It’s that time of year when we stare longingly at the calendar, where we don’t mind the sensation of rapidly advancing time. We are very much like the protagonist of this film, L.B. Jeffries —trapped in one spot, fighting stagnation and futility under great blazing wings of oppressive summer heat. If only we had a nurse like Stella to invigorate us with strong liniment and pithy maxims, or a dream lover like Lisa to wake us up from the torpor of our summer evening nightmares.
The truth is we have more love and support around us than we realize, could be a coworker, or that neighbor across the courtyard that we barely know. Sam and I would like to believe that there are more Lisas and Stellas in this world than there are Lars Thorwalds.
We come to the Alfred Hitchcock party a bit late given how long we’ve been going as a podcast, but Sam and I are longtime fans of the “Master of Suspense”. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but I think Sam would agree, no matter the shifting rankings of Hitchcock’s oeuvre, Rear Window has a special place on the mantel. As a film it is surprisingly timely, and not of the time. Yes, there are cultural and historical references, but they seem to remind one that while time marches on, so much stays constant, especially when examining human behavior. It’s a tactile glimpse into mid-century New York, and the sensibilities of the era, that really haven’t changed much since the film premiered, except that we are more irascible, and perhaps less sophisticated in the way we communicate, and careless in the way we treat each other. If only we could discuss our relationship problems as rationally as Jeff and Lisa, without seeking to wound. If only we had the poise and coolness of Grace Kelly waking us from a bad dream.
It’s a feast for the eyes, it’s a breathtaking exercise in pulling those fine threads of suspense. Sam and I count it as a “perfect film”.
Episode links:
5 Secrets of the Rear Window set; Architectural Digest https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/5-secrets-of-the-rear-window-set
Hitchcock’s Techniques Tell Rear Window Story; American Cinematographer https://theist.com/article/hitchcocks-techniques-rear-window/
Why Rear Window Was Shot from Exactly One Position https://youtu.be/8dZ-rwbRXQ8?is=BF4xADIKZYUQKQYL
Lisa Theme: https://open.spotify.com/track/4hkvQ2bkAnbtXtT1ttsXIu?si=OMxLyeWWSbu3vqbyyaLxhg&utm_source=copy-link
