REAR WINDOW (1954) | FIRST TIME WATCHING | MOVIE REACTION

[@Mpshfromlowell64]

Trivia: The guy playing the piano was Ross Bagdasarian, AKA Dave Seville, who in a few years would go on to create Alvin and the Chipmunks…..

[@jovetj]

Yikes! It's a shame the salesman couldn't take _him_ out...

[@lilmissrockchick4962]

Apparently the lady on the fire exit balcony did the voice of Red Riding Hood in the cartoon 'Red Hot Riding Hood', which Jim Carrey watches in The Mask

[@jsun322]

I saw this movie for the first time during a film class at Michigan State University in 1992. The moment Thorwald sees Lisa making a hand signal to Jeff, and then looks directly at him (us), the entire room of more than 100 students collectively inhaled an audibly huge breath... I'll never forget it. At that moment, I remember thinking Hitchcock had the creative power to craft a scene so suspenseful that it floored an audience of 20-year-olds nearly 40 years after the film's release... And we all fell in love with Grace Kelly that night, too... Rear Window is a masterpiece.

[@GKViddingHD]

Same here, film class, only roughly 15 years later. Sadly, nobody gave such a satisfying reaction. But since then it has been my secon fav Hitchcock movie setting - right after the corn field in North by Northwest.

[@trulybtd5396]

1100$ in 1954 is 11,365.90$ today

[@sab6261]

Same here. Except it was about 300 people at UC Santa Barbara. I also remember the reactions when she started climbing the fire escape.

[@BenjWarrant]

"fell in love" Uh-huh.

[@nikolatesla5553]

Grace Kelly was easily one of the prettiest women ever.

[@falcychead8198]

To answer some of your questions, if nobody's answered them already: The woman in the hat was Thorwald's mistress. Likely she wrote the postcard, and also was there to pick up the trunk pretending to be Mrs. Thorwald. It was in another town, probably nobody there knew her or the Thorwalds. Thorwald was taking his wife's remains down to the East River that night. They don't say what was in the flower bed, but the fact that he ended up putting it in a hat box implies that it was her head. Apparently there was some reason he didn't dump that as well; perhaps he thought that if the rest of his wife's remains were found, they wouldn't be able to identify it without the head. Still, a hell of a risk to be burying a head in the middle of the courtyard like that. Thorwald was obviously desperate, and not particularly smart either, trying to kill a witness in front of a dozen other witnesses. He caved in to the police and told all probably hoping that confessing would get him a lighter sentence. Also, the movie was about to end in 5 minutes. :o> Yes, in those days many landlords had strict policies about having overnight guests, and would require proof of marriage before renting to couples. "Cohabitation" was illegal in many parts of the country, and the main job of hotel detectives in those days was to catch hotel guests involved in any hanky-panky. It was a common practice in New York (and may still be) to sleep out on the fire escape during the hot summers. There even used to be cages in which you could hang a baby out the window (hopefully not still a practice). This role was a bit of a departure for James Stewart; he usually was cast in "aw gosh" sorts of roles (It's a Wonderful Life, Philadelphia Story, Harvey). Jeffries was just a little bit of a shitheel, in my opinion. We might forgive his peeping-tom tendencies, being a photojournalist and all. But I always thought his attitude about the dinner being "perfect, as always" was really uncalled for, then him wanting to have his cake and eat it too after telling Lisa it would never work out between them. This role was a watershed for Stewart, who then got to take on "grittier" roles in such films as The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Anatomy of a Murder, and Flight of the Phoenix. He was such a natural-born actor, and one of my all-time favorites. Who _wouldn't_ love Grace Kelly? If I were Jeffries, I would've caved and become a fashion photographer. And yes, you should watch North by Northwest very soon.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

Stewart's role in Rope was an ever greater example of casting against type...you really don't know if you should like him at all for much of that film.

[@danaparker3491]

Perhaps Thorwald buried his wfie head in the flower bed because they were actually his wife' flowers. He had to tend to them because his wife was now sick and bed-ridden. After murdering her, Thorwald buried her head under those damn flowers that she cared about so much! In other words, Thorwald put her head there out of spite.

[@RoryCloud]

I "wouldn't love Grace Kelly." Always thought she was plastic and insufferable. I rooted for Ray Milland in Dial M for Murder. 😁

[@andychow5509]

"It was a common practice in New York (and may still be) to sleep out on the fire escape during the hot summers." Sadly this is no longer the case. Crime is too high. But yes it used to be very common.

[@williambrownlee9978]

As others have said, it was most likely the wife's head buried in the courtyard and later in the hat box. I like that Hitchcock would hint at horrible things, but didn't have to show them in graphic detail. Classics forever.

[@frugalfilmmaker]

A fantastic film, and one of my favorites. Always kills me to watch Stewart reject "perfect" Grace Kelly. I always yell at the screen, "It's Grace Kelly, you moron!"

[@tafnac75]

Yeap only Jimmy Stewart could get away with rejecting Princess Grace of Monaco as she would later become. I know i couldn't do it.

[@Myndir]

True, but on the other hand, he's Jimmy Stewart.

[@Crystalgrace144]

I know shes my wife lol

[@gabrielplattes6253]

Ditto. It regularly throws me, watching this movie... How cool must Stewart be!, I reason back. But still, it's tricksy to suspend disbelief... 😄 Those sets, all in studio, I read somewhere. Total master crafts folk! A whole world created, naught out of place, all-authentic, no cgi...

[@cjpreach]

Life of Adventure vs Grace Kelly. Duh. Grace Kelly is the greatest adventure Jefferies will ever experience. Hehehe

[@klutfy]

My mom looked so much like Grace Kelly that soon after Grace had died, the contractor who had built the extension on our house, stopped by to say hello to my parents. He said he was thinking of us because mom reminded him so much of Grace Kelly. Princess Grace was an unforgettable beauty.

[@davedalton1273]

I really liked hearing Cassie say she was mad at herself for not being aware of these "old" movies. I wish more young people felt the same way. Films like this one are a national treasure. And I echo Greg Clark who urged people to see "Rear Window" in a theater, if possible. It's an entirely different experience. It would also help movie houses that show older films to stay open.

[@Psilocybin77]

Thankfully there are two historic art house theaters in the city I live. One is absolutely beautiful with a balcony, murals and heavy plush decor. The other is not as majestic, but has the feel of an older, clean theater, also with a balcony. Both theaters show lesser known new films and along with older classic films.

[@striderhiryu2]

TCM and TNT are gold.

[@nikolatesla5553]

If you want to see an old classic in the most modern way, see Hithcock's Dial M for Murder in 3D. Grreat movie in 2D. An absolute masterpiece in 3D.

[@anneb889]

@@nikolatesla5553 I love Dial M for Murder…but never knew it was in 3D. I can’t even think what scenes would “jump out” at the audience? It’s on Tubi.

[@hansmahr8627]

I think Hitchcock movies are perfect for introducing people to old movies. They have a certain timeless quality that some older movies lack. There are very few directors who knew as much about suspense and effective visual storytelling as Alfred Hitchcock. I've seen most of his best movies countless times but they still keep me on the edge of my seat. I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy Hitchcock movies, doesn't matter if they're arthouse film snobs or people who are more into mainstream stuff, he appeals to everyone because his movies work on so many different levels.

[@acoupleofwavylines]

So if anywhere near you ever plays this in a theatre, go see it with a crowd. That moment where Thorwald sees Grace's hand signals and looks DIRECTLY into the camera gets such a great response, even sixty years later. Hitchcock can play the audience like a fiddle.

[@tonycardone990]

Absolutely. It's one of those unforgettable but still effective classic cinema scenes.

[@Pixelologist]

I'll second that enthusiastically. I saw Rear Window for the very first time in about 1985 or so on the big screen at a revival movie house in Providence, RI and it...was...epic. I'll never forget it. Went with my brother and a group of his college friends and was thoroughly blown away.

[@amateurastronomer9463]

Why Hitchcock never won an oscar for best director, is beyond me?

[@Pixelologist]

@@amateurastronomer9463 Even the fact that he was only NOMINATED five times...? It's a travesty.

[@taylorv9661]

I think there’s a lot to be said for Raymond Burr’s eyes. They’re like lights in a cave or something. His eyebrows are doing some heavy lifting, lol.

[@k1hasard]

I shook hands with Jimmy Stewart when he was in a Broadway production of "Harvey". I met Helen Hayes, and Jessy White (the original Maytag repairman) at the same time. Back then you could wait by the stage door for the actors to leave the theater and they would sign autographs and greet the fans. My mom was a huge Jimmy Stewart fan. I used to hang out on a fire escape overlooking NY harbor when I worked in a factory years back. I ate my lunch out there every day the weather was good. It was 6 floor up and an excellent place to see the harbor.

[@TTM9691]

That's great, Ken!

[@acdragonrider]

That’s amazing! I love Jimmy Stewart too!

[@zimjun7]

I was IN "Harvey.' High School play-1969 I played Myrtle Mae Simmons. the spinster. Fiction imitates life. I thought I had done a better job than Victoria Horne in the movie. But that was just me. It was much fun, especially for a shy girl.

[@zimjun7]

Did you meet Jimmy before or after 1950?

[@k1hasard]

@@zimjun7 After, most likely in the '60's but I don't really remember when.

[@fedr39]

The dancer (Ms Torso) asked to live on the set throughout the filming of the movie. They agreed and let her. The pianist, was actually a famous song writer at the time. The location was supposed to be New York but was a fully built movie set in LA. Quite some feat at the time and unmatched even today. You'll notice that each character has their own life background that just enhances everything so flawlessly. Hitchcock was a genius!

[@xbubblehead]

That was not all that generous of them considering that she was new to the business, had no agent, and wound up working for scale.

[@ellen6638]

The pianist was Ross Bagdasirian creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks.

[@billolsen4360]

@@ellen6638 Bet he raked in the money on Alvin, they were pretty popular along about the same time as Rocky & Bullwinkle

[@kell_checks_in]

Actually, M. Night Shyamalan built the entire apartment house from scratch for Lady in the Water.

[@leefriedman9882]

I know others have mentioned this, but if you love Grace Kelly and Hitchcock, check out To Catch a Thief. Cary Grant is the male lead. Hitchcock loved working with Grant and Stewart in his movies. If I recall correctly, I once read that he saw Stewart as the everyman that he was and Grant and the ideal man that he'd want to be.

[@shugaroony]

Archibald Leach also said that about Cary Grant, hence why he invented him. He and Grace Kelly were the most beautiful leads in any film.

[@tduffy5]

I agree with Hitchcock. I was watching IT TAKES A THIEF again a few nights ago and was stuck by how perfectly attired Grant was when he and Kelly were strolling about the grounds of the villa. Casual, for the day, but dripping with style. Notice his coordination of his socks; a trademark.

[@dorothywillis1]

I was just going to suggest To Catch a Thief!

[@EdithCardellini]

"Dial M for Murder" stars Grace Kelly as well.

[@HuntingViolets]

@@tduffy5 To Catch a Thief. It Takes a Thief is the Robert Wagner series.

[@tbmike23]

This is one of my favorite movies ever. One of Hitchcock's best, one of Stewart's best, and one of Kelly's best. Also, before AC everybody in NYC slept on the fire escapes, my grandparents in Michigan had a whole separate house set up in their basements for the family to sleep in the summer.

[@coast2coast00]

They used to sell a cage you could stick out your apartment window to put your baby in to sleep.

[@kenf3539]

You may like this composition view from the window. All of the window scenes in a single panorama. Hard to explain, but the three minute video fantastic! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqerg6pvjc55g6s

[@redcaddiedaddie]

Also... in the Midwest & elsewhere, they had 'sleeping porches'- roofed, floored, screened-in enclosures, attached on whatever side of the house the breezes usually came from...

[@ChrisRowe]

You absolutely should watch “it’s a wonderful life” - best Christmas movie ever and best use of Jimmy Stewart

[@mattp6089]

Hotdog!

[@thatperformer3879]

She said on Patreon she’s already watching it! 😌

[@elijones2041]

yes

[@gravitypronepart2201]

@@elijones2041 😄

[@primemover1416]

I'm a man in my mid-fifties and "To my big brother George: the richest man in town!" gets me blubbering like a damn fool every time.

[@stevenstritenberger1761]

Back in the day with no A/C people actually lived like this, sleeping out on their fire escapes etc. and they knew all about their neighbors, people were closer back then and maybe it was good, maybe not. Growing up as a kid we knew who every neighbor was in a three block radius it seemed and you helped each other, were friends with some. This will always be my favorite Hitchcock film, such a shame that she quit acting to marry a prince but she was the perfect princess!

[@TTM9691]

During the NYC blackout of 2003 (or whenever it was), I slept out on the fire escape exactly like that. The heat is oppressive in those apartments.

[@shredd5705]

In my country, lots of people still don't have A/C (most of the year the country is cold as heck), and do a similar thing during hot (but short) summers

[@alex0589]

I did that in the last decade aha

[@scipioafricanus5871]

@@alex0589 Probably expect more of this in a climate change future. I hear that the heat is breaking records over in the States right now.

[@lewstone5430]

Scipio Africanus Hannibal was better than you!

[@torikazuki8701]

My Mother was a classic film buff, so I grew up on films like this. As a young lad I had a *huge* crush on Princess Grace. She died in 1982 when I was 11. I was devastated. This film became a regular event for my Mom & Me. Many times we would watch it with all the lights off on a hot summer night with the windows open, made it almost feel like we were there. :-)

[@John-ru4iz]

Thanks!

[@crocoboxer]

They found her head in a hat box in Thorwald's apartment. He had buried it in the garden but dug it up after the dog incident. That's why he confessed so fast. The other detective tells Doyle about it right at the end. The woman people saw was Thorwald's mistress, presumably. Also, his wife was faking being an invalid. That's why she was laughing at Thorwald when she went out in the living room. This pushed Thorwald over the edge.

[@alex0589]

WHATS IINN THHEE BOOOXXXX

[@scipioafricanus5871]

@@alex0589 I get "Se7en" vibes.

[@crforfreedom7407]

@@alex0589 Her Head.

[@iReiGNxx]

Oh, it never occurred to me that the wife was faking. I just figured she was sick enough to need to remain in bed so she could stand but not go out.

[@Wannabe_Baby]

@@iReiGNxx I thought the same as you. I thought she was bedridden but well enough to move around her apartment for a short time. Just not go out.

[@TuanNguyen-wj2yz]

Another Grace Kelly movie that everybody should watch is "To Catch a Thief". Grace Kelly and Cary Grant, how can you go wrong with that?

[@BuffaloC305]

And with the absolutely terrific Jessie Royce Landis, who would appear in another supporting role in Cary-Hitch's NORTH BY NORTHWEST, although I favor her role and perfect performance in TO CATCH. I mean, who'd have thought to read the book upside down? Yeah yeah, it was scripted but - still - Jessie Royce and Grace play that scene perfectly.

[@BenjWarrant]

The flirting scenes between her and Cary Grant are the GOAT.

[@TuanNguyen-wj2yz]

@@BenjWarrant Yes. "Do you want a leg or a breast?" among many other great lines.

[@xedralya]

Seconding this, you would LOVE this flick.

[@woverby1963]

You cant, they are wonderful together.

[@victorsixtythree]

Haha - I've heard a story that when the movie premiered one woman in the audience was so stressed out when Thorwald was coming down the hall while Lisa was in his apartment that she grabbed her husband's arm and screamed "DO SOMETHING!!" And now, some 67 years later we get to see Cassie scream the exact same words (at 28:29)! (That's what the Master of Suspense can do to you. LOL.)

[@gravitypronepart2201]

Too funny!! Had me laughing so hard.

[@c-o-f-f-e-e1586]

Love everything about this movie. The mystery, the quick funny dialog, the environment and of course the adorable Grace Kelly.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Grumpy poor guy has a rich, happy, high-class girl who loves him. The perfect fantasy!

[@barryscott8041]

Grace Kelly, of all people, passed away in a car accident. I remember her husband, Prince Rainier of Monaco, openly weeping at her funeral.

[@Neil_BT]

You can really see Grace Kelly's star quality in this film - she just lights up the screen.

[@ariochiv]

She's just drop-dead gorgeous. And that really plays into this role... she's almost "too" perfect.

[@shredd5705]

She does, but word is, she was quite promiscuous, a sex addict who would hit on lots of different men. James Stewart's wife had really hard time accepting Stewart taking this role, because she knew that filming would involve Grace Kelly kissing him. Kelly had a reputation

[@deathtoraiden2080]

@@shredd5705 Sounds great. Edit: Oh wow, you were not kidding. Even the known affairs are a mile long. Daddy issues and cosplay to boot? Man i bet she was fun if you were lucky to be in the same circles.

[@letsrock1729]

@@shredd5705 If she had been a male actor you probably wouldn't have even mentioned this behaviour. I thought we were over the double standards thing in 2021.

[@shredd5705]

@@letsrock1729 I never had much respect for people who repeatedly show that they cannot commit. No matter the gender. But yes I probably wouldn't have mentioned it, it's only interesting because Kelly's real persona was in conflict with his public image and how people see her now

[@ejo24]

Grace Kelly's name couldn't have been more fitting, she is just so graceful

[@riagrix]

One of my all time favs. And you’re right, Grace Kelly… literally anyone with a heartbeat could not help falling for her.

[@thomasjacques5286]

These movies need to be shown in theaters again. They are timeless gems and show an earlier America. You need to watch every Hitchcock movie.

[@billolsen4360]

Only the big cities have that available in what's called "Revival Movie Houses" in older areas where a lot of people don't wish to go.

[@jackmessick2869]

Well, maybe not "Under Capricorn," unless you want to go to sleep.

[@SeriousPepe]

Saw the 70th anniversary edition in theaters tonight. Even tho I’ve seen it before… it astounded me like it was the first time I watched it. I’m so happy it and many other old films have continued to be shown in theatres again, so we can experience what a person saw back then: An unknowing masterpiece.

[@frankdopp6887]

I highly suggest Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder", which amazingly came out the same year as "Rear Window". While the latter is perhaps more famous I find "Dial M for Murder" more satisfying to watch as the plot wraps up a little more neatly I think. Anyway it is again more suspense than jump scare. There's a love story. And all-in-all I just think you'd dig it.

[@LA_HA]

Rope. Shadow of a Doubt

[@whiterabbit1824]

Dial M for murder is my favourite Hitchcock film.

[@letsrock1729]

@@whiterabbit1824 Mine too. It's the first Hitchcock I ever saw (on TV when I was a kid) and I was instantly drawn in/thrilled by the intricacies of the plot.

[@markr.devereux3385]

Doris day in that? I saw it as a kid.

[@dougbank107]

“Rebecca” is a good one too.

[@gerstelb]

3:50 And in comes Thelma Ritter, character actor extraordinaire. You’ll also notice her if you watch the original Miracle on 34th Street. 5:57 One of the greatest first shots of a character in any movie ever. In my book, Grace Kelly is probably tied with Ingrid Bergman as the most luminously beautiful movie actress ever.

[@terrelgeer7298]

I am a big fan of great character actors and Thelma Ritter is one of the all-time best. She is right up there with Peter Lorre ans Glenn Shadix!

[@lewstone5430]

@Terrel Geer coincidentally I watched clips of Thelma Ritter earlier today in “All About Eve”.

[@lewstone5430]

@Brian Gerstel I would go with Bergman or Gene Tierney but Kelly was certainly beautiful and Graceful (no pun intended).

[@dianedonnachie2794]

Ingrid Bergman in gaslight, so good.

[@idk6290]

Audrey Hepburn’s up there as well

[@robertjewell9727]

It was definitely the mistress leaving with him. She was in on it. Thorwald confesses quickly because even though he's a brutal murderer, he's also a miserable man who is tired and ready to give up. When he confronts Jeff you can tell he is so exhausted with life. Hitchcock never makes his villains 2-dimensional; sometimes he tries to make you feel kind of sorry for them even though they've done something diabolical. GREAT REACTION. SO MUCH FUN!!! 💕

[@johnbandhauer9224]

Well, he confesses quickly as a plot device to tie things up with a nice bow.

[@michaelt6218]

"Hitchcock never makes his villains 2-dimensional..." Yes, you're absolutely right. I'm thinking especially of Claude Rains in Notorious, Joseph Cotten in Shadow of a Doubt, Farley Granger in Strangers on a Train, and even poor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) in Psycho. Cassie has already watched that last one, now she needs to see the rest!

[@robertjewell9727]

@@johnbandhauer9224 , that often a plot device, but Hitchcock doesn't slap it on like a Perry Mason episode; he has been giving us subtle information throughout so that his confession has character logic.

[@rpg7287]

@@robertjewell9727 funny you should use Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) as your example.

[@Tyrconnell]

@@robertjewell9727 Nice mention of Perry Mason when discussing Raymond Burr's character in this!

[@75janc]

Grace Kelly rose to fame as a actress, following her role in High Noon. Along with a Academy Award-winning performance in The Country Girl, she starred in the Alfred Hitchcock films Rear Window, Dial M for Murder and To Catch a Thief.

[@Wombatzu]

Most beautiful actress ever. 1950s Elizabeth Taylor a close second.

[@BillTheScribe]

She then married royalty and became Princess Grace of Monaco. It did not end well.

[@respectpartii6302]

@@Wombatzu No doubt Grace Kelly is astonishing beautiful, but take a look at some of the French actresses, they're just on another level!

[@75janc]

@@BillTheScribe No sadly she retired from acting at age 26, and in one way she burned the same faith, like Princess Diana in a car crash, but for a different reason. Way to soon in acting and life.

[@75janc]

@@Wombatzu Yes you`re right and better actress, with both and many other women acting at that time. Today its more about looks and the x-factor, then real talent, and my proof is in the movies they left behind?

[@EliCross]

Saw a restored version of this movie in the early 2000s. When Grace Kelly first appeared, the audience let out a collective gasp.

[@shugaroony]

You rarely see such radiant beauty these days. Great to hear she can still make both sexes gasp at her beauty and 'grace' after nearly 70 years.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@shugaroony Even her name ... Lisa Carol Fremont. Wow

[@keithwilson6060]

It’s more than her mere appearance and physique. She projects an internal “classiness” that is immaterial. That’s the only way I can describe it.

[@capsizebrian]

Her shadow falling across him and the slight slow motion. Wow.

[@sterling557]

Grace Kelly❤ Shania Twain❤ & Elvira❤

[@arieljaquez5444]

Grace Kelly was the very definition of beauty and style. Her character was beautiful, glamorous, stylish, and successful. At that time, that wouldve been almost impossible to pull off because of chauvinism, but Grace did it as if it was the easiest thing. She is greatly missed.

[@paulbriggs3072]

Real women aren't fashion divas.

[@MGrayl-ib5fo]

@@paulbriggs3072 fashion divas are real women too.

[@sterling557]

Grace Kelly is the Perfect Woman. ❤❤❤

[@nomisnestral6956]

What an absolute masterclass of a film.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

100% truth

[@DCibener]

DJ Caruso, who directed Disturbia, has stated many times that it’s a remake of Rear Window; he also directed Eagle Eye, which is clearly a mix of North By Northwest and The Man Who Knew Too Much-the former of which you should definitely watch. North By Northwest is basically tied with Rear Window for my favorite Hitchcock.

[@ariochiv]

Yep, my favorite too. And _To Catch a Thief._

[@horrorshow3000]

Yeah I always thought the same thing about Disturbia and you just confirmed it, Great movie too. My favourite Hitchcock movie is this one and The Birds.

[@theawesomeman9821]

I thought this was movie has too much in common with Disturbia

[@Kwolfx]

Back in the 1970's and 80's, movie director Brian De Palma made several movies which clearly took ideas and scenes from various Alfred Hitchcock movies. The movies I'm thinking of are Sisters (1972), Obsession (1976), Dressed to Kill (1980), Blow Out (1981), Body Double (1984), and some of them are pretty good. You watch those movies and you will clearly see ideas taken from, and scenes inspired by Rope, Psycho, Rear Window, Vertigo and others. However, what De Palma did was mix and match Hitchcock's ideas, so one of his movies might be part Rear Window and part Psycho, with an elements of others thrown in. In his early movies De Palma was able to hire Bernard Herrman, who did the music for North by Northwest and Psycho. I don't know that I'd recommend any of those movies for this channel. While I like Sisters, Blow Out and parts of Body Double, they're not as quite as good as Hitchcock and are a lot bloodier. Think of an 80's slasher movie, but made with better actors, better music and a lot more style.

[@rafaucett]

@@theawesomeman9821 : Except "Rear Window" came first (in 1954). "Disturbia" (2007) was based on "Rear Window" so maybe it's "Disturbia" that has too much in common with "Rear Window"...

[@StickFigureStudios]

As a teenager, REAR WINDOW was my introduction to the great Hitchcock and it was, as Wilde said, the beginning of a lifelong romance. I was on the edge of my seat and immediately sought out other Hitch films to be enjoy. I just know you'll like this.

[@topoisomerace]

This is your best reaction ever. Fun commentary and the editing was tight. Please keep doing these classics!

[@crowtcameron]

"I want to marry Grace Kelly." Me too, Cassie. Me too. Great reaction to such a great film. If you enjoy watching films with classic, beautiful, and classy starlets like Grace Kelly, I think you would enjoy some Audrey Hepburn films. For instance, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, or Sabrina. All of those are wonderful and she's so wonderful. There are still excellent, beautiful, and truly talented and gifted actresses today but I believe there was something very special about the classy, charming and classic ladies of films of the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s that can maybe never be duplicated. A more innocent time. There are so many classic films and classic stars that have this unique magic and beauty about them that you rarely see in modern films. It's a good thing we can go back and enjoy that magic and beauty anytime we want.

[@manny75586]

The first introduction of Princess Grace in this film simply takes the breath away. If you want more Hitchcock and Princess Grace, To Catch A Thief is another masterpiece.

[@billkant849]

Filmed in Monaco where she met the Prince. Later they married.

[@ugaladh]

Cassie may not know about Grace Kelly becoming Princess Grace.

[@rafaucett]

Grace Kelly wasn't a princess yet when she was acting in Hollywood.

[@SuperGuitarDude7]

Also North By Northwest with Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason is one of my favorite movies of all time. I think you would really enjoy that one.

[@thatperformer3879]

Can’t wait for your ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ reaction. It stars Jimmy Stewart, the same actor in this movie, it’s by far one of his greatest performances. Be sure to watch the Black and White version, as that’s the original, it was recently colorized.

[@classiclife7204]

I wouldn't hold out too much hope for the b&w, though Cassie is a touch more accepting, so who knows. I've seen that several reactors are doing the movie recently on my Recs, but all of them are watching the color version, so I haven't watched them. I'm old enough to remember when Ted Turner tried colorizing some old films and people wanted to hang him for it. These days, it's different. Ted was ahead of his time, evidently.

[@Ecrocken]

@@classiclife7204 I just saw one watch the B&W version, so it's definitely still available. :)

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Black and white movies are not coloring books.

[@crforfreedom7407]

@@classiclife7204 I heard one from Germany say that only the colorized version was available in Europe?🤷‍♂🤷‍♂

[@classiclife7204]

@@crforfreedom7407 Probably

[@steveslatten3009]

This movie is one of my all-time faves. Hitchcock was the master of the slow build. His films always have great character development in the beginning, to the point of where you’re almost thinking nothing is suspenseful about the movie. Then about a third of the way in, his films go from first to fourth gear and don’t let off the gas. Two other great Hitchcock films are “North By Northwest” and “The Birds.” Also, you were right - “Disturbia” was made as a modern update of “Rear Window.”

[@davidreaney1240]

I have to say I’m 29 now and watched this film when I was 24 and it’s one of my favourite old time films.

[@frankrossi6972]

Thelma "Stella" Ritter was, indeed, a Hollywood treasure, playing wise-cracking streetwise New York characters all her movie life. I first saw her in "Miracle on 34th Street" playing a parent in the Santa line (not sure if you ever reviewed that). As for Lisa sleeping over, two non-married people sleeping with each other was a big no-no as a general rule under the Hays Code, generally until the late '60s (though code enforcement waned sharply by the mid-60s). It was implied often, but never shown, or else there were separate beds or the couple slept in separate rooms (or they did the blanket wall gimmick in "It Happened One Night").

[@anneb889]

She’s gotta see Pillow Talk with Thelma Ritter too.

[@billparrish4385]

8:47 The famous Hitchcock cameo! He makes an appearance in every picture.

[@TerenceA72]

One of the greatest intros to a film ever, There is so much show don't tell it is simply amazing. The amount of information in the opening few mins really is incredible.

[@gr1mrea9er82]

An 1100 dollar dress in 1954.... is about 10.000 dollars in 2021. The average wage in 1954 was 4200 dollars a year. So she wore a dress more expensive than what 2 men combined could make in a year. Rich people have always indulged in excesses.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

That pan from Stewart's leg in a cast to the broken camera and then to the picture of the car flying out of control might well be the best example of an expositional shot ever filmed.

[@alex0589]

With all this set being built just for the movie and mostly seen through longer lenses, i can see why they wanted to show us the whole thing. Amazing stuff, mustve been cooking with all the lights.

[@CraigMurraysVids]

Great reaction. I have always loved this movie. And it's a movie that's about our love of movies. The windows are shaped like cinema screens, and in each one we get a different kind of movie of the time. There's dancing, a musical, a romance and, of course, crime. It really is a bit of genius.

[@Tey816]

First time ever seeing Grace Kelly, simply beautiful. I used to be the same when it comes to older films, however thanks to this channel I’ve changed my mind. Loved the reaction as always. More Hitchcock plz & thank u.

[@shredd5705]

He had a mistress, he was calling her long distance calls. Also when Thorwald was trying to be "nice" to his wife, he tried to use it as distraction to call the mistress right after, you can tell by his facial expressions. It was the woman with the hat leaving. He confessed, because it was obvious after trying to kill Jeffries for no apparent reason. If nothing else, he would have been convicted of attempted murder of Jeffries. EDIT: Apparently it was her head in a hatbox (What's in the boooox), that was buried under the flowers. I somehow remembered it was a knife, but head makes more sense I guess. Although it's only implied

[@TheBTG88]

Her head was in the hatbox, which was moved from the garden back to his apartment. The dog would not be digging for knives. Hence why Thorwald confessed so quickly - he was caught with prime evidence.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

@@TheBTG88 It might be if they still had blood on them, but the head is a pretty good guess, as it probably wouldn't fit in that suitcase and would be pretty hard to cut into smaller pieces.

[@jamesface]

Maybe one of my top three favorite movies. I agree with all of this- except I always imagined her head was in the hatbox buried in the garden. I just think the police at the end mentioning “ hatbox” is such a specific detail that I can only imagine her head in there. Also the dog would have been more attracted to that than a knife.

[@PrimeCircuit]

Of course it was her head in the hat box. Stella knew the moment she heard it.

[@shredd5705]

@@jamesface Hmm yeah. My bad

[@lethaldose2000]

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. and "Birds" I also think you'll really like To Catch a Thief, another Hitchcock film with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.

[@jukopliut]

Birds. You never look birds same way again. Specially black ones on phone wire

[@mattp6089]

I never did think as much of The Birds as some of his others. Now Rope and Vertigo, as well as Psycho that Cassie has already seen from memory, those are good'uns. And I agree with your other choices. But Rear Window is my favourite Hitchcock movie.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

Also, Notorious.

[@zackk4969]

Bird and Marnie Tippi Hedren appeared twice in Hitchcock films, Grace 2, Joan Fontaine 2.... Tippi is the grandmother of Dakota Johnson, also mother of Melanie Griffith

[@adamsgrad93]

@@jukopliut scares the hell out of me every time I see that.

[@lee32476]

Man what a great old movie for you to watch! The suspense is incredible, the love story is fantastic, and the cinematography is the best in the business. Grace Kelly is so stunning, and the costumes are next level. It feels like this movie was tailor made for you to branch out to older movies. I was probably 8-10 years old when I first saw this with my parents in our local cool movie theatre, and it’s stuck with me ever since. Masterpiece.

[@MLar80]

Grace Kelly (Princess Grace) has been my favorite all-time actress ever since I saw this movie in the 70s... even named my dog (Weimeraner) Gracie after her. Jimmy Stewart is also right at the top of my favorite actors. If you have not seen "It's a Wonderful Life", probably the greatest Christmas movie of all time... it would make a great reaction video... and you'll love Donna Reed as much as Grace Kelly.

[@billolsen4360]

I named my Dachshund Gracie, but after Grace Jones.

[@gronkmusic7973]

Man, Grace Kelly in this movie... the face, the voice, the expressions, the clothes. Iconic Hollywood glamour.

[@danhalstead705]

Your comparison of Jimmy Stewart to Mr Rogers is really pretty accurate. He was one of the all-time nicest actors to ever be in Hollywood. One of my favorite memories of him was seeing him tear up on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, while reading a poem he'd written about his dog Beau. After this, please watch him in It's A Wonderful Life, the best Christmas movie of all time. Then watch him again in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, one of the best movies about politics in America, which is still surprisingly relevant today. Thanks and love all your reactions!

[@tremorsfan]

It's funny, even though he's always credited as "James Stewart", people always call him Jimmy because he's that kind of guy.

[@gregall2178]

I think she has already seen It's a Wonderful Life... but there is another movie set around Christmas with Jimmy... The Shop Around The Corner :-)

[@catherinelw9365]

She is doing a livestream of It's a Wonderful Life for Patreon viewers!

[@matthintz9468]

The thing I've always loved about this movie, and what blows me away every time I watch it, is that the entire location is one gigantic set. The lighting and the cyclorama work in this film is among the best ever done!

The lighting was very impressive.

[@briansharwood4022]

More Jimmy Stewart, Cassie! I see you have already got a ton of suggestions, but here are a couple of my faves starring Jimmy: 1) Vertigo (1958, Hitchcock) 2) Flight of the Phoenix (1965)

[@paintedjaguar]

"Flight of the Phoenix" is very entertaining, much better than the dull 2004 remake.

[@gregall2178]

I think Cassie would love just about any Jimmy Stewart ;-) ...don't forget another Christmas-y movie with him... The Shop Around The Corner ...and Mr Smith Goes To Washington... I think Cassie would like his co-star in that one, too ;-)

[@st.johnpauliiyouthgrouplou2093]

Harvey!

[@robroberts1473]

Flight of the Phoenix is great!

[@leefriedman9882]

@@gregall2178 Any Jimmy Stewart movie is great, but I love, love, love, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. His collaborations with Frank Capra were all amazing.

[@saaamember97]

Hitchcock loved to be in the movies, especially his own. So, in every movie he made a traditional cameo appearance. You can see him at the 08:46 point in this movie, winding a clock on the fireplace mantle, while looking back at the guy playing the piano.

[@maxcandlestick8027]

It's funny, he initially would tuck his cameos into the film as a fun Easter egg, but as he became more famous, and more famous for his cameos, he moved them to the beginning, so all the people who were looking for it wouldn't be distracted throughout the film waiting for it to happen, scanning all the extras. Like in The Birds, he's walking out of the pet store as she's coming up to it, and in Psycho he's outside Marion's office when she arrives.

[@yourthaiguy]

LOVE your channel Cassie and look forward to all your reactions (they're priceless) but I've been DYING (literally) to watch you and your sister review BREAKING AWAY. One the greatest American movies ever and found a massive audience when it was released in 1981 and launched the careers of several stars including Dennis Quaid. Guaranteed to warm your heart and make your face hurt from smiling throughout it... FUN FACT: ranked # 8 on American Film Institutes 100 Most inspiring movies of all time! PLEASE give your audience a treat and give it the exposure it deserves. Best of LUCK to you both!

[@PopcornInBed]

Thank you so much for this!! Sorry I'm late to reply. I'll have to make sure that I have Breaking Away on the list, it sounds like just the movie for us from what you've described :)

[@yourthaiguy]

@@PopcornInBed 😉👌

[@shakycam3]

My mom got me into classic movies when I was young. One of the best things she has ever done for me. This film is a masterpiece. This all happened on a specially constructed stage. The apartments across the way are smaller than they appear. Hitchcock was directing them with a radio. At its core, this movie is about a man seeing all the possibilities of a future with Leeza happening to his neighbors, and having his mind changed.

[@kenf3539]

You may like this composition view from the window. All of the window scenes in a single panorama. Hard to explain, but the three minute video fantastic! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqerg6pvjc55g6s

[@shawn6669]

I love you watching actual old classics. My fave is the Casablanca one you did with your sister. I wish you'd do either The Maltese Falcon or The Big Sleep!

[@shawn6669]

Also, if you didn't know it, the current king of Monaco is Grace Kelly's son.

[@IndyCrewInNYC]

I recommend Rope, North By Northwest (the template for what would become the James Bond films) and Vertigo (my favorite movie of all time).

[@theyoshow]

LOVE Rope

[@BuffaloC305]

I like Hitch's last film FAMILY PLOT (1976) and the wonderfully comedic resurrection of long-time Hitch villain-actor, Bruce Dern. William Devane and Faye Dunaway as the willing-to-kill jewel thieves... Ed Lauter and Charles Tyner in trademark supporting-villain roles... and for CHEERS fans, 'Coach' Nicholas Colasanto. I sometimes argue that this film has Hitch's brightest, cheeriest final scene.

[@donkfail1]

Rope is, maybe not underrated, but rather unnoticed. It's one of Hitchcock's less famous works. Also with Jimmy Stewart. The similarities with Rear Window, that it takes place in just one location, makes me always think of the other when one is mentioned. It plays out in (almost) real time, with just the actual dinner being over very quickly, for pacing I guess.

[@derf-vr1fc]

Yes, Rope!

[@bradparnell614]

I came here to recommend those also. Rope isn't scary at all but still delivers a powerful, suspenseful experience. The Birds on the other hand, another I would recommend, is scary, at least it was when I watched it as a kid.

[@MorderElg]

Thinking about how you had said you love courtroom drama type stuff. Lars Thorwald in this movie was played by the legendary Raymond Burr, most known for playing the eponymous Perry Mason in the immensely successful TV-Series. Perry Mason was the show that popularized the genre, for good reason, and it still holds up today.

[@1805movie]

Jimmy Stewart was a national treasure. Another movie to watch starring Stewart (especially during the holiday season) is _It's a Wonderful Life_ .

[@whitedwarf4986]

The Man Who Knew Too Much

[@boki1693]

I hope she does watch that.

[@stevecolletti3359]

@@mikerodgers7620 And Winchester 73

[@ImNotHereEither]

So glad you covered this movie. One of my absolute favourites. Just one of many movies that made me want to work in the industry and be part of creating visual stories. I loved your reaction. It’s a classic and completely timeless.

[@FrancisXLord]

OMG! You're doing Hitchcock. Right here's the list of Hitchcock's greatest films (imo): Rebecca (1940), Rope (1948), Strangers on a Train (1951), Rear Window (1954), Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959), Psycho (1960), The Birds (1963) and Frenzy (1972). React to any of these films you haven't seen and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

[@catherinelw9365]

Don't forget Notorious! I think it's a masterpiece of espionage and anguished romance.

[@robertjewell9727]

@@catherinelw9365 , absolutely!

[@amandabroom9878]

Dial M for Murder and To Catch a Thief!

[@TomH2681]

+1 for To Catch a Thief, just because Grace Kelly is so beautiful in it. And those vistas of Monaco... oh boy...

[@auerstadt06]

You left out "Shadow of a Doubt," Hitchcock's personal favorite of his own films.

[@Houston727Gal]

If you enjoyed Stella in this movie, you absolutely have to watch her in the Doris Day movie titled “Pillow Talk”. It’s such a fun movie and an old time romcom that you will love!

[@katherineburford7864]

Thelma Ritter's performances in so many roles was remarkabe. 'Letter to Three Wives', 'The Model and the Marriage Broker', 'All About Eve' and more made her enrich any movie.

[@jamesshort8660]

Boy that must have been a tough job for Jimmy Stewart snuggling with Grace Kelly. Oh the pain

[@DiannaAForever]

I stumbled across this movie last year and was completely sucked in from the moment it started. I love it!

[@shredd5705]

Lot of people I know got surprised by how good it still is. People who normally would be inclined to avoid a movie from 1954

[@scipioafricanus5871]

@@shredd5705 Those people would be irretrievably lost to the Marvel Cinematic Universe...

[@lethaldose2000]

This may be my favorite Hitch film, and Grace Kelly's entrance takes my breath away every time. And then I love how at first he doesn't think she is that exciting adventurous girl that he desires that will go on his world-bound trips. Then she gets into the action along with his masseuse to find out if there is a murder and to get the evidence to put the neighbor away.

[@billbabcock1833]

Already an established actor in 1941, Jimmy Stewart enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corp at the start of WWII. He flew bombers in Europe throughout the war and retired as a Major General and returned to acting.

[@zedwpd]

And flew in Korea and Vietnam

[@uptown3636]

I remember when I saw this as a kid in the early 90s. Loved it so much that I watched 15 more times that year. Two takeaways: I'm obsessive, and this movie is perfect. Thanks, Cassie, for helping me relive watching it for the first time!

[@jcorbett9620]

There was a little throwaway comment made that highlighted something a little special about James "Jimmy" Stewart. His cop friend says "How did we ever stand each other in the plane during the war?" James Steward was a B-24 pilot and Deputy Commander of the 2nd Bombardment Wing during WWII and flew combat missions over Germany and Occupied Europe, even though as a well known actor, he could have been exempt from serving combat duty, but he volunteered. He retired in 1968 as a Brigadier General.

[@LARPingRealLife]

What a movie, and as always I love seeing it anew through your reactions. The story of the film was based on a short story by Cornell Woolrich who wrote A LOT of mystery stories in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. In the short story, you don't find out until the end that the main character was in a wheelchair, so you are unsure about why this person is so interested inwatching his neighbors. There are quite a few adaptations of Cornell Woolrich stories. My favorite (outside of this movie) is Phantom Lady. I think you would enjoy that quite a bit. If you want more Hitchcock-Grace Kelly movies, definitely watch To Catch a Thief. It has her and Cary Grant, and she looks utterly fantastic!

[@BuffaloC305]

PHANTOM LADY (1944 with Franchot Tone, Ella Raines) is a fantastic example of "starts slow, heads in one direction then jerks over and takes off in the other." This is such a wonderful film, such a great mystery - "He can't be telling us the audience the truth! There cannot be Another Lady" - even thought we the audience saw her!!

[@rocingersol1875]

I never get tired of watching movies with Grace Kelly. She was a classic beauty.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

A film reviewer said Hitchcock cast her in his films just to be around her!

[@billolsen4360]

A beautiful woman who's not all tied up in her own perfection.

[@billolsen4360]

@@RideAcrossTheRiver And she loved his scripts so it wasn't difficult to rope her in

[@victorsixtythree]

28:54 - Probably my favorite moment in the movie - Lisa slips the wedding ring onto her finger and shows it to Jeff, in a sense proposing marriage to him and proving she is bold and daring enough for him. And then Thorwald sees what she is doing and looks up right at us, the audience, and he realizes Jeff (along with all of us) have been watching him. Such a shocking moment! And remember the Nietzche quote, "Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do no become a monster...for when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."

[@Dontuween]

In an interview with Bob Costas, I recall that Raymond Burr jokingly stated that his Perry Mason could probably get his Lars Thorwald acquitted of all charges! 😄

[@thomasthomas2418]

Cassie; When I lived in New York, I went to "21" quite often. You would have loved it!

[@paulonius42]

I first saw this when I was about 12 years old. I fell in love with Grace Kelly, who died around that same time--1982. Almost 40 years later, I still laugh and tense up throughout this movie! I still love Grace and the character she plays. Cass, your reactions have helped me rediscover and learn anew films I have loved for decades! Thank you! :)

[@michaelsegriff3362]

Piece of trivia: the songwriter was played by musician/actor Ross Bagdasarian. He went on later to some notoriety under the name David Seville, creating Alvin and the Chipmunks.

[@Johnny_Socko]

Now that one I did not know! And I first saw this film at about the same age as when I learned who Ross Bagdasarian/David Seville were!

[@atomicwest995]

One of my favorite movies of all time! So good. The dialogue is top notch.

[@skaterdave03]

So, not sure if anyone mentioned this, but the constant checks of the temperature gauge and the people sleeping on the fire escape was to show that it was a hot summer in the city, there was very little air conditioning around then, especially none in apartments that were built long before the 50's. People were more on edge because of the heat. In "To Kill a Mockingbird" the kids slept outside at night during the summer on the screened-in back porch because houses and apartments were so stifling compared to the outside air. Oh and Hitchcock was insanely obsessed with Grace Kelly.

[@tequila_mockingbird547]

This is such a good movie. I would suggest “To Catch a Thief” and “North by North West.” Both very good.

[@doghousereilly3795]

North By Northwest is my all-time favorite Hitchcock film, but they're all great.

[@Tienitrem]

"To catch a thief" would be great! :)

[@chislehurstbat]

The 1940 version of Rebecca!

[@ThomasCorp]

Next to Vertigo, Rear Window is my favorite Hitchcock film. The dialogue alone is superb. If you ever get a chance, and once it's safe to do so, of course, catch a rerelease of this in the theater with a packed house. A highlight is a crowd’s reaction to the moment when Thorwald realizes that Jeff is watching him.

[@laurentduchene5572]

interesting your viewpoint....for me there are at least 2 kinds of hitchcock: black/white And color....to be honest "to catch a thief still fresh,I mean modern....but north by northwest is the best in color.....for Black/white: notorious and Rebecca are wonderful ....For his English period: 39 steps and overall " a lady vanishes" still also good

[@ThomasCorp]

@@laurentduchene5572 To Catch a Thief and North by Northwest are both superb. It seems like nobody that I talk to has seen either Rebecca or Notorious, the latter of which is in my top five Hitchcock films, so it’s nice to hear when people say they’ve seen them and express appreciation for them.

[@laurentduchene5572]

@@ThomasCorp Indeed..but with hitchcock, it is difficult to make a list of choice since the quality is there for almost them..what about psycho or birds....and marnie, this one is specific...

[@SB-yh3vd]

That moment - amazing! - always terrifies me. Does it count as breaking the 4th wall?

[@trinaq]

Likewise, the premise still holds up, especially post CoVid!

[@celinhabr1]

Excellent choice to react. I hope more classic/old Hollywood movies to come.

[@randallshuck2976]

The time this is set in all of the effects were normal. There was radio, but not TV. There was no air conditioning and sleeping on the porch was normal. In Kansas City there were wide shady boulevards running through the residential areas and in the summer the folks that lived along them would bring cots out and slept on them.

[@panjamysy]

Jimmy Stewart is my all-time favorite actor. He fought in World War 2 as a pilot and saw so much horror that he came back with PTSD. He got back into acting and his first movie after the war was It's A Wonderful Life. If you've never seen it, I highly suggest it (my favorite movie ever) and you can see his PTSD manifest in a lot of scenes. Everyone who worked with him said he was an amazing and down to earth guy

[@wesleypeters4112]

I watched this movie as part of a college class and I have to say I really enjoyed it. It was spectacular.

[@fxbear]

I rented the soundstage this was filmed on for a project back in the day. They excavated the ground to add a story below street entrance to build the apartment building set so the whole courtyard was below ground. I’m always fascinated by the work done on soundstages to create an illusion. They built an entire log cabin set on our soundstage for a production in a week and made it look 50 years old complete with coffee stains on the side table. I was astonished because I’d been trying to build a wall in my condo for six months and couldn’t make it work. Lol

[@matthines4748]

To Catch a Thief is my favorite of Hitchcock films. And Grace Kelly is also in it. You’d also like her over her in High Society, with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. It was her final film before she became Princess of Monaco.

[@tucci06]

I remember watching this in High School. It was among the films that made me start appreciating old classics.

[@GreatGarloo]

Love the reveal of Ms. Torso's one true love: A short, plain guy! If you ever get the chance please watch Rear Window in a movie theater. The moment when Jeff falls from the window will make your stomach drop!

[@steelers6titles]

Kelly, the ice-blonde of his dreams, was Hitch's favorite actress. The apartment set was specially built. He can be seen as the clock repairman in the songwriter's apartment.

[@Laserfrankie]

You definitely need to see more Hitchcock movies. He's arguably the most important, innovative, and most influential movie director of the 20th century. He began with silent movies in the 1920s and changed to talkies (one of only a few who managed the transition), immediately making use of the new possibilities that sound offered. He considered what others did when the sound movies were invented "photographed stage plays". Hitchcock made his last movie in 1976, having created 54 of them all in all. Hitchcock invented a new visual language for movies by telling stories without people talking, just by letting the camera pan over a scene. He was the first one to let a camera slide across a whole ballroom in times when the focus still had to be manually adjusted. He invented the "Vertigo Effect" which you frequently see in movies. It is created by zooming in while pulling back the camera on the dolly. If something could be told with pictures alone, he would choose that rather than dialogue. Thus, his movies are full of his "visual language". Absolutely nothing is left to chance, even the colors of the clothes people wear or the cars they drive were chosen by him or. The color symbolism in films like Vertigo is extremely fascinating. He was famous for having the movie finished inside his head even before the first day of shooting and considered the process of actually filming the movie an inconvenient necessity. Hitchcock was a role model for famous directors like Steven Spielberg. People have written books about him as a person as well as his way of making movies. He was obsessive, ingenious, innovative, with a very British sense of humor and a knack for nasty pranks. Before Hitchcock, movie directors were nothing but employees of the film studios who were mentioned in the titles - that was all. Hitchcock was the first director to make his own name a trademark, freeing him from the Hollywood studio system. Before him, studio bosses had the final say on a film. Hitchcock's extremely effective way of filming made any intervention in his work impossible, since there was not enough footage to cut together a version other than his own. His influence on film in the 20th century cannot be overstated, and anyone seriously interested in movies or filmmaking cannot bypass studying his work.

[@jollyrodgers7272]

46 'talkies' and 10 silent.

[@paulsuter5816]

Rear Window is my favourite Hitchcock film and is in my top 10 films of all time. I love how he makes us all voyeurs right from the start. The writing is so tight and the acting is top-notch. Fantastic to see you reacting to the golden oldies, there's a wealth of other ones to try (North by Northwest, To Catch a Thief, Shadow of a Doubt...) :)

[@LA_HA]

Rope

[@trinaq]

I love how almost the entire movie, aside from some scenes at the end, takes place in Jeff's apartment. I also liked getting to see the stories of the various neighbours.

[@dan_hitchman007]

The audience becomes a peeping tom just like Jimmy's character.

[@kenf3539]

You may like this composition view from the window. All of the window scenes in a single panorama. Hard to explain, but the three minute video is fantastic! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqerg6pvjc55g6s

[@rebeccahopkins9522]

My favorite Hitchcock film. I just adore it, always have. The intoxicating voyeuristic quality of it, the way it’s shot which builds claustrophobic tension and suspense at a slow burn, eventually reaching staggering heights by the end, the quirky neighbors, all of whom are living their own little dramas inside each of their own little compartments of life, the incredible script and authenticity of both the apartment set and the characters, the statement it makes on how we, people, either see, or don’t see, exactly what we choose too, or choose not too, the premise of being trapped and unable to walk or really move, let alone protect yourself, the exquisite Grace Kelly (I swoon) and the incomparable James Stewart turning in stellar performances. To me, it’s the definition of a perfect film. ♥️

[@Charlesbaker3017]

Exquisite is RIGHT...

[@Head-ck4hu]

The salesman and villain is Raymond Burr. Played Perry Mason for years. Never lost a case. Then he was Ironsides. Solved all the cases. Grace Kelly (the prettiest woman EVER) only did a few more movies, won an Oscar, retired and married a handsome man who had a few dollars and a few subjects.

[@randallshuck2976]

Looks pretty serious. Love this movie. Only surpassed by "North by Northwest". You might also like the movie "Charade" or "The man who knew too much". All classics and all excellent.

[@johnmalopsy3582]

Dial M for Murder

[@adamplace1414]

Great Great choices!

[@drzarkov39]

To Catch A Thief

[@joebloggs396]

I like The Thirty Nine Steps as his best adventure film.

[@randallshuck2976]

@@joebloggs396 I will take your word on it. I, somehow, have never seen that film. I always thought Hitchcock was excellent with the story "Rope". My favorite Stewart movies beyond the current one were "Harvey" and "Flight of the Phoenix". One funny and sweet the other seriously suspenseful. I loved Grace Kelly in all of her roles even Princess of Monaco. I did go to visit when I was in southern France in 72 , but I guess she wasn't accepting visitors that day.

[@DanielFrost21]

Classic Hitchcock with Grace Kelly, Jimmy Stewart & Raymond Burr. Kelly also appeared in Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder" & "To Catch a Thief". Stewart also appeared in Hitchcock's "Vertigo", "Rope" & "The Man Who Knew Too Much". A broken leg can be very dangerous.

[@Fremen1971]

All were amazing, but Rope stood out to me because of the format. Excellent film.

[@DanielFrost21]

@@Fremen1971 I agree; it's excellent. One of the reasons it's so compelling to me is that it's based on a true story (Leopold & Loeb)

[@Watchvide0]

Great choice. This is personally one of my favourite movies of all time. The way it is shot and set up is so unique even till this day.

[@mrhailstone1810]

One of my alltime favourites. Like you said, the unique perspective makes it feel like you the viewer is watching out that window.

[@wayneroyal3137]

Grace Kelly is still one of the most beautiful people in the world. She unfortunately met a tragic end way too young and as the Princess of Monaco. These old movies are great!