Posted on 07/03/2023 2:06:11 PM PDT by nickcarraway
While both Alfred Hitchcock and James Stewart collaborated with some of the greatest figures in the history of Hollywood, it’s no secret that they helped each other reach the pinnacle of their respective careers. Having worked together on masterpieces like Vertigo and Rope, Hitchcock and Stewart struck up a fascinating creative partnership that continues to have a seminal impact on the current trajectory of American cinema.
Although Vertigo is often the most-discussed out of all their collaborations, Rear Window is right up there with the very best when it comes to either of their illustrious filmographies. An incredibly complex thriller that completely changed the genre forever, Rear Window stars Stewart as an injured photographer who is stuck in his Greenwich Village apartment with a broken leg. Not used to a life of confinement, he starts spying on the neighbours to keep himself entertained.
Stewart’s performance in Rear Window is simply remarkable, steadily increasing in intensity as Hitchcock deftly weaves a tale of paranoia and intrigue. Due to his outspoken opinions on actors (he called them “cattle”), many were intimidated by the prospect of working with Hitchcock. However, on the set of Rear Window, it was the other way around because Hitchcock was reportedly a “little afraid” of Stewart’s behaviour and attitude.
When asked about the production process and the relationship between Hitchcock and Stewart, Rear Window co-star Wendell Corey revealed that there was a lot of tension. “There was a whopping big ego underneath that allegedly shy, stuttering, bumbling persona,” Corey said. “When Jimmy Stewart didn’t like the way a scene was going, he could yell with the best of them — you could hear him over to the next sound stage!”
According to Corey, Stewart was very meticulous about the details of each and every shot, often pointing out the flaws in the setup for multiple takes. The actor admitted that in addition to the crew, even Hitchcock was a little intimidated by Stewart. Corey added: “He was plenty fussy about the right shots, the right lighting, and he could out-argue and out-shout Hitchcock — I even think Hitch got a little afraid of him at times. There was steel under all that mush, believe me!”
Despite the on-set tension, Rear Window turned out to be one of the finest cinematic projects both of them had ever worked on. It’s an infinitely nuanced commentary on voyeurism and our connection with the cinematic medium, even anticipating modern issues such as surveillance states and contemporary media’s exploitation of the spectacle. In a post-pandemic world, it’s almost impossible to not be terrified by the claustrophobia of Rear Window.
Watch the trailer below.
he late, great actor Jimmy Stewart was quite the amateur poet. From time to time, he would be a guest of the late Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show” and Johnny would ask him to read one of his poems.
On one such occasion, Jimmy read his poem about his frustrating recent experience in Kenya, Africa trying to drive out to see Lake Barengo. Apparently, the road leading to Lake Barengo is not easy to navigate and is very rough, unimproved and lengthy to drive. In trying to reach beautiful Lake Barengo, took Stewart 8 hours and his vehicle suffered four flat tires along the drive.
The final verse of his poem which he read on Carson’s show went “Lake Barengo is a body of water... its water is as smooth as glass. But getting to Lake Borengo... is a genuine pain in the ass.”
While not going to a lake or to an exotic land like Kenya, Africa, but rather planning a Thanksgiving airline trip to visit friends in Denver brought out the poet in me. In the style of Mr. Stewart, it came to me that “At times riding on an airliner, the air can seem as smooth as glass. But today’s airline travel - with bag check fees, lost baggage, delays, cancellations, body scans and pat-downs - today’s airline travel has become a collosal pain in the ass.”
Jimmy Stewart flew missions over Europe in WW II, and as a Brigadier General flew one mission over Vietnam.
“ I dunno, if I had Grace Kelly bringing me dinner I wouldn’t be taking out the binoculars to look at Raymond Burr.”
This has always bothered me. Grace Kelly was the most beautiful Hollywood actress at the time (an arguably ever). And he basically ignores her.
That would be so cool to see again!! Scared the hell outta me at age 7, on TV!
She also liked Lions ad Tigers. ROAR!(1981)
Well Stewart was a General so...
Gotta love Suzanne Pleshett in sweater
There are a couple of films I wish I could see for the first time again. “Rear Window” is at the top of that list. And it had Perry Mason as the baddie!
Stewart made 20 combat missions in B-24s and led from the front at a time when the survival rates of bomber crews was horrific.
I wouldn't have recommended that Hitch cross him, either. Stewart had steel underneath that soft-seeming exterior.
Both great movies.. Thanks for reminding me.. (wasn’t Rope filmed in one take?)
Time to review them
Although Vertigo is often the most-discussed out of all their collaborations, Rear Window is right up there with the very best when it comes to either of their illustrious filmographies.
Rear Window is definitely the best of their collaborations. Plus it features an absolutely stunning Grace Kelly.
Agreed.
When Hitchcock was informed that Tallulah Bankhead wasn't wearing any panties during filming Lifeboat, he reportedly replied 'i don't now if this is an issue for wardrobe, make-up, or hair styling'.
I thought John Wayne played Ted Williams on screen.
Stewart was staunchly Conservative and probably didn’t suffer fools easily. Although he and Henry Fonda seemed to get along.
I don’t think they ever made a fictional movie about Williams.
I’ve probably seen Rear Window 20 times. I’d watch it again tonight.
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