Thursday, October 10, 2013

Here Lie The Broken Bones Of L.B. Jefferies

I wrote about Rear Window for my dissertation in college. I chose the topic of Style versus Substance in Hitchcock's films and I discussed Rear Window in one of my chapters. I already loved the film, it's definitely one of my all time favourites, I've seen it so many times and studied it in great detail and I still love it. 


image001 image002 image004 image005 image006 image007 image009 image010 image012 image013 image014 image015 image016 image017 image018 image019 image021 image023 image024 image026 image027 image028 image029 image030 image031 image034 image037 image038 image039 image040 image042 image045 image046 image047 image051 image053 image054 image055 image056 image057 image059 image061 image064 image065 image066 image067 image069 image070 image071 image072 image073 image074 image075 image076 image078 image080 image081


If you haven't seen Rear Window, you probably know the storyline from the various pop culture references like The Simpsons Bart of Darkness episode as well as it's various remakes and "homages" like Brian de Palma's Body Double and more recently Disturbia. I can't remember exactly when I first saw it, but I'm pretty sure it was the second Hitchcock film I had seen, after Psycho. It must have also been the first film I saw with both Grace Kelly and James Stewart (swoon!). Re-watching the film recently I was reminded of my love for Grace Kelly.

When I was a kid my mam had books and magazines about her and I was always so intrigued by her as both an actress and a woman. I'm sure my interest as a young girl was due to the fact that she was a real life Princess and wore the most stunning clothes. Her wardrobe in Rear Window was designed by Edith Head and in the film she wears one of my all time favourite dresses in cinema, the black and white one from her introductory scene. What I wouldn't give to have my own version! Rear Window is worth watching for her costumes alone.

When I was researching for my dissertation I read all about the making of the film and the amount of detail that went into the production. The set was the largest to date and they even excavated the floor to accommodate all of the apartments featured in the set. No matter how many times I watch it I'm always impressed by the scale of the set. I love how we see little glimpses into Jeff's neighbours lives and how each of his neighbours represents the different feelings he has about his relationship with Lisa.

In conclusion I will say if you haven't seen Rear Window, get on that. I don't think anyone could not like it.

What's your favourite Hitchcock film?

Emma x


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...