‘Vertigo’ is not just the title of a popular U2 song – it is also an Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece released in 1958. It stars James Stewart as John Ferguson and Kim Novak as Madeleine Elster/Judy Barton. This film is packed with originality and purpose. It is a must-see for any film buff.
When every scene is predetermined, it means that nothing is supposed to be an accident. Every element is manipulated to give the viewer a greater understanding of the story. Nothing was the result of a production ‘magic moment.’
James Stewart was chosen because of who he is to the cinematic American public. As a young man he had the ‘gee-wiz’ and ‘aw-shucks’ attitude. He was also very tall, which played an important role in relation to the title of the film. In ‘Vertigo,’ Stewart was hired by an old college friend to watch over his wife, Madeline, and make sure she did not commit suicide. John was chosen on purpose because of his fear of heights. This acrophobia was the key to his friend’s plan for Madeline. In the second half of the film John is obsessed with needing to see Madeline again, and even confronts a stranger that resembles her, Judy Barton. Their relationship takes a sinister turn and the ending will affect you.
While John is falling for Madeleine, he still has a friendship with a jealous ex-fianc’eacute;, Midge. She is unappealing to him because of her motherly caring persona. John is more interested in Madeleine because she is vulnerable and weak, while Midge is independent and mentally strong. John needs to have a certain level of control in his relationships.
Hitchcock set the story in San Francisco because of its varied landscape and location opportunities. The road hills are like a labyrinth and the monuments make John appear much shorter. The Golden Gate Bridge, art museum, towers, and Redwood trees all have great height. John’s vertigo only occurs when he is very high up, but one can become naturally dizzy by just seeing the subject matters’ scale.
Usually, green is the symbol for jealousy and envy, and gray shadows are the signs of darkness. For much of the film these two colors are used to represent different emotions. Green was more for secrets and desire, such as how Judy was not who she claims to be. Gray was for neutrality and balance as two people are in one body.
The musical score was composed and arranged by Bernard Herrmann who was also responsible for the score in ‘Psycho.’ The score for ‘Vertigo’ was haunting and threatening. It sounded similar to that of ‘The Twilight Zone,’ which Herrmann actually wrote for a few episodes. Like ‘Psycho,’ as the movie progresses, the main character changes into a monster and puts innocents in danger.
This film played at the Tabler Arts Center’s American Film series. ‘The New Yorker’ film critic, David Denby, came to give a lecture about American cinema and about the film.
