The Best of Alfred Hitchcock (part 2)

So here are my top 5 favorite Hitchcock films. Check out Part 1 below.

5. Notorious (1946)

*Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant and Claude Rains

This romantic-thriller is one of the best uses of the MacGuffin, a plot device that is solely used to further the story but has no actual importance (in this case, searching for uranium). The real story is one of the sadistic/masochistic nature of redemption. Bergman's character, Alicia, constantly puts herself through fire-tests in an effort to escape her notorious past as a promiscuous alcoholic. Ingrid Bergman was the first of three leading ladies with whom Hitch was obsessed (the others were Grace Kelly in the 50s and 'Tippi' Hedren in the 60s). Her performance in this film is magical as are those of her leading men. The genius of this film lies in that it is a spy thriller, a film noir, a female Gothic romance and a morality tale all in one.

4. The 39 Steps (1935)

*Richard Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Godfrey Tearle and Lucie Mannheim

Even though North by Northwest is the "ultimate Hitchcock thriller", this is the one that started it all. It has everything: strong characters, laughs, romance, thrills and some surprising twists. Donat makes for a very interesting hero: he's reluctant, sarcastic but surprising reliable. Carroll was the first true Hitchcock Blond--a character type we'd see in almost all of his films in the 40s, 50s and 60s. And then there's Annabella Smith (pictured) who is one of the film's best characters despite her short screen-time.

3. Vertigo (1958)

*James Stewart, Kim Novak, Tom Helmore and Barbara Bel Geddes

I would call Vertigo Hitchcock's true masterpiece. It is an intoxicating, enchanting and surrealistic viewing experience but one that requires some serious mental preparation before you watch it for the 2nd time (you'll want to because it becomes a different film with every viewing). That's because the film is absolutely mind-numbing; it leaves your brain dead and your emotions drained when it reaches its shattering and devastating conclusion. Vertigo is a film that shows you the horrific consequences of obsession and takes you by the hand into the shadowy realms of "Mad"-ness. Kim Novak delivers a revolutionary performance--one which would have won her an Oscar if the film hadn't been critically panned upon its release. I love this movie immensely but I have to be in the right place to watch it which is why it's #3 and not #1.

2. Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

*Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Macdonald Carey and Patricia Collinge

Hitchcock made his Hollywood debut with the aforementioned Rebecca but Shadow of a Doubt is the first film that deals with the American way of life. This film tackles the dark secrets of American suburbia. The Oscar-nominated screenplay is genius as it is so layered with subtext and hidden meanings. Wright, Cotten and Collinge offer wonderful acting jobs and the film contains many sequences that are just awe-inspiring. Hitchcock once said that this was his favorite film. It's not hard to see why.

1. Rear Window (1953)

*James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey and Thelma Ritter

Alas, what can I say about this absolutely perfect Hitchcock film? It is a thriller, a love story, a social commentary and a comedy. The movie contains about a thousand ideas--it's a whole new experience every time you watch it (like Vertigo). Hitchcock's command over the camera and his characters is positively stunning. Every little detail has some sort of significance to the film's hero. This is true of all his films but even more so here as each character is just a manifestation of Jimmy Stewart's insecurities and phobias. If you want to start getting into the Hitchcock Canon--start with Rear Window.

As an amateur Hitchcockian scholar, that's my list of the best Hitchcock films. I haven't seen all of his films but I certainly plan to. I would definitely say that Alfred Hitchcock is my favorite director and I thoroughly enjoyed spending five weeks with him in London.