Princess Tam Tam (1935): Josephine Baker

     Directed by Edmond T. Greville, Princess Tam Tam (1935) sought to capitalize on the screen success Josephine Baker had the previous year in the starring role of Zouzou (1934). The story focuses on a Tunisian peasant girl who is educated and introduced to Parisian high society. An interesting parallel comes when the girl becomes an exotic artistic muse in Europe, becoming the inspiration for paintings and sculptures, much as Josephine Baker had in real life. The whole cast does a wonderful job but as usual, it is Josephine Baker that is the true star of the production, delivering memorable musical and dance performances.

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Princess Tam Tam. 1935: Josephine Baker

Rope (1948): Alfred Hitchcock and James Stewart

     Rope (1948) was one of Hitchcock's experimental pieces, one in which he tested the technical abilities of the camera to keep a story running seamlessly. Yes, the goal was to make the film appear to be one continuous shot... and it works, especially considering the technical limitations of the time. The hour and a half length of the movie required changing film reels several times. So, to make it as least noticeable as possible, Hitchcock chose to change reels while focused on a solid, dark stationary object (the back of a man's coat, the top of a trunk). This gives Rope the overall tense feeling of claustrophobia, as the viewer does not leave the apartment and the events transpire in real time. 

    Two young men, Brandon and Phillip, murder David, a friend they deemed to be intellectually inferior and unnecessary. After strangling David, they place his body in a trunk in their apartment... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock

     They committed the crime for the "Art" of it, and are proud at how perfect the act transpired. They are so proud, in fact, that they have decided to host a party with the trunk containing David's body serving as the buffet. Amongst those invited are David's girlfriend... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock

     as well as the dead man's parents... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock

     One guest, however, was invited for the sole purpose of testing exactly how perfect their crime really was. Rupert Cadell (James Stewart) is their former teacher, and the one person smart enough to figure it all out... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock: James Stewart

     If he does not suspect, then Brandon and Phillip have truly "created" something special. Rupert does suspect something is amiss, though, but is unsure exactly what... His suspicion grows through subtle questioning... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock: James Stewart

     and Brandon and Phillip are growing uneasy at how shrewd Rupert really is... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock: James Stewart

     The slightest slip-up will result in them being caught. Tension is growing... 

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock: James Stewart

     Have they committed the perfect murder, or has cockiness proved to be their downfall...

Rope. 1948. Alfred Hitchcock: James Stewart

Psycho (1960): Alfred Hitchcock, Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins

     Alfred Hitchcock was so determined to make Psycho (1960), against the refusal of Paramount Studios, that he made some of the greatest concessions of his career... at one point even offering to finance the production himself. Paramount was fairly certain the film would be a flop, so in the end, they agreed to Hitchock's offer to waive his $250,000 director's fee in exchange for 60% ownership of the Psycho film negative. This arrangement worked out delightfully in Hitchcock's favor. The film was a huge success, now considered amongst Hitchcock's very best artistic works, and Paramount had to wait over 20 long years (after Hitchcock's death in 1980) to capitalize and start making their drivel of lackluster sequels and a pointless remake. Shooting in black and white and using a large number of the staff from his TV show, Hitchcock was able to keep costs down considerably. This gritty feel in Psycho also lent itself well to the subject matter, which pushed the envelope in terms of violence and sexuality. Norman Bates (very loosely based serial killer Ed Gein) is one of the most recognizable cinematic characters of the era... and the shower murder scene, with it's frightening musical score, is one of the most memorable moments ever caught on film.

     Eager to offer financial help to her boyfriend, secretary Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) absconds with $40,000 from one of her employer's clients and flees... 

Psycho. 1960. Alfred Hitchcock: Janet Leigh

     Scared and caught in inclement weather, Marion decides to stay the night at the isolated "Bates Motel", off the beaten path, and run by a curious man with a taxidermy hobby named Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins)... 

Psycho. 1960. Alfred Hitchcock: Anthony Perkins

     and his invalid mother, who lives in the adjacent house... 

Psycho. 1960. Alfred Hitchcock: Anthony Perkins

     After a conversation with Norman, Marion retires to her room and decides to take a shower... 

Psycho. 1960. Alfred Hitchcock: Janet Leigh

     It is a horrific... 

Psycho. 1960. Alfred Hitchcock: Mother

     and tragically grave decision... 

Psycho. 1960. Alfred Hitchcock: Janet Leigh

     Marion's disappearance and the knowledge of the money she stole sends along a Private Investigator (Martin Balsam), who meets a grisly end as well. Now Marion's boyfriend and her sister are curious as well. Norman Bates is getting nervous... 

Psycho. 1960. Alfred Hitchcock: Anthony Perkins

     and beginning to unravel. What is to be done...

Psycho. 1960. Alfred Hitchcock: Anthony Perkins

Psycho. 1960. Alfred Hitchcock: Janet Leigh