OSHER 551 - The Films of Alfred Hitchcock, Part Two 1954-1960

Hitchcock, a master of suspense, created over 50 films with remarkable similarities and differences in style, theme, and structure. This class will examine late films, selecting from Rear Window, The Trouble with Harry, To Catch a Thief, Vertigo, North by Northwest, and Psycho. Themes and motifs examined include: chiaroscuro (play of light and dark), skillful cinematic creation of anticipation, icy blondes and dominating mother figures, the omnipresence of guilt, and the ability to shoot and edit film in a way spectators become voyeurs, peering into the private lives of characters and experiencing pleasure and dread. Hitchcock's unique trademarks include cameo appearances in each film and soupcon of humor to increase the suspense.