You are too kind...

I also believe, people in general had gotten very lazy...

Permit me to explain.

During Hitchcock's time, there is NO SUCH THING as an auto-focus camera... Meaning, the camera man had ho keep the camera pointed at the scene the way the director wanted, and his assistant will have to stand by the camera, turning the focus dial to make sure everything is focus!! So they probably had to have a few practice runs before the director shouts action. SO in short the camera guys had to prep before the director shows up the film the scene....

Also, another scene you might remember before Janet Leigh, stepped into the shower, you see the shower head being turn on, and water comes out of the shower head nozzle... Beautiful, here is the tricky part, none of the water stream hits the lens!! Want to know how they managed THAT?? The plumber had to angle every water nozzle AWAY from the camera and yet looks natural.... Try getting a plumber to do things exactly the way you want nowadays.... Sad...

They they truly craftsmen back then....

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jul 16 2013, 12:24 AM

What a coincidence to see this thread pop up - after having finished watching the last blu-ray in the AH masterpiece collection - "Family Plot" - really liked the mirroring of the 2 couples - Barbara Harris' performance is fun and engaging as the fake psychic. Ending is played low-key but very suspenseful - had me cheering out of my seat as they slam the secret door shut as i expected.

In Hitch's words - "Always make the audience suffer as much as possible" - indeed.

Among the films in the collection, I find that i prefer the 'smaller' less star-studded titles like 'Rope', 'Trouble with Harry', 'Frenzy', 'Family Plot'.

That said, i really liked 'Rear Window', 'The Birds', 'Vertigo', 'Marnie', 'North by Northwest' - in the blockbuster range.

Not quite sold on 'Psycho' - i find it has a strong opening, and some problems (after the shower scene) with the 2nd half i can't put my finger on... i think it may have something to do with the fact that most of the plot is contrivance of the era where there were no celphones lol.. and the shock factor has worn off in this age even more heinous maladjusted misfits on film. Still, i admire the crafting of the scenes and the music - if nothing else. Won't be revisiting this as often as 'Vertigo' or 'Frenzy' for example.

Interesting choices. What are you thoughts on Stranger on the Train? I not it is NOT in the collection you mention, but it has been released on Blu... Not sure if you had the chance to view it. Also Dial M for Murder?

I believe the trouble you had for Psycho was actually masterfully crafted by Hitchcock. He made the audience to view the world through Janet Leigh P.O.V and 30 minutes into the movie, well you know what happen. He then MADE the audience switch view to Norman's P.O.V., and as Hitchcock had planned, unsettling, so much so that as horrendous as Norman Bates actions were, we are suppose to 'emphatise' with him... MASTERFUL

Out of the 14 movie available in Alfred Hitchcock collection, I like The Birds the least... mainly due to the unsophisticated techniques used for a special effect laden movie (you can see the blue/green screen outline in the birds. Because they (the birds) were moving so quickly, they just did not have the technical hardware/know how, to clean them all up thoroughly.

And the ending was WAY to abrupt...

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jul 18 2013, 05:08 PM

Have not seen 'strangers ..' - yeah its not in the set... quite intrigued by the synopsis - will be getting it later.

Seen 'Dial M' some years go - can't recollect the experience - but i seem to remember constantly comparing Grace Kelly's performance between 'Dial M' and 'Rear Window' while watching. Want to get the 3D version..

This post has been edited by lyn_grayskale: Jul 17 2013, 09:57 AM

Do come back and let you know what you think of those two ya hear!

Saboteur (1942) Addendum

Had a chance to re-watch this.

A few interesting trivia.

When they started production for Saboteur, Japan just bombed Hawaii... (for reals)

Because of the war, the whole film was made in the studio's back lot!

Alfred Hitchcock puts alot of thought into his cameos. Apparently in this one, he and his secretary at the time we both suppose to make a cameo as a deaf and dumb person walking on the street. Hitchcock would then communicate with his secretary using sign language and she was suppose to slap him as if he had mad an "indecent proposal"!! But alas, the power that be decided that it would not properly portray dumb and deaf people so, they ended up standing in front of a drug store... (Boring)

Not one of my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie, because of the abrupt ending.... Maybe because the script writers were away to fight WWII (they left immediately after finishing the script for Alfred, so he had to hire a lady for the re-write).... I don't mean it as a bad thing, but the story feels disjointed to me

Norman Lloyd played Fry. Interestingly, I did not recognized him. I'm more familiar with his works in Murder, She Wrote and The Practice!!

Normandy sank during the filming of Saboteur. Alfred Hitchcock asked the news agency in Universal to get all the footage of the scuttled Normandy and purposefully cut a footage of the said scuttled ship into the movie, to make it more real!!

For anyone who had actually watched this, I have only one for thing to say "he should have a better tailor...."

My ADDED two sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Aug 6 2013, 10:04 PM

Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

This is Alfred Hitchcock's favorite movie.

He has a formula. His leading man is always brunette and his leading lady is blond. If you watch his movie, you will notice is is always true, there are exceptions... Namely Rope (1948) and this!!

This movie is one of the movies that Hitchcock film on location. He is not happy with going on location, because he has no control over lighting...

Interestingly, I believe I've only watched this once before, on Australia TV...

The story is unique, in a sense that the leading man plays the uncle to the leading lady...



Interesting movie and the ending...

Unusual even for a Hitchcock movie

Lover of Hitchcock movie, you know what you should do.

My Two Sen

To Catch a Thief (1955)

This is an interesting Alfred Hitchcock movie, though not at the top of my Alfred Hitchcock must see list.

Why, because it actually DOES NOT INVOLVE MURDER!! (Yes, I am THAT macabre)

Cary Grant was thinking about retiring, and Hitchcock managed to talk him out of it to do this. (And after that to do North By Northwest)

Grace Kelly's last few works in Hollywood before she became Princess Grace!! She supposedly like the script to Marnie (1964) , but because of her duty to her adopted country and family, did not return to Hollywood to do that.

Lyn Murray (composer who scored this) introduced Bernard Herrmann to Hitchcock and they say, the rest is History.

I also would like to take a minute here to talk about Edith Head. I think in the Hollywood movie industry, she well know, not because he is the BEST costume designer around, but because she is the most "people oriented" designer at the time, which made her very popular amongst the stars!! The reason why I want to talk about her is that, Google her, find a picture of her. Does she look familiar? No?? Really? Not familiar at all? All I can say is Edna 'E' Mode (think The Incredibles (2004)) She is THAT well know in the movie industry, even Pixar paid Homage to her!!

Okay, sorry for my ramblings, back to the movie.

As stated above, not one of my favorite Hitchcock movie, though there are some interesting bits to it.

Cary Grant plays a retired "cat thief" who is living the life at the French Riviera.

Out of the blue the well to dos are losing their precious diamond collection one after another.

An insurance company representative H.H. Hughson, tracks down John Robie (Cary Grant) and requested him to find out who the "Cat" is and in the midst, John Robie meet up with a wealthy Jessie Stevens & and her daughter Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly)

While John Robie is trying to discover who the diamond thief is, Frances Stevens is trying to steal his heart!!

This is a rare thing for Hitchcock. Half of this movie was actually film on location (French Riviera) and the other half in the studio. Hitchcock HATES to film on location because of the lighting.

This movie also impress on us how Hitchcock alluded the censors. Back then he cannot show men or women in sexual context. What does he do, he has Grace Kelly wear a one piece swimsuit at the beach, rubbing sunscreen onto her skin! And when Cary Grant and Grace Kelly kisses, they then cut to a firework in the sky scene, letting the audience know that more is happening then meets the eye. I know they are sound rather tame by today's standards because these scene are copied to death, but back then, no one had done it before....

If you like Hitchcock stuff, you know who you are, watch this!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Apr 29 2014, 09:01 PM

How's Alfred Hitchcock's Topaz, anyone?

Would you believe the only two major movies released by Hitchcock, the two I have not watch are Family Plot (1976) & Topaz (1969)?

Maybe this weekend...

Cheers

Mind to share some review after u have watched the film...?
Hmm....

Hartigan

This one is for you kid.

Topaz (1969)

Well, I have actually seen this before and had forgotten, and that is actually a good summary of the movie.

Most people believe this is the beginning of the end for the career of Hitchcock!

Things were changing around Hitchcock at this period in his life... The Studio system which he is very comfortable with was crashing around him. Hollywood was changing. America, his adopted country was changing. Film making was changing, and he was aging...

For me, these are the issues with the movie

1) The Subject matter, Cuban missile crisis... I really did not care much for the subject matter.

2) I have no issue with a director experimenting. Outside of the of Hitchcock English movie, this has the most European feel, and adding to that making a spy thriller, with actors who are actually very good, the characters are... almost alien, and not VERY relate-able.

3) After Torn Curtain (1966) and having alot of issues with it's stars Paul Newman & Julie Andrews, Hitchcock choose to use mainly European actors, who, outside of Europe is not very recognizable...

This movie was not well received, even when it was being previewed before the launch of the movie. The test card after the movie was really really bad, which cause the studio to go into a panic, and they pressured Hitchcock to make several alternate ending to the movie and none tested well... It is my personal opinion that the one that ended up in the movie were the worst of the lot. Cest La Vie...

Do not let my opinions to stop you from watching it.

It is a Hitchcock movie, and even a second tier Hitchcock movie is a good movie compared to most director's first tier movie!!

As always, My Two Sen.

Haha.... thanks for the review
Appreciate

You are welcome!

Family Plot (1976)

Alfred Hitchcock's last movie.

And... I like it!! I REALLY do!

After the two more European feel movies, Topaz (1969) & Frenzy (1972), Hitchcock's movies return to the States, namely San Francisco!!

It started with a little Agatha Christie and ended up, like Clue!! (Yes, the board game). I do not mean for it to sound like a put down. This movie is good!

No big stars attached and have to add, he got very good character actors for his roles, and they are good!! Barbara Harris's (Blanche Tyler) a RIOT!!

As dysfunction as the characters Blanche Tyler & George Lumley are, they really REALLY care for each other, and that is really sweet!! They really STEAL to show!!

A lot have been made off his more well know works, Rear Window (1954), North by North West (1959), Vertigo (1958) etc (the 50s was a golden age for Hitchcock), I have to say, the Master showed the world that in 1976, he is STILL the Master of Suspense!!

This movie is based on The Rainbird Pattern is a thriller novel by Victor Canning, and supposedly, the book is much much darker than the movie. Screenplay Ernest Lehman did an amazing job!!

Alma Hitchcock was fighting cancer during this period, and Hitchcock himself was also sick himself. They were both devoted to each other.

Through all that, he still made this GREAT movie! And underrated at THAT!!

The IRONY in this movie is palpable!!

He paid Paul Newman and Julie Andrew US 750,000 each on Torn Curtain (1966) (he never got over that), and when it was suggested that Al Pacino be cast as the lead in Family Plot, he put his foot down and cast Bruce Dern as the lead because he had been working with him for 12 years (in bit roles and also on Alfred Hitchcock Presents) and also he only needed to pay Bruce Dern USD 100,000!!

Another interesting bit of trivia about this movie is, John Williams (right after Jaws) did the score for this movie!! And it is CHEEKY (fits like a glove)!!

Nobody knew that this would be his last movie... He was working on another project when it occurred to him he physically cannot do it (The Short Night)

If you consider yourself a Hitchcock fan, watch this!!

My Two Sen.

In honor of Alfred Hitchcock

Frantic (1988)

After 1983 and 1984 (3rd Star Wars and 2nd Indiana Jones) I believe Harrison Ford, tried alot of things to prove that he is a worthy thespian, and this I believe is a very good movie!

Director Roman Polanski having gotten into legal troubles in the States, made States movie in Europe.

It is MY firm believe that this is actually Roman Polanski's love letter to Alfred Hitchcock!!

So I dare say this is the most Hitchcock movie not made by Hitchcock!!

The script, the direction and subject matter, amazingly Hitchcockian!!

American doctor and his wife is in France to attend a conference.

They are making it into a working holiday.

There was a screw up at the airport, and the doctor's wife ended up with the wrong luggage...

The doctor calls the airport to report the screw up, and then takes a shower.

The wife receives a call and went down the lobby... The plot thickens!!

Hitchcock lovers, go watch this. You know you want to...

Oh! I do believe Liam Neeson's Unknown (2011) did copy the first one third of the movie!!

As always, My Two Sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: May 9 2014, 01:30 PM

haha interesting review there

You are too kind

Foreign Correspondent (1940)

Put this on a couple of weeks back and was really excited.

It is not usual for me to find an Alfred Hitchcock movie I have not seen before.

I have to tell you, my expectation was high... and after watching the movie...

This is a strange movie...

The plot is so... overly convoluted, it absolutely makes NO SENSE!!

In my opinion, I believe Hitchcock had made so many similar movie, he got bored, and this movie suffered for it...

The "highlight" of the movie was so... unbelievable and the last frame of the movie was basically a US poster for selling War Bonds (this movie was just before Pearl Harbour incident) so am actually puzzled by this.

This movie actually deminish Hitchcock a bit in my eyes...

I was disappointed, or could it be, I expected too much...

This movie was release the same year as Rebecca (1940) (Hitchcock first American movie) and I love Rebecca much much more...

My Two Sen

There will never be an autofocus cinema lens to begin with. To be technical the cinema lenses are a different category from dslr camera altogether. Until today when you uses Red camera or Arri Alexa,all lenses strictly on manual focussing so it's viable to use those lens on various camera body and to build the best optical lens already took up a lot of weight and volume,so it's impractical to slap another motor that are proficient and silent in every single focal length.Furthermore until today the technology isn't there yet to replace a human focus puller as the calculation simply couldn't keep up with the precision of a human hand-eye tracking a moving subject.The closest autofocus you can get is on a motion control rig but all point to point focus are pre-calibrated during rehearsal.Just to be clear.
Chroma key (green/blue and in rare cases red) only happens efficiently during the mid-90's as it uses COMPUTER software to do clean-up.Before that all either practical optical illusion or optical background projection or frame by frame painting/erasing or even sandwiching two different negatives to make a single negative.Hence you saw a different exposure of the attacking bird to overlap the background plate that gives away the crude outline.Pre Star Wars era,majority of effects shot are limited only to static framing (not counting jittery stop motion) as fluid 3 axis movement simply unfeasible before the invention of motion control rig when comes to compositing elements.