Film | Hitch Triple-Feature (For The Boys)

I had a different idea in mind when I decided to put into The Scarlett Olive's For The Boys Blogathon, but with recent events that happened in my life, I was unable to do what I wanted. This was a post I had already written, but I think it fits well with the theme. These masterpiece films by Hitchcock are full of suspense and beautiful women... sounds like these films are 'for the boys.' So here it goes...

I've recently learned how much I adore Alfred Hitchcock. After seeing my first Hitchcock film, Vertigo, a month or so ago, I have been hooked. Every one of the films I have seen so far have become instant favorites of mine. I find myself thinking about how clever these films are and how beautiful they are to watch. Below you will find reviews of three of his films... we'll go ahead and call it a Hitch Triple-Feature!

DIAL "M" FOR MURDER (1954)

"Is this the man she was waiting for...
or the man who was waiting for her?"

THE PLAYERS:
Ray Milland as Tony Wendice
Grace Kelly as Margot Mary Wendice
Robert Cummings as Mark Halliday
John Williams as Chief Inspector Hubbard

THE STORY:
Director Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece of double-cross and intrigue stars Ray Milland as former tennis champ Tony Wendice, who concocts a plan to kill his rich but unfaithful wife (Grace Kelly), who's embroiled in a liaison with a writer (Robert Cummings). When Tony's plans go awry, he improvises a second act of deceit, but the entire bloody affair turns out to be far messier than he expected. John Williams plays a sly Scotland Yard inspector. [Netflix]

MY THOUGHTS:
I went into this film not knowing what to expect. It isn't often referred to as one of Hitchcock's masterpieces, so I didn't expect anything on par with Rear Window or Vertigo. I am always glad to be proven incorrect, and I definitely was with this film. While it wasn't an in your face thriller, you knew what's going on through the whole picture, but you are still on edge because all you want is for Tony to be figured out. I wasn't sure how it was it would happen, and then came the Hitchcock genius. He always surprises me with how he brings story full circle.

I learned while reading about this film that Hitchcock came up with the idea to have Grace Kelly's wardrobe go from bright colored to dark to mimic her characters downfall. He does a great job doing so. In the beginning when she is happy and in love she is seen in a bright red gown, and at the end when she learns of her husband's betrayl, she is seen in a dark brown outfit. 

OVERALL RATING:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)

 
"It's love and murder at first sight!"

THE PLAYERS:
Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill
Eva Marie Saint as Eve Kendall
James Mason as Phillip Vandamm
Leo G. Carroll as The Professor

THE STORY:
What if everyone around you was suddenly convinced that you were a spy? This classic from master director Alfred Hitchcock stars Cary Grant as an advertising executive who looks a little too much like someone else and is forced to go on the lam (helped along by Eva Marie Saint). Hitchcock's sure-handed comic drama pits Grant against a crop duster and lands him in a fight for his life on Mount Rushmore -- a true cliffhanger if ever there was one. [Netflix]

MY THOUGHTS:
I knew starting out I was going to love this film. I mean it stars Cary Grant, is directed by my good friend Hitch, and promises to take you on a thrilling ride... how could you not get excited? Honestly, I knew nothing of this film when I sat down to watch it. All I knew was that it is on many must see list and the DVD cover art was pretty amazing. After seeing the picture, it is hard to put into words how much I loved this film.

One thing I found interesting is in this film and in The Birds is that the leading ladies seem to be made to look like Grace Kelly.  The style of clothing, the short blonde hair, even their acting all reminded me of Kelly. This doesn't mean I didn't enjoy Eve Marie Saints performance, because she was great, I just found it hard to not draw comparisons. Eve was great an acting with her eyes when her character needed to convey her feelings but couldn't blow her cover.

I loved the scene in the auction house where Cary Grant makes a spectacle in order to avoid being killed by the hit man. The reactions the auctioneer had to the outrageous behavior of Grant's character  were priceless. It was a clever way to deal with a sticky situation like that.

The end sequence was one of the most suspenseful scenes I've ever seen. It was the first time I got a modern feel from a classic film. The grandeur of the shots in that scene as well as the earlier scenes reminded me of today's big blockbuster films. Had me on edge to the last cliff-hanging second.

OVERALL RATING:

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

THE BIRDS (1963)

"Nothing You Have Ever Witnessed 
 Before Has Prepared You for 
SuchSheer Stabbing Shock!"

THE PLAYERS:
Tippi Hedren - Melanie Daniels
Rod Taylor - Mitch Brenner
Jessica Tandy - Lydia Brenner
Veronica Cartwright - Cathy Brenner

THE STORY:
Chic socialite Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) enjoys a passing flirtation with an eligible attorney (Rod Taylor) in a San Francisco pet shop and, on an impulse, follows him to his hometown bearing a gift of lovebirds. But upon her arrival, the bird population runs amok. Suddenly, the townsfolk face a massive avian onslaught, with the feathered fiends inexplicably attacking people all over Bodega Bay. [Netflix]

MY THOUGHTS:
Usually when I decide to see a film it's because I was drawn to it by a certain actor, but with this film that wasn't the case. I wasn't familiar with any of the cast (at first), and I  wasn't sure of how the story would play out, but all I needed was to know that Hitchcock was the director.

I was glad to see that Edith Head was apart of this films crew, so I was expecting some beautiful costume design. I was a little let down that Tippi's character only had two different outfits, but I was amazed at how perfect each of them was. Even though Edith only had two outfits starring in the film, she made those two count. The seemed to be ripped from the perfect wardrobes of Grace Kelly in Rear Window.

Watching the film I was in awe of the gorgeous scenery, only to find out in the special features, most of it was painted matte boards. The way Hitch was able to seamlessly combine live action with the gorgeous Painting was amazing.

The film had none stop action. You never knew when the next attack would take place and to what lengths the birds would go to get their prey. The most exciting scene was outside the school house. The character of Melanie is sitting in front of a jungle Jim and as the camera goes back and forth between her face and the jungle gym more and more birds gather. Than they get a tight close up of Tippi and hold it there until you can't stand it anymore. All you want to do is yell for her to turn around and then the camera pans back to a wide shot! The entire play area is covered in birds! All I could do was gasp! One of the best shot scenes ever!

This is the first classic era film I've seen that actually had a degree of gore. When they showed the farmers body mutilated by the birds, it was a horrific sight. The blacken eyes and bloody mess makes your skin crawl. It was at that point I became worried about the characters.

This was a great film and the ending leaves you wanting more. I heard that Hitchcock had an alternate final shot planned. He was going to have the car arrive in San Francisco only to find the Golden Gate Bridge covered in birds! That would have been awesome to see.

OVERALL RATING:

Film | Mr and Mrs Smith (1941)

It has been a few months since I made my post about 'Stars To Watch', but I finally got around to seeing one of the films I talked about on that list. Carole Lombard was one of the stars I talked about and after the Carole-tennial(+3) Blogathon, I figured why not start with one of her films. When I found out this was directed by Hitchcock, it was put at the top of my Netflix Queue.

MR AND MRS SMITH (1941)
 

"Lombard and Montgomery Get Hitched
As They're Getting Unhitched !"

THE PLAYERS:
Carole Lombard as Ann Krausheimer Smith
Robert Montgomery as David Smith
Gene Raymond as Jefferson Custer
Jack Carson as Chuck Benson

THE STORY:
No less than Alfred Hitchcock takes a turn at the helm of this decidedly romantic comedy starring Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard as the titular couple, David and Ann Smith. After three years of highs and lows in a mercurial nuptial, the two discover they aren't truly married after all. David hesitates sealing the deal for real, which drives Ann to the arms of the straight-laced Jeff (Gene Raymond). Is a happily-ever-after not meant to be? [Netflix]

MY FAVORITE SCENE:
The dinner scene when David goes out with his male friend and the two 'beautiful' ladies made me laugh out loud. David was already a little uncomfortable sitting with these two ladies that weren't up to his standards, and then in walks Ann. When he sees that Ann is there with his long-time friend Jefferson, he feels the need to make her jealous rather than have her laugh with the company he is keeping. So he cleverly uses the more attractive lady to his other side to make Ann believe he is with her. He mimes words into her ear and it works until the lady's gentlemen friend sees what is going on. Poor David never had a chance.

TIDBITS & TRIVIA:
This was Alfred Hitchcock's first and only screwball comedy. It has been said he only did it as a favor to friend Carole Lombard, but papers from RKO show that is was actually Hitchcock that pursued the project. Lombard took over directing for part of the film. When it was time for Hitch to make his cameo appearance, Carole made him do the act numerous times until she thought it was perfect.

It turns out Carole was quite the jokester. Playing on the quote Hitchcock made about "all actors being cattle", he walked on set one day to find a corral with livestock inside. There were three heifers with nameplates that read Lombard, Montgomery and Raymond.

OTHER THOUGHTS:
This was my first time seeing one of Carole Lombard's films, and I must say, it makes me anxious to see more. She was very likeable and seemed very real. She was funny without trying and demanded your attention in all of her scenes. I had read prior that this was the second to last film she made before her death, so watching the film had a bitter-sweet feeling to it.

OVERALL RATING:

Film | To Catch A Thief

A few weeks ago, I was able to check out another film in the local theater's Classic Series and this one was probably my favorite. It was 1955's Hitchcock thriller To Catch A Thief. It is so amazing to see a movie like this for the first time on the big screen. There is nothing like sitting in a darkened theater watching wonderful actors, with gorgeous gowns, visiting breathtaking locations in an amazing film.

As you read this post, you will notice the new layout of my film review posts. Sometimes I keep writing and the thoughts do not align correctly, so this way I can keep on track. There is also a new rating system at the bottom... each film will earn one to give film cans. Five being the best of course.

TO CATCH A THIEF (1955)

"For a moment he forgets he's a thief
--and she forgets she's a lady!"

THE PLAYERS:
Cary Grant as John Robie
Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens
Jessie Royce Landis as Jessie Stevens
John Williams as H. H. Hughson
Charles Vanel as Bertani
Brigitte Auber as Danielle Foussard

THE STORY:
Suspected in a new series of gem heists in the luxury hotels of the French Riviera, reformed jewel thief John Robie (Cary Grant) sets out to clear himself -- and catch the real thief -- with the help of pampered heiress Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly). Robie's plan backfires, but Frances, who believes him guilty, proves her love by helping him escape, and the real criminal is exposed in a spine-tingling climax. [Netflix]

MY FAVORITE SCENE:
In the film, there is a car chase scene where Grace Kelly takes Cary Grant on a ride through the mountains that gets your heart racing. Watching the chase pursue, you get the idea that Kelly knows exactly why they are fleeing from the police and that hunch is confirmed once they reach their picnic destination. When they reach their picnic area, Kelly reveals she knows who Grant really is... and proceeds to tell him how she put it all together. I found Grace Kelly quite charismatic in this scene. Her performance really shows how clever her character thinks she is for figuring it out.

A piece of my favorite dialogue from this scene was the improvised chit-chat where Kelly asks "Do you want a leg or a breast?" and Grant responds "You make the choice."

Now there were plenty of funny coincidences that keep the police from catching them... one of which is a chicken crossing the road. The car driven by Grant and Kelly misses the chicken, but the police crash and start yelling at the chicken as the chicken just stands there not knowing the mess it caused. I found this quite amusing because that is exactly how my chickens act... completely unaware of everything.

TIDBITS & TRIVIA:
Prior to see the film, I learned that the same road the car chase happens is the same stretch of road that Grace Kelly would meet her demise many years later. It is believed she had a stroke while driving, which cause the crash that would take her life. While that scene was my favorite in the film, knowing this gives it a bitter feeling as well.

To Catch a Thief would be Grace Kelly's final film for Hitchcock. Her career in Hollywood would end a few years later when she became Princess Grace of Monaco. At the same time, this would be Cary Grant's first film after announcing his retirement. He believed his style of acting was becoming unfavorable with method actors like Marlon Brando coming into fashion. Luckily Hitchcock was able to lure him out of his decision and he would continue acting for eleven more years.

While it was filmed in the summer of 1954, its release was delayed until 1955 because the studio thought the age difference between the lead characters didn't make for a believable romance. I think that is just silly, Grant was just as charming here as he had been 10 years earlier. It's obvious the public shared my same sentiments because the film went on to become one of the biggest hits of the decade.

Hitchcock made a cameo in most of his films, but this one was very obvious. When Grant's character boards the bus to avoid being arrested, he sits next to the director. From the films I have seen of Hitchcock's, this was his most obvious appearance.

OTHER THOUGHTS:
Shot in the widescreen process Vistavision and beautiful Technicolor, To Catch A Thief was a gorgeous piece of cinema. With it's gorgeous scenic shots and Hitchcock direction, it was a lot to take in... in a good way.

Edith Head showcases why she deserved an Academy Award nomination for her designs. I didn't think it could get any better than Grace Kelly's wardrobe in Rear Window, but then came To Catch A Thief. The gorgeous designs were just as much a character as Kelly and Grant were. The scene where Kelly and Grant were going to the beach is a prime example of how beautiful her designs were... everyone in the hotel turned and couldn't keep their eyes off Grace. My favorite gown was the powder blue gown Kelly wears in her first meeting with Grant.

Ever since I became interested in Classic Hollywood, Grace Kelly had never struck me as someone I wanted to watch in a film. I had only seen her in pictures, and she just seemed stiff and boring to me. After seeing her in Rear Window awhile back and now in To Catch A Thief, I am honored to admit I was wrong. She demands your attention in every one of her scenes, even taking my attention from two of my favorite actors... James Stewart and Cary Grant. Her style of acting is witty, personable, and just plain fun to watch. I look forward to exploring more of her, in my opinion very short, filmography. I also hope that my first impressions of other stars turn out to be wrong. [ie. Ingrid Bergman]

OVERALL RATING:

Film | Hitchcock Double-Feature

This blog entry is going to be the 50th post here on Blame Mame! I can't believe the blog is almost 4 months old with 50 posts and almost 30 followers! In honor of the 50th post, I asked my wife what I should write about and without hesitation, she said "Hitchcock." Now up until that point we both had only seen Vertigo last week, so she really must have enjoyed it. I thought that was a great idea, since we had plans to watch Rear Window right after that conversation. So here it is... The Alfred Hitchcock Double-Feature!

After seeing Vertigo and Rear Window, I am definitely a fan of Alfred Hitchcock. Both films were some of the best I have ever seen. I later learned that they were unavailable to the public for over 30 years because Hitchcock left them to his daughter as a part of his legacy. I can't even imagine if I hadn't been able to see these now! I am really looking forward to my next ventures into Hitchcock's films... North By Northwest, To Catch A Thief, and Dial 'M' For Murder.

Birthdays | August

Well it's that time! Time for the Blame Mame to wish Happy Birthday to some of my favorite Classic Hollywood stars! So here we go!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Gene, Maureen, Norma, Lucille, 

Robert, Myrna, Mae, Esther, Ann & Alfred!
Happy Birthday to you!

I know this is a little silly, but it made me smile. And while I am at it... Happy Birthday to any of the followers who may have a birthday this month!