Alfred Hitchcock is one of the biggest name directors there is, but it seems people associate him more with his horrors works in the 60's than they do with his work prior to then which was more up the thriller and suspense ally. Spellbound has a lot of great Hitchcock techniques though, which include lots of sharp shadows cast on people, the use of blades to build the suspense of danger, and innovative techniques to keep the film looking a bit beyond the times. The acting is also quite strong with leads Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck. The only thing is when the story feels over it goes on for way over.
Summary: Dr. Constance Peterson is about to get her strangest patient yet. She works at a psychiatric hospital, so she sees lots of strange things. Including a man who is weaving through the guilt of a father he can't remember killing and a woman who has a deadly seductive nature. A man shows up as the famous Anthony Edwards though to take over a position there, but when it's revealed he isn't really Dr. Edwards he goes on the run. Constance follows him not only because she wants to help him solve why he can't remember murdering Dr. Edwards, but also because she has fallen in love with him.
Alfred Hitchock's Blackmail is innovative in a lot of ways in the film industry. It's one of the better done early talkies, and is considered the first British talkie film. Also when I got to reading about the complications and progressive ways Hitchock overcame hurtles it made the movie that much more interesting. While the story line doesn't appear to be much on the outside there is the depth to the story that is there that just doesn't translate as well on screen.
Alice's boyfriend Frank is really busy with the police force, so much so she almost feels forgotten, so one night she slips away with an artist and back to his apartment, but once she arrives she finds herself defending herself against sexual assualt, and ends up killing the guy to get away, but someone who knows her saw her there and retrieves one of the gloves she left behind, and when Frank arrives on the scene to investigate he finds Alice other glove there. The man who found the other though is wanting to blackmail Alice and Frank unless they can stop him.
I'll admit that The 39 Steps didn't have me too sold on Alfred Hitchcock, but The Birds really showcases a more mature, and definitely terrifying Hitchcock. Who would have ever thought that birds could be so terrifying. The Birds weaves in suspense well by giving more time to the characters than the birds we just get sneaks of during The Birds until the last hour or so when things finally look like they are finally coming apart, and from there the suspense has been build so well it is terrifying.
Melanie sneaks over to Bodega Bay to leave a surprise for Mitch, or that is his daughter, after bumping into him at a bird shop and finding that he was on the hunt for a pair of Lovebirds for his daughter Melanie. After arriving in Bodega Bay though she begins noticing some odd happenings with the birds including how they gather, and the random dives they make toward her. The swarm of birds are growing though, and now a body count is piling, and Melanie finds herself preparing with Mitch for the greatest attack of all.
Summary
Broadway producers decide to put on a play, Pretty Lady, during the Great Depression in 1932. Dorothy Brock is set to star until an injury leaves her sidelined, and in need of a replacement. The director, Julian Marsh, needs to insure this play is a success or his own reputation, and finances, so he takes a gamble on Peggy Sawyer who is new to the Broadway scene.
My Thoughts
I didn't think this movie would be so adorable, but it is! The acting is very dramatic, and I think it provides a very historical, insightful look at the early days of Broadway. At the beginning of the movie we are already thrown into the middle of casting where women are auditioning for the dancing routines. Peggy Sawyer makes a memorable entrance from almost walking into the mens' room, to falling asleep when call backs are being given, you can tell this isn't the scene she is used to.
The costumes, and stage are very elaborate, and glitzy. The acting is just as dramatic, and probably at times even over done. All the characters were so intriguing though including Dorothy Brock, and a few of the dancers hired for Pretty Lady. Above all though, Peggy Sawyer has some of the most memorable outfits of the 30s throughout the movie. If nothing else you should watch this for the incredible vintage attire.
When you get to the last twenty minutes you finally see the play, and what all this hard work has been about. It's very difficult to even turn away for those last minutes, because the music, and dancing is so entrancing. The memorable routines to songs like "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" will have you thinking about the movie long after. There were a number of scenes being tried for the first time, such as the camera zooming in between the dancer's legs, and few other scenes that will be obvious if you watch. You will see why this movie was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards when you watch.
Besides few moments that lull the movie will keep you wanting to watch. If nothing else because the music will keep you there, and the way the actors handle things so dramatically. The actors on Broadway are also perceived as some wild party people in their off hours with the suggestion of sex taking place, and the drinking. Nothing is very strongly alluded to though, but if you are the modern day viewer you might get a laugh out of how certain things are snuck in.
Summary
Richard Hanney is enjoying London during his vacation until a woman runs into him after a brawl breakout asking him for help. He allows her to follow him back to his place where she then begins telling him about The 39 Steps. When the woman turns up in the middle of the night with a knife in her back Richard is sent in into a spiraling mystery that sends him from England to Scotland.
My Thoughts
I was really wanting to enjoy my first Alfred Hitchcock film, but this one I struggled to get into. It was short at 86 minutes, so you didn't have to keep your attention long, but I still found myself zoning away from it. I am wondering also if another Hitchcock film would have been better to begin with. As far as I know the most critical claim this one has garnered is in British films.
I was curious to find out what was the huge mystery about The 39 Steps, but it's so silently slipped in at the end that if you were like me, and struggling to stay focused you probably had to go back again to make sure you got it. I felt that Madeleine Carroll made the movie a lot better though. She was very entertaining, and I thought she added some comical relief. Robert Donat did a good job acting, but I found the makeup on him very distracting. That probably sounds odd, but he seemed way too primped.
There are some interesting shots in the film, and since this movie was made in 1935 you can't help but think about all the events happening around the time of this movie. I got to thinking about how World War 2 had not even happened yet for some reason. Also, for a time where special effects didn't quite exist yet they did a really good job at making certain scenes seem sort of real. The black and white film probably helped that out a little.
Despite the fact it was legendary director, Hitchcock, who directed, I was disappointed I didn't get into the movie more. I thought his directing style was good, and the plot had potential, but for some reason it didn't fully reach me. Even the actors were good, and had chemistry with each other. Perhaps, one of his films will click with me in the future.
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