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"Vertigo" (1958) Watch Along (Patreon)

Published:
2024-06-07 18:00:11
Imported:
2026-06
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I really liked "Vertigo" (1958) because it’s such a captivating blend of mystery, romance, and psychological drama. The way Hitchcock uses colour and camera angles to create a sense of unease is genius, and the storyline kept me guessing the whole time. Plus, the performances by James Stewart and Kim Novak are incredible, making the characters feel so real and complex. The film's setting in San Francisco adds a unique charm, and Bernard Herrmann’s haunting score perfectly complements the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere. It's a film that really sticks with you and makes you think. I went to bed at 2:30 after I edited and washed my face and I still couldn't fall asleep because I kept thinking about you! My dreams even felt like I was still in the movie! That actually never happens! LOL

Let me hear it all down below!

Thanks for being here you guys!

xoxo

ames

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Vertigo (1958) Watch Along

Comments

Jeffrey Schmidbauer

I enjoy the dream sequence. I bet it freaked out a lot of people seeing that for the first time. Another thing about Hitchcock films are the opening credit sequences of his 1950s and 60s films. All the credit goes to Saul Bass. He was so good at his craft that Martin Scorsese hired Bass for his movies' opening sequences in the 80s and 90s. Most notibly, 1994's Cape Fear and 1995's Casino. You'll see similarities between Vertigo and Casino in that respect.

John Courtright

Looking forward to this first time watch with you, Ames!!

RFK Fan

WOW!! I'm very impressed Ames.. Your cinematic IQ has grown so much in the last year. Reading your review above I had glimpes of Siskel and Ebert! You are a true CINEPHILE...

Michael T

Okay, Ames, this is going to be long, so I hope you'll bear with me — because I have a lot to say about Vertigo, maybe my favorite movie of all time. First, you said the ending was abrupt and caught you off guard. You're right, it certainly is unconventional, not at all how we've been trained to expect a story like this should end. But for a film that already has made us feel dizzy and kept us off balance, I think it's perfect. You're right, it's an absolutely tragic ending when Judy, already unstable emotionally and psychologically, is startled by the nun/apparition and steps back, then trips and accidentally falls to her (second) death... that's terribly sad, because Scotty has just overcome his vertigo and might be ready to move on, perhaps even to forgive Judy. But now it's "too late" (a line echoed several times in the film). It's too late for Judy, for Scotty, and certainly for the real Madeline. So what does the story mean at this point? Why did it all happen? What's the purpose of anything? I believe this is Hitchcock's most eloquent statement of our existential condition. Many of his films contain this underlying theme, but in Vertigo it is laid bare in devastating fashion. Look at Scotty's pose in the final shot — almost identical to his posture in the dream when he was falling into the grave. That's no accident. No matter what you or I do or how hard we try, in the end, for all of us, there is nothing but death and the grave. Finally, just to confirm something else you mentioned... of all the movies ever made, Vertigo might be the MOST re-watchable. Every time you see it, you'll catch something else, some nuance of Madeline's/Judy's character, or another deft directorial touch. This film is endlessly rewarding for repeat viewings. I'm so glad you've joined us on the Hitchcock train. Can't wait to see where you'll go from here!

Shawn Goforth

"I need you to be Madeleine for aWhile." That line is still terrifying, no matter how many times I see this film. It may be because we're seeing the peak of the obsession being played out, or it may be that it's coming from Jimmy Stewart. I feel the need to shut my eyes and plug my ears. That couldn't possibly be him on the screen, behaving in this manner. So good. Kim Novak was famously not allowed to act in this film. By that, I mean she was unable to make any of her own performance choices. Life imitating art isn't always pleasant, I suppose. Novak stated in interviews that the thing she remembered most from making this film was that she felt trapped. She was told how to stand, how to move, where to place her hands, when to smile or not, how to deliver the lines, when and how to turn her head. Nothing was her choice. She would rewatch the film, but notices that some of that struggle seems to come across on screen, as if she were fighting to break away and do what she wanted. The camera work is a major takeaway in many Hitchcock films, but definitely leaves a lasting impression here. The kaleidoscope effect that is shown when Scotty looks down was achieved by zooming in, while physically moving the camera backwards. The ground is shown approaching quickly and falling further away from us at the same time. There are so many great touches like that one, but my favorite is also the neon green fog that Judy steps out of, when she has completed her transformation. She does look like a ghost, or stepping out of a dream into focus. There is a scene in Sin City that always reminds me of this, when Marv thinks he sees Goldie, but as she steps closer, the color fades away, and he realizes it's her sister Wendy. "I'm sorry, I got confused again."

John Courtright

SPOILERS AHEAD I loved everything about this movie except the abrupt ending and, to a lesser extent, the development and final disposition of Midge’s character. The setup for the final scene was perfect! We were literally dragged up the stairs with Judy in preparation for the final climax. The sudden and (largely) unexplained (at least to me) conclusion, felt so anti-climactic and unsatisfying. It felt like the rug had suddenly been pulled out from underneath my feet. I literally said, “WHAT!!!???” out loud... but it didn’t undo all of the awesomeness of the film as a whole. I thought Jimmy Stewart did a great job as John “Scottie” Ferguson. His transformation from a recently retired (and somewhat traumatized) guy who just wants to wander around and do nothing for a while, into someone who is increasingly becoming obsessed with another man’s wife, was fascinating! It certainly didn’t take him long to fall hard for Madeleine! Kim Novak was great! What a stunner and master manipulator! She played her part to a tee! I also thought she did a very believable job of showing the internal conflict she was having over dressing in Madeleine‘s clothes again and having her hair redone. You called it, Ames! This was a no-win situation for both her and Scottie! I was not happy with Midge’s character arc. She started out as such a strong character and the perfect complement to Scottie. In the second act, her painting was an unmitigated disaster, and seemed so out of character. Things just went downhill from there. As usual, I felt Hitchcock did an amazing job of maintaining suspense throughout. Even the driving scenes seemed to have an underlying tension to them! I loved his sleight of hand, where Madeline gives Scottie the slip at the McKittrick Hotel and then disappears (momentarily) behind the sequoia in the woods. (I thought for sure she was gone in the woods, lol!) The set decoration was amazing and so detailed. The velvet flock wallpaper at Ernie’s restaurant, with a plush velvety feel to it, was a great touch, and helped maintain the red-dominant color palette! In every room, it looked like each piece was individually selected and carefully placed in exactly the right spot. Stunning! What a film!!

JM63

Great reaction to a very challenging film, Ames! Hitchcock’s other three films on the AFI 100 list (Psycho, Rear Window, and North by Northwest) are all highly entertaining crowd-pleasers. Vertigo stands apart -- it’s frustrating, confusing, mysterious. It doesn’t give up its secrets easily. But that’s what I’ve loved about it so much for the past 20 years or so. To me, Rear Window and Vertigo make up a two-part series. Both are centered on the theme of how men and women relate to each other. But while Rear Window does so in a playful, light-hearted way, the opening notes of Vertigo tell us that we’re in store for a much darker treatment. (SPOILERS BELOW)

Hold Down A

Y’all are amazing live loosely read throu and am flabbergasted by these amazing insights. I will get back to you all asap

James Rogers

Its been well over 40 years since I first saw Vertigo. Still my favorite Hitchcock film. Bernard Herrmann's score is masterful. Just a joy to watch. Thanks for the shared experience.

AJ

Dude...another film I never would have watched and I LOVED it. The first pre-1975 movie that's age wasn't distracting to me. It's so gloriously f'd up. I was all in on it being a haunting/possession. Genuinely and wonderfully surprised by the reveal. And then Jimmy was so great after his dark turn. Totally agree with you on the colors...red and green and the intricacies of the apartment sets. I wanted to feel the wallpaper too. Great use of San Francisco. I miss that city so much. So many cool hotels, restaurants and great little places to get a drink. Used to go a couple times a year when I lived in So Cal...$99 round trip flighs in the 2000s. Good old days. I hope you do a YT edit for this one. I want to watch again.

James Rogers

My top 3 all time are: 1. Vertigo 2. The Trouble With Harry 3. Strangers on a Train

Andrew Corbyn

Fantastic reaction to my favorite film of all time! Such a depressing and tragic film, easily Hitchcock's most emotional. Can't wait for you to get to some of his films outside of the big 4, like Rebecca, Strangers on a Train and Notorious!

Clay F

My first watch of Vertigo (excellent). There are not many good guys in Vertigo. John (Scottie) did lose it. "I need you to be Madeline." Gavin killed his wife for $. Judy (Kim Novak) was involved in the murder. Age 26 seems so young. Agree that Kim Novak (now age 91) did an excellent job -- as the real Judy and fake Madeleine. Midge seemed odd at times. I remember Barbara Bel Geddes (who played Midge) from the “Dallas” TV series. Vertigo is now my favorite Hitchcock, though Rear Window and Psycho are also stunning. The only other Hitchcock movie (besides those three) that I can recall seeing is The Birds, which I don't really remember. I plan to watch North by Northwest, Dial M for Murder, To Catch a Thief, and The Man Who Knew Too Much -- and do a rewatch of The Birds. At about age 6-10 (1969-1973), I watched reruns of Alfred Hitchcock Presents/Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Stuck with me. I agree that San Francisco is a cool movie setting. Sometimes I will intentionally watch a movie b/c it is set in SF. The first and only time I went to SF was for 4 days in July 2023. We stayed in Mark Hopkins hotel (coincidentally next to Gavin's apartment and next to the Fairmont Hotel) at top of Nob Hill. The 19th floor of the hotel we stayed has the "Top of the Mark" bar that John (Scottie) mentioned. We had a drink there. Mark Hopkins hotel (opened in 1926) is owned by Intercontinental and is the oldest Intercontinental hotel in the US. SF is an awesome and beautiful city. We stayed away from Tenderloin but otherwise walked all over: Nob Hill, Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach, Mission District, Golden Gate Park, Alamo Square, Haight Ashbury, etc. Didn't see (or recognize) a homeless person or drug use other than marijuana.