While the day’s earlier events are now relatively lost from memory, I can distinctly and vividly recall most of the evening’s activities on Thursday June 29, 1995. The afternoon doubtlessly consisted of Laurel and Hardy location scouting and cemetery haunting. But this was the night that the Los Angeles Conservancy presented a screening of the Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece Vertigo in the majestic State Theatre. I arrived grossly under-dressed and Bob and I prepared to pounce on one of the evening’s special guests while we waited in line to gain entrance to the theater.
Up pulled a limo and out stepped Alfred Hitchcock’s only daughter Patricia, who incidentally had starred in three of his films: Psycho, Strangers on a Train, and Stage Fright. Admittedly, we jumped the gun on getting her to sign the photos we had purchased earlier in the week – a nice family of shot of the Hitchcock’s out to dinner (below).
Photo that Pat Hitchcock signed for me
I say that we jumped the gun because we later had ample time to work the crowd in the theater and get more up and close and personal with Ms. Hitchcock. I even had my photo snapped with her (below).
With Patricia Hitchcock, the daughter of the Master of Suspense
Also in the crowd was Henry Jones who had starred as a coroner in the film (and also starred as Mr. Hinkle in another of my favorites, 9 to 5). Elsewhere on hand in the lobby was the original gown worn by Kim Novak in the film. Another photo op. Click.
With the dress Kim Novak wore when she jumped into the bay
Now I will be the first to ashamedly admit that Vertigo is not one of my favorite Hitchcock films. While devastatingly artistic and dazzlingly moody, I do not find it especially entertaining. So little in fact that I embarassingly fell asleep during the film presentation. However I quickly came to following the screening when Pat Hitchcock and Henry Jones were brought to the stage to be interviewed. Behind them on stage was a huge projected image of the Master of Suspense.
Pat Hitchcock and Henry Jones interviewed on the stage
After the show, we ran into Henry Jones, a character actor who had worked in almost 200 films and TV series over his illustrious career. Almost 83 at the time, he was alone hobbling along on his wooden cane. He was happy to stop and pose for a picture with me and autograph my evening’s program.
With Henry Jones
Program signed by Henry Jones
Overall, an excellent experience. It would be two years later in San Francisco that I would get to visit one of the locations of the film…under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Me and the Duffs…on our duffs
Hollywood ’95 will continue…
I agree with you about “Vertigo,” Brad; to me it’s like a beautiful house with a cracked foundation. I find the material about Jimmy Stewart wanting to turn the “second” Kim Novak into the first very interesting, but the main plot line is just so far-fetched that I just don’t buy it. On the other hand, “North By Northwest” is also pretty far-fetched, but it’s so incredibly entertaining that I don’t mind!
Randy Skretvedt
July 28th, 2007
Well, I’m afraid I need to beg to differ with you two. Any narrative film is a fantasy of some kind, and “Vertigo” remains one of my Hitchcock favorites!
Peter
July 28th, 2007