Comments on: Rear Window (1954) http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/ Film reviews and commentary tonight, before I forget tomorrow Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:46:57 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Joe Valdez http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/comment-page-1/#comment-1695 Joe Valdez Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:10:58 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/#comment-1695 Jeremy: The fact that Capra, Ford and Hitchcock kept going to Jimmy Stewart as their leading man says everything about how he dominated the screen in the '40s and '50s. I think Stewart's draw was his ability to convey dignity, regardless of what genre he was in. Like you, I'm blown away by what he accomplished film after film. Jeremy & Pat: I can't think of an actress today who is as beautiful as Grace Kelly. Oh, I can think of a lot who look great, but her deportment is what made her legendary. Check out Jimmy Stewart during Kelly's entrance and you can see that the man is not acting like he's charmed by her, he's under a spell. Thanks for your comments, guys. Jeremy: The fact that Capra, Ford and Hitchcock kept going to Jimmy Stewart as their leading man says everything about how he dominated the screen in the ’40s and ’50s. I think Stewart’s draw was his ability to convey dignity, regardless of what genre he was in. Like you, I’m blown away by what he accomplished film after film.

Jeremy & Pat: I can’t think of an actress today who is as beautiful as Grace Kelly. Oh, I can think of a lot who look great, but her deportment is what made her legendary. Check out Jimmy Stewart during Kelly’s entrance and you can see that the man is not acting like he’s charmed by her, he’s under a spell. Thanks for your comments, guys.

]]> By: Piper http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/comment-page-1/#comment-1689 Piper Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:26:31 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/#comment-1689 Joe, This is one of my all time favorite movies. What is lost on today's cinema is the building of tension through everyday occurrences. Something I'm sure that was lost in the teen remake Disturbia. The situation of a broken leg and a photo journalist works without feeling forced and this movie still has me on the edge of my seat every time I watch it. As with a lot of Hitchock's movies, the opening credits are fantastic with the window shades going up and down. And the first kiss between Grace Kelly and Jimm Stewart might be the sexiest kiss I have ever witnessed on film. It's obvious that Hitchock had something for each and every one of his female leads. Joe,

This is one of my all time favorite movies. What is lost on today’s cinema is the building of tension through everyday occurrences. Something I’m sure that was lost in the teen remake Disturbia. The situation of a broken leg and a photo journalist works without feeling forced and this movie still has me on the edge of my seat every time I watch it.

As with a lot of Hitchock’s movies, the opening credits are fantastic with the window shades going up and down.

And the first kiss between Grace Kelly and Jimm Stewart might be the sexiest kiss I have ever witnessed on film. It’s obvious that Hitchock had something for each and every one of his female leads.

]]> By: Jeremy http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/comment-page-1/#comment-1685 Jeremy Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:01:14 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/#comment-1685 Great review Joe and a perfect one to open up your Hitchcock month with. I love Rear Window as well and rank it among Hitchcock's finest. I saw a big screen showing of it a few years ago and it is amazing in the response that it still draws from people...there was an audible gasp from at least three when Grace Kelly first appears on the screen. And how amazing is Jimmy Stewart? Great informative review... Great review Joe and a perfect one to open up your Hitchcock month with. I love Rear Window as well and rank it among Hitchcock’s finest. I saw a big screen showing of it a few years ago and it is amazing in the response that it still draws from people…there was an audible gasp from at least three when Grace Kelly first appears on the screen.
And how amazing is Jimmy Stewart?
Great informative review…

]]> By: Damian http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/comment-page-1/#comment-1679 Damian Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:35:58 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/#comment-1679 I love "Rear Window." It was actually the first Hitchcock film I ever saw. I remember watching it with my brothers and sisters and we were not only on the edge of our seats, we were leaping off the couch and yelling at the characters on the screen. The moment when Raymond Burr turns to look at Stewart (and simultaneous at US, the audience) still gives me goosebumps. I agree with Moviezzz. Great start to the project, Joe. Looking forward to the rest. I love “Rear Window.” It was actually the first Hitchcock film I ever saw. I remember watching it with my brothers and sisters and we were not only on the edge of our seats, we were leaping off the couch and yelling at the characters on the screen. The moment when Raymond Burr turns to look at Stewart (and simultaneous at US, the audience) still gives me goosebumps.

I agree with Moviezzz. Great start to the project, Joe. Looking forward to the rest.

]]> By: Joe Valdez http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/comment-page-1/#comment-1674 Joe Valdez Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:03:28 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/#comment-1674 Jeff: You made a key observation about why this movie is so great. What Jeff spies in the other apartments is a sort of subconscious projection of what's going on his relationship with Lisa. I wanted to point that out in my review, but ran out of space, so I really appreciate your comment. Mike: I had the Truffaut/Hitchcock book years ago, but lost it. Hitchcock was a slippery interview subject. He never analyzed a failure, like Spielberg does with <em>1941</em>. I find that more helpful sometimes than a director talking about their "art". Moviezzz: Thanks for stopping by. I consulted John Cusack's tutorial on how to make a great mix tape in <em>High Fidelity</em> before starting this series and hope it rubs off. Heidi: I'm a big fan of film scores and an even bigger fan when a movie or TV show just drops that and sources the soundtrack. The scene you mention in this movie is a perfect example in letting the imagination of the audience supply the music and sound effects. Excellent comment. Damian: That sounds like my experience watching <em>It Came From Outer Space</em> when I was 5. The more I've thought about <em>Rear Window</em> over the past 24 hours, the more I feel it probably belongs in a conversation of the best movies ever made, certainly the best thrillers. Thanks for your comments. Jeff: You made a key observation about why this movie is so great. What Jeff spies in the other apartments is a sort of subconscious projection of what’s going on his relationship with Lisa. I wanted to point that out in my review, but ran out of space, so I really appreciate your comment.

Mike: I had the Truffaut/Hitchcock book years ago, but lost it. Hitchcock was a slippery interview subject. He never analyzed a failure, like Spielberg does with 1941. I find that more helpful sometimes than a director talking about their “art”.

Moviezzz: Thanks for stopping by. I consulted John Cusack’s tutorial on how to make a great mix tape in High Fidelity before starting this series and hope it rubs off.

Heidi: I’m a big fan of film scores and an even bigger fan when a movie or TV show just drops that and sources the soundtrack. The scene you mention in this movie is a perfect example in letting the imagination of the audience supply the music and sound effects. Excellent comment.

Damian: That sounds like my experience watching It Came From Outer Space when I was 5. The more I’ve thought about Rear Window over the past 24 hours, the more I feel it probably belongs in a conversation of the best movies ever made, certainly the best thrillers. Thanks for your comments.

]]> By: stennie http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/comment-page-1/#comment-1673 stennie Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:50:58 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/#comment-1673 Rear Window is tied with North By Northwest as my favorite Hitchcock, and that's up against some very stiff competition. I love his use of music in this film (and all his films), and particularly his UN-use of music, if that's a word. The most terrifying scene in the movie is when Torvald comes home and finds Lisa in his apartment -- no score at all, no big stinging strings or blaring horns -- just Lisa's screams for help and Jeff's agonized whimpers. Very powerful stuff. Rear Window is tied with North By Northwest as my favorite Hitchcock, and that’s up against some very stiff competition. I love his use of music in this film (and all his films), and particularly his UN-use of music, if that’s a word. The most terrifying scene in the movie is when Torvald comes home and finds Lisa in his apartment — no score at all, no big stinging strings or blaring horns — just Lisa’s screams for help and Jeff’s agonized whimpers. Very powerful stuff.

]]> By: Moviezzz http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/comment-page-1/#comment-1672 Moviezzz Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:15:41 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/#comment-1672 Great start! Also have to recommend the Truffaut book. Probably one of the best books about any filmmaker. Great start!

Also have to recommend the Truffaut book. Probably one of the best books about any filmmaker.

]]> By: Mike Doc http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/comment-page-1/#comment-1660 Mike Doc Tue, 02 Oct 2007 05:22:13 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/#comment-1660 Always love reading about Hitch, and you kicked things off with my favorite! I love everything about Rear Window -- most of all the playfully morbid sense of humor ("I don't want any part of it!"). Looking forward to the next 30 posts! Do you have the Hitchcock/Truffaut book-length interview as a source? There's so much in there, and it's an entertaining read to boot. Always love reading about Hitch, and you kicked things off with my favorite! I love everything about Rear Window — most of all the playfully morbid sense of humor (”I don’t want any part of it!”). Looking forward to the next 30 posts!

Do you have the Hitchcock/Truffaut book-length interview as a source? There’s so much in there, and it’s an entertaining read to boot.

]]> By: Jeff McM http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/comment-page-1/#comment-1659 Jeff McM Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:52:52 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/01/rear-window-1954/#comment-1659 One of the most intriguing things about this movie is how the events that Jeff sees outside his window subtly mirror the things going on in his relationship with Lisa - it is, after all, a movie about a man feeling smothered by the woman in his life and how he copes with her. One of the most intriguing things about this movie is how the events that Jeff sees outside his window subtly mirror the things going on in his relationship with Lisa – it is, after all, a movie about a man feeling smothered by the woman in his life and how he copes with her.

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