting the film all in one take, one long continuous shot. Of course, due to the length of film reels at the time, he could actually only shoot about 10 minutes at a time, but tried to mask the cuts, so it was as if there were no cuts in the film at all. A lot of people discount this film or don't like it. But I still really like it and think its a great watch for anyone interested in the art of filmmaking for the performances, to see Hitchcock's skill with camera movements, for the theatre-like style, and especially for the atmosphere. The changing from afternoon to evening across the city out the window of the apartment as the film progresses is amazing (similar to what you pointed out with Rear Window...the set and the depth, atmosphere, mood, and realness Hitch created with it). Others of my favorite Hitchcock films are: Shadow of a Doubt (1943), The Lady Vanishes (1938), North By Northwest (1959 - w/Cary Grant), The 39 Steps (1935), Rebecca (1940 - w/Laurence Olivier), Saboteur (1942), and Lifeboat (1944). Other great Jimmy Stewart movies include: Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939), Winchester '73 (1950), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962 - w/John Wayne), The Philadelphia Story (1940 - w/Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn), Harvey (1950), and of course, It's a Wonderful Life (1946). I've also really been enjoying watching you go through the Jame Bond films in order! Thumbs up Shan!
The Man Who Knew Too Much by Hitchcock stars Stewart with Doris Day. I gotta add to the chorus though Shan...you gotta watch North By Northwest! ETA - Shan you MUST watch Vertigo!!!
Please react to "To Catch a Thief" with Grace Kelley, Cary Grant with Hitchcock direction.
I highly recommend “North by Northwest”!
Grace Kelly.. I mean... 😍
North by Northwest is top tier Hitchcock. Also To Catch a Thief is fun too which also has Grace being stunning. Both star Cary Grant who was always fantastic.
Really like how this is like watching a play on a stage through the fourth wall.
Here's an interesting factoid about Hitchcock and Rear Window.
Hitchcock first came to Hollywood under the wing of Producer/Director David O. Selznick. After a few movies together Hitchcock began to feel stifled by the oppressive control Selznick was exerting over his movies. This eventually led to a very acrimonious split. When Hitchcock made Rear Window he ordered that the villain of the movie, played by Raymond Burr, be made up to look like Selznick
I hadn’t heard that one. That’s awesome!
Not Hitchcock (or the other two) but I’m going to recommend The Night of the Hunter (1955) starring Robert Mitchum. Great tension, solid story and Mitchum plays a menacing traveling preacher who has LOVE and HATE tattooed on his knuckles. The cinematography is very film noir and is shot on elaborate sets like this one.
Can't 2nd this recommendation enough.
you might enjoy
Anatomy of a Murder (1959, dir. Otto Preminger),
Shadow of a Doubt (1943, dir. Hitchcock),
Rebecca (1940, dir. Hitchcock)
Besides being a early master of suspense, Hitchcock was a 1very technically innovative director and created a lot of techniques that are still in use. Vertigo was a great example of this. Rope is another good one, also with Jimmy Stewart. Hitchcock shot it all on a single set, and hid the cuts to make it look like one continuous shot. North by Northwest is another Hitchcock film with Stewart that is well worth watching. If you want to see a really young Stewart, he shows up in the 2nd Thin Man film, After the Thin Man. The Thin Man series is well worth watching for the on-screen chemistry between the leads (William Powel and Myrna Loy).
I've seen each of those and loved them all, as well as psycho and dial m for murder. Any suggestions on my next?
Yeah, the first two "The Thin Man" films are must watches, absolutely agree re: Powell & Myrna Loy...they're so good in those and way ahead of their time.
Stewart in not in North By Northwest, Cary Grant is
@@ElianaPontou018 You are correct, always mix them up in Hitchcock's work for some reason.
@@harryholmes8624 Strangers on a Train is a classic must watch for Hitchcock. Vertigo is also very good, and a good showcase for his technical ingenuity for how it's shot. Shadow of a Doubt and Suspicion are a pair of good Hitchock films that are not as well known as his more famous films. To Catch a Thief is fun and a bit lighter fare. There is also The Birds, not one of my favs but another one of those must watch Hitchcock films.
"North By Northwest" is my favorite Hitchcock film. (Grace Kelly is also beautiful in Hitchcock's 1955 "To Catch A Thief" with exquisite locations - but story and emotions not as compelling to me for some reason.)
North By Northwest, brilliant and exciting Bernard Hermann score, great stuff
Ever seen a "bad" Cary Grant picture?? It's not likely he ever made one.
Rope's another good James Stewart Hitchcock film and I see North by Northwest is being listed, personally 'Frenzy' is one of my favourite Hitchcock films. Set in London around a serial killer on the loose... I won't spoil it, but it's sooooo good and nobody ever seems to talk about it.
James Stewart movie to watch: "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" It's a brilliant movie, plus it is a John Wayne/Jimmy Stewart collaboration.
After that we can send him down the John Ford rabbit hole. 😎👍
I'm a Hitchcock and James Stewart fan. I was able to watch Rear Window and some other Hitchcock films at a movie theater a few years ago at a Hitchcock retrospective in Santa Monica California a few years ago. It is a totally different experience watching these films with an audience even though I've seen them many times.
It seems like I paid more attention to the films at the theater than i did when I watched them on DVD. Vertigo on the big screen was awesome. I never realized how much James Stewart could speak without uttering a word just by using certain facial expressions.
So, so happy to see you reacting to classic movies. May I suggest:
"Dial M For Murder" - Grace Kelly and Ray Milland (Hitchcock directs)
"The Birds" - Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor (Hitchcock directs)
"Casablanca" - Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman
"Key Largo" - Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall
"To Have And Have Not" - Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall
"To Catch A Thief" - Cary Grant and Grace Kelly (Hitchock directs)
"On The Beach" - Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner
"Rio Bravo" - John Wayne and Dean Martin
"The Searchers" - John Wayne and Jeffrey Hunter
"To Have and Have Not" sexual tension btwn Bogie & Bacall made it such a hot film
The guy in the studio apartment who was the composer was an actor/musician named Ross Bagdasarian. He later went on to some fame under the stage name David Seville. The act was David Seville and the Chipmunks. (Alvin and the Chipmunks.)
One of my absolute favorite movies of all time. And it is without a doubt my nineteen-year-old son's favorite movie he even has a movie poster of it on the wall in his room
Hitch still has the power to stimulate the minds of young people
My two favorite Hitchcock films from the 40's , Shadow of a Doubt with Joseph Cotton , & Foreign Correspondent with Joel McCrae, both excellent .
How about two more fantastic 40s Hitchcock movies, "Rebecca" and "Notorious"? Both absolute classics.
@@chrisdiem5386 Absolutely, both of those films are great but Foreign Correspondent is under rated & I read that Shadow of a Doubt was one of Hitchcocks favorites.Joseph Cotton is the embodiment of bland evil transported to small town America.
One of the funniest episodes of The Simpsons is a parody of this movie with Bart having a broken leg and thinking Flanders killed his wife.😂👍
Family Guy also did a complete parody of this movie :)
I love that episode!
Shan, I still enjoy your channel and I'm glad you're still posting. A lot of people are comforted by reaction channels, I think, and yours is splendid. Be well.
I think this is my favourite Hitchcock film :) The use of diagetic sounds and music is a great way to add realism to the scenes.
Hitchcock's main commentary in this film was about you, the voyeur, er viewer. Virtually all of his films are multi layered storylines with options for storylines and interpretations. I'm so happy to see you watching and commenting on Hitchcock because it is a rich and rewarding cinematic journey. Great job after only one viewing.
Hitchcock:
The 39 Steps
Notorious
Rebecca
Strangers on a Train
Dial M for Murder (also has Grace Kelly)
The Birds
Jimmy Stewart:
Anatomy of a Murder
It's a Wonderful Life
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
The Philadelphia Story
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Grace Kelly:
High Noon
To Catch a Thief (also Hitchcock)
The Country Girl
High Society
Oh yeah, "High Society"! Kelly, Sinatra, Crosby, Armstrong and Celeste "I'm just a girl who can't say 'No'" Holme.
The films of Hitchcock I teach in class are in my opinion the essentials, 3 of which you've seen, are The 39 Steps, Rebecca, Shadow Of A Doubt, Notorious, Strangers on a Train, Rear Window, The Wrong Man, Vertigo, North by Nortjwest, Psycho, The Birds, Marnie and Frenzy. Also I Confess I will sometimes add to the lineup as a transition film. And Rope also has quite a following as well and is quite experimental in the Hitchcock oeuvre.
Rear Window is in my very top of Hitchcock's work though along with Notorious.
I once showed I Confess in a film class that I was given the opportunity to teach (when my professor went on sabbatical), because at the time (and before video) it was a Hitchcock film that was never shown on campus, so ‘I’ wanted to see it, along with a bunch of other rarely/never shown films.
Outstanding list, I wouldn't change a thing, other than maybe add one of the silents (my favorite is "The Ring", but I'm sure "The Lodger" would be what most people would choose.) If I had to choose two from that list to do next: "Strangers On A Train" and "Shadow Of A Doubt". (PS: I love that you've got "The Wrong Man" on there, and "Frenzy"!) (Interesting addition of "I Confess"!)
@@TTM9691 yes, the silents are an interesting period for Hitchcock. The Lodger as you say would be the likely choice and Hitch said it's his first real Hitchcock movie although I think it's The 39 Steps where everything comes together in terms of pure Hitchcock iconography, but I think you're right that The Ring is more interesting in many ways. And of course Blackmail was originally shot as a silent and it's quite good and bridges Hitch's creativity with sound in a very Hitchcockian way.
@@robertjewell9727 He was such a pioneer in sound, so happy to hear you say that! Last year, I watched maybe 20 movies from 1930 all in a row, and "Murder" was head and shoulders above what most movies were doing with sound (especially while retaining camera movement, practically unheard of for the early sound era). "All Quiet On The Western Front" was another. I always think "Man Who Knew Too Much" (first version) as the one where he started hitting his stride, especially when he followed it three or four good ones, culminating in "39 Steps", but obviously "39 Steps" is the culmination of his British period. Great talking Hitch with you, Mr. Jewell!!
@@TTM9691 , yes, the British period is really fascinating because one can see the development of his craft and worldview in storytelling terms: use of subjective camera, appearances vs. reality, the shadowy relationship between guilt and innocence and on and on. I even really like Jamaica Inn although it's considered minor Hitchcock. The only real what the heck? movie is Waltzes from Vienna, which of course was an assignment rather than an interest. Good chatting with you as well.
Of all the great movie sets built during the last 130 years, I think the set for Rear Window is the one I would most love to go back in time to visit. To wind your way through the stage, beneath massive, high walls, seeing all the stairs to the various apartments, and then to find you way into the courtyard, and to see all the practical rooms and hallways (in Thorwald's building). Amazing.
Oz would be magical.
One of the best things about the final scene between Thorwald and Jeff is that Thorwald is the one who's afraid, by his words and his actions, he's more scared than Jeff is.
To Catch a Thief is another great Hitchcock film with Grace Kelly, with Cary Grant in the lead. It has the unintended twist of taking place in the scenic winding roads of Monaco, where Grace Kelly died, but it's a great film.
Excellent review. I have watched it countless times simply observing the directing itself. And I don't even make films but I do like good direction.
I highly recommend, To Catch a Thief, yet another Hitchcock. Again with Grace Kelley but with Cary Grant this time. It is spectacular.
Hey Shan, if 1954 is the oldest movie you've watched on your channel, I wonder if that includes what you've seen. You are missing out on a lot with the 30s and 40s if you haven't seen any or many from that period, as well as the 50s! Dig into these real classics, especially the B&W ones as you will find lots of cinema gold. For more of Jimmy Stewart's do "It's A Wonderful Life" (1946) which is one of the best of Frank Capra, but you should save it for the Christmas season. Another two of Stewart's you would like are "Harvey" (1950), and another Capra classic "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" (1939). A couple of Hitchcock's you'd enjoy too are "The Birds" and "Dial M For Murder". You'll spot Hitch in The Birds pretty easy, but you'll have to look a little closer form him in Dial M! ✌️😎
It absolutely was a set. At the time it was the largest single set ever built for a film. Indeed, they cut the floor out of the stage and used the basement area of the stage. So Jeff's apartment actually sat on what was originally the floor stage level.
I appreciate you mentioning the theme of relationship in the film, and the way the protagonist avoids choosing relationship. It's no coincidence that he chose to respond to the only toxic relationship. Hitchcock created such a wonderful tapestry of humanity in his work. If you're interested in Hitchcock's dark humor, I highly recommend "The Trouble With Harry." As always, Great review-- I enjoy the content you share on your channel!
Love the trouble with Harry. Shirley MacLaine’s first film, and John Forsythe is just delightful to watch in it.
Hitchcock must-sees:
North by Northwest, Shadow of a Doubt, Notorious, Rebecca, Rope, Strangers on a Train, The 39 Steps, Dial M for Murder, The Birds, Spellbound, The Lady Vanishes, Lifeboat.
Yes, i'm so happy to see more reactions for Hitch's movies. And i absolute love Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter and Raymond Burr are amazing as well. Recommendations: Rebecca, Notorious, Rope, Strangers on a Train, Marnie, Shadow of a Doubt, Lifeboat, The 39 Steps, The Lady Vanishes, Anatomy of a Murder, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Harvey, The Shop Around the Corner, The Philadelphia Story.
Did you enjoy Saboteur also?
Damn thought I was subscribed already. Grats on 20k
Check out 'Dial M For Murder' it is another Grace Kelly film directed by Sir Alfred Hitchcock (also it was the only Hitchcock movie shot & filmed in 3D, when the 3D craze was at its hight in the early 1950s) ... 😉
Also 'To Catch A Thief' with Cary Grant (from North By Northwest) and Grace Kelly is another good Hitchcock film as well. 😁
One of my favorite Hitchcock movies is "Shadow of a Doubt". Much earlier film of his, but so very good and an interesting snapshot of that time. Joseph Cotten is superb in this as well. Plus, still has that Hitchcock humor that eases tension at the right time. Hope you decide to check it out!!! Thanks for the very thoughtful review of Rear Window. Really love how you go into sets, soundtracks, lighting...
Always liked how the 2nd detective looked like such an oaf snapping that picture of Cotten and then having to give up his film. Later, you find out the detective pulled a sly switch on Uncle Charlie.
@@billolsen4360 Ditto. Great use of acting the fool. Also loved the youngest daughter's character. She was so matter of fact and certain of what she knew. Generally right, too.
My favorite Hitchcock movie that rarely ever seems to get mentioned or covered is Rebecca (1940), based on the famous Daphne du Maurier novel of the same name. It’s in the IMDb Top 250, so obviously people have heard of it, and it really is excellent. Maybe its age puts people off? Judith Anderson gives one of the best villainous performances of all time, in my opinion. It was remade recently by Netflix but I heard it wasn’t very good (it also starred Armie Hammer…) Anyway, even if you don’t cover it on the channel, I hope you check it out some day, it’s absolutely a must-see and a truly masterful film and story. It’s a ghost story without a ghost, sort of perfect for this time of year.
My grandfather's favorte Jimmy Stewart movie is Bend of the River. It's one of the first Jimmy Stewart films he introduced me to and it's become one of my favorites as well. Definitely recommend it.
Check out Hitchcock's "Rope" (1948), also starring James Stewart. I think it may be my favorite Hitchcock movie, but Rear Window would be up there as well.
Jeff's apartment didn't *have* a bedroom. He had a studio apartment; that's why his bed is in the living room - Leeza sits on it at the end, there, while she's reading. He had 3 rooms - kitchen, living room, bathroom, and that's it. If you haven't seen them, you might also enjoy: Dial M for Murder, To Catch a Thief, Wait Until Dark, and Sabrina (the original with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, not the remake!). The first two also have Grace Kelly, To Catch a Thief also has Jimmy Stewart. Wait Until Dark and Sabrina both have Audrey Hepburn at her best. :)
I had the privilege of seeing this on the big screen the first time I saw it (back in the eighties). The amazing thing was half way through the movie I realized I was literally on the edge of my seat with suspense, yet nothing scary was actually happening on the screen.
Wow would love to see this film in a theater, ive only seen it small screen at home.
I will recommend a film that everyone thinks is Hitchcock, but isn't. CHARADE by Stanley Donen. I thought that it was Hitchcock until recently. You'll see why. Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, suspense and comedic flirtation. Excellent!