tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post2623499520985695583..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: An Inconsequential YarnThe Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-68416837855353564952012-01-26T05:31:20.779-08:002012-01-26T05:31:20.779-08:00I also found the information on Midge's import...I also found the information on Midge's importance to the film very fascinating. I have often wondered why she and Scotty naver married. Wonderful post.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-65387104738654954852012-01-22T08:34:50.464-08:002012-01-22T08:34:50.464-08:00Thanks, again, for the comments!
I, agree, Kay......Thanks, again, for the comments!<br /><br />I, agree, Kay...those elements - the voice over (seldom used by Hitchcock), the flashback, the dream - all work perfectly. Even the length of the letter writing scene, which Taylor cringed at in later years, I find takes just enough time for the audience to absorb the situation and shift gears from "is it her/isn't it her" to "will he find out and when and what will he do when he does."<br /><br />Also that time alone with Judy from her point of view established the identification the audience would need with her throughout the following sequences of the makeover.stevenderosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12177030989910431727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-69912777042567433632012-01-18T15:11:28.295-08:002012-01-18T15:11:28.295-08:00I suspect most film viewers are like me in assumin...I suspect most film viewers are like me in assuming “based on the novel” provides screenwriters with a lot of freedom in interpretation. However, I could not have anticipated in the case of “Vertigo” the amount of departure involved from the initial script to the film we know (I assume we will learn to what extent in Lady Eve’s discussion of the novel). Your description of the nature of screenwriting as a continually evolving process is thoroughly fascinating. Your insight into the refinements produced in the story by a change of individuals is equally thought provoking. I also, as many of your readers here, was intrigued to learn of Taylor’s creation of Midge. I find too many reviewers dismiss or marginalize her role, but I suspected that she meant more to the story than has been acknowledged. I agree with you that the revelation of Judy's identity as it ultimately appears is necessary on several levels, one of which is to make the audience a participant in her continued deceit. Thank you for your keen analysis of the script and scriptwriter’s process and an excellent contribution to “A Month Of Vertigo” (I especially enjoyed your not so “inconsequential yarn” on your discovery of Hitchcock’s films in general and “Vertigo” specifically).whistlingypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06126688373252306609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-42590377435451443202012-01-18T03:00:10.749-08:002012-01-18T03:00:10.749-08:00Steven - I can only concur what others have said. ...Steven - I can only concur what others have said. The backstory on the screenplay's development is fascinating. As I was reading about the invention of the Midge character I found myself going yes, yes, yes on how important her character is to the "Vertigo" story. Thanks very much for this contribution.John Greconoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-46551790967126648672012-01-18T00:08:21.904-08:002012-01-18T00:08:21.904-08:00What an absorbing look at Samuel Taylor's work...What an absorbing look at Samuel Taylor's work with Hitchcock on "Vertigo" - and written with panache - thank you, Steven. Your knowledge of and passion for the subject of Hitchcock and his writers is unmatched - and everywhere evident in this post. <br /><br />Thanks, too, for sharing memories of your 'Hitchcockian education' and first experience of "Vertigo." And your obsession with it and other great Hitchcock works. I understand completely!<br /><br />I can't thank you enough for being a (spectacular) part of "A Month of VERTIGO."The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-50351172363734789472012-01-17T10:35:28.964-08:002012-01-17T10:35:28.964-08:00Dear Steven,
Thanks for a fascinating and well-wri...Dear Steven,<br />Thanks for a fascinating and well-written article. I learned so much and, as another poster mentioned, the narrative style added so much to my enjoyment of the read. I was especially interested in your comments on the "weakness" of the flashbacks (see: Laura), the overvoice (see any one of a billion noirs), the dream sequence, etc. I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you and these gentle readers don't know to point out that it is exactly those elements that help construct this as a color-drenched film noir. In Hitch's anything-but-dark-alley, we bump into the dual-identitied skirt, the confusing urban setting and the baffled hero...<br />everything's there...the VO only puts the final stamp on it. <br />Like you, I've loved this movie since I first watched it decades ago. It has taken me that long to perfect a French twist in my own hair, but now I can transfix any film noir hero at thirty paces. ;-)<br /><br />Thank you for your marvelous addition to this fascinating discussion of the master's most revealing work. <br />Warmly,<br />Kay<br />www.moviestarmakeover.comMarlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442632575933706511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-58951641669414383692012-01-17T00:34:08.303-08:002012-01-17T00:34:08.303-08:00fascinating analysis of the process of nowel to sc...fascinating analysis of the process of nowel to screen...I am sure that HITCH & TAYLOR "goofed" just like CHANDLER with THE BIG SLEEP...also of interest is the transformation of a French novel to a true American masterpiece... most French directors (Truffaut) have failed in their emulation of Hitchcock!!doctom666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-858702023822596942012-01-16T21:35:48.194-08:002012-01-16T21:35:48.194-08:00Thank you, all, for the kind words and feedback. I...Thank you, all, for the kind words and feedback. I'd been wanting to write about Sam Taylor for a long time, so I was excited when Patricia invited me to contribute to her Month of <i>Vertigo</i> project. <br /><br />Taylor's personal stamp is all over <i>Vertigo</i>, once you know where to look. On the next project he did for Hitchcock, <i>No Bail for the Judge</i>, he worked with Hitch right from the outset, taking very little from the novel on which the picture was to be based, and developing more or less of an original story. His notes on that project reveal the level of research he did. Sadly, it wasn't to be.<br /><br />No doubt, Hitchcock relied on his writers a great deal, and I feel that during the period from <i>Rear Window</i> through <i>Marnie</i>, Hitch's relationships with his writers were at their most symbiotic. Yet, for whatever reason, the screenwriters who followed John Michael Hayes were never able to complete consecutive films with Hitch. Max Anderson did <i>The Wrong Man</i> but was replaced on <i>Vertigo</i>. Taylor did <i>Vertigo</i> but <i>No Bail for the Judge</i> never came to fruition. Lehman did <i>North by Northwest</i> but turned down <i>No Bail</i>. Joseph Stefano did <i>Psycho</i> but was unable to finish <i>Marnie</i>. Evan Hunter did <i>The Birds</i> but was replaced on <i>Marnie</i>. Jay Presson Allen completed <i>Marnie</i> but <i>Mary Rose</i> never came to fruition.stevenderosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12177030989910431727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-80808859512045492352012-01-16T14:41:49.976-08:002012-01-16T14:41:49.976-08:00Excellent article, and like above commenters, I al...Excellent article, and like above commenters, I also found the information on Midge's importance to the plot fascinating. Wonderful work, thanks.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-84220099539566076022012-01-16T12:37:32.120-08:002012-01-16T12:37:32.120-08:00Over the years I've found myself wondering abo...Over the years I've found myself wondering about the actual writing of "Vertigo" and how it evolved. Now I have, thanks to your article, some real insight into the writing process that went into this classic film. The various elements that come together in the creation of a great work of art are to a certain extent mysterious, but you've brought to light for me a clearer view of how the script was crafted. It was amusing to read about Taylor's statement that the film was lacking a "Hitchcockian thing", which he then set about to remedy. Of course, "Vertigo" seems to have so much of Hitchcock's personal obsessions and point-of-view that it would be interesting to find out how much of that was established with the director's input before the actual filming began. Congratulations on an informative and truly enlightening article.Motorcycle Boynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-79910646671319527172012-01-16T12:19:55.474-08:002012-01-16T12:19:55.474-08:00Steven, a fascinating post that not only told me a...Steven, a fascinating post that not only told me a lot about "Vertigo" that I wasn't aware of (I especially liked the part about the invention of the Midge character and why she was so important to the film) but was also a tremendously good read. I admire the way you used a narrative style to tell how "Vertigo" was written. This made the post exciting as well as informative. Of course, the skillful and relaxed quality of the writing helped a lot too! I also was fascinated by the part where you discuss how Hitchock and his writers habitually collaborated to get the screenplay just right so that it had the visual flourishes Hitch adored but also had compelling characters and a coherent plot. When you disagreed with Taylor's ideas about how the script might have been improved by revealing the truth earlier, I have to say I'm on board with you here. I discussed this same subject myself earlier, only not from an informed point of view as you did, but from a purely speculative one. Another fine piece of writing that will make the "Vertigo" project one to remember and after it's over to use as a reference.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-52923660341041239942012-01-16T11:48:32.991-08:002012-01-16T11:48:32.991-08:00This was written with an immense expertise on Sam ...This was written with an immense expertise on Sam Taylor and Hitchcock. Mr. DeRosa, I'm not only convinced that you are a Hitchcock expert, but you are one of his biggest fans! This is an incredible essay, and really a joy to read! The information you dug up is excellent. I've learned so much about the writing process of Vertigo from this one sitting alone! I never really knew Sam Taylor's impact on the film. Vertigo is a film people do not really look at as a great "plot," as you said, there are a lot of "no-nos," but it is still one of the most fascinating inventions ever concocted. Everything written above is excellent, well-paced and extremely well-researched. If you don't mind, I think I'm going to have to buy your book! I have to read more. :D<br /><br />- Brandon Kyle The Cinephile, @bkthecinephileBeatlebrandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16003409576171128178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-71915141672012037262012-01-16T10:26:35.579-08:002012-01-16T10:26:35.579-08:00It's hard to not write anything about a classi...It's hard to not write anything about a classic movie and not have personal inflection of some kind, but I love how your personal approach added to the nice touch of exploring the writing process of the screenwriters of the movie. <br />I find it very interesting that the character of Midge came about after a new writer was brought in and how it encircled the story, as well as provide the flashback as well. Wonderful article!hepclassichttp://fan.tcm.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=7681590&as=66470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-51763653481035154442012-01-16T10:18:01.951-08:002012-01-16T10:18:01.951-08:00What an interesting story about how the screenplay...What an interesting story about how the screenplay for Vertigo came together. So much information and so well said. I suspect you are right that Taylor might have disparaged some of the techniques used when the film was given poor reviews and wasn't an initial success.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.com