Vertigo (1958)

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writers:

Alec Coppel (screenplay) &
Samuel A. Taylor (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

21 July 1958 (Brazil)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

A Hitchcock thriller. You should see it from the beginning!

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Dolly Zoom | Romantic Obsession | One Word Title | Actress Playing Multiple Roles | Cult Classic

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

James Stewart	...	Det. John 'Scottie' Ferguson
Kim Novak	...	Madeleine Elster / Judy Barton
Barbara Bel Geddes	...	Marjorie '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
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Isabel Analla	...	Bit part (uncredited)
Jack Ano	...	Bit part (uncredited)
John Benson	...	Salesman (uncredited)
Margaret Brayton	...	Ransohoff's saleslady (uncredited)
Paul Bryar	...	Det. Capt. Hansen (uncredited)
Jean Corbett	...	Mrs. Elster (uncredited)
Bruno Della Santina	...	Waiter at Ernie's (uncredited)
Roxann Delman	...	Ransohoff's model (uncredited)
Molly Dodd	...	Beautician (uncredited)
Carlo Dotto	...	Ernie's bartender (uncredited)
Bess Flowers	...	Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
Joanne Genthon	...	Carlotta Valdes (uncredited)
Don Giovanni	...	Salesman (uncredited)
Roland Gotti	...	Maitre d' at Ernie's (uncredited)
Fred Graham	...	Officer on rooftop (uncredited)
Buck Harrington	...	Elster's gateman (uncredited)
Alfred Hitchcock	...	Man walking past Elster's office (uncredited)
June Jocelyn	...	Nurse (uncredited)
David McElhatton	...	Radio announcer in deleted scene (DVD only) (voice) (uncredited)
Miliza Milo	...	Saleswoman (uncredited)
Forbes Murray	...	Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
Julian Petruzzi	...	San Francisco flower seller (uncredited)
William Remick	...	Jury foreman (uncredited)
Jack Richardson	...	Escort (uncredited)
Jeffrey Sayre	...	Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
Nina Shipman	...	Woman in museum mistaken for Madeleine (uncredited)
Dori Simmons	...	Woman at Ernie's mistaken for Madeleine (uncredited)
Ed Stevlingson	...	Inquest attorney (uncredited)
Sara Taft	...	Nun (uncredited)

Directed by
Alfred Hitchcock

Writing credits
Alec Coppel		(screenplay) &
Samuel A. Taylor		(screenplay) (as Samuel Taylor)
Pierre Boileau		(novel "D'Entre Les Morts") and
Thomas Narcejac		(novel "D'Entre Les Morts")

Produced by
Herbert Coleman	....	associate producer
James C. Katz	....	restoration producer (1996 restoration)
Alfred Hitchcock	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Bernard Herrmann

Cinematography by
Robert Burks		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
George Tomasini

Art Direction by
Henry Bumstead
Hal Pereira

Set Decoration by
Sam Comer
Frank R. McKelvy		(as Frank McKelvy)

Makeup Department
Nellie Manley	....	hair styles supervisor
Wally Westmore	....	makeup supervisor
Benny Lane	....	makeup artist: Miss Novak (uncredited)
Peggy Thomas	....	hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management
Phillip Feiner	....	executive in charge of production (1996 restoration) (as Phillip J. Feiner)
Robert Heiser	....	post-production manager: DTS (1996 restoration)
C.O. Erickson	....	unit production manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Daniel McCauley	....	assistant director
Herbert Coleman	....	second unit director: San Francisco (uncredited)
John P. Fulton	....	second unit director: back projection (uncredited)

Art Department
Gene Lauritzen	....	construction coordinator (uncredited)

Sound Department
Charlie Ajar Jr.	....	sound recordist (1996 restoration)
Michael C. Casper	....	re-recording mixer (1996 restoration) (as Michael Casper)
William Hooper	....	sound editor (1996 restoration) (as Bill Hooper)
William Jacobs	....	sound editor (1996 restoration)
Daniel J. Leahy	....	re-recording mixer (1996 restoration)
Richard LeGrand Jr.	....	supervising sound editor (1996 restoration) (as Richard Legrand Jr.)
Winston H. Leverett	....	sound recordist (as Winston Leverett)
Harold Lewis	....	sound recordist
Laura Macias	....	foley artist (1996 restoration)
Bob McNabb	....	sound editor (1996 restoration)
Sharon Michaels	....	foley artist (1996 restoration)
Albert Romero	....	foley mixer (1996 restoration)
Harry E. Snodgrass	....	sound designer (1996 restoration) (as Harry Snodgrass)
Walter Spencer	....	sound editor (1996 restoration)
Samuel Webb	....	assistant sound editor (1996 restoration)
George Dutton	....	sound (uncredited)
Michael Ferdie	....	foley editor (1996 restoration) (uncredited)
Bill Wistrom	....	sound editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Farciot Edouart	....	process photography
John P. Fulton	....	special photographic effects
W. Wallace Kelley	....	process photography (as Wallace Kelley)

Visual Effects by
Chris Bushman	....	photo-chemical supervisor (1996 restoration)
Mike Glickman	....	optical cameraman (1996 restoration)
Scott Dougherty	....	digital restoration producer: Cinesite (uncredited)
Paul K. Lerpae	....	optical effects (uncredited)
Jerry Pooler	....	digital restoration supervisor (uncredited)
Tiffany Smith	....	digital restoration coordinator: Cinesite (uncredited)
John Whitney Sr.	....	motion control designer: title sequence (uncredited)

Stunts
Polly Burson	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jean Corbett	....	stunt double: Kim Novak (uncredited)
Ted Mapes	....	stunts (uncredited)
Fred Perce	....	stunt double: James Stewart (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Robert Coburn	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Earl Crowell	....	rigging gaffer (uncredited)
John Friedman	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Adolph Froelich	....	best boy (uncredited)
Bobby Greene	....	first assistant camera (uncredited)
Loyal Griggs	....	director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
James Hawley	....	assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
Warren Hoag	....	rigging electrician (uncredited)
Victor Jones	....	gaffer (uncredited)
Michael P. Joyce	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Fred Kaifer	....	camera operator: second unit (uncredited)
W. Wallace Kelley	....	director of photography: back projection (uncredited)
James Knott	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Lon Massey	....	best boy electric (uncredited)
Kyme Meade	....	camera operator: second unit (uncredited)
Walter Newman	....	grip (uncredited)
John Nostri	....	grip (uncredited)
H. Parsley	....	grip (uncredited)
G.E. Richardson	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Irmin Roberts	....	director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
Gus Ryden	....	dolly grip (uncredited)
Leonard J. South	....	camera operator (uncredited)
F. Steiner	....	rigging best boy electric (uncredited)
Darrell Turnmire	....	key grip (uncredited)
Paul Uhl	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Edward Wahrman	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Paul Weddell	....	first assistant camera (uncredited)
B. Weiler	....	camera operator: second unit (uncredited)
William Williams	....	director of photography: animation (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Edith Head	....	costumes
Roselle Novello	....	wardrobe: women (uncredited)
Dario Piazza	....	wardrobe: men (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Richard Mueller	....	color consultant: Technicolor

Music Department
Muir Mathieson	....	conductor
Bernard Herrmann	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Other crew
Saul Bass	....	title designer
Walter Browski	....	theater sales manager: DTS (1996 restoration)
John Ferren	....	special sequence
Robert A. Harris	....	restorer (1996 restoration)
Joanne Lawson	....	restoration assistant (1996 restoration)
Marlene Noble	....	restoration & research assistant (1996 restoration)
Ken D. Smith	....	production executive (1996 restoration)
Mike B. Smith	....	theater services engineer: DTS (1996 restoration)
Diane Cummings	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Kathleen Fagan	....	script supervisor: second unit (uncredited)
Dr. A. Vincent Gerty	....	technical advisor (uncredited)
Bill Gray	....	production accountant (uncredited)
Frank Kies	....	production accountant: San Francisco (uncredited)
Luddie Laine	....	dialogue coach (uncredited)
Olive Long	....	secretary: Mr. McKay (uncredited)
Al Peterson	....	craft service (uncredited)
Peggy Robertson	....	assistant: Mr. Hitchcock (uncredited)
Art Sarno	....	publicist (uncredited)
Anita Speer	....	script supervisor: second unit (uncredited)
Herb Steinberg	....	unit publicist (uncredited)
Dolores Stockton	....	secretary: Mr. Coleman (uncredited)
Constance Willis	....	script supervisor: San Francisco (uncredited)

Thanks
Barbara Bel Geddes	....	we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration)
Patricia Hitchcock	....	special thanks (1996 restoration) (as Patricia Hitchcock O'Connell)
Kim Novak	....	we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration)
Martin Scorsese	....	special thanks (1996 restoration)
James Stewart	....	we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration)
Samuel A. Taylor	....	we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration) (as Samuel Taylor)
Suzanne Taylor	....	we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration)
Lew Wasserman	....	special thanks (1996 restoration)

Production Companies

• Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions (uncredited)
• Paramount Pictures

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1958) (USA) (theatrical) (as A Paramount Release)
• Paramount-Films (1958) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Paramount (1959) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Les Films Paramount (1959) (France) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (1963) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Atalanta Filmes (????) (Portugal) (theatrical) (199?) (restored version)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1965) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Universal Pictures (1983) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1984) (West Germany) (theatrical) (restored version)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1984) (Finland) (theatrical)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• CIC Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS) (19??)
• Prem'er Video Fil'm (????) (Russia) (VHS)
• Alfred J. Hitchcock Trust (1996) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Universal Pictures (1996) (USA) (theatrical) (reissue)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1997) (Finland) (theatrical)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1997) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1998) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures (1999) (Germany) (VHS)
• Universal Pictures (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Universal Home Video (2003) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Universal Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Film Archive, The  special thanks (1996 restoration) (as The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Film Archive)
• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Margaret Herrick Library  special thanks (1996 restoration) (as The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Margaret Herrick Library)
• American Movie Classics (AMC)  Universal Pictures gratefully acknowledges the following companies for their generous contributions toward the restoration of Vertigo: preservation sponsor (1996 restoration)
• Boston Light & Sound  VistaVision dailies projector provided by (1996 restoration) (as Boston Light and Sound)
• Chivas Regal  Universal Pictures gratefully acknowledges the following companies for their generous contributions toward the restoration of Vertigo: official preservation partner (1996 restoration)
• Digital Theater Systems  Universal Pictures gratefully acknowledges the following companies for their generous contributions toward the restoration of Vertigo: preservation sponsor (1996 restoration)
• Eastman Kodak Motion Picture Films  restoration produced on (1996 restoration)
• Entertainment Weekly  Universal Pictures gratefully acknowledges the following companies for their generous contributions toward the restoration of Vertigo: preservation sponsor (1996 restoration) (as Entertainment Weekly Magazine)
• Four Seasons Hotel, The  Universal Pictures gratefully acknowledges the following companies for their generous contributions toward the restoration of Vertigo: preservation sponsor (1996 restoration) (as Four Seasons Hotels)
• Pacific Title  VistaVision to 65 mm opticals (1996 restoration)
• Panavision  special thanks (1996 restoration)
• Paramount Pictures  special thanks (1996 restoration)
• Pro-Tek Film Preservation Vault  film element inspection by (1996 restoration) (as Pro-Tek Film Preservation Vaults)
• Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas  special thanks (1996 restoration)
• Superior Film Service  negative cutting (1996 restoration)
• Universal Studios Sound Facilities  restoration sound editing and re-recording at (1996 restoration) (as Universal Studios Sound Facility)
• Universal Studios Sound Restoration Department  special thanks (1996 restoration)
• Varèse Sarabande  soundtrack on (1996 restoration) (as Varèse Sarabande CDs and Cassettes)

Also Known As:

'Vertigo' (USA) (poster title)
Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (USA) (complete title)
From Among the Dead (USA) (working title)
Illicit Darkening (USA) (working title)
Listen Darkling (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

128 min | USA:129 min (1996 restored version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.50 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS 70 mm (1996 re-release) (70 mm prints) | DTS (1996 re-release) (35 mm prints) | Dolby Digital (1996 re-release) (35 mm prints) | Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #18867) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (1997) | Canada:G (Nova Scotia) (original rating) (1983) | Spain:T | Netherlands:12 | USA:PG (re-rating) (1983) (certificate no. 27072) | Brazil:18 (original DVD rating) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Brazil:14 | Brazil:12 (2007) (DVD re-rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12/9 (1995) | Finland:K-12/9 (1997) | Finland:K-16 (1958) | France:U | Norway:11 (re-rating) (1997) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Sweden:15 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (1988) | West Germany:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

900 Lombard Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions

Trivia:

Kim Novak hated wearing the important gray suit because it felt confining. However, she learned to make it work for her, as she saw it a symbol of Madeleine's character.

Goofs:

Continuity: As Judy packs to run away, the breast sections on Madeleine's gray suit in her closet are popped out in one shot and pushed in in another.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Featured in "House M.D.: Safe (#2.16)" (2006)

A Standard Rave

Starting in 1958, Alfred Hitchcock directed a remarkable sequence of films in a row, each of them a classic; Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959), Psycho (1960) and The Birds (1963). Never has a director made four such genuinely great movies in such a short space of time, either before or since.

The pick of this high standard bunch is undoubtedly Vertigo. From the opening titles, with their circling spiral imagery, to the dramatic final scene this is a movie that takes you to a different time and place. Specifically, to a San Francisco of the past; full of deserted parks, discrete rooming houses, oddly menacing art galleries and florists where the customers enter and exit through the back door. Through this landscape wanders Jimmy Stewart, towering in the lead roll as a former detective recently retired after a bungled arrest leaves him with chronic vertigo. Plot machinations lead him to the alluring Kim Novak (one of Hitchcock's famous "blondes"), the young wife of a friend who has started behaving rather oddly.

"To reveal more," as Leonard Maltin wrote, "would be unthinkable."

While the performances of Novak and Stewart are memorable, the movie is really set apart by the intelligent script and the stylistic touches provided by the director. Hitchcock is in his very best form creating hypnotic scenes and a general sense of unease and dread in even the most banal of situations. He is aided in this by the wonderful score of Bernard Herrman. A particular favourite of mine is the extended (largely silent) segment where Stewart follows Novak for the first time. Nothing much happens, but the atmosphere of these scenes is enough to keep you on the edge of your seat!

One of the all-time greats. They definitely don't make them like this anymore.