Hitchcock
Ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, this is the basis for many films. Society is wholeheartedly wrapped up in their lives so that to come to a dark theater for an hour or two is the closest thing to adventure or excitement that most individuals will incur. We long so terribly for an outlet to our sometimes dismal routines that our on screen relationships are enough to satisfy many of our desires. Alfred Hitchcock understood this desire and nourished on many occasions. Hitchcock's intent was to grasp the audience in a way so too cause them to think and react with the same courage as the hero. Whether it be a exciting escape or a quirky relationship our concerns were placed with the main character. Without our compassion there is no conflict. If we have no caring for the character the his actions are lost on us. Such scenarios are never more evident than in "The 39 steps" and "The Lady Vanishes". Both provide us with a male hero who is no different than us and places him in a domino of events that transform him into a hero. The idea behind this is that these men are not secret agents or military individuals. They have no formal t
Gilbert's initial meeting with Iris is of sound masculine description. As Gilbert battles Iris helplessly slaps the attacker in a perfect example of Hitchcock displaying her weakness. This shows how he has become a symbol of bravery, evoking a married woman to betray her husband to help a complete criminal stranger. Richard Hanny is simply a man who happened along a woman who was involved in a serious criminal syndicate. His thoughts when meeting her are only that she was a beautiful woman whom he could spend some time with. It is not until her untimely death that he makes the conscious decision to leap with both feet into the game. Iris begins as a strong woman who would engage in marriage simply for experience, and Pamela a strong seemingly political rallyist both end up head over heals mad in love with men whom they originally despised. They are both trying to relax and make the best of their situation but are constantly touching each other in a comical way. He performs another daring escape yet not before kissing his savior the farmers wife in gratitude. It would seem as though Hitchcock's treatment of the female lead goes through as many physical and emotional changes as the male. As the male becomes stronger the women become more dependant on them. As he makes his way avoiding the police and eventually finds his way into the train car of Pamela Hitchcock takes our first instinct of the introduction of the female lead and twists it around by having her turn him in. Pamela finally escapes her handcuffs by simply sliding her hand out, and one must inquire why she did not observe that option initially. Fittingly when they reach a lodging house they pose as newlyweds and eventually adulterous lovers.
Common topics in this essay:
Hannay Pamela,
Pamela Hitchcock,
Richard Hanny,
Alfred Hitchcock,
Mid-Term March,
Lady Vanishes,
Ms Froy,
female lead,
extraordinary circumstances,
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