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“Interview with Kim Novak.” Interview. The MacGuffin. 2003. 4 Apr. 2008.
<http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~muffin/kim_novak_c.html>.
The MacGuffin website interviewed lead actress Kim Novak to ask her questions about her memorable dual-performances in Vertigo. When Novak received the script for Vertigo, she was known as the number one box-office star of the time. She explains that the only reason her agent let her take the part was due to the fact that Hitchcock was directing. When asked if Hitchcock made her feel valued as a performer, Novak responded by saying that “he didn’t necessarily, but, on the other hand, he didn’t make me feel less than.” A director obsessed with perfection, Hitchcock occasionally forced Novak to do things against her will. For instance, Novak was very against the constraining nature of the costumes that she was required to wear. Although Hitchcock gave her the chance to express her opinions, he felt that her “reasons weren’t good enough.” Novak decided to live with the costume and was able to play against it in a way that made it “right for Madeleine.” Asked about the ending, she explains that her belief is that Judy “absolutely” hurled herself from the tower in her untimely suicide. When the film first came out it was greeted with mixed reviews and a disappointing box-office. Novak described the experience on a personal level as being very “painful.” She explained that the “work [she] did in Vertigo meant nothing if no one cared about the movie.” Fortunately, the film would go on to experience a revival and people began to understand its value.
The interview confirms that fact that Hitchcock exploited the “star system” as Novak was the biggest attraction at the time. Unfortunately for him, his approach did not result in instant success. Hitchcock never wavered in his vision of the film and over time people became to appreciate the film. Viewers and critics alike now hold the belief that Vertigo is a cinematic masterpiece.
<http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~muffin/kim_novak_c.html>.
The MacGuffin website interviewed lead actress Kim Novak to ask her questions about her memorable dual-performances in Vertigo. When Novak received the script for Vertigo, she was known as the number one box-office star of the time. She explains that the only reason her agent let her take the part was due to the fact that Hitchcock was directing. When asked if Hitchcock made her feel valued as a performer, Novak responded by saying that “he didn’t necessarily, but, on the other hand, he didn’t make me feel less than.” A director obsessed with perfection, Hitchcock occasionally forced Novak to do things against her will. For instance, Novak was very against the constraining nature of the costumes that she was required to wear. Although Hitchcock gave her the chance to express her opinions, he felt that her “reasons weren’t good enough.” Novak decided to live with the costume and was able to play against it in a way that made it “right for Madeleine.” Asked about the ending, she explains that her belief is that Judy “absolutely” hurled herself from the tower in her untimely suicide. When the film first came out it was greeted with mixed reviews and a disappointing box-office. Novak described the experience on a personal level as being very “painful.” She explained that the “work [she] did in Vertigo meant nothing if no one cared about the movie.” Fortunately, the film would go on to experience a revival and people began to understand its value.
The interview confirms that fact that Hitchcock exploited the “star system” as Novak was the biggest attraction at the time. Unfortunately for him, his approach did not result in instant success. Hitchcock never wavered in his vision of the film and over time people became to appreciate the film. Viewers and critics alike now hold the belief that Vertigo is a cinematic masterpiece.