Vertigo (1958)

A retired San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's much-younger wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writers:

Alec Coppel (screenplay), Samuel A. Taylor (screenplay),

Stars:

James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes

Top 250 #53 | Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Stewart	...	John 'Scottie' Ferguson
Kim Novak	...	Madeleine Elster / Judy Barton
Barbara Bel Geddes	...	Midge Wood
Tom Helmore	...	Gavin Elster
Henry Jones	...	Coroner
Raymond Bailey	...	Scottie's Doctor
Ellen Corby	...	Manager of McKittrick Hotel
Konstantin Shayne	...	Pop Leibel
Lee Patrick	...	Car Owner Mistaken for Madeleine

Storyline

John "Scottie" Ferguson is a retired San Francisco police detective who suffers from acrophobia and Madeleine is the lady who leads him to high places. A wealthy shipbuilder who is an acquaintance from college days approaches Scottie and asks him to follow his beautiful wife, Madeleine. He fears she is going insane, maybe even contemplating suicide, because she believes she is possessed by a dead ancestor. Scottie is skeptical, but agrees after he sees the beautiful Madeleine.

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Plot Keywords:

acrophobia | police | vertigo | police detective | hair | 

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Taglines:

A Mystery Revised... A Master Remembered! (1996 Restored Film Premiere)

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Genres:

Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 July 1958 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

'Vertigo'

Filming Locations:

1000 Mason Street, North Beach, San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,479,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,486,818 (USA) (22 November 1996)

Gross:

$1,718,928 (USA) (20 December 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min 129 min (1996 restored)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.50 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2002, named by "Positif" (France) as one of the 50 best films of the last 50 years (critics' choice: #2, readers' choice: #4)

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Goofs

When Scottie gets out of his car in front of the hotel, his window is down. In the continuing shot as he walks away from the car, the window is closed.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Officer on rooftop: Give me your hand. Give me your hand.

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Crazy Credits

There is no end title on this film.

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Connections

Referenced in Shooting 'Panic Room' (2004)
mentionned once

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Soundtracks

"Sardis #4"
(uncredited)
(Forever Female), from Skylark (Poochie)
Composed by Victor Young
Orchestrated by Gus Levene
Played as 'cue 12D' by the orchestra while Scottie and Judy are dancing

User Reviews

Beyond Amazing

Over the years, this film has been regarded as one of Hitchcock's masterpieces. Its been called the most personal, emotional, and complex of Hitchcock's films. I agree with all of these things except for one, this film IS Hitchcock's masterpiece work. All of the others pale in comparison to this. There are phenomenal performances here by Jimmy Stewart who plays the biggest anti-hero of his career and Kim Novak whose stunning beauty and exceptional personalities shine through this dark film. Barbara Bel Geddes provides great support as well. Everything about this film, the cinematography, the story, the depth, etc. leaves you mystified and transfixed on this dizzying, surreal artwork of a film. It truly is flawless. If you are a Hitchcock fan and haven't seen this you need to get up right now and buy, not rent, this as soon as possible!