Rear Window (1954)
- kbroer
- Oct 27, 2023
- 2 min read
Grace Kelly, James Stewart, Thelma Ritter
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Available to stream on Amazon Prime
We end our month of "Famous Beauties" with the perfectly gorgeous and glamorous Grace Kelly in Rear Window. In this classic Alfred Hitchcock film, injured photographer Jimmy Stewart, confined to a wheelchair, spends his time observing his neighbors through binoculars, with girlfriend Grace Kelly and nurse Thelma Ritter his only visitors, until all three become embroiled in a murder.
Why we love it: This is a fantastic Hitchcock film -- very creative and very nerve-wracking. Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, and Raymond Burr are all amazing, and the cleverness of the way Hitchcock tells the story from the confined space of one apartment and one apartment complex is genius. It is a must see movie!
Fun facts:
The original story that the movie is based on didn't have the characters of Lisa (Grace Kelly) or Stella (Thelma Ritter.) Lisa's character was written especially for Grace Kelly who had just finished filming Dial M for Murder with Hitchcock.
The film was shot on the largest set ever built at Paramount Studios, including 31 apartments, 12 of which were fully furnished. Because most of the scenes are shot from inside Jeff's apartment, Hitchcock stayed there and directed the actors in the other apartments using a short wave radio and earpieces.
Hitchcock had Raymond Burr styled to look like his first American producer David O. Selznick, with whom he had a contentious relationship. (Above left, Raymond Burr; above right, David O. Selznick)
Alfred Hitchcock appears as a man winding a clock in the apartment of the songwriter.
The composer/piano player was actually songwriter Ross Bagdasarian who went on to become famous for creating the cartoon band "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and recording "The Chipmunk Song" in 1958.
Rear Window was nominated for Academy Awards in the following categories: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound.
For reviews of the movie from the time, go to the Fan Magazine Reviews page.
Featured Cocktail:
Bloody Mary
Although this drink dates to 1921, there are very few vodka drinks in bartender’s guides written before World War II. Originally called Red Snapper at New York’s St Regis Hotel bar because it was feared the name might offend. (Vintage Cocktails) A brunch standard.
2 oz (60 ml) vodka
4 oz (120 ml)) tomato juice
2 tsp (10 ml) fresh lemon or lime juice or a mixture of the two
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1-2 dashes Tabasco sauce
a shake of black pepper
Pour tomato and citrus juices over ice in tall glass. Add vodka. Add spices and sauces and stir. Garnish with lime wedge and/or celery stick (an innovation that dates to the 1960s).
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