HS 205: Film Studies: Alfred Hitchcock

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Block 4, 2003-4 George Butte

Texts:
Francois Truffaut, Hitchcock, revised edition (Simon and Schuster)
Graeme Turner, Film as Social Practice, 2nd or 3rd ed. (Routledge) (pp. #’s refer to 3rd ed.)
Robin Wood, Hitchcock’s Films Revisited (Columbia)

Note: All films show the day before discussion, at 1:00 or 1:15pm and 7:00pm.
For each film, read the sections in Truffaut on its production and conception.

Week I	Topic	Film	Readings
Mon	Introductions
Tues	The Voyage	The Lady Vanishes (1938, 97m)	Wood, Intro (1965), 55-72	Turner, ch. 3 (form)
Wed		Strangers on a Train (1951, 101m)	Truffaut, Preface and Introduction	M. Wood (x) Wood, 340-48
Week II
Mon	The Vortex: Sexuality	Shadow of a Doubt (1943, 108m)	Wood, 296-302	Turner, chs. 1-2 (skim; study pp. 39-43)
Tues		Notorious (1946, 101m)	Turner, ch. 4 (genre)	Wood, 321-6
Wed	Off	Paper I due 1:00pm: 1000-1250 words. See handout for instructions
Thurs	Gender and the Gaze	Rear Window (1954, 112m)	Modleski, RW chapter	Turner, 127-43
Fri		Vertigo (1958, 120m)	Wood, chs. 4 and 18
Week III
Mon	The Grant Comedies	To Catch a Thief (1955, 103m)	Hitchcock, “The Woman Who Knows Too Much”	Turner, ch. 6 (ideology); cut 161-70
Tue		North By Northwest (1959, 136m)	Wood, ch. 5
Wed	Sexuality as Violence	Blackmail (1929, 86m)	Wood, ch. 12
Thur		Psycho (1960, 109m)	Wood, ch. 6; Toles
Fri	off to write	Paper II due 1pm: 1000-1250 words: Topic: Gender in any two films since Paper I.	Required: a “conversation” with two + critical sources	Angles: the gaze(s); comedy vs. the dark side...
Week IV
Mon	Nature	The Birds (1963, 120m)	Wood, ch. 7
Tues	Mothers Again	Marnie (1964, 120m)	Wood, ch. 8 (esp. 173-9, 188-91)
Wed	Misogyny Again	Frenzy (1972, 116m)	Modleski, ch. 7
Thur	Overview and Review	Modleski, “Hitchcock’s Daughters”
Fri	Final exam

General Information

1. Schedule: As noted above, film showings are twice a day. You may see the films on your own (rent them if you wish), but all films are required. I strongly urge you to see class versions (mostly DVD versions of the films: these are usually restored, widescreen, and much better versions.

2. Grading: Assignments will count roughly as follows: Papers I and II, and final exam, 25% each; pop quizzes, class participation, and class presentation, 25%. I say roughly because grading is not a science. I will consider improvement also.

Papers should be clear, well-written, making thoughtful use of close readings of your films and your history and theory (required). Late papers will lose 1 grade a day (unless excused).

Class presentations (in groups of three or four) will begin after the first paper. Each group must prepare some background information on the film and its context (using Spoto, Truffaut, and/or other film sources). Then the group should spark discussion with an explication of one film clip, and lead into three significant questions about the film for the class. Please follow guidelines sheet you will receive.

You will receive study questions for the final exam from which the exam will be drawn; and I will encourage you to study together in groups.

3. Attendance: expected, unless you have a bona fide reason for missing (war, a death in the family, your death). If you miss class, you are responsible for the substance of class discussion. Also, you must turn in a 1 p. essay on that day’s film and reading, or receive a NC for that day.

4. Office: Armstrong 253, x 6508. My office hours are irregular during a film class, but I am every morning except Mondays from 8:30 to 9:30. See me if you need a particular appointment. Call me at home at 634-5136 before 8:30 pm if you need to.

On Reserve:
Allen, Richard and S. Gonzales, Alfred Hitchcock: Centenary Essays (1999)

Butte, George, Hitchcock chapters from I Know That You Know That I Know: Narrating Subjects from “Moll Flanders” to “Marnie” (2004)

Bellour, Raymond, The Analysis of Film (2000)

Freedman, Jonathan and R. Millington (eds), Hitchcock’s America (1999)

Kapsis, Robert, Hitchcock: The Making of a Reputation (1992)

Modleski, Tania, The Women Who Knew Too Much: Hitchcock and Feminist Theory (1988)

Spoto, Donald, The Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred Hitchcock (1983)