Movie Monday: Rear Window (1954)
These photos are not mine.
Possibly one of the most iconic Hitchcock films, Rear Window has a special place in cinema history. This was one of the first movies Hitchcock made in color. There are many fascinating aspects to this film, but one I found particularly interesting was in order to simulate daylight the set required numerous lights. With all of the necessary lamps on the set, at one point the heat they generated set off the sprinkler system!
Rear Window was one of five Hitchcock films that was off limits for years because of production rights. Alfred Hitchcock bought back the rights to these “Five Lost Hitchcocks” and left them to his daughter. After 30 years of being gone, around 1984 the five films we re-released to theaters!
These photos are not mine.
While still filming Dial “M” for Murder, Hitchcock asked Grace Kelly to star in Rear Window movie. Kelly even turned down a leading role in another film, Waterfront, to be in Rear Window. She was only in two Hitchcock films, but Kelly was known as Hitchcock’s ideal leading lady.
Legendary designer Edith Head was in charge of making sure everyone in Rear Window looked the best they could! She certainly did some of her finest work in this film with all of Grave Kelly’s ensembles!
These photos are not mine.
Grace Kelly is a natural beauty in this film! She had some of the most fabulous outfits in Rear Window. With the coloring in this film, they chose eye-catching colors like the mint green suit pictured above to contrast the mundane, grey apartment that James Stewart’s character, Jeff, lived in.
The costumes Kelly wore had the perfect balance between tailored and flowing. The skirt of this green suit is a great example of the wonderful tailoring that took place in the costume department, but the longer almost cardigan style jacket pair with the skirt gives this look a more relaxed feel.
All of Grace Kelly’s outfits seem to play well with the character she carved out for Lisa. On the outside, Lisa is someone you would expect be proper and well manicured, but with closer inspection she is really a simpler girl who wants to live a happy life.
The whole film basically centers around this one apartment so all of Kelly’s ensembles serve to give you a glimpse at what the outside world may be like. Is it fun? Chic? Sophisticated? Or dangerous like what Jeff would lead you to believe?
These photos are not mine.
Lastly, this black and white dress is so classic that replicas are sold online! Something that the stylist, Edith Head, understood was that the best way to highlight Grace Kelly’s beauty and talent was to keep the clothes she wore simple.
The clothes in this film are not held to one time era, it is as timeless as the film itself! We are all so lucky to be able to enjoy it again!
Much Love,
Sarah
