When you think of the actor Jimmy Stewart, you probably immediately remember his role in the Christmas classic, “It is a Wonderful Life.”
That movie debuted in 1946 and quickly became a must-watch during the holiday season.
However, you may not recall his leading role in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.” Heralded as the best movie of all time by the British Film Industry, the 1957 film featured a young Stewart and actress Kim Novak.
I read the other day that several of Hitchcock’s classic films were being dropped on Netflix during the month of June. I told Michael we must view a couple of them.
We, of course, are remarkably familiar with his iconic flicks “The Birds,” and “Psycho” but also wanted to delve into something we had not seen. We selected “Vertigo.”
Wow! We loved it. I made popcorn, and we sat down to watch it. I was afraid Michael may not get into it as much as me since it is clearly dated. But, within minutes, he was interested as me.
Stewart does an amazing job as a former attorney/detective, and Novak is equally as compelling in her role as the wife of the man who hired Stewart to follow her.
I have always been a huge fan of Hitchcock’s. I love how he built the suspense in his movies, to the point that you wanted to jump up and shout, “Enough already, just let it happen.”
I was also a huge fan of his twists and turns in what today movie buffs refer to as “psychological thrillers.”
Hitchcock was an English film director. His work spanned over six decades and produced 50 films. He was nominated for an Academy Award 47 times, winning six of the coveted titles. He was also in the category of “Best Director.”
Unfortunately, he never won an award for his directing skills.
Netflix, the at-home streamer, is not necessarily known for its cinema goldies, so dropping these films is somewhat of a first for the streaming giant.
“Vertigo” is not the only Hitchcock film you can watch this summer. Also streaming as of June 1 are “Rear Window,” “Frenzy,” “The Birds,” “Family Plot,” and “The Man who Knew Too Much.”
Hitchcock who was born in 1899, died in 1980. His movies continue to amuse audiences all these many years later.
We plan to work our way through Hitchcock’s films this summer. Up next for us: “The Birds.”
Around the town: entries are being taken for the 15th annual Cumberland County United Fund Golf Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 16.
The tournament will begin at 8 a.m. at Dorchester Country Club in Fairfield Glade and includes lunch.
If you are interested in helping United Fund raise money for the more than 30 organizations it assists, contact them at 931-484-4082 or email Director Holly Neal at hollyneal@cumberlandunitedfund.org.
If you want to escape the heat or the rain with your kids this summer, you may want to visit the Palace Theater and view one of the many kid-friendly matinees being offered. They include “Madagascar 2,” “Grease,” “Madagascar 3,” “Moana 2,” “Muppets Take Manhattan,” “Cars,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “Kung Fu Panda 2,” “Jimmy Neutron” and “Minions.”
All movies begin at 2 p.m. and are $5. If you want a full list of times and dates, check out the website at www.palacetheatre-crossville.com.
Also, this summer, you may hear live music all around the county: Tuesdays at Tansi; periodic Thursdays at The Amp in Downtown Crossville; and Mondays and/or Fridays at The Grove in Fairfield Glade.
You may listen to Two for You tonight at Fairfield on the small stage beginning at 6 p.m. and Trent James on Tuesday, June 17, at Tansi at 6 p.m. Blue Mother Tupelo will play on June 26, at the Amp.