the very meh 1990s tv remakes of Alfred Hitchcock classics

[@CinemaCities1978]

I noticed that I misspoke and said 'LIFEBOAT' was released in 1943, it was actually released in 1944. Check out my video on all the remakes of REBECCA ➡ kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWbadoise75kj5Ysi=YVQ1qemSpSV0lKCQ Check out my video on the 1998 remake of REAR WINDOW ➡kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaK3ppV6r7qLmpYsi=jpPz5yc0s-yS61A9

[@emilien.]

Anthony Andrews coulda' been-a contenda'! But noooooo. "Shadow of a Doubt" is my favorite Hitchcock film with "Rear Window" close on its heels and I will skip the remakes based upon your always-excellent takes on these things. The only remake I've ever seen that might be better than the original is "Invasion of the Bodysnatchers". PS & non sequitur: Having grown up with Mad magazine (since its inception) warping my Boomer brain, I have to wonder if they did a send-up of "Lifeboat"... probably made it into a musical.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I agree with you 100% on Body Snatchers. If you love Shadow of a Doubt, I highly recommend staying as far away from the 1991 remake as possible. It will just make you mad.

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

There was a 2013 called, 'Stoker' starring, Matthew Goode, Nicole Kidman and Mia Wasikowska, etc, which while not a remake exactly it borrows heavily from, 'Shadow of a Doubt', it's actually quite a good film well acted, maybe one you might want to check out for yourself?

[@maartenlemmens8628]

To paraphrase John Waters: it,s bad movies that should get a remake , correcting the mistakes. Me again: who needs a bad copy of a great original?

[@DanielOrme]

I remember an article by the critic Walter Kerr that made a similar point: there have been many good books and plays that were adapted into bad movies, so no one ever thinks of trying again, assuming the fault was in the original material. But what if it was the adapter's fault? The only one I can remember him citing was "Tobacco Road," but there must be many others. Pauline Kael once theorized that more great movies come from second-rate or even bad originals, because with original material that's classic what's great is not translatable to film, while with lesser material the filmmaker has more freedom to improve what he starts with. True in some cases: "Casablanca" was adapted from a play that nobody saw. "The Godfather" was adapted from a novel that even its author Mario Puzo said he wrote for the money and was "below his gifts." And I don't believe anyone will ever make a movie out of "Moby Dick" that can come near the original. On the other hand, there are more than a few great movies adapted from Dickens and Shakespeare. It's a hard question to answer conclusively. Unless you're Mel Brooks, who was once asked his opinion about a 'controversial' film that had just been released. He nodded sagely and said, "Well, it's the kind of idea that has to be tried again and again. Until it's finally abandoned." 😁

[@maartenlemmens8628]

@@DanielOrme well, Mel Brooks should never have remade To be or not to be. Hitchcock generally based his films on popular fiction, e g. thrillers, which were considered lowbrow .

[@steveneardley7541]

I want a remake of Desperate Living starring Meryl Streep and Oprah Winfrey.

[@westernnoir4808]

After watching your take. I occurred to me that Lifeboat actually became Alien.

[@MatthewDLDavidson]

You can’t understand good quality without understanding bad quality. Excellent review. BTW, I think it was Peter Bogdanovich who quoted Orson Welles who apparently said black and white was “the actor’s friend. Tell me one good film in colour, I defy you!” I’m not sure I agree with that, but Hitchcock certainly knew how to use B&W beautifully.

[@CinemaCities1978]

There is something about a black and white movie shot on film that I love-the abstract nature of it and the way shadows and light are manipulated. I think color can be glorious, evocative, and beautiful in the hands of master cinematographers.

[@MatthewDLDavidson]

I believe that I misquoted Welles; I think what he actually said (according to Bogdanovich) was “…name me one good PERFORMANCE in colour, I defy you…”. I guess what Welles was trying to say (in a partially flippant manner) was that colour can distract from an actor’s performance. I think some directors overcome the purported issue by limiting the number of colours used (like Bertrand Tavernier does in “A Sunday in the Country”) but I agree with you that colour can be glorious in the hands of a maestro (or maestra). However, even in the films by Hitchcock which I don’t find interesting, it seems like every frame is just beautiful, from the angle, to the shading, to the framing. When I was much younger, I remember seeing “Psycho” where there is scene in which the character Norman Bates looks at the sign-in book to confirm that someone actually did check into the hotel. The character’s face was almost completely in the dark, and was the angle was from underneath the character leaning over. A friend of mine said, “What an incredible shot!” That was the moment at which I realized how important camera angles are to good film making.

[@Hogtownboy1]

No one could replace Grace Kelly

[@Martyn2021]

There is a very well known British comedian, who used the catchphrase - I'm playing all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order. Which kind of fits in with the remake you looked at here, it would be interesting to see if there anymore

[@CinemaCities1978]

That's a great perspective on these films. They had all the essential elements for what they thought would be successful movies, but the pieces didn't come together for them.

[@andrewehunt68]

Another outstanding video! Well done! Engaging, eloquent, well-researched and lots of fun to watch. One super minor boo-boo: Tippi Hedren's last name is misspelled (with the little arrow pointing at the dead woman). But that doesn't detract from a great video!

[@CinemaCities1978]

Thanks for pointing that out. I HATE making typos, but... the upside is it gets people to comment, so it boosts engagement. I just noticed that I made another one, I said 'Notorious' was released in 1994, but it was in 1992... I wonder if anyone will catch that. 😬

[@dk60ish]

I was shocked that some of these remakes were even done! I only admire the fact that the 1998 "Rear Window" remake ( the only one I watched a portion of) gave Christopher Reeve a final opportunity as an actor, a shame that the overall production seemingly fell in line with the other remakes & sold his efforts short.

[@CinemaCities1978]

The production elements around Reeve were so frustratingly lazy and mediocre. It was a waste of Reeve's talent, and he deserved better.

[@Gertyutz]

@@CinemaCities1978 Wasn't that one a theatrical film?

[@GrandOldMovies]

I like your idea of adapting Before The Fact with a script more true to the novel and with the original ending (and title). I think with the right casting, direction (not a shot-for-shot copy), and mood, it could be a film seen for its own qualities and not burdened by the Hitchcock aura. As for a remake of Lifeboat--WHO could they ever get to replace Tallulah?

[@CinemaCities1978]

I would love to see an adaptation of 'Before the Fact' that completely ignores the Hitchcock film, similar to how Todd Haynes ignored the 1945 version of Mildred Pierce and went back to the Cain book for his mini series. Those two adaptations of Mildred exist with no need for comparison because they are such different approaches to the material.

[@DansTravels5823]

You'd think they'd realize they couldn't outdo Hitchcock especially since they had such a small budget. That would be the perfect opportunity to do something with the story such as include the original ending and the like. I have seen some made for TV movies that were remakes that have done that. While not as polished as the bigger movie, the differences in the story make them very watchable.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I agree. There have been some great TV movies produced over the last 60 years, including originals, adaptations, and remakes. There were plenty of different approaches that could've been taken to freshen up the material. Both Lifepod and Rear Window try to do that. For me, the biggest letdown was Suspicion. The novel is a pretty exciting psychological thriller that has a lot of plot elements to explore, that one was a missed opportunity.

[@lbbotpn5429]

What in the name of Hitchcock... back to back in two days? You're a brave soul. Thanks for watching them so I don't have to. 🙂

[@CinemaCities1978]

it was an experience. 😂

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Cool idea for a video. I kind of admire the ambition of '90s TV for its variety at any rate, even if none of these could ever approach The Master.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I wish they'd all, with the exception of 'Lifepod,' been more ambitious. They played it safe, and there was no way they were going to measure up with that approach. 'Suspicion' is the one that really baffles me. Why not just adapt the book instead of the film?????

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

@@CinemaCities1978 Surely, missed opportunities all 'round. The local public radio station is playing soundtracks for movies that were better than the original novels, which is a cool idea. And by and large I agree with the films they selected. List is too long for me to remember. I don't think they had Cronenberg's Crash, which I think is a better film than the novel. Anyway, all of that is a total rabbit hole.

[@CinemaCities1978]

That's a great idea. I'm curious as to what's on that list. I've got a few off the top of my head: 1947's Humoresque with John Garfield is better than the original Fanny Hurst novel, The Notebook (yes, I went there 😂), The Commitments (great book, but the movie is just a joyous gem), and The Godfather...

[@Beldamsansmerci]

I’ve been following your channel for a couple of months now- it is pure quality. I wonder if you’ve ever seen the 1990 film To Sleep With Anger, and if you did, what your thoughts on it might be!

[@CinemaCities1978]

It's funny that you mention 'To Sleep With Anger.' I'm a big Carl Lumbly fan (he's actually in a different 1980s sci-fi film called 'Lifepod'). Right now, 'To Sleep with Anger' is free on Tubi, and I have it saved in my to-watch list. After I watch it, I'll let you know what I think.

[@betamaxblocker]

I wasn't even aware some of these existed. I remember the "Rear Window" remake vividly (I still have the VHS), and I know some of these titles popped up on the public domain DVD sets for Hitchcock films. The "Notorious" remake looks somewhat promising. I'll have to check that out. Thanks for letting me know that the "Shadow of a Doubt" reworking exists and to avoid it. Now we must have a follow up video on Gus Van Sant's "Psycho" and "The Birds 2: Land's End."

[@MoreMovies4u]

As ever, thoroughly enjoyable. Some really nice cuts in there, CC. The Mark Harmon looks bad. Joseph Cotten is such a badass, I love the original. I would watch Life Pod tbh, it looks bad, but that might be a plus when seen from a certain pov lol. Excellent video. Top class!

[@CinemaCities1978]

The Mark Harmon version of Uncle Charlie is just so awful. I have to shake my head at the logic behind even attempting to remake Shadow of a Doubt this way. It's just so bad. It's not even in the 'it's so bad it's good' territory, it's just bad. Honestly, I don't think I gave Lifepod a fair shake. I might go back and watch it again. For cheap '90s sci-fi TV, it's not terrible. Someone should actually remake Lifepod because the concept itself is pretty good.

[@southron_d1349]

Somehow I missed "Shadow of a Doubt". I have "The Lodger" in my collection along with "The 39 Steps", "The Man Who Knew Too Much", and some of the big ones like "Psycho". So thanks for pointing me in the right direction for "Shadow". People have been uncomfortable with Lorraine's infatuation with Marty in "Back to the Future" but the dynamic between the two Charlies is very strange. Or maybe I'm reading too much into it. I think the first film I'd seen Joseph Cotten in was "The Third Man". Teresa Wright was in "Mrs Miniver", of course.

[@CinemaCities1978]

No, the dynamic between the Charlies is very "odd" by Hitchcock's design. There is an implied attraction that is much more obvious in the remake.

[@beatleboy83]

Totally agreed with your ranking. I accidentally watched this Notorious remake timely in the 90s' on a late night Chinese television show in Shanghai. The suspense kept me on my toes. It was a good one and did Hitchcock all the honors!

[@CinemaCities1978]

I think 'Notorious' did the best job of sticking the landing out of all of them. It was genuinely suspenseful, updated the story in a believable way, and didn't make any wild changes that killed the momentum of the plot. Plus, the actors were pretty good. Of course, it's going to get compared to the original; it can't be helped. But, for me, it was the best of the remake bunch. Lifetime knows it audience and it played up the parts of the story that they knew that audience would enjoy.

[@jtcbrt]

Somehow, I've managed to miss all these. I guess I'm just a lucky guy.

[@paulkitt-er9dr]

Thank you for detailed descriptions for Hitchcocks remakes. I tend to veer away from remakes the only one I would consider is shadow of a doubt but there is no replacing Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotton. The only Hitchcock remake I consider a success was the half hour 80s tv series that remade the 50s originals I actually consider it an improvement.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I really do like the '80s Hitchcock TV show as well. I remember the Sci-Fi or USA channel used to air it in the early 2000s. Of all those mystery/horror anthology shows (excluding The Twilight Zone), I think Thriller may be my favorite.

[@robbush6822]

@@CinemaCities1978Yeah, TZ is definitely tops. My second favorite is Alfred Hitchcock Presents. I prefer the half hour format of TZ to the hour-long season (4), and Alfred Hitchcock Presents to The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. It's a difficult decision for my 3 spot among Thriller, The Outer Limits, Night Gallery, and One Step Beyond. I have all but One Step Beyond on DVD or Blu-ray.

[@robbush6822]

And I never cared for the later remake versions of any of those shows (TZ - none of the 3 remake series, AHP, or TOL). What I DID like later on were new anthology series, like Tales from the Darkside, Tales from the Crypt, and The Hitchhiker. All were anthology series, but weren't trying to be copies of earlier, superior versions.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I loved "Tales from the Crypt." I totally forgot about "The Hitchhiker!"

[@actioncom2748]

The only thing I remember from Lifepod is that they use those plastic bladders that held candy gel for children. It's like the production got a bunch of those and thought they look futuristic.

[@CinemaCities1978]

😂😂😂 at least they tried.

[@Superior_Productions]

God the rear window one gives me actual physical pain lol

[@CinemaCities1978]

It's so bad. I hate the flat, generic apartment building where all the action takes place. It's as if the production design team didn't even try.

[@Superior_Productions]

@@CinemaCities1978 Exactly. The Notorious one is even worse, it's like direction by committee. I shudder to think about what the Vertigo remake will look like, I mean how can you even think about going there lol

[@Dpb-236]

I like movies and dramas in 1990s. Remakes of many literary works, including A Streetcar Named Desire. Jessica Lange

[@CinemaCities1978]

Yes, there are tons of great 1990s films, but sadly, for all those involved in the Hitchcock tv movie remakes, none of them are very good.

[@thierrypacull6139]

NEXT you should do the remakes of Dial M for Murder , one for TV with Angie Dickinson, one on movie with Michael Douglas

[@CinemaCities1978]

Maybe a triple review. The original vs. the remakes.

[@iainmelville9411]

Oh No ! ! Not Vertigo ! This is one of my favourite Hitchcock films. Damn you Hollywood. 😢. Corporate Hollywood Sucks - I’d like a t shirt that says that. Great video ❤

[@allegory6393]

'Notorious' is a masterpiece and, like all masterpieces, cannot be remade. Nobody can step into the shoes of Ingrid and Cary (perhaps the greatest film lovers ever), or Claude Rains and Leopoldine Konstantin. Nobody can create the visual depth and mood, sadness and despair Hitchcock's shots and cinematography did. Any remake would reduce the film to plot and story, and 'Notorious' is far more than that. They should not have even tried to remake Hitchcock's 'Suspicion' either, they should have gone for a different film of the book (and even then, I would not have been so keen on watching it). As for 'Vertigo'. please someone stop them! I even read recently that Robert Downey Jr (a very limited actor -whose connections in the industry by far outweigh his talent and have got him a long way) claimed 'his' remake of Vertigo will be 'better' than Hitchcock's film. On this evidence, one is warranted in thinking that Jr. is not only limited as an actor, he is also narcissistically silly.

[@gandfgandf5826]

Jr is a well connected child of privilege. Try to imagine growing up in that world. Every door open to you, everyone praising you. No, I can't imagine that either.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I'm skeptical it will get made. It's not in production, and they don't have a script yet, so chances are it might never materialize (fingers crossed). I remember there was talk of a Suspicion remake with Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow in the 2000s. That one never made it to the screen.

[@allegory6393]

@@CinemaCities1978 Hopefully, the crazy-stupid idea to remake 'Vertigo' is shelved for good. As for Paltrow in the Joan Fontaine part, (leaving aside the wooden Ben Affleck stepping into Cary's shoes!) it seems heaven had mercy on us and we were spared!

[@MothGirl007]

We all have different taste, and Robert Downey Jr. is one of the very few modern day actors who I really, really like. I could actually envision him as an actor back in the golden age of Hollywood as well, and I can't say that about too many other actors.

[@allegory6393]

@@MothGirl007 Well, there's no accounting for taste. I even know a person who thinks Gwyneth Paltrow is a great actress!

[@jasoncromwell4206]

Thank God I haven't seen any of these (still trying to forget Psycho). Mark Harmon would probably do a better job these days since at the time he was just that goofy guy from "Summer School" (a great 80s comedy for those who have ever seen it). With all of his years playing Leroy Jethro he walked the fine line between All American Hero and menacing. One of these days someone will finally make a great movie out of "Suspicion we just need to give it time.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Instead of remaking Rebecca a few years ago (did we need ANOTHER Rebecca), Netflix should've tackled Suspicion's source material, Before the Fact.

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

My thing is majority of Alfred Hitchcock’s movies are based on novels it would’ve better to do films that are faithful to the original source while adding something unique, interesting and new to the newer adaptions, instead of making a shot by shot remake of Hitchcock classics. This definitely happened to to suspension,

[@CinemaCities1978]

This would've been the wisest approach.

[@binglamb2176]

The bottom line here is if you aren't Hitchcock, don't do Hitchcock. My sincere condolences to you for having to sit through all of these for us, the great unwashed. 😁 Great video as always!

[@CinemaCities1978]

I think my spirit left my body for awhile between Suspicion and Shadow of a Doubt. 😂

[@georgesunday9855]

FYI…There is an earlier “remake” of Shadow if a Doubt in 1958. I had seen it many years ago, and don’t remember much about it, which should give you an idea of its impact on me.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I just learned about that one called The Return of Dracula. Very interesting spin on the story, Uncle Charlie is a vampire.

[@dubliners0999]

Hi Cinema Cities. I love your videos! BTW, I just watched High Tide (1947) with Don Castle and Lee Tracy. What a hoot! Have you ever included this gem in any of your videos? It's Lee's first major role and he's done a film with Jean Harlow if I remember right.

[@robbush6822]

I hope you do a series on the awful theatrical remakes of Hitchcock films, such as PSYCHO and A PERFECT MURDER. I've never seen the later version of THE 39 STEPS, but I can't imagine it comes close to Hitch's. There have been 3 remakes of THE LADY VANISHES! One Hollywood version in 1979 with Cybill Shepherd, Elliott Gould and Angela Lansbury, and two European/English versions. I think the latter two were made for TV, but I'm not sure.

[@westernnoir4808]

You are a brave soul watching all those beige remakes.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I threw myself on the grenade for you guys 😂

[@raywalton1291]

I would be curious to hear your thoughts on the 80s reboot of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The remake of An Unlocked Window is honestly a guilty pleasure for me. I was really entertained by Bruce Davison's performance.

[@robbush6822]

I never cared for the 80s iteration. Or for the 80s Twilight Zone for that matter.

[@jmh2105]

Only a Female could cut to the Heart with 'Meh' as a One Word Critique! Both Chokingly Funny & Crushingly Apt. 'Meh' what a perfect ,Non-plussed ,merciless word. Thank you

[@gandfgandf5826]

Thanks for all the links to - possibly - watch these remakes. Maybe I'll watch Suspicion, because I love Jane Curtin and Life pod, although it sounds not great 😁, it's an interesting idea for a variation on the original.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I may go back and watch 'Lifepod' again. I was pretty burned out on the meh by the time I watched it, and I think perhaps I wasn't entirely fair.

[@gandfgandf5826]

@@CinemaCities1978 the meh fatigue is understandable. 🙃

[@jimboeeek]

"I hear they're remaking Vertigo..." lol

[@rustynail766]

Just wanted you to know .. I love your work and I love Joan Fontaine too!

[@CinemaCities1978]

thank you! Joan Fontaine is one of my favorites!

[@PerryCJamesUK]

It's AN Tony. There are very few Thhhh sounds in English names. The thorn sound is kept for other things lol

[@actioncom2748]

@CinemaCities1978 I know you have Alfred Hitchcock remake fatigue. But since Halloween is upon us; Have you seen The Return of Dracula (1958) which is a tepid remake of Shadow of a Doubt where Uncle Charlie has been replaced by a vampire? The movie is notable for being the first to actually tackle the idea of Dracula in modern times. Not counting comedies like Abbott and Costello.

[@CinemaCities1978]

ooohhh. I've never seen that one. I'm going to watch it tonight!

[@daviddykes3026]

"Meh" is an understatement, my dear.....

[@TheBearAspirin]

This looks like what would be playing in my theater in hell LOL (I have a "elevator music to hell" and "dinner party guests from hell" lists as well).

[@classiclife7204]

Oh man I did not need to know that they're remaking Vertigo. Wow. Good God. Well anyway, here's the thing about Suspicion. Hitch went to his grave furious that the studio forced him to alter the ending. I mean, literally, he griped about this his WHOLE LIFE. So if you're going to remake the movie, dangnabbit, do it the way he wanted! Otherwise there's no reason for a remake to exist - what, is there a BETTER idea than Cary Grant playing a scumbag?

[@CinemaCities1978]

You are absolutely 100% correct.

[@etherealtb6021]

I thought Suspicion COULD have been good, if they'd restored the original ending. But like you said, it was just a straight remake. What a waste of the opportunity of Anthony Andrews! 🤷‍♀️

[@CinemaCities1978]

It was such a missed opportunity! I'd love to see the source material, 'Before the Fact,' actually get a proper adaptation.

[@paulkitt-er9dr]

I have not seen this but Jane Curtin looks miscast.

[@lindamattioli7943]

Your videos are produced so professionally. As if you were a film student at UCLA

[@Larkinchance]

You are so good... A re-make that mimics the original dialog is a fraud. Even though he strayed from the book, Hitchcock had very good taste in writers and books. A re-make is an opportunity to re- visit the original material, not copy the director's style. Casting Jimmy Stuart in rope was one of Hitchcock's mistakes but it is still a good story. What about Patricia Highsmith's "Strangers on a Train?" or Shadow of a Doubt. Your take on cinema is very good...

[@CinemaCities1978]

I agree. I'm not against a remake if it brings something new to the table. But, shot for shot and word for word is not it.

[@flamingoqueen281]

As for why they would set a remake in the early 50s instead of the early 40s, it was probably to avoid setting it during world war ii. Its one thing for a movie made in the 40s to completely ignore the war, but its wierd for one set in the 40s to do so.

[@CinemaCities1978]

They kind of ignore the war in the original. It's not mentioned and only in the bar scene do you see some men in uniform.

[@flamingoqueen281]

@@CinemaCities1978 alot of movies from back then do that

[@daviddykes3026]

In particular, Hitch's "Suspicion" TV re-pop was more akin to a Junior High Drama Club project, than it was a film. Can you say F-L-A-T? I recall trying to watch it, but about halfway I'd had enough.....

[@Mandibil]

Just shows the eternal genius of Hitchcock

[@Althom1990]

An-tony. It's always An-tony. Every time. No exceptions.

[@sarahalbers5555]

Yep. I have a distant English cousin who is Antony, NOT Anthony.

[@TheloniousCube]

Another fun video - these all look awful and one wonders why they were ever made, but TV is insatiable and devours everything. I, too, like the idea or re-adapting the Notorious source material to include the sex and violence as well as rectify the ending, but I fear it would be poorly handled Thanks for all your work!

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

Why on Earth all these remakes have such odd casting choices?! It goes beyond 'meh' to downright cringey in some instances. I briefly remember the tv adaptations and reruns of Gone with the Wind that you mention and also I remember another with Don Johnson and Judith Ivey of The Long Hot Summer. That last one I must confess, I actually liked. Maybe if I had seen some of these when I was little but now... I am curious about Notorious, though, as it is one of my favorite films. I think that if a remake is a shot by shot or too similar, it just makes no sense, specially for Alfred Hitchcock films. Picking the original source material that would be something different. In any case, that was so much fun to watch and learn about, Sydney!!

[@CinemaCities1978]

I liked 'The Long Hot Summer' too! I also like the 1979 Natalie Wood version of 'From Here to Eternity.' There are some pretty good TV remakes from the period, but these Hitchcock ones are probably some of the worst. The remake of 'Notorious' wasn't good, but it was doing something different, like 'Lifepod,' and I appreciated the effort.

[@MiriamVintageClassics]

@@CinemaCities1978 I must check out Natalie Wood's film!

[@CinemaCities1978]

It's not t a perfect adaptation but it's got the freedom to be more faithful to the book.

[@Chiller11]

I’m nearly ecstatic that you watched all these remakes so I didn’t have to. Now if you don’t mind watching the upcoming Vertigo redo perhaps I can avoid that one as well.

[@gandfgandf5826]

A remake of Vertigo ? I think the best that can be hoped for is it'll be so bad irs good, a fun watch, maybe?

[@CinemaCities1978]

If they actually make it, I will have to see it because curiosity will get the best of me. I have to see how they do it.

[@stephenag1]

Remakes have to be a giant risk! I wonder it some one at the top just loves the original?

[@JohnInTheShelter]

What a perfect title. Remaking Hitchcock is such a foolish thing to do, it's like remaking Kubrick or Welles. P.S. I thought I was the only person who didn't hate on Suspicion. Everyone usually trashes the ending, and I get that, but when you accept it as what it is and not what it might have been, it's very enjoyable. (Related: I've watched the 80's and 90's attempts to reboot Hitchcock's show, Twilight Zone and Outer Limits. All had decent budgets, competent writing and acting, and they all left me absolutely cold.)

[@zyxw2000]

I watched the TV remakes too, and I remember their being bland, and thinking "Why?"

[@charlesprice925]

Vertigo! Just in time for us to jump off the tower.

[@gandfgandf5826]

I have to admit I would watch the ending of a remake, probably not the rest of it though.

[@4Topwood]

Or push someone off the tower.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I would hate watch it.

[@magarac99]

"Mediocre to terribke" Love it

[@CinemaCities1978]

that was a very true statement 😂

[@mao2233]

Just curious, how were you able to watch these all back to back? Sounds fascinating.

[@CinemaCities1978]

it was very painful and involved lots of wine and popcorn. 😂 But, seriously, they are all available on youtube so I just settled in one weekend and committed myself to the task.

[@mao2233]

@@CinemaCities1978 Thank you for sharing your shame with us. I am accepting the challenge. Thank you for adding to my Scary Season dread! All the best to you, and Happy Halloween.

[@linneab8317]

If Hitch isn't on board and Carey's nit cast, then no movie. I didn't like Suspicion when I first viewed it on PBS channel. I had never seen a young Carey Grant before and the expression Monkey Face grated on my nerves (much the same way as Fred McMurray saying Baby throughout Double Indemnity). But I digress. I have come to love Suspicion and its improbable ending. And I don't cringe when he calls her Monkey Face.😂

[@aeoleaburwell7247]

Yikes, what a notion. And to name a character Midge, jeez a midge is a bothersome insect. Ann was terrific.

[@danthsmith]

What a fascinating, subject for a video. Do you think there’s ever been a good remake of a Hitchcock film? I’m trying to think of one

[@auldthymer]

The Man Who Knew Too Much ;)

[@danthsmith]

@@auldthymer doesn't count!

[@CinemaCities1978]

only Hitchcock made good remakes of Hitchcock films 😂

[@jmh2105]

i don't know... i had a Parakeet that wld Wince when NCiS came on!

[@davewalter1216]

Wow! I missed so many bad movies by being tv-free in the 1970-2000 period,. The original 'Suspicion' was such a disappointment, I mean really - Archie Leach just seems the natural conman and Cary Grant played it like a natural (I had read the book), but I'm glad I missed the remake. And Yikes! 'Shadow of a Doubt' is Hitchcock's best film noir and one of my favourite Hitchcocks: Mark Harmon? Still, 'Notorious' has Ingrid Bergman, a woman who I never thought was especially attractive, except every time I saw her in a movie, and Cary Grant who always seemed to be putting it on. I'm glad you had some sympathy for the remake, but as far as romantic noirs go, I think I'll stick with the original (I mean femme fatale or not? - depends on if you are the Grant or the Claude Rains character). I missed or forgot (bad me) your 'Rear Window' take, so I will need to check it out, but I mostly remember Grace Kelly and Raymond Burr (in a wig) from the original, and really just Ms Kelly. 'Life Boat' was a childhood trauma for me and probably the best single 'room' movie ever (was it originally a stage play?), but 'Life Pod' sounds dreary. Anyway, this post was a lot of fun and I am delighted to see you have over 24k subscribers.

[@nickbovi]

Please don't let this remake of Vertigo happen, just please don't. Love RDJ, but please don't do it. As far as these remakes go, you just can't beat perfection or close to perfection which is what these classics are, and the remakes are just very pale comparisons. Its just like when Ben Hur was remade a few years, you just can't remake the greatest sword and sandal film of all time. I will never watch any of these remakes.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I never understood the reasoning behind the Ben Hur remake. It already has two very classic adaptions. I haven't seen the most recent one and I probably won't.

[@nickbovi]

Totally agree, it never makes sense to remake a stone cold classic. I haven't seen the American Playhouse, Suspicious remake but with two really talents actors like Antony Andrews and Jane Curtin, they could have made something good with that.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Yes! I wish they'd been daring enough to just adapt the book.

[@jtcbrt]

Ow, 'fraid Hitch NOT!

[@Hogtownboy1]

So true meh

[@CinemaCities1978]

peak 90s meh aesthetic

[@extrastout1741]

but y do i kinda watch these now?

[@CinemaCities1978]

I've made you curious 😂

[@lindacecile5647]

What a travesty! If you're not convinced Hollywood is done, this should prove it. I've been missing you Still subscribed, but no notifications. So, I'm catching up. 😊

[@CinemaCities1978]

All of those movies are pretty terrible. I think the lesson is just leave the masters and the true classics alone, they don't need to be redone.

[@bronxbomber2150]

A bit off topic, but what is your opinion on the western noir distinction? Can a western be a noir?

[@zyxw2000]

Wasn't the remake of "Rear Window" a theatrical film rather than a TV film?

[@zetectic7968]

The curse of TV remakes is: A. The director is nowhere as good B. Doing a scene for scene copy shows a lack of imagination, talent & brings nothing new to the endeavour so is pointless & a waste of time & money. BTW in English (King or Queen variety) the H is silent thus Antony & Anthony are said the same. Anthony Andrews was cast for his looks as he plays the same character in all of his roles. Thanks for this video & proving that in these cases, imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery.

[@nickimontie]

Why tinker with near perfection? I don't understand the ones that do shot for shot remakes. What a waste of money and time!

[@neilmcdonald9164]

"Distrubing"???🤔🎩

[@Gertyutz]

I remember watching some of these, but I don't recall anything about them, because they were mediocre.

[@CinemaCities1978]

very, very mediocre

[@chrisjenkins9978]

Cinematic graffiti and desecration of the original masterpieces.

[@Dpb-236]

Strangely enough, I hate all the blondes in Hitchcock movies. But I like dark hair Teresa Wright.

[@robbush6822]

I'm sorry you had to sit through all of that junk. Better you than me. Haha!

[@PauloDeFreitasJunior]

Trying to remake any Hitchcock movie is like trying to make an edgy film by emulating Tarantino. I don’t subscribe to the idea of topping a legend at their own “A game.” That’s just a terrible idea! Regardless of your amazing choice for a Hitchcock movie with the most incredible actors to play those iconic rolls, you’re bound to fail, because even when Hitchcock wasn’t good enough as a director, he was better at selling his movies than anyone else. So avoid Hitchcock remakes like the damn plague or he’ll be your curse you and make you look like a fool!

[@Metsfan1975]

Mark Harmon was really great as Ted Bundy in the Deliberate Stranger

[@CinemaCities1978]

While I was reading reviews for 'Shadow of a Doubt,' a number of critics compared his performance in that miniseries to this film and said he should've brought some of that energy to Uncle Charlie.

[@lindamattioli7943]

Jane curtin is not an actress she's a comedian

[@user-nq5hf5ti2o]

You forgot The Birds sequel and Psycho 1998

[@haileyshannon7548]

Did you watch the beginning and hear what she said

[@juniorjames7076]

Why is the CBS channel sooo cheap, bland, and cringey looking since throughout the '90s till now? CBS makes Lifetime Channel look like VICE.

[@jtcbrt]

Somehow, I've managed to miss all these. I guess I'm just a lucky guy.

[@CinemaCities1978]

😂