Rear Window (1954) 2 Filmmakers react! 1st Time Watching for MAJOR! HITCH-FEST IS LIVE!
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- Опубліковано 13 лис 2023
- There's only one great Filmmaker who can follow up the K Man, I'm talking about the legend the man the myth The HITCH. We will explore some of his greatest Films in this tribute to his incredible mastery. Third up MY FAVORITE "REAR WINDOW", Starring the goddess Grace Kelly and some other Guy named Jimmy Stewart ;P.
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The reveal of Grace Kelly never ceases to take my breath away.
Everything about her takes my breath away
It is one of the greatest shots/entrances in film history.
The title “Princess” Grace pretty much sums it up!
The only problem with this film is that I can't find anything wrong with it, every aspect is perfect, great concept, great set design, great casting, great acting, great story telling, etc. It's so rare to find a film of this quality that's so compelling, it really is masterful.
I had gotten a spinal infection and wound up paralyzed from my waist down and was in a wheelchair for 3 years. It's finally getting better and I can walk a little again, but I was kind of stuck in the house, and always looking through the window into my backyard. One day I see 3 guys that had just broken into my garage, and were stealing my leaf blower, lawnmower, etc. I grabbed my walker and as fast as I could I got out there and was running toward the burglars, screaming, and would stop every few feet to lift up my walker like I was some kind of rhinoceros! The look on the burglar's faces, like, "holy crap, it's a crazy disabled middle-aged woman whos really angry!" as they sprinted for their car was worth the loss of the few things they managed to get! Every time I see 'Rear Window', I think of my own experience...
Christopher Reeve starred in a remake of this (same title) in 1998 when he was confined to his wheelchair. Altho the film did not do well, (the direction and screenplay and supporting cast are just no match for Hitchcock’s), Reeve was generally commended for authentically portraying a person who had a paralyzing physical injury but whose character and personality were undaunted.
"Stella" = Thelma Ritter -- she deserves a major career retrospective.
I saw this when it was re-released to the theaters in the 1980’s. When Lisa taps the ring on her finger, and Thorwald looks directly at Jeff, the entire audience gave a loud gasp, there were a lot of cheers, people saying wow, etc. and even some applause. On the big screen, in a big darkened theater, with the camera showing Thorwald’s point-of-view onto Jeff - it is a very impressive move which doesn’t have as much impact as on a tv screen.
I remember that at the theater I saw it at in NW Indiana!
I'd love to see it on the big theater screen!
That's when I saw it for the first time, as well - in a revival art theater in Providence on the big screen. It was magnificent!
@@Pixelologist yes. It was exciting because it had been unavailable for so long due to legal issues. I saw it at the Fine Arts Theatre in Chicago.
I think I was lucky: I got to see this masterpiece when I was about 13, in a cinema with a huge, 70-foot Screen and it Blew me away!
It's hard to explain to youngsters today, just how amazing this film looks on a big screen....only a master like Hitch could SEE this.....
I would say that the point of Stella's final line is that she says "I don't want any part of it," and then realizes that her wording was unfortunate, because the body is indeed cut up into "parts."
One thing I especially enjoy about Rear Window, that I don't think has been said here yet, is the use of music: Franz Waxman composed music for the main titles and the "The End" card, but for the rest of the movie used "real" musical sounds that the characters hear -- actual popular songs of the period as heard on radios and phonographs. Plus the pianist's new song (composed by Waxman).
Thanks, I was going to say that about Stella's line...it's a very funny moment.
At the end, what Stella says is, "I don't want any part of it." The look back is about how she'd (presumably inadvertently) referenced the fact that Mrs. Thorwald had been cut into pieces.
Yes, she does a double take once the double meaning of her statement hits her.
Fun reaction to this brilliant film. By the way, the courtyard set is based on a real courtyard in Greenwich Village behind the real address used for Thorwald’s address in the film: 125 W. 9th St. (called Christopher Street in those blocks). And the real 6th Precinct is actually one block over, which is how the cops can get there so fast. You can glimpse the real courtyard in Woody Allen’s film Manhattan Murder Mystery as a tiny homage to Rear Window.
I’m obsessed with the music playing during that night when Thorwald leaves and returns 3x. It’s so dreamy and beautiful. I wish I knew what it was!! And you guys are right, this film is perfect.
I never get tired of watching this movie! 👍 I once read that the actors in the apartments wore flesh tone earpieces so that Hitch could direct them via radio for timing and coordination. Not sure if they had the technology for radio earpieces then though. Also, Lisa's Mark Cross overnight case is still available from Mark Cross as the Rear Window Overnight Case.
Pre-1958 Hitchcock deserves a lot more love. When I was getting into films they were still in the conversation, but over the last 20 years or so it seems that people seem to focus on his films from Rear Window to The Birds. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934), The 39 Steps (1935), The Lady Vanishes (1938), Foreign Correspondent (1940), Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Notorious (1946), Rope (1948), Strangers on a Train (1951) and The Wrong Man (1956) are all worth checking out.
best from them for me are
The 39 Steps
Shadow of a Doubt
Rope
Foreign Correspondent
Man Who Knew Too Much (34)
But disappointed you missed out Sabotage
@@joebloggs396 I left off some other good ones, like his silent The Lodger.
@@edwardsighamony Blackmail is quite inventive.
These are hot days before air conditioning was really available for consumers, hence the open windows.
Great reaction! Thanks for the insights into filmmaking and how this film achieved its greatness.
I sure miss Jimmy Stewart and movies that don't scream at the audience over seizure inducing quick cuts.
"The perfect movie" - YES!! I'm glad you guys liked and *appreciated* Rear Window so much. It truly is an amazing accomplishment, and it's pure Hitchcock. You praised the set design, the lighting, the camera movements, and they're all top notch. But every bit of that was overseen by Hitch. He had a hand in everything.
Now I really hope, as some others have suggested, that you'll go beyond the standard Hitchcock reaction choices and do something extra special, like The 39 Steps, or Shadow of a Doubt, or Strangers on a Train. Love your channel!! 😍
…or Rope.
It's not quite a perfect movie because it expects us to believe a man exists who would be wishy-washy about marrying Grace Kelly.
Thelma Ritter’s last line is “I don’t want any part of it.” She makes that face because she realizes the double meaning of the word “part,” i.e “body part”
Hmmmm, interesting take I like it
Yep- 100% correct.
HITCHCOCK WAS A GENIUS!!❤❤❤❤❤❤
GRACE KELLY WENT ON TO MARRY PRINCE OF MONACO...TRUE "PRINCESS" STORY!!!
Always loved Jimmy Stewart( just saying). I appreciated the reaction& don't change nothing you're doing.
This is my favorite Hitchcock movie. I absolutely love it!! Great reaction.
Metaphorically, the reason for the cast is that as a photographer, he got too close to his subject. That's the risk Jeffries is always fighting - too close to Lisa, and too close to his neighbors. He naturally wants to avoid getting too close, he wants to just observe. But life always pulls him in.
JIMMY STEWART!!! THE BEST!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
One of the things I love about this film is how Hitchcock creates a sort of mirror effect of meta- empathy by having Jeff stuck in a chair watching mostly silent film style frames iin windows of people nteracting and learning about them in that way just as an audience watches a movie stuck in theater chairs. I think it's quite deliberate. What do you think?
We think yes. The whole movie is an exercise in voyeurism.
You guys are very interesting, an introvert and one extrovert. Great reaction on a true classic. Have watched this film dozens of times and it keeps getting better. So many stories of the neighbors without any dialogue from them. And for me one of the greatest moments was when Thorwald sits in the dark with only the lit cigarette glowing.
Do NOTORIOUS!!! Nobody ever talks about it and it's awesome!!! More exclamation marks!!!! Thanks, guys xxx
Well made but it helps to be a fan of Cary Grant and his usual romance. Ingrid Bergman is wasted in it for me.
Yes, I love it too! Hitchcock is so good as showing the audience the faces of characters when they have a sudden realization. No need for a lot of dialogue. He lets the actors act.
@@joebloggs396 It is hardly typical as Grant's character is a bit of a jerk in that movie. Grant still doesn't get the credit he deserves for being a great, great actor. Notorious is one of Hitchcock's best, which is very high praise.
Yeah, I am a Cary fan to be sure. But the closing moment always really impacts me.@@joebloggs396
For future viewing, Grace Kelly in To Catch A Thief; Jimmy Stewart in Anatomy of a Murder; and Thelma Ritter in the best rom-com ever, Pillow Talk.
The brilliant concept of this film is the whole piece of film is taken from the prospective from the title Rear Window,this in my opinion is the greatest classic film to ever be produced
Love Rear Window, brilliant movie and great reaction/commentary. Also, Grace Kelly.
Excellent reaction.
Great reaction to a classic!
"Rear Window" is one of the most psychologically complex films ever made. Numerous PhD dissertations have attempted to untangle the deep psychological threads. A simple thesis is that each window and apartment that Jefferies looks into represents a projection of either HIS unconscious fear or HIS unconsciously forbidden desire. He senses that there are things he's afraid he might do, or that might be done to him, or actions that he knows deep down inside that he is capable of doing. It's as if there's a disturbing itch inside of him that he just can't scratch, and it's not the itch inside his cast.
Great to see you guys
14:25 The piano man is played by real pianist and composer *Ross Bagdasarian* , he is also the creator of _Alvin And The Chipmunks_ .
And Kathryn Grant, star of "Anatomy of a Murder" and other films (as well becoming as Mrs. Bing Crosby) is a party guest at the pianist's.
Great reaction, you guys! Rear Window is so well made. The sets, shots, color, and of course Grace Kelly are all so beautiful it's crazy.
And the dialogue is great too.
THE NURSE IS THE GREAT THELMA RITTER❤❤
Great review. Hitchcock was a genius! I'm surprised that Hitchcock didn't have a cameo in this one. He appears in many of his movies.
He's with the piano guy
The studio wanted Hitchcock to keep repeating what he's been doing and wouldn't finance "Psycho" at all. They only agreed to distribute it, so he mortgaged his house. When it turned out to be a hit, they were like, "We knew you could do it."
In your comments before the reaction, you mention "Marnie." It's never been reacted to on UA-cam. I, personally, find it to be a great film. I've probably seen it 20 times.
Agree! Perfect film!
Thelma Ritter is a superstar in this film. I love her blunt, to the point line delivery.
She's always great in everything.
You edit the films you review far better than other reviewers.
The song writer was played by Ross Bagdasarian creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks
Deep knowledge
For the record. Everything in Psycho was Hitchcock’s choice. That includes the fact that it was in B&W. He was the “darling” of the studio, he made tons of money for them. They would have done anything he asked. It was an experimental film as you indicated.
Irony of irony, the actor who played Mr. Thorwald was Raymond Burr. He was the title lawyer on TV in the show "Perry Mason", and later on he was a Police Captain, permanently confined to a wheelchair, in a TV show called "Ironside", more irony. Prior to this film he was also in the original Japanese monster movie "Godzilla". I think Jimmy Stewart's nurse was Estelle Geddy, Bea Arthur's mom on "Golden Girls".
Thelma Ritter played his nurse, not Estelle Getty. Getty was too young then for that role.
Ok, Thanks.@@histubeness
Ya gotta hand it to the people of Tokyo. Every time that monster came into town to knock down bridges and highways, it had been rebuilt exactly the way it had looked 4-5 years before.
Trivia: "Beyond the High Himalayas" is a real book.
Totally agree with you about Technicolor. The 4k disc of this POPS! The murderer in this is played by Raymond Burr who a year later would begin a nine-year stint as Perry Mason, Earle Stanley Garner’s ace defense attorney.
Every apartment looks like a Hopper painting
Hitchcock was a big Hopper fan: I believe he owned many of his prints.
Forgive us for getting salty about Psycho (although there's no excuse for the name calling)! If your other viewers are like me, we love your reactions because of your filmmaking expertise, so those of us who are film history buffs can get a little uptight about historical timelines. Personally, I know a lot about Hitchcock but little about Kubrick, so usually I learn a lot from your intros. Also, Stella is one of my favorite characters in all of cinema!
Beyond the commentary on the audience, sitting in chairs, hoping for a murder, Hitchcock also used the various neighbors as alternate reality versions of Lisa and Jeff’s future. Happily-Ever-After empty nesters with the dog, Lonely Hearts, Hungry Honeymooners, Torso juggling wolves while her man is away, and of course… The Thorwalds.
True, definitely made to be watched with an audience
Younger viewers don't know what flash bulbs are.
You guys would like some of the ways Hitchcock plays with colors in “vertigo “
The camera never left the room, even tho you were never aware of it thru the whole movie
Having re watched it recently, the fact the side characters, even those that do not have a part in the main plot, have stories,the newly weds, Miss Goodbody, Miss Lonleyheart and the Composer, the Newly weds all have a arc.
Not only do the side characters have an arc - they also are ALL different combinations/possibilities of what 'married life' might be like, in Jeff's mind:
- The Fire Escape couple: steadfast, familiar, dependable
- The Newlyweds: Extreme sexual heat, then rapid cooling and disenchantment
- Miss Lonelyhearts and the songwriter - two who found each other while middle aged
- The Thorwalds - mutual contempt, finally leading one of them to murder
- Miss Torso and Stanley - visually mismatched, but she clearly loves/adores him
Great point!
@@tranya327brilliant breakdown!
I think the line that Stella says at the end was …don’t want any part of her… as in the idea that the woman was in parts and the head part would have been in the hat box, and Stella realized her response could be taken to mean in 2 ways.
when the cop asked Stella if she wanted to see what was in the box, she said "No thanks. I want no part of it" she realized what she and then clicked as to which body part is in the box
What's in the box? !!!
@@myoung7654 "It's in a hat box over in his apartment." a head would seem the 'natural' body part to keep in a hat box.
@@tranya327 the comment was a nod (geddit) to Se7en.
Stella almost went to pieces once she realized what she's just said.
Hitchcock like to contrast shades or green and red and the film includes this feature.
Lisa’s costumes show a progression of her character, from very glamorous to more casual, and from black & white to colorful.
This reaction had everything: fascinating technical insight.....and great reaction to the suspense of the movie! Someone called you guys "clowns"? What the.....? Don't change a thing. Man oh man, if Major liked this one, I'm dying to know what he'll make of "Rope"! But whatever Hitchcock you do will be fine because, as I always say, Hitchcock always knows what to do with the camera, regardless of whether or not it's one of his great, good or not so great movies. Thanks!
Grace Kelly beauty needed no hype, she wasn't just one of the most beautiful women ever but unusually in such a cut throat back stabbing industry, every single person who ever worked with her Kelly remarked what a lovely pleasant, down to earth woman she was. Despite being famous for her looks and being a fashion icon she was famous for being as beautiful and kind on the inside as she was beautiful on the outside.
Team Grace for life
I really enjoyed the reaction and commentary. This is probably my favorite Hitchcock film and I've seen it many times, but you guys pointed out some details I've never noticed. One interesting thing I don't think you commented on is that aside from the credits, the music in the movie is entirely diagetic.
Most reactions to Hitchcock on UA-cam tend to be on just a few movies. I'd love to see you guys do some less common ones, like 39 Steps, Saboteur, Lifeboat, Shadow of a Doubt, Notorious, Strangers on a Train, Marnie, to name more than a few. Thanks!
Appreciate all your professional points. Never noticed framing of the composer at the piano right behind Lisa in the black dress.
For another Hitchcock flick that basically has one outside scenery shot and the rest of the movie entirely in one apartment. It's called "Rope" and it's a sort of "Telltale Heart" suspense story. A more fun one with great scenery is his "To Catch A Thief".
Stella's look was because it was a piece of Misses Thorwall.
See "North By Northwest". And "The 39 Steps".
Frenzy is fricken GREAT, and a wonderful 4K restoration has just been released. It’s his second to last film and really a gem. You guys would love it. I think it’s better than the Birds.
Agree- I think "Frenzy" is Hitchcock's final triumph, marking a return to form after several years of lesser output.
Grace Kelly and Doris Day, American goddesses from an earlier age..
I love your professional take of the filming of this perfect movie. Your excitement of the filming aspects makes me smile. I wish more younger people would watch and learn how a perfect movie is made without all the CGI used today, which is why I dont watch newer movies. Relying on CGI seems lazy to me compared to movies like this or Casablanca where shadows and texture make the setting. I dont know if you both have done Casablanca but I cant imagine you wouldnt love it. Great job guys!
The windows are are all open because people didn't have air conditioning in those days. These days all the windows would be closed. Raymond Burr who plays the murderer, was selected because he looked like David O Selznick and people in the industry would have probably noticed that.
Still my favorite Hitchcock movie. Dial M takes 2nd place and Psycho 3rd. I read they built this entire set below the ground in a studio.
Another first for film school is 1957's "12 Angry Men".
I invite you to consider Hitchcock's history to see why some think Thorwald is intended to resemble David O. Selznick.
If you guys are interested in doing an action film do District B13. The plot has holes big enough to drive a freight train through sideways. But the action is amazing.
Wonderful reaction.
I recommend the DVD set which has a behind-the-scenes production video. This set was too high for the soundstage. Hitchcock was allowed to remove the floor and so the garden level of the set is actually basement level of the soundstage. It’s fascinating. I can never watch this movie enough .
Agree
The man with the suitcase is actor Raymond Burr.
IN MY TOP TEN FILMS👍👍❤❤❤
There was actually a remake of this film, same title, in 1998, starring Christopher Reeves after his accident. It is terrifying, much scarier than the Hitchcock version. I usually despise remakes, but this one was actually really well done, and the plot is true to the original. You might like to check that out.
And the Vingettes tell the parallel story to his own situation.
The newly weds, the married couple and the unhappy couple he sees the progression.
Miss Torso versus Mis Lonely Hearts.
The musician seeking perfection in his song while he rejects of perfection of his girlfriend.
The end has miss lonely hearts finding love to parallel his getting closer to his girlfriend.
I sugest The Trouble With Harry, another Hitchcock film. It just may be the first "dark comedy"& Frenzy as well.
Two guys over forties? Well over forties? Horrors! 🙂
I'm only slightly younger than this movie, so to me you're young whippersnappers.
Leases often require that tenants notify their landlord in writing of any extended-stay visitor. Some landlords may have terms in their lease that forbid any overnight guests. In those days, any overnight visitor of the opposite sex that you weren't married to would be enough for many landlords to get you evicted, because that would be seen as sinful and if it was a woman tenant, she would have been suspected of being a working girl. That doesn't seem remarkable to me because it was 100% normal.
Have you seen 12 Angry Men (original from 1957)? It is great!
The funny thing about Stella at the end is that when she is asked if she wants to see the box, she says she wants no part of it, as if she is someone who always minds her own business... then her look seems to be her realizing how ridiculous her statement was. Lol
How did the wife get buried in the courtyard without anyone ever seeing Thornwall do it?
DIRECTORS USE A "SEPIA" TONE FOR PERIOD FILMS!!!👍👍👍👍
Hitchcock films tend to have female characters that are the heroes.
Lyla from Psycho, Grace Kelly in Dial M for Murder, the girl from Strangers on a Train thar solves the case. The woman from the Lady Vanishes.
The more films made prior to the late1960's that you see, the more you realize just how strong the female characters in films were. Barbara Stanwick, Rosalind Russell, Olivia de Havilland, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Ann Sheraton, Audrey Hepburn, et al had careers moving the plot and taking the initiative. I can remember talk shows of the late sixties when famous actresses complained about the lack of roles they could really get their teeth into.
@@TedLittle-yp7uj That is because we had screen writers that knew compelling characters were the key to a good script.
By the 1970s special effects became the main reason to see films and slowly the character died off.
Now it's generic hero #1 has to fight Generic Bad Guy #1, but to get to him Generic Hero #1, has to first battle a series of Generic Henchman #1, Generic Henchman #2, Generic Henchman #3 etc.
Back in that time when you dialed local, within the area could you only needed to dial the 555-1234, but long distance you needed to dial 1 then the area code and then the number when he dialed 11 numbers instead of 7, he knew it was long distance.
Great reaction ! Hope you watch Vertigo. Also an amazing film although much darker
The detective is very well groomed and immaculately dressed. Did New York police detectives look like that in 1954 ? The actor seems an unusual casting choice.
I guess maybe as a war buddy of Jeff? But yeah he's pretty fancy for a guy on the job. A short schlubby guy would've worked to contrast with Jimmy Stewart.
Guys over 40!? Young people have no understanding that most old people know stuff that young people have yet to learn.
Take that to heart, young people -- it's a central means by which to avoid presenting yourself as thoughtless fools.
(There's nothing worse than a know it all who doesn't know it all.)
You gotta do ROPE guys.
I'm glad you two enjoyed Rear Window as much as I have over the years (it is, for my money, a perfect film....).
Have you thought about reacting to Being There? It is the greatest "Kubrick" film that was not directed by Kubrick. Also it is Peter Sellers best performance in my opinion.
A name never described the personality of a person better than Grace Kelly. She defines the word grace.
Agree
At earliest Raymond Burr was in the US cut of the 1954 Japanese film "Godzilla".
This movie was made in black and white. It was ‘colorized’ later on.
It says shot in technicolor in the titles
Grace Kelly is beautiful! She married a real prince and became Princess Grace!
its one of the greatest movies ever made imo. Only Casablanca is above it at #1 on my list
Todd Haynes', *_Far from Heaven_* (2002) attempted to replicate the1940s/50s color aesthetic, more to replicate the look of Douglas Sirk's films, ie. *_Written on the Wind_* and *_All That Heaven Allows._* I think it worked out well in that film. Douglas Quaid as a gay dude, awesome!
Eastmancolor 35mm stock looked different when it was processed by Technicolor. When Eastman processed their prints themselves, it looked more subdued than imbibition Technicolor. When prints were made by DeLuxe, they looked awful, washed out. These days, digital tools can replicate the varying looks of Eastman and Technicolor, which is great.
This is the problem though with digital cinematography - most movies look to alike now, there is a homogenised look to many movies now with a view to realism, but surely the whole point of a work of art is for it to look unique!
Great reaction/review as ever though, guys!
A slight correction on your pre-watch comments on 'Psycho' ...
The studios refusing to put money into ‘Psycho’ was only a minor reason (if it was a reason at all) why Psycho was filmed in black & white.
First, Hitch thought (probably correctly) that for a film released in 1960, with the Hays code in place, a film shot in color, and with the amount of blood depicted in the shower scene (very tame by today’s standards, but very excessive for that time), the film would not make it past the censors - too gory. The film HAD TO be in black and white, using chocolate syrup for blood.
Second, Hitch WANTED to make ‘Psycho’ as cheaply as possible - both because he put up his own money (I think he mortgaged his house to do it) and also because he wanted to do ‘the really good version’ of cheap black-and-white horror flicks that were B-movie shlock at the time, but were also making good money.
So the black-and-white was done for a combination of artistic reasons, AND passing the censors, AND pushing the budget down (which ended up making the movie even more profitable for Hitch than it would otherwise have been - and ‘Psycho’ turned an enormous profit; I think it was the most profitable film of Hitch's career. That's fitting, because of the risks he took and boundaries he pushed with it. He made that film work, when no one else could have.)
I hope you guys get around to my favorite, the Trouble with Harry.
Stella's look is in response to what she said to the detective: "No thanks, I don't want any part of her." She surprised herself by saying "her" instead of "it".
More H please.
Great reaction. I learned a little more about a film I love and have seen many times by listening to your conversation, especially your observations on color and lighting. I would only add that Grace Kelly 's wardrobe changes and how she stands or is shown next to Jimmy Stewart is used to add variety to limited sets used in the film. Also, at the end of the film she is wearing jeans and a relatively plain shirt instead of high fashion, a sign that she has slightly compromised her values. But of course she also puts down the book about a foreign land to peruse a fashion magazine. She will only compromise a bit. Jeff will have to compromise also. And I think Miss Torso's boyfriend may have returned from military service. She was never serious about the wolves, but didn't want to be lonely while her guy was away.