Marty and Cindy lament over the Hitchcock 80 minute apartment thriller, Rope.
Rope (1948)
Production & Filming
- Hitchcock shot the film in 10 takes, each 4½ to 10 minutes long.
- At the end of each reel, the camera pushes into a dark object to disguise the cut.
- Props and even walls were mounted on casters so crew could silently move them.
- Hitchcock usually completed only one segment per day.
- The final segments were re-shot due to dissatisfaction with sunset lighting.
- During one take, a camera dolly reportedly ran over a cameraman’s foot. He was removed quietly to avoid stopping the shot.
- A stagehand once rushed into frame to catch a glass that an actress nearly dropped — the take was kept.
- Because of cables and moving lights, actors had to navigate the set carefully.
Historical Firsts
- Hitchcock’s first color film
- Average shot length: 435.7 seconds
- One of the earliest experiments in “continuous take” filmmaking
- Theatrically paired in the U.S. with the cartoon Hare Splitter (1948)
Literary & Stage Origins
- Based loosely on the real Leopold and Loeb murder case
- Adapted from Patrick Hamilton’s play, retitled Rope’s End on Broadway
- Major changes from stage to screen:
- Added characters (Janet, Mrs. Wilson, Kenneth)
- Changed Cadell’s age and role
- Relocated from England to New York
Casting & Performers
- Cary Grant was first considered for Rupert
- Montgomery Clift was originally considered for Brandon
- Stewart was paid $300,000 of the $1.5 million budget
- Final theatrical film for Dick Hogan (David)
- Final film of Joan Chandler
- Douglas Dick was the last surviving cast member (d. 2015)
Cultural Notes
- Banned in several cities due to implied homosexuality
- David’s name is spoken 73 times
- Each of the five men wears a different colored suit
- In Brazil, titled Festim Diabólico (“Devilish Feast”)
- Included in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
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