Favorite Hitchcock Kills?

[GhostDog]

He's the Master of Suspense and with over fifty films over a five decade career Old Hitchcock has acquired quite the substantial body count.

So I ask what's your favorite Hitchcockian death?

Let's start with easily his most famous death....

Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) stabbed to death in the shower by Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) in Psycho (1960)

...and now for a personal favorite and what has to be one of his most surprisingly gory kills.

The Dead Man with his eyes pecked out found by Lydia (Jessica Tandy) in The Birds (1963)

So now what's your favorite death by Hitchcock?

[Repo'd]

Fun topic! I like the two you've already mentioned.

My favorite is the Murder of the private investigator, , Arbogast, on the stairs in Norman's house. The initial overhead shot is striking, as Norman/Mother emerges from the bedroom with deadly intent. When the slashing occurs, the camera follows the victim as he falls bleeding backwards down the stairs. If that's all not enough, Arbogast hits the floor at the bottom of the stairs and then Norman really gets to work! A wonderful scene in one of Horror's most iconic films.

[Sculpt]

Originally Posted by Repo'd

Fun topic! I like the two you've already mentioned.

My favorite is the Murder of the private investigator, , Arbogast, on the stairs in Norman's house. The initial overhead shot is striking, as Norman/Mother emerges from the bedroom with deadly intent. When the slashing occurs, the camera follows the victim as he falls bleeding backwards down the stairs. If that's all not enough, Arbogast hits the floor at the bottom of the stairs and then Norman really gets to work! A wonderful scene in one of Horror's most iconic films.

Totally agree! Those shots are so bizarre and creepy -- I think it really taps the 'i can't believe this is happening' experience.

Dial M for Murder is my favorite Hitchcock film. The kill scene is quite finely shot and dynamic, especially the lighting.

[Repo'd]

Originally Posted by Sculpt

Totally agree! Those shots are so bizarre and creepy -- I think it really taps the 'i can't believe this is happening' experience.

Dial M for Murder is my favorite Hitchcock film. The kill scene is quite finely shot and dynamic, especially the lighting.

Hey, it's great to hear someone laud Dial M. I think that's the first Hitchcock movie I ever saw, and needless to say I became a fan instantly.

[Sculpt]

Originally Posted by Repo'd

Hey, it's great to hear someone laud Dial M. I think that's the first Hitchcock movie I ever saw, and needless to say I became a fan instantly.

Indeed, Dial M is so clean and tight. The plot has complication, but Al keeps it very simple and concise, with breathing and absorption room, and the directing and actors don't get in the way.

'Rope' is done quite well in a similar fashion.

But, you know, I much prefer De Palma's Body Double to Al's Rear Window. I think it's much more enjoyable. The vast majority appear to think otherwise. Not sure what script Hitch was working with, but I found the overall direction of Window to be a bit tedious, grating and too noticeable. I don't get the hype.

[Anthropophagus]

Originally Posted by Repo'd

Fun topic! I like the two you've already mentioned.

My favorite is the Murder of the private investigator, , Arbogast, on the stairs in Norman's house.

We are so alike.I was just going to say this scene is my fave too.

[Repo'd]

Originally Posted by Anthropophagus

We are so alike.I was just going to say this scene is my fave too.

Great minds think alike, as they say!

It's an unforgettable scene, and while there is no disputing the excellence of the shower scene, the Arbogast killing is one of Psycho's "other" creative highlights.

[Repo'd]

Originally Posted by Sculpt

Indeed, Dial M is so clean and tight. The plot has complication, but Al keeps it very simple and concise, with breathing and absorption room, and the directing and actors don't get in the way.

'Rope' is done quite well in a similar fashion.

But, you know, I much prefer De Palma's Body Double to Al's Rear Window. I think it's much more enjoyable. The vast majority appear to think otherwise. Not sure what script Hitch was working with, but I found the overall direction of Window to be a bit tedious, grating and too noticeable. I don't get the hype.

I'm a huge DePalma fan, and I love Body Double but I really think a lot of Rear Window as well. Admittedly, being a big fan of Jimmy Stewart helps.

[GhostDog]

Originally Posted by Repo'd

I'm a huge DePalma fan, and I love Body Double but I really think a lot of Rear Window as well. Admittedly, being a big fan of Jimmy Stewart helps.

I originally thought I would find Rear Window boring when I first went to watch it but it ended up being one of if not my favorite of his. I find it very well crafted with great leads in the always likable Jimmy Stewart and the always very lovable Grace Kelly.

Admittedly I only find one of his films on the overrated side and that is Vertigo, now this is not to say it is a bad movie which it is really hard to find one in Hitch's Golden Age but it is rather lower on my list personally.

I too am a huge De Palma fan from his crime epics in the 80's to his Hitchcock influenced thrillers he's really a great director with a very diverse agenda of great films who wasn't afraid to do genre movies which is always up my alley.

I was just re-watching Blow Out the other night and it's definitely one of his best. Trying to list them all would be a thread all on it's own really.

[Sculpt]

Originally Posted by GhostDog

I originally thought I would find Rear Window boring when I first went to watch it but it ended up being one of if not my favorite of his. I find it very well crafted with great leads in the always likable Jimmy Stewart and the always very lovable Grace Kelly.

Admittedly I only find one of his films on the overrated side and that is Vertigo, now this is not to say it is a bad movie which it is really hard to find one in Hitch's Golden Age but it is rather lower on my list personally.

I too am a huge De Palma fan from his crime epics in the 80's to his Hitchcock influenced thrillers he's really a great director with a very diverse agenda of great films who wasn't afraid to do genre movies which is always up my alley.

I was just re-watching Blow Out the other night and it's definitely one of his best. Trying to list them all would be a thread all on it's own really.

What did you think of Dressed to Kill (film)? I saw an edited-for-TV version when I was a kid, and the "lighting flashes" scenes gave me a good scare.

Like you, I thought Vertigo was good, but not one of his best. Some of the scenes feel a bit slow and overkill; but then again I didn't see them in a theatre.