1. Compare the opening of The Lodger to the opening of The Pleasure Garden - what similarities and differences do you see between the two films?
The similarities are the blond females, although you don't know for sure if the murder victim is a show girl, the marquee ( neon sign?) gives you that impression. It's possible that the dead woman is in show biz. The use of music in both films help to create the atmosphere or mood of the scenes.
The crowds, one an audience the other viewing a crime scene, but both are done with the use of similar camera angles.
2. Identify elements of the "Hitchcock style" in this sequence? Please provide specific examples. Even if you are not sure if it is the "Hitchcock style," what images or techniques stand out in your mind as powerful storytelling? Or images that provide an excess of emotion?
He tells a story visually with very few title designs - the marquee, the telegraph print out, the signs on the back of the delivery trucks - all let us know what is going on without breaking up the picture or scene with title designs - allowing the movement and tension to be continuous.
I see the influence of the German film makers - the machinery of the printing press reminds me of German films depicting industrial machines.
3. Even though this is a "silent" film, the opening image is one of a woman screaming. What do you notice in how Hitchcock frames that particular shot that makes it work in a silent film even though no audible scream that can be heard. And what other screams like that come to mind from Hitchcock's later work?
What makes it work is showing just her face and the terror in her eyes. The use of music or chords to depict the sound of her scream.
I also notice Hitchcock uses music in other scenes to help tell the story. The typing sound or ticking sound when you first see the reporter in the phone booth. The telegraph keys look a bit like piano keys and you hear a bit of piano being played. You can also hear the sound of typing when we see what the telegraph machine is printing out.
The other screams that comes to mind is Psycho of course - in that one he uses violins to go along with Janet Leigh's screams. 39 Steps he uses a train.
Daily Dose #2: To-night Golden Curls (Opening Scene of The Lodger)
in The Master of Suspense: 50 Years of Hitchcock
Posted
1. Compare the opening of The Lodger to the opening of The Pleasure Garden - what similarities and differences do you see between the two films?
The similarities are the blond females, although you don't know for sure if the murder victim is a show girl, the marquee ( neon sign?) gives you that impression. It's possible that the dead woman is in show biz. The use of music in both films help to create the atmosphere or mood of the scenes.
The crowds, one an audience the other viewing a crime scene, but both are done with the use of similar camera angles.
2. Identify elements of the "Hitchcock style" in this sequence? Please provide specific examples. Even if you are not sure if it is the "Hitchcock style," what images or techniques stand out in your mind as powerful storytelling? Or images that provide an excess of emotion?
He tells a story visually with very few title designs - the marquee, the telegraph print out, the signs on the back of the delivery trucks - all let us know what is going on without breaking up the picture or scene with title designs - allowing the movement and tension to be continuous.
I see the influence of the German film makers - the machinery of the printing press reminds me of German films depicting industrial machines.
3. Even though this is a "silent" film, the opening image is one of a woman screaming. What do you notice in how Hitchcock frames that particular shot that makes it work in a silent film even though no audible scream that can be heard. And what other screams like that come to mind from Hitchcock's later work?
What makes it work is showing just her face and the terror in her eyes. The use of music or chords to depict the sound of her scream.
I also notice Hitchcock uses music in other scenes to help tell the story. The typing sound or ticking sound when you first see the reporter in the phone booth. The telegraph keys look a bit like piano keys and you hear a bit of piano being played. You can also hear the sound of typing when we see what the telegraph machine is printing out.
The other screams that comes to mind is Psycho of course - in that one he uses violins to go along with Janet Leigh's screams. 39 Steps he uses a train.