The relationship between the director and the actors was tense during the filming. After the movie was released, there was a lot of bad reviews, and it became the best in film history 50 years later.

2021/09/2116:34:03 movie 496

movie "Vestige" (1958) Korean trailer poster

actor who just turned 24 years old Kim Novak (193g 3-Kim Novak, Colombia) Although she has appeared in several movies, it was only in "Picnic" (1955) that she became a new big-name star.

Not only does she have a plump body and explicit sensuality, but it is also rumored that she is difficult to get along with.

Kim Novak's image in the movie "Vestige" (1958)

She is very photogenic in color movies. It implies that she is both within reach and out of reach.

However, she sometimes needs so-called "special handling".

Kim Novak is not Alfred Hitchcock's (1899-1980) final compromise choice, in fact, she is the challenging character in Vertigo (1958) One of the candidates.

James Stewart (right) and Kim Novak in the movie "Vestige" (1958) p _span11 p2strongp _span11She was also a well-known "commodity". Not only did she appear on the cover of Time magazine, she was also a box-office star in Hollywood at the time (there were only two or three such stars).

Her appearance complements James Stewart James Stewart (1908-1997), which is beyond the reach of the unknown and unknown Vera Miles (1929-).

Vera Miles's art photo-in fact, Kim Novak was originally one of the substitutes because she and Vera Miles are very similar_ span11span

Vera Miles, who worked with "The Wrong Man" (1956), had to quit the "Victoria" crew because of her pregnancy.

At that time Alfred Hitchcock thought that this role in "Vortex" would make Vera Myers a superstar, a real actor.

stills from the movie "Victorius" (1958), Vera Miles

"Over the years," Vera Miles reflected, "His There is only one type of woman in the movie-Madeleine Carroll (1906-1987), Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982) and Grace Kelly (1929-1982) .I tried to please him, but I really couldn't. I am a stubborn person, and what he wants is the kind of person who can be molded.

As for "Vestige", she still sighed and said: "He made his movie, and I have my own son.

Since Vera Myers’ contract with Alfred Hitchcock has not yet expired, she had to participate in several TV shows he produced, and later in "Psycho" (1960) Played a supporting role.

Later, Alfred Hitchcock said that Vera Miles was always angry: "I am not interested in her at all, and I don't think I have much to do with her Tune up. ”

movie "Ecstasy" (1958) stills, Vera Myers

when Alfred Schwark and Fran When François Truffaut (1932-1984) discussed "Victorius" in detail in the fall of 1976, François Truffaut said that Vera Miles might be able to show what he wanted Feeling, but her replacement, Kim Novak, was born to play the Kansas girl who was transformed twice by the exploiting man in the play (Vera Myers also came from).

Kim Novak's makeup photo for the movie "Victorius" (1958)-Vera Myers finally lost a chance to become a superstar and made Kim Novak

In that conversation, François Truffaut made a special analogy,"Vera Miles seems to be walking on the ground, and Kim Nowak seems to be floating-she is exactly the kind of ghostly character that "Victorian" needs."

And Alfred Hitchcock answered calmly: "Maybe, but at least I can throw the newcomer into the water."

Kim Novak in the movie " Image in "Victoria" (1958)

Therefore, Alfred Hitchcock had to force the actress finally selected in "Victoria" to take the role of a replacement to replace him The person who was initially selected to play this role. Of course, this is also the core theme of "Victorius".

Because of Vera Miles’ pregnancy, Alfred Hitchcock began to resent Vera Miles a bit, because the plan he arranged for her was in deep trouble.

promotional photo of the movie "Victoria" (1958), James Stewart and Kim Novak

"Most actors are stupid kids" He said this more than once, especially in the context of "Vortex", "Think about Kim Novak. In the second part of "Vortex", when she wears dark hair, When it didn't look like Kim Novak, I still let her complete the performance. But the only reason I made her star in this movie was that Vera Miles was pregnant."

Rita Hayworth (left) and Kim Novak took a group photo at the premiere of the movie "Red Wine" (1957)

After "Pal Joey" (1957) was "tricky" by the crew of "Eros" Rita Hayworth (1918-1987),At the beginning, no one was put in the eyes. For this girl from the slum, as long as the price is good, she can say anything. She also knows that she is the company's "money cow".

At first, Kim Novak was extremely reluctant to make Alfred Hitchcock's movies. What she did not expect was that the only thing she could remember in her life was to star in Alfred. Reid Hitchcock's "Vestige".

Kim Novak's image in the movie "Victoria" (1958)

Many years later, Kim Novak admitted, " Fred Hitchcock asked me to go to Edith Head (1897-1981), a costume designer, and she showed me a set of design drawings.

Edith Head was a movie The person in charge of Grace Kelly's styling and clothing in "Rear Window" (1954) and "To Catch a Thief" (1955).

Edith Hyde Alfred Hitchcock’s movie-designed clothing images

Kim Novak originally hoped Edith Hyde could help her design several sets like Grace Kelly wore in the movie Very beautiful clothing.

Edith Hyde (right) and Grace Kelly are discussing fabrics on the set of the movie "Catch a Thief" (1955) p p p But when she read the drawings by Edith Hyde for "Victorius",Tell Edith Hyde directly, "Excuse me, I don't wear black shoes".

Edith Hyde replied, "Alfred Hitchcock asked you to wear it."

An image of Edith Hyde and her costume manuscript

Jin Novak will not mind the past, "I believe the director will not mind."

Later Kim Novak recalled in an interview to commemorate the re-release of "Victorius": "I thought he would not care what kind of shoes I wear. I have never met such a director. Being so picky about clothing, he will not only pay attention to the style of clothing design, but also care about the specific color of the clothing. The two things he wants me to wear most are black shoes and gray suits."

Kim Novak's image in the movie "Victorius" (1958)-This gray suit is now outdated

"Edith Hyde showed me the gray suit After the suit, I said, “Oh my God, it’s too difficult to put on it-this dress is too tight.” Next. We tried on that black dress and it turned out worse, so I said that this dress is too tight. I’m tied up.’ She replied, “Then, maybe you’d better talk to Alfred Hitchcock.”

director Alfred Hitchcock Kerr and Edith Hyde (right) in the movie "Family Plot" (1976) Universal Film Scene

In fact,Shoes are the first sticking point. "Kim Novak said she couldn't wear shoes like this," Edith Hyde recalled, "because the shoes would magnify her shortcomings of fleshy calves."

Alfred Hitchcock and Yi The costume prepared by Dice Hyde became the focus of Kim Novak's dispute with them, much like the earlier disagreement with Nita Naldi (1895-1961).

On the set of the movie "Victorius" (1958), Alfred Hitchcock and Kim Novak

"Miss Kim Novak" Came to the set with all kinds of prejudices that I couldn’t accept," Alfred Hitchcock said, "I don’t like arguing with actors — there’s no reason to involve electricians in our troubles. So I’m here Her dressing room told her that it took me several months to design those dresses and hairstyles."

She was not so easily persuaded. "I can wear any clothes," Kim Novak said as he hurried back to Edith Hyde's office to seek asylum, "As long as it is not a suit, as long as it is not gray, anything else will do."

on the set of the movie "Victoria" (1958), from left: Kim Novak, James Stewart, Alfred Hitchcock

Dishe Hyde showed her the relevant pages of the script: "This girl must look like she has just walked out of the fog in San Francisco"-she has a pale face and a golden comb over her head. Wig, wearing a gray suit and white gloves.

"Not only will she walk on the streets of San Francisco, she will also drive a small car." Edith Hyde explained to Kim Novak, "Everyone there is wearing a suit,And the script clearly states to wear a gray suit. "

Kim Novak's image in the movie "Vestige" (1958)

"If you must wear it," Kim Novak "I tend to be purple or white.

"Edith Hyde, take care of this," Alfred Hitchcock said after hearing the ongoing argument, "I don't care what she wears-as long as it is a gray suit. NS.

In "Victorius", Kim Novak wore a gray suit, black shoes, black evening dress, a large white coat, and all other clothes requested by the director.

James Stewart and Kim Novak in the movie "Victorius" (1958)

After seeing the film, Kim Novak may have realized that the director has been It’s always correct. Few actress’s clothes and photos are as stunning as those in "Victorius".

It’s very important that even if you look at it again 50 years later, her The costumes don’t seem to be very outdated.

Like this movie, her costumes belong to the eternal category.

movie "Victoria" (1958) location, Alfred ·Hitchcock and Kim Nowak

From the early preparation of the film to the actual shooting,The tension between the director and the actors is constantly escalating.

"I never had dinner, tea, or anything else with him," Kim Nowak recalled, "except for a dinner with all the actors, and that time I was late. It's not My fault. But I guess he would think that I was late for a big-name admission. He had a prejudice against me because of this. During the filming, he never really told me about his Think and think."

James Stewart (left) and Kim Novak in the movie "Vestige" (1958) image _span11pstrong _span11p Like many actresses before him, Kim Novak was never quite sure whether "Alfred Hitchcock liked me".

Over the years, Kim Novak's few recorded remarks about Alfred Hitchcock seem to be indifferent.

On the set of the movie "Victorius" (1958), from left: James Stewart, Alfred Hitchcock, Kim Novak

As time went on and "Victorius" was regarded as one of the best films in history, her words became more optimistic: this character and film "can be called the same as my earlier work in Colombia A true portrayal of the company’s experience. The company’s executives told us, “You are special and different, and we need you””, and then someone will say, “'We need you, but we want you to have the style of other people'” .

movie "Victorian" (1958) stills,Kim Novak

This situation is exactly the same as the actress's role in "Victoria", and she later admitted this statement.

Kim Novak thought "This man (in the film) told me to play a role-what should I do, what should I wear..."

James Stewart agreed: "The film is still shooting

James Stewart in the movie "Vestige" (1958) image _span2pspan

Samuel A. Taylor (1912-2000), who wrote the final script for "Victorius", also thinks so: "Like me, anyone who sees him during the filming will find that this is A story that really makes him feel profound."

"Victorius" is the climax of Kim Novak's career. Since then, she has never had the opportunity to play such an important role.

In May 1959, Gary Grant and Kim Novak took a group photo at a dinner in Cannes

, she left Hollywood at the age of 57. He and his second husband Robert Malloy, a veterinarian, jointly run a livestock farm.

For Alfred Hitchcock, "Ecstasy" is a proof of his lifelong fascination. His "fascination" refers to the transformation of the actress based on the ideal model of the blonde beauty in his heart. .

Kim Novak's video in the movie "Vestige" (1958)

He is responsible for supervising everything that the actress appears on the screen, no matter what Hairstyle, clothing, makeup, shoes, the angle of photography and the final editing.

Throughout the life and career of Alfred Hitchcock, he has been working hard to realize his dream, but at the same time it also involves the conflict between repression and elegance, reality and art.

James Stewart's image in the movie "Vestige" (1958)

He said, "I made this movie like a dream Traits", and this man is Alfred Hitchcock himself.

Like James Stewart in "Ecstasy", Alfred Hitchcock chose fantasy rather than reality. From this point of view, movies are the perfect medium for illusion, because of careful design The beauty of the actress and the cleverly presented actress is itself a huge illusion (as Ingrid Bergman said, "Hair is fake, teeth are fake, clothes... and lights perform all kinds of miracles..." ).

James Stewart's image in the movie "Victorius" (1958)

But it is derived from art and more profound ideas There is no trace of fraud in the reality of China.

So what about the relationship between Alfred Hitchcock and the actor? He cultivated actors such as Gary Grant Cary Grant (1904-1986), Joseph Cotten (1905-1994), James Stewart and Henry Fonda (1905-1982) It is for pure benefit, and this is why he cultivated them.

movie "Victorius" (1958) American Blu-ray jacket

However, there is no strong friendship between them. According to Alfred Hitchcock’s authorized biographer, “He doesn’t have close friendships with famous (male) stars, even if he likes them very much and works with them as often as possible, such as Gary Grant and James Stewart"-in fact, he has worked with these two actors four times each.

Left is the half of James Stewart's face, right is the half of Gary Grant's face, it has become the most perfect male face in the heart of director Alfred Hitchcock

To Alfred Hitchcock, James Stewart in particular is more like a collaborator, not only because James Stewart’s personal company often invests in films, but also James ·Stewart himself participated in all stages from script creation to post-production, which is unimaginable for Gary Grant.

the set of the movie "Victorian" (1958),Alfred Hitchcock and James Stewart (left)

Alfred Hitchcock has a very close relationship with James Stewart, and they have a good understanding of each other, but they are in private. People rarely touch, and don't talk on the phone when they return home.

But just a look from Alfred Hitchcock on the set, and James Stewart knows how to act.

James Stewart's image in the movie "Victorius" (1958)

James Stewart said Alkfred He almost never discusses the specific acting method with the actor. The actor he chooses generally needs to be able to understand his intentions. As long as the director says "start", he knows how to act.

Alfred Hitchcock sometimes gets up from the big chair and walks over to James Stewart and says, "Is this scene a bit tired?" Then he left without saying a word. Go back and sit down.

Alfred Hitchcock and James Stewart (right)

James Stewart understood the rhythm and timing that the director was not satisfied with him. .

This kind of communication between them is silent and effective. They often only need to look at each other to understand everything. No wonder some people call them the "Hitchcock couple".

Unfortunately, when "Victorius" was released in the United States, not only did it fail at the box office but also received rave reviews.

James Stewart's image in the movie "Vestige" (1958)

At that time Alfred Hitchcock committed the crime privately Stewart is too old,No longer appealing to the audience (but the next year he used the older Gary Grant to play "North by Northwest" to succeed, which can be seen not for this reason), and he is reluctant to cooperate with him in the future.

Even if James Stewart took the initiative to show his favor, they still maintained a relatively friendly relationship.

James Stewart's image in the movie "Vestige" (1958)

In fact, James Stewart is not always the same Very conceited.

If he believes that his feelings are right for a scene, he refuses to obey anyone's opinions, including the director, he will rant and argue at Alfred Hitchcock until it is filmed in his own way .

But Alfred Hitchcock never intended to conceal his views on things like John Gielgud (1904-2000), Michael Redgrave (1908-1985) , Laurence Olivier (1907-1989), Gregory Peck (1916-2003), Montgomery Clift (1920-1966), Sean Connery (1930- 2020) and Paul Newman (1925-2008) and other actors' sense of anxiety and even hatred.

promotional photo of the movie "Victoria" (1958), James Stewart

Maybe,The main reason for him to have this kind of emotion is that these male actors are full of self-confidence by virtue of their handsome looks and the admiration of fans.

To understand the greatest conflict and pain in Alfred Hitchcock’s life with empathy, we still have a long way to go: he will shrink when facing what he desires most, he knows love "Ecstasy" has the deepest meaning, but also understands the desire and fear of falling in love.

on the set of the movie "Victorius" (1958), Kim Novak and James Stewart

In the complex duality of the characters played by Novak, he learned about Alfred Hitchcock from the tortured and inevitable lover played by James Stewart.

Kim Nowak has two sides because she is a combination of victim and perpetrator. She looks calm, alienated, and indifferent, but she is eager to express a strong erotic desire.

movie "Victoria" (1958) stills, Kim Novak and James Stewart

more than a dozen

Years later, "Victorius" was considered a classic work by Alfred Hitchcock.

Ironically, the status of "Victoria" is as paradoxically as its ending.

After a mediocre response in the initial release period, the artistic value of the film has been continuously recognized by a new generation of young filmmakers.

movie "Victorius" (1958) stills,In the 11 minutes of the film, Alfred Hitchcock walked lonely past the door of the shipyard

The works of Hollywood movie kids Brian De Palma and Martin Scorsese; from Tim Burton's comic carnival "Batman" (1989) to Peter Jackson In Peter Jackson 's epic masterpiece "Lord of the Rings" (2001) series, you can see the shadow of "Victorius".

In 2008, exactly 50 years after the film was released, was selected by the American Film Institute as the greatest suspense film in a century, and it continues to be one of the most influential classics.