VOICE Journal of the Alex Film Society Vol. 11, No. 7 March 4, 2006, 2 pm & 8 pm 03/06 of theTHEATRE Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious By Rudy Behlmer scandalous INGRID BERGMAN By Linda Harris roducer. David. O.. Selznick. introduced. Swedish. actress. PIngrid. Bergman. to. America. in. his. remake. of. Intermezzo. (1939).. veryone has a favorite the villain, he is extremely She. followed. up. with. Dr. Jekyll and Hitchcock film. But when the charming, likable, and also in love Mr. Hyde (1941), Casablanca (1942),. Evotes are counted, Notorious with Ingrid Bergman. In fact, he For Whom the Bells Toll (1943), always seems to be in the top three marries Ingrid, and Cary stands by Gaslight (1944). (for. which. she. won. or four — and often number one. and does nothing. Why? Because an. Oscar™),. Spellbound (1945),. and. Considering how many films the of the unusual circumstances that Notorious (1946). master of suspense directed over brought Cary and Ingrid to South several decades, this says a America. But let’s not reveal too Ingrid. became. disillusioned. with. great deal. much. Hollywood. movies. when. she. saw. Roberto.Rossellini’s.Open City.(1945). Notorious is the 1946 Notorious returned a. portrait. of. Rome. under. Nazi. Hitchcock classic that Hitchcock to the world of occupation. in. which. Anna. Magnani. ingeniously combines spies and counterspies. played.a.woman.killed.by.Germans.. a romantic story But the film primarily is involving characters a study of relationships Magnani.and.Rossellini.(both.married). portrayed by Cary Grant rather than a straight were.having.an.intense.affair..She.was. and Ingrid Bergman, thriller — which is not his. ideal. actress. until. he. got. a. fan. espionage and intrigue in Rio de to say that there still isn’t a great letter.from.Bergman.in.Hollywood. Janeiro, mysterious wine bottles, deal of Hitchcockian suspense. lethal cups of coffee, and an all- The Bergman character is trying “I. fell. in. love. with. Roberto. before. important small key. to forget. Grant is cynical, and knowing. him. in. person,”. Bergman. Rains has a genuine, devoted love later.recalled.in.an.interview.. The incomparable Claude Rains is for our leading lady. Even when he Continued on Page 5 there too, and although portraying Continued on Page 2 Notorious....................................................... 1 Perspective:.Claude.Rains......................... 6 Scandalous.Ingrid.Bergman..................... 1 Short.Subject................................................ 7 Exclusive.AFS.Opportunity....................... 3 Calendar......................................................... 8 Feature.Credits............................................. 4 Membership.information.......................... 8 NOTORIOUS, Cont’d from page 1 famous scenes are in this film: the justly acclaimed crane shot, taking the audience from a wide establishing view of the elaborate formal party into a tight close- up of the crucial key to the wine cellar in Ingrid Bergman’s hand; the brilliantly staged party scene itself, which alternated between thoughtfully conceived point of view shots and graceful, insinuating discovers her treachery, it is his camera moves; and of course, mother (Leopoldine Konstantin) who the wine cellar sequence, during makes the decision to, shall we say, which Cary and Ingrid discover the do away with her. incriminating bottle containing not vintage nectar but... Francois Truffaut said to Hitchcock in his interview book on the Also, of more than routine interest players, and a beautiful meld of director that “It seems to me that is the famous 2-minute-and-40- all the ingredients one associates of all your pictures this is the one second love scene filmed without with the master of suspense — plus in which one feels the most perfect a cut in a tight closeup of Grant something not always present in correlation between what you are and Bergman. And the finale a Hitchcock classic, a moving and — Hitchcock’s Odessa steps sequence unusual love story. — wherein the four principal players Notorious has aged well. Little under incredible pressure descend Writer-producer-director Rudy Behlmer is if anything in this artfully and the seemingly endless staircase the author of INSIDE WARNER BROS., BE- carefully conceived and executed while the sinister villains watch HIND THE SCENES, MEMO FROM DAVID and wait for their prey to reveal the O. SELZNICK, and other books, as well as romantic thriller has dated. magazine articles and booklets to accom- convoluted duplicity. pany film music recordings. aiming at and what appears on Notorious has aged well. Little Behlmer has also contributed in various the screen… Of all its qualities, the if anything in this artfully and ways to a wide variety of documenta- outstanding achievement is perhaps carefully conceived and executed ries, DVDs, videos, and laser discs about Hollywood’s Golden Age. that in Notorious you have at once romantic thriller has dated. It is a maximum stylization and a without question one of Hitchcock’s In addition to hosting occasional Alex Film maximum of simplicity.” best — from any period. Society screenings, Behlmer has lectured at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and And for good measure, famed Sciences and the Directors Guild of America The stylization is fascinating to where he is a longstanding member. watch. Some of Hitchcock’s most producer David O. Selznick (Gone With the Wind) was hovering in the background, having prepared Notorious with Hitchcock and writer Ben Hecht before selling the entire project to RKO just prior to shooting. But his hand is evident in various phases of the film — not the least of which is the script and the casting of the principals. Here is Hitchcock with a top drawer Ben Hecht script, superb VOICE of the THEATRE – – Vol. 11, No. 7 March 4, 006 Connections at the Film Society Over the years we have received some great younger than my husband and messages from our patrons and members. myself and have two small children. Often it’s a thank you for screening their We began speaking with them, favorite film, or a note on the amazing guests who share their experiences for our only because we sat next to them audiences. Recently we received this mes- at every performance. My husband sage about friendship from Judy Krakauer: and I live far from the nice couple and began looking forward to Dear AFS, seeing them at every performance of the Alex Film Society. Years Many years ago, my husband and have past and we have become I joined the Alex Film Society. very good friends. We attended her We were both always interested baby shower, and, in addition to in seeing old movies. We thought sitting together, we now go out to what better way to view them dinner before each show and we than on the “Big Screen” along celebrate each other’s birthdays, with other avid viewers? anniversaries and other happy occasions… and all because we are Alfred Hitchcock is remembered by many as Because we were members of members of the Alex Film Society! the host of TV’s “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, the Society, we were able to buy showcasing short mysteries and thrillers. This 1/2 hour anthology series aired discount seats, attend a champagne So, if you want to make lasting from 1955 to 1962 on CBS. Expanded to reception before the movie, and most friendships and enjoy seeing one hour and renamed “The Alfred Hitch- importantly, we were able to enter old movies on the “Big Screen”, cock Hour”, it aired on NBC until 1965. the auditorium before everyone else. join the Alex Film Society!!! We always sat in our favorite seats because we were able to enter early. Have a story to share? Email [email protected] A lovely couple always took their or call 818-754-8250 and let us know. • seats next to ours. They were much Exclusive Opportunity for Alex Film Society Members Only! he 14th Annual Art of This is a special treat for some lucky thank our members for supporting Motion Picture Costume AFS members as guided tours of the our programs. TDesign Exhibition is currently exhibition are normally available occurring in the galleries of only during business hours on To reserve a place on this free tour, the Fashion Institute of Design and weekdays, but the Film Society has please call 818-754-8250, email Merchandising in downtown Los arranged a free “Members Only” [email protected] or see Angeles. This annual event features tour of the exhibition on Saturday, Daryl Maxwell in the lobby after over 130 costumes from 24 films March 18 at 10:30 AM. Our Members today’s screening. Places will be such as Batman Begins, Charlie and will have a personally guided tour filled on a first come, first serve the Chocolate Factory, King Kong, of the exhibit providing insight basis. Not a member? You can join Memoirs of a Geisha, The New into Costume Designers’ craft with now (with cash or check) and be World, Brokeback Mountain, Tim enough time for individual attention eligible for the tour. Burton’s The Corpse Bride, Harry and questions. Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Please join us on the first of what Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of The tour is limited to 25 participants, we are hoping to become an the Sith! and is one way that we on the annual event for Alex Film Society Alex Film Society Board want to members! Vol. 11, No. 7 March 4, 006 – – VOICE of the THEATRE Alfred Hitchcock’s Black and White – 1946 – 101 minutes RKO Radio Pictures Inc. Notorious Print courtesy of the Walt Disney Company Produced.&.Directed.by.....Alfred.Hitchcock Art.Directors..........................Carroll.Clark Suggested.by.story.by........John.Taintor.Foote* . Albert.S..D’Agostino (The Song of the Dragon) Set.Decorators......................Claude.Carpenter Screenplay.by........................Ben.Hecht . Darrell.Silvera Costumes.by..........................Edith.Head Director.of.Photography.....Ted.Tetzlaff Sound.by.................................Terry.Kellum.