Key Points from Lecture on Hitchcock's 'The Hitchcock Blonde'

Introduction to The Hitchcock Blonde

• Hitchcock's 1927 silent film The Lodger was his first true film, according to Hitchcock.
• The film established his fixation on blonde protagonists.
• Half of Hitchcock's 53 films feature blonde protagonists, forming a unique archetype known as the Hitchcock Blonde.

Characteristics of The Hitchcock Blonde

• These characters are sophisticated and glamorous, appearing unattainable.
• Hitchcock desired a blend of sophistication and hidden sensuality in his female leads.
• The typical Hitchcock Blonde is a puzzle, requiring unraveling of their mysteries.

Evolution of Hitchcock's Casting

• Hitchcock's casting evolved with his career and power to choose roles more freely.
• Meline Carroll in The 39 Steps was the first Hitchcock Blonde.
• By the 1950s, the archetype solidified with actresses like Grace Kelly and Eva Marie Saint.

The Allure of Blondes

• Hitchcock saw blondness as a desirable feature due to its associations with purity, mystery, and allure.
• Blonde protagonists often played roles of intrigue and sophistication.

Hitchcock's Approach to Female Characters

• Characters are crafted with a withholding and revealing nature, similar to suspenseful storytelling.
• Female characters often depicted as having a secret, with their true nature revealed progressively.

The Social and Economic Context

• Hitchcock's blondes were often wealthy or in professions linked to high society (fashion, spies, etc.).
• The presentation of these characters often involved elegant, tailored costumes, never garish or overly revealing.

The Contrast With Non-Blondes

• Non-blondes in Hitchcock films often depicted as more grounded or tied to domestic roles.
• These characters, though diverse, often lack the same mystery or allure.
• Non-blonde characters are depicted as more accessible, yet less desirable to the male leads.

Vertigo and Marne: Dual Roles

• Vertigo explores blondness as an illusion, with Kim Novak portraying both the ideal blonde and the real brunette.
• Marne presents a character who uses her blonde persona as a disguise.

Hitchcock’s Personal Influence

• Hitchcock was known for being exacting with his actresses, creating tensions and sometimes controversially controlling environments.
• Tippy Hedrin's experience highlighted his overbearing influence and the impact on actresses' careers.

Broader Implications of Blondness

• The lecture explored how historical and cultural perceptions of blondness influenced casting.
• Blondeness in Hollywood became synonymous with purity and desirability, albeit with racial undertones that exclude non-white identities.

Concluding Thoughts

• Hitchcock's casting reflects broader cultural and historical narratives.
• The Hitchcock Blonde remains an enduring and influential archetype in cinema.

Additional Resources

• Interview with Dr. Josephine Bing about Hitchcock’s wife and collaborator, Alma Reville.
• Mubi streaming service for curated global cinema, relevant to the lecture's exploration of film history and culture.