Comments on: Seven Nights of Hitchcock http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:31:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: Will E. http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-741 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 07:47:28 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-741 The first film class I ever took--so many years ago--was entirely devoted to Hitchcock. As I recall, <i>Marnie</i> got pretty lambasted by the students for being so obvious in its psychology, as well as the awful rear-projection scenes. Was this all intentional on Hitch's part? Perhaps. It seems a re-watch is in order. It took me several tries to get through <i>Vertigo</i>, whose reputation has really skyrocketed in the last few years--the professor didn't even have it on the syllabus as an alternate, as I remember--but I'm glad I finally did. It certainly skyrocketed to near the top of my favorite Hitchcock works. But I still prefer his sublime horror films, <i>Psycho</i> and <i>The Birds</i>. The first film class I ever took–so many years ago–was entirely devoted to Hitchcock. As I recall, Marnie got pretty lambasted by the students for being so obvious in its psychology, as well as the awful rear-projection scenes. Was this all intentional on Hitch’s part? Perhaps. It seems a re-watch is in order.

It took me several tries to get through Vertigo, whose reputation has really skyrocketed in the last few years–the professor didn’t even have it on the syllabus as an alternate, as I remember–but I’m glad I finally did. It certainly skyrocketed to near the top of my favorite Hitchcock works. But I still prefer his sublime horror films, Psycho and The Birds.

]]> by: Gautam http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-726 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:49:39 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-726 I wish our cable did a Hitchcock marathon. Here are my favorites: 1. <b>Torn Curtain</b> (1966) - the first time I saw the Mary Poppins/ Sound of Music Julie Andrews in such an intense role. Also for the incredible cinematography of the East German setting of the film. 2. <b>North By Northwest</b> (1959) - one of the most stylish films I've ever seen. 3. <b>Psycho</b> (1960) - for the pure chill of it. 4. <b>Frenzy</b> (1972) - loved the 70s british setting. 5. <b>The 39 Steps</b> (1935) - my first Hitchcock experience. Thanks, I wish our cable did a Hitchcock marathon. Here are my favorites:

1. Torn Curtain (1966) - the first time I saw the Mary Poppins/ Sound of Music Julie Andrews in such an intense role. Also for the incredible cinematography of the East German setting of the film.
2. North By Northwest (1959) - one of the most stylish films I’ve ever seen.
3. Psycho (1960) - for the pure chill of it.
4. Frenzy (1972) - loved the 70s british setting.
5. The 39 Steps (1935) - my first Hitchcock experience.

Thanks,

]]> by: Brian http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-725 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:09:24 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-725 Thanks for the reassurance on <b>Family Plot</b>. Hopefully a local programmer feels the same way. I've seen and liked <b>the Lodger</b>, but only on VHS. I'm envious of your experience seeing it in a theatre. I hear that John Brahm's 1944 remake is excellent as well. Thanks for the reassurance on Family Plot. Hopefully a local programmer feels the same way. I’ve seen and liked the Lodger, but only on VHS. I’m envious of your experience seeing it in a theatre. I hear that John Brahm’s 1944 remake is excellent as well.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-719 Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:23:05 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-719 Brian - I'm envious that you've seen so many Hitchcock films on the big screen! I've only seen a few Hitchcock films on the big screen myself (including his silent film <strong>The Lodger </strong> which almost made my list of favorites and I think you would really enjoy it!), but I'm dying to see <strong>North By Northwest </strong>in a proper theater. That fantastic score, the amazing photography and all that action just screams "BIG SCREEN EXPERIENCE." I'm one of those odd birds that enjoyed <strong>Family Plot</strong> a lot. It's not a favorite Hitchcock, but I do think it's worth a look and it really has some great stuff in it. Brian - I’m envious that you’ve seen so many Hitchcock films on the big screen! I’ve only seen a few Hitchcock films on the big screen myself (including his silent film The Lodger which almost made my list of favorites and I think you would really enjoy it!), but I’m dying to see North By Northwest in a proper theater. That fantastic score, the amazing photography and all that action just screams “BIG SCREEN EXPERIENCE.”

I’m one of those odd birds that enjoyed Family Plot a lot. It’s not a favorite Hitchcock, but I do think it’s worth a look and it really has some great stuff in it.

]]> by: Brian http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-717 Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:17:38 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-717 I love Hitchcock. Especially experiencing his film with an audience in a crowded theatre. Here's a top 10 favorite screenings of his films I've attended (ranked by a complicated formula taking quality of film, quality of venue and presentation, and bonus factors into account): 1. <b>Vertigo</b> at the Castro, countless times including several in 70mm 2. <b>The Birds</b> and <b>Marnie</b> at a free screening at the Castro, with Tippi Hedren in attendance 3. <b>Blackmail</b> at the San Francisco International Film Festival, Palace of Fine Arts, with live music by the Alloy Orchestra 4. <b>Strangers on a Train</b> at the Noir City Film Festival, Palace of Fine Arts, with Farley Granger in attendance 5. <b>Rear Window</b> at the Stanford 6. <b>Dial M For Murder</b> at the Castro, in dual-projector 3-D 7. <b>Notorious</b> at the Stanford 8. <b>Downhill</b> at the Pacific Film Archive with Joel Adlen behind the piano 9. <b>North By Northwest</b> at the Paramount 10. <b>the Lady Vanishes</b> at the Castro. It's worth noting that this was a terrific film, shown in a gorgeous print. The other nine had to be pretty special to beat it. And they were. And a top ten wish-list of Hitchcock films I most want to play a nearby theatre at a convenient time for me (all of them, really, but these are the priorities): 1. Any silent film with live musical accompaniment 2. <b>The Wrong Man</b> (which I've never seen) 3. <b>Rope</b> 4. <b>Psycho</b> 5. <b>Foreign Correspondent</b> (never seen) 6. 1956's <b>the Man Who Knew Too Much</b> (never seen this version) 7. <b>Frenzy</b> (haven't seen in its entirety) 8. <b>the 39 Steps</b> 9. <b>Under Capricorn</b> 10. <b>Family Plot</b> (never seen, heard it's bad, but want to see the local locations with a Frisco audience) I love Hitchcock. Especially experiencing his film with an audience in a crowded theatre. Here’s a top 10 favorite screenings of his films I’ve attended (ranked by a complicated formula taking quality of film, quality of venue and presentation, and bonus factors into account):

1. Vertigo at the Castro, countless times including several in 70mm
2. The Birds and Marnie at a free screening at the Castro, with Tippi Hedren in attendance
3. Blackmail at the San Francisco International Film Festival, Palace of Fine Arts, with live music by the Alloy Orchestra
4. Strangers on a Train at the Noir City Film Festival, Palace of Fine Arts, with Farley Granger in attendance
5. Rear Window at the Stanford
6. Dial M For Murder at the Castro, in dual-projector 3-D
7. Notorious at the Stanford
8. Downhill at the Pacific Film Archive with Joel Adlen behind the piano
9. North By Northwest at the Paramount
10. the Lady Vanishes at the Castro. It’s worth noting that this was a terrific film, shown in a gorgeous print. The other nine had to be pretty special to beat it. And they were.

And a top ten wish-list of Hitchcock films I most want to play a nearby theatre at a convenient time for me (all of them, really, but these are the priorities):

1. Any silent film with live musical accompaniment
2. The Wrong Man (which I’ve never seen)
3. Rope
4. Psycho
5. Foreign Correspondent (never seen)
6. 1956’s the Man Who Knew Too Much (never seen this version)
7. Frenzy (haven’t seen in its entirety)
8. the 39 Steps
9. Under Capricorn
10. Family Plot (never seen, heard it’s bad, but want to see the local locations with a Frisco audience)

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-712 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:14:18 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-712 Joe - Thanks a lot! I love Hitchcock so I'm happy to share some of my passion for his work with others. Hopefully I'll get the chance to write a bit more on some of the films I'm watching this week. I saw <strong>Vertigo</strong> and <strong>Saboteur</strong> again last night and they were both terrific. <strong>Vertigo</strong> is a favorite so I always enjoy watching that one, but seeing <strong>Saboteur</strong> again really made me like it more. I'd only seen it once before and I caught more of the subtle aspects of the film on this second viewing. I love the entire "circus freak" subplot and the way it linked overt patriotism to paranoia, which is currently very timely in post-911 America. I think <strong>Saboteur</strong> might be a new favorite Hitch film of mine. Jeremy - I look forward to checking out your own list! AR - I also just saw <strong>Saboteur</strong> for the second time last night which I wrote about above and you might enjoy that movie as well. If you haven't seen Hitchock's <strong>Rebecca</strong> you might also like that film. It has more gothic horror elements than most of his films since it's based on a Daphne Du Maurier novel and some really lush photography. Keith - I adore Cary Grant too! He was a terrific actor and a great comedian. He was also gorgeous to look at if I don't say so myself. A real triple threat! He made a lot of terrific films with Hitchcock, who considered Grant his favorite actor. Dave - Thanks a lot! As I mentioned above, for some reason I've never been impressed with the chemistry between Grant & Bergman in the films they made together. I realize this is probably sacrilegious to say to many film fans. I don't hate <strong>Notorious</strong>, but something about the film just doesn't all-together work for me 100% so I find it a bit overrated in Hitchcock's cannon. Of course I realize I'm in the extreme minority here. Joe - Thanks a lot! I love Hitchcock so I’m happy to share some of my passion for his work with others. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to write a bit more on some of the films I’m watching this week. I saw Vertigo and Saboteur again last night and they were both terrific. Vertigo is a favorite so I always enjoy watching that one, but seeing Saboteur again really made me like it more. I’d only seen it once before and I caught more of the subtle aspects of the film on this second viewing. I love the entire “circus freak” subplot and the way it linked overt patriotism to paranoia, which is currently very timely in post-911 America. I think Saboteur might be a new favorite Hitch film of mine.

Jeremy - I look forward to checking out your own list!

AR - I also just saw Saboteur for the second time last night which I wrote about above and you might enjoy that movie as well. If you haven’t seen Hitchock’s Rebecca you might also like that film. It has more gothic horror elements than most of his films since it’s based on a Daphne Du Maurier novel and some really lush photography.

Keith - I adore Cary Grant too! He was a terrific actor and a great comedian. He was also gorgeous to look at if I don’t say so myself. A real triple threat! He made a lot of terrific films with Hitchcock, who considered Grant his favorite actor.

Dave - Thanks a lot! As I mentioned above, for some reason I’ve never been impressed with the chemistry between Grant & Bergman in the films they made together. I realize this is probably sacrilegious to say to many film fans. I don’t hate Notorious, but something about the film just doesn’t all-together work for me 100% so I find it a bit overrated in Hitchcock’s cannon. Of course I realize I’m in the extreme minority here.

]]> by: dave s http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-711 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:13:38 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-711 hitchock is my favourite director. i love 'im, like hitchcock loves icy blondes. for me, the only flick really missing from your list is 'notorious'... one of the most adult romantic relaionships i've seen portrayted in a pre-1960's american movie. love your site, by the way. hitchock is my favourite director. i love ‘im, like hitchcock loves icy blondes.

for me, the only flick really missing from your list is ‘notorious’… one of the most adult romantic relaionships i’ve seen portrayted in a pre-1960’s american movie.

love your site, by the way.

]]> by: Keith http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-710 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:37:36 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-710 Two of my favorite cable channels are AMC and TCM. I did see that Rope was on. It's been some years since I've seen. Caught a bit of it. I enjoyed it and The Birds very much. I've seen most of these Hitchcock films. What a fantastic filmmaker. I love all his films. My favorite is actually North by Northwest. It has one of the most famous scenes in cinematic history. Cary Grant is amazing. He's one of my favorite actors of all time. I loved seeing him in Hitchcockian thrillers. Two of my favorite cable channels are AMC and TCM. I did see that Rope was on. It’s been some years since I’ve seen. Caught a bit of it. I enjoyed it and The Birds very much. I’ve seen most of these Hitchcock films. What a fantastic filmmaker. I love all his films. My favorite is actually North by Northwest. It has one of the most famous scenes in cinematic history. Cary Grant is amazing. He’s one of my favorite actors of all time. I loved seeing him in Hitchcockian thrillers.

]]> by: AR http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-708 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:18:30 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-708 I'll take any suggestions you have, Kimberly! I've more recently seen <b>The 39 Steps</b> and <b>The Lady Vanishes</b>, both of which involved espionage, and I liked them well enough. I think <b>North by Northwest</b> is pretty good as well. In Hitchcock's films, espionage is more of a convenient plot element, which I can generally deal with. It's more the Bond level of spy fetishism that doesn't appeal to me. I’ll take any suggestions you have, Kimberly!
I’ve more recently seen The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes, both of which involved espionage, and I liked them well enough. I think North by Northwest is pretty good as well. In Hitchcock’s films, espionage is more of a convenient plot element, which I can generally deal with. It’s more the Bond level of spy fetishism that doesn’t appeal to me.

]]> by: Jeremy http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-707 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 05:11:40 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-707 Hey Kimberly, I love your list!!! I just posted mine at Moon In The Gutter if you want to stop by anfd give a look...you've made me want to stay home today and have a Hitch festival! If only I could... Hey Kimberly,
I love your list!!! I just posted mine at Moon In The Gutter if you want to stop by anfd give a look…you’ve made me want to stay home today and have a Hitch festival!
If only I could…

]]> by: Joe Valdez http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-705 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:04:00 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-705 Your Top 15 lists and your passion for film are always a pleasure to read, Kimberly. Excellent post. Your Top 15 lists and your passion for film are always a pleasure to read, Kimberly. Excellent post.

]]> by: cinebeats http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-703 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 19:19:09 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-703 AR - Since you seem to enjoy noir a lot, I think you might enjoy Hithcock's earlier films like <strong>Foreign Correspondent</strong> and the original <strong>Man Who Knew Too Much</strong> (1934), but I also know you don't really go in for spy/espionage films so they might turn you off as well. A lot of Hitchcock's films involve spies and espionage. Adam - Thanks for sharing your Top 5! I really like <strong>The 39 Steps</strong> as well. Jonathan - Thanks for sharing your thoughts. For some reason the chemistry between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman has never really worked for me in any of the films they made together. I really like them both a lot, but together not so much. I'm not sure why? <strong>The 39 Steps</strong> is really good too, but I haven't seen it in many years. Hopefully I'll catch it during AMC's 7 Nights of Hitchcock, if it's playing. It's nice to know others enjoy <strong>Foreign Correspondent</strong>! It's really a great underrated Hitchcock film in my opinion. <i>I wish you got TCM.</i> You and me both! I've been thinking of upgrading my Cable TV package, but I'm only paying $19 a month now and I'd have to start paying $50+ but I'd really like to have access to TCM. I wish I wasn't on such a tight budget at the moment. Anna - Thanks for chiming in! It's nice to see all these votes for <strong>The 39 Steps</strong> because it makes me want to watch it again. I haven't seen it in 15 or 20 years myself. AR - Since you seem to enjoy noir a lot, I think you might enjoy Hithcock’s earlier films like Foreign Correspondent and the original Man Who Knew Too Much (1934), but I also know you don’t really go in for spy/espionage films so they might turn you off as well. A lot of Hitchcock’s films involve spies and espionage.

Adam - Thanks for sharing your Top 5! I really like The 39 Steps as well.

Jonathan - Thanks for sharing your thoughts. For some reason the chemistry between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman has never really worked for me in any of the films they made together. I really like them both a lot, but together not so much. I’m not sure why? The 39 Steps is really good too, but I haven’t seen it in many years. Hopefully I’ll catch it during AMC’s 7 Nights of Hitchcock, if it’s playing. It’s nice to know others enjoy Foreign Correspondent! It’s really a great underrated Hitchcock film in my opinion.

I wish you got TCM.

You and me both! I’ve been thinking of upgrading my Cable TV package, but I’m only paying $19 a month now and I’d have to start paying $50+ but I’d really like to have access to TCM. I wish I wasn’t on such a tight budget at the moment.

Anna - Thanks for chiming in! It’s nice to see all these votes for The 39 Steps because it makes me want to watch it again. I haven’t seen it in 15 or 20 years myself.

]]> by: Anna http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-702 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:30:50 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-702 I vote for 39 steps &amp; then Strangers on a Train. Haven't seen them in years - love Hitchcock. I really do. I vote for 39 steps & then Strangers on a Train. Haven’t seen them in years - love Hitchcock. I really do.

]]> by: Jonathan Lapper http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-701 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:37:06 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-701 Oh and I just wanted to say I'm so glad to see you included <strong>Foreign Correspondent</strong>! That's a great Hitch that's too often overlooked. Oh and I just wanted to say I’m so glad to see you included Foreign Correspondent! That’s a great Hitch that’s too often overlooked.

]]> by: Jonathan Lapper http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-700 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:35:50 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-700 The only one you left off that I would have put high (maybe number one) is <strong>Notorious</strong>. I simply love Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains and think they all do a marvelous job in a beautifully shot film. I also love <strong>The 39 Steps</strong>. I could go on and I'm sure you could too beyond your fifteen. In fact, when it comes to Hitch I find it easier to list films of his I don't like because there are so few. <strong>Topaz</strong> and <strong>Torn Curtain</strong> I'm not wild about but even lesser Hitch's like the remake of <strong>The Man Who Knew Too Much</strong> have lots of wonderful things in them to see. I wish you got TCM. They show plenty of Hitch commercial free and always with terrific commentary by Robert Osborne. And I love the pic of Tippi for <strong>The Birds</strong>. I hope you update your flickr account with it soon. (and the Vincent Price afro pic) The only one you left off that I would have put high (maybe number one) is Notorious. I simply love Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains and think they all do a marvelous job in a beautifully shot film. I also love The 39 Steps. I could go on and I’m sure you could too beyond your fifteen. In fact, when it comes to Hitch I find it easier to list films of his I don’t like because there are so few.

Topaz and Torn Curtain I’m not wild about but even lesser Hitch’s like the remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much have lots of wonderful things in them to see.

I wish you got TCM. They show plenty of Hitch commercial free and always with terrific commentary by Robert Osborne.

And I love the pic of Tippi for The Birds. I hope you update your flickr account with it soon. (and the Vincent Price afro pic)

]]> by: Adam Ross http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-699 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:07:27 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-699 No one does "uneasy eroticism" like Tippi. 1. Vertigo 2. Notorious 3. The Birds 4. The 39 Steps 5. Strangers On a Train No one does “uneasy eroticism” like Tippi.

1. Vertigo
2. Notorious
3. The Birds
4. The 39 Steps
5. Strangers On a Train

]]> by: AR http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-698 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:57:57 +0100 http://cinebeats.blogsome.com/2007/09/18/seven-nights-of-hitchcock/#comment-698 I haven't seen <i>The Birds</i> in years, <i>Rope</i> either, but I do recall liking both films (the former is admittedly on the campier end). <i>Vertigo</i>, <i>Rear Window</i>, and <i>Psycho</i> would be in my top 3. As I've said in the past, Hitchcock has just never been a favorite of mine, and so there are a number of his films I still need to see. I haven’t seen The Birds in years, Rope either, but I do recall liking both films (the former is admittedly on the campier end). Vertigo, Rear Window, and Psycho would be in my top 3. As I’ve said in the past, Hitchcock has just never been a favorite of mine, and so there are a number of his films I still need to see.

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