Spring Break
Turner Celebrates Hitchcock Classics
Andrew Porter
Issue date: 10/25/05 Section: Focus
His images are forever imprinted in the history of cinema, Janet Leigh's terrifying shower in "Psycho," Cary Grant being chased by a plane in "North by Northwest," Jimmy Stewart spying on his neighbors in "Rear Window." Legendary director, Alfred Hitchcock's movies began Monday and are running through Sunday, Oct. 30. Turner Classic Movies (Huskyvision TV Channel 47) will be celebrating his career by showing over 30 of his films in seven days.
The week kicks off Monday at 8:00 p.m. with an hour long documentary on the career of Hitchcock which is followed by classic films. The first actual Hitchcock film to be shown was "Vertigo," starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak. The plot tells the story of a former detective (Stewart) and how his obsession for a young woman turns into a possessive, cruel relationship. In 2002, "Vertigo" was voted as the second best film of all time in the Sight and Sound Magazine poll of international film critics.
Following "Vertigo" was the 1960 horror classic "Psycho," starring Janet Leigh as a young woman who steals $40,000 and makes the deadly mistake of stopping at the Bates Motel. Creepy proprietor, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), makes it a stay no viewer will ever forget. Following the classic "Psycho," the night ended with two more films, "Spellbound," staring Ingrid Bergman and "Marnie," a work from late in Hitchcock's career staring Sean Connery.
Tonight, the films take on a more romantic tone. Starting at 8 p.m. with "To Catch a Thief," the 1955 romantic thriller staring Grant as a former thief who has to try and clear his name while he's falling in love with Grace Kelly. Following "To Catch a Thief" is "Notorious," which once again features Grant as a romantic lead, though he finds a different leading lady in Bergman. The post-WWII suspense plot about spies and Nazis is an entertaining facade, but the real reason to watch "Notorious" is to see one of the best love stories from cinema. The incredible onscreen chemistry of Grant and Bergman make it a true classic. Also tonight is the first American film Hitchcock directed, and the only movie he made to ever win a Best Picture Oscar, 1940's "Rebecca."
The week kicks off Monday at 8:00 p.m. with an hour long documentary on the career of Hitchcock which is followed by classic films. The first actual Hitchcock film to be shown was "Vertigo," starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak. The plot tells the story of a former detective (Stewart) and how his obsession for a young woman turns into a possessive, cruel relationship. In 2002, "Vertigo" was voted as the second best film of all time in the Sight and Sound Magazine poll of international film critics.
Following "Vertigo" was the 1960 horror classic "Psycho," starring Janet Leigh as a young woman who steals $40,000 and makes the deadly mistake of stopping at the Bates Motel. Creepy proprietor, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), makes it a stay no viewer will ever forget. Following the classic "Psycho," the night ended with two more films, "Spellbound," staring Ingrid Bergman and "Marnie," a work from late in Hitchcock's career staring Sean Connery.
Tonight, the films take on a more romantic tone. Starting at 8 p.m. with "To Catch a Thief," the 1955 romantic thriller staring Grant as a former thief who has to try and clear his name while he's falling in love with Grace Kelly. Following "To Catch a Thief" is "Notorious," which once again features Grant as a romantic lead, though he finds a different leading lady in Bergman. The post-WWII suspense plot about spies and Nazis is an entertaining facade, but the real reason to watch "Notorious" is to see one of the best love stories from cinema. The incredible onscreen chemistry of Grant and Bergman make it a true classic. Also tonight is the first American film Hitchcock directed, and the only movie he made to ever win a Best Picture Oscar, 1940's "Rebecca."