The Farmer's Wife: The Best of the Hitchcock 9 (part 2 in a series)
This is part two in a re-posting series on the three films I consider the best of the Hitchcock 9 that are being restored by the BFI.
The Farmer's Wife continues to mark Alfred Hitchcock's growing maturity as a master filmmaker. The film's structure, pace and sense of humor are as sure as any country Shakespeare comedy. This is fine work by a young man but the film feels like the work of an old master. It is unfortunate that Hitchcock was compelled to work only his suspense themes during the American years. Over time, and I'm certain this is because of their uniqueness, the non-Hitchcock Hitchcock films grow in prominence. The films that I readily go back to and find better with each viewing are the silent films from The Ring to The Manxman, and the American comedies, Mr and Mrs Smith and The Trouble with Harry. I appreciate these films for the same strengths that Shakespeare brings his rural comedies. The characters are not rough drawn hick stereotypes played for laughs, but full personality creations whose personalities build the humor and command the rhythm of the piece. I will also confess that after spending so much time vicariously with Hitchcock in his films and his personal papers, that I feel a real sense of personal happiness and true joy. Comedies very often do not rise during an artists happy biographical period, but the seem to have for Hitchcock. His marriage to his friend and ally with Alma, the arrival of what would their only child, Patricia--these were happy days of a young artist landing on solid artistic ground. As I unashamedly shouted here last week, I hope that readers will really take the time with the films from this period. They are Hitchcock gems as worthy as his brightest diamonds from his American period--and when placed in a setting next to the others, they reflect brightly and add luster to the Madeleine necklace we call Hitchcock's films. There I go again. Scottie was right. I shouldn't have kept a souvenir from a killing.
This is the sixth installment to support the British Film Institute's Save the Hitchcock 9 effort. Information on the project and on how you can support the program is linked below. And you'll find more information about the project by watching the brief message that follows:
The Farmer's Wife continues to mark Alfred Hitchcock's growing maturity as a master filmmaker. The film's structure, pace and sense of humor are as sure as any country Shakespeare comedy. This is fine work by a young man but the film feels like the work of an old master. It is unfortunate that Hitchcock was compelled to work only his suspense themes during the American years. Over time, and I'm certain this is because of their uniqueness, the non-Hitchcock Hitchcock films grow in prominence. The films that I readily go back to and find better with each viewing are the silent films from The Ring to The Manxman, and the American comedies, Mr and Mrs Smith and The Trouble with Harry. I appreciate these films for the same strengths that Shakespeare brings his rural comedies. The characters are not rough drawn hick stereotypes played for laughs, but full personality creations whose personalities build the humor and command the rhythm of the piece. I will also confess that after spending so much time vicariously with Hitchcock in his films and his personal papers, that I feel a real sense of personal happiness and true joy. Comedies very often do not rise during an artists happy biographical period, but the seem to have for Hitchcock. His marriage to his friend and ally with Alma, the arrival of what would their only child, Patricia--these were happy days of a young artist landing on solid artistic ground. As I unashamedly shouted here last week, I hope that readers will really take the time with the films from this period. They are Hitchcock gems as worthy as his brightest diamonds from his American period--and when placed in a setting next to the others, they reflect brightly and add luster to the Madeleine necklace we call Hitchcock's films. There I go again. Scottie was right. I shouldn't have kept a souvenir from a killing.
This is the sixth installment to support the British Film Institute's Save the Hitchcock 9 effort. Information on the project and on how you can support the program is linked below. And you'll find more information about the project by watching the brief message that follows:
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