Tonight I watched an excellent early Hitchcock film called "Young And Innocent" (1937), about a young man who finds himself wrongly accused of murder, which explains the title. I love it when that happens! ;) This movie was made while Hitch was still working in England, but you can already see the beginnings of stylistic traits he would perfect when he got to Hollywood, especially the use of suspicion by other characters to make the wanted man feel nervous, which conveys the tension to the audience. We see the camera techniques developing as well, most notably the climbing crane shots and sweeping, eagle eye crowd pans, which always single out the subject at the center of attention in the plot at the given time.
"Young And Innocent" wastes no time in getting to the action. As soon as the credit titles are past, we see a violent argument between a man and his wife, shot in close up. She is an actress, he perhaps in her shadow. We don't know, but he resents her, because "she went to Hollywood" and now has many suitors. They fight, and the next thing we see is the rolling waves on a beach and then her body washing to shore.
A young man so happens to be walking along the bluff above the shoreline. He sees the body and skirts down the hillside to help. He can't be sure the woman is dead until he gets there. Once he does get there, however, he sees she is in fact dead, and he runs off across the beach to get to a phone where he can notify police. The problem for him is that two women are arriving at the beach at that exact time. They see him run off, and then they see the dead woman in the surf. They contact the police as well, assuming that the running man they saw is the murderer.
This is one movie where I wish I could tell you the whole plot, and everything that happens from beginning to end, because there are so many great sequences along the way involving different characters - all so English, either noble or quirky - and the trademark Hitchcock suspense builds continuously as the man finds himself on the run from police, who are searching the countryside for him.
Lucky for him, he has an accomplice who helps in his escape : the daughter of the very Police Constable who is heading up the investigation. She is played by an engaging young actress by the name of Nova Pilbeam. Now is that a classic name for a British Movie Star, or what?
I say that it is, and you agree. :)
Nova Pilbeam (and her character) is actually the star of the movie. She carries the picture and is involved in virtually every scene, while her beau - the innocent man accused of the crime - must sometimes be hidden away. Miss Pilbeam was only 18 years old when she made "Young And Innocent", and the viewer cannot help but take notice of her, such is her onscreen charisma.
One scene in particular builds Hitchcock's reputation as a Master Of Suspense. Pilbeam and The Innocent Man are at a birthday party for her niece. She feels she must attend this party so that her police constable father will not suspect she is on the run. But at every turn she feels all eyes are on her and The Man, especially those of her bothersome Aunt, who questions her about her "boyfriend". Meanwhile, the kids are enjoying their party, and they are acting as children will, blurting out things they observe, creating more tension for the fugitives.
I will tell you no more, but if you are a Hitchcock fan, I urge you to see "Young And Innocent" to see the origins of his well known style. Not all of his British period movies are great, but this one is, and it is darn near a classic. I found it at Northridge Libe this aftrenoon, just on a quick eyeball scan of the shelves, which I did because I needed something to watch. It was a case of "he shoots, he scores", and I give Two Big Thumbs Up to "Young And Innocent". Put it on your must see list for sure. ////
'Twas another cold n' cloudy one today here in Reseda and in The 'Ridge. Bring back the Sun and Warmth if you please, thanks very much.
Elizabeth, I saw your post today about a "day job". The post was via a young lady I am not familiar with, but who also remarked about "looking professional" in her photograph. The keys words, however, may have been "day job" if you were responding to my inquiry from last night, having to do with your current situation.
If you do indeed have a new day job, I hope it is one that you like, as far as "liking" day jobs goes. As you know, I am the expert on that subject, and so you can always count on me for support at any time. This is not to say that all day jobs are totally excruciating 100% of the time, but....well, you know. :)
We know that bills must be paid, and we talked about that years ago.
The most important thing to remember though - if I have all of this right, and if you do have a new job - is that You Are An Artist First And Foremost.
That is What You Do; anything else is just to pay the bills.
What you do is make music, and direct movies and take photographs, and other artistic ventures.
Never let that slip your mind even for a second. Never get comfortable just paying the bills.
If you do have a job now, do it to the best of your ability.
But keep your focus 1000% on what you really do.
Because that is Who You Are, as you well know.
Go back and review the many band videos you have already made, and the short films you have directed, and review all of your concert photos, and listen to your music.
Doing these things will help you to keep your focus while you work at your new job, if you do indeed have one.
I am here for support, of course. No worries, because you are going to have a career doing what you do best.
See you in the morning. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo :):)
No comments:
Post a Comment