A haunting psychological thriller where obsession spirals into a dizzying abyss of romantic illusion and fractured identity, painted against the mesmerizing backdrop of San Francisco.
Vertigo
"Alfred Hitchcock engulfs you in a whirlpool of terror and tension!"
Director:
Alfred Hitchcock
Cast:
James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore, Henry Jones
Thriller
Mystery
Romance
Budget:
$2,479,000
Box Office:
$7,808,900
Vertigo - Easter Eggs & Hidden Details
Easter Eggs
Alfred Hitchcock makes his signature cameo about 11 minutes into the film.
As is customary in his films, the director makes a brief appearance. In "Vertigo", he can be seen walking past the camera from left to right on the sidewalk, wearing a gray suit, just as Scottie arrives at Gavin Elster's shipbuilding office. Some viewers have noted he appears to be carrying a musical instrument case.
The Chinese character for "double happiness" can be seen in the metalwork on the balustrade of Scottie's apartment.
This subtle detail adds a layer of irony to the film. The symbol, associated with marriage and bliss, is present in the home of a man whose romantic life is a tragic and obsessive spiral, far from any state of happiness. It's a classic example of Hitchcock's meticulous, and often darkly humorous, production design.