Coconote
AI notes
AI voice & video notes
Try for free
🎬
Understanding Hitchcock's Iconic Blonde Archetype
Mar 9, 2025
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.
đź“„
Full transcript