Alfred Hitchcock was a visionary director. While he is most commonly known for 1960’s “Psycho” much of his most influential work came out in the 1950s. Below are some of the best Alfred Hitchcock films of the 1950s.
Strangers on a Train (1951)
“Strangers on a train” plays perfectly with the concept of psychological suspense. Furthermore, it takes the psycho killer theme and turns it on its head. A double-murder plot, blackmail, and mental torment abound in this gripping film.
Rear Window (1954)
One of many iconic roles for James Stewart, this classic still holds up today. While so many suspense films fixate on the actions of the villain, this one sits with the protagonist and incorporates themes of loneliness and paranoia.
Virtigo (1958)
James Stewart, once again, delivers a fantastic performance, this time, alongside Kim Novak. This film is a bit of a departure from some of the others on this list. It does not deal so directly with murder and mayhem, however, it beautifully plays on the psychological themes that are so much a part of Hitchcock’s work. Fun fact: According to IMDB, this film’s opening sequence marked the first time computer graphics were used in a film.
North by Northwest (1959)
“North By Northwest” is considered to be one of Hitchcock’s best films. While it contained a generous amount of classic Hitchcock suspense, it also provided a lot of action and adventure. Cary Grant brought the lead role of Roger Thornhill to life in a memorable performance. However, there’s an interesting story behind why long-time collaborator James Stewart was not in the lead once again. Check out this interesting trivia here.
Clearly, Alfred Hitchcock films had a big influence on Hollywood and American culture. Did any of your favorites not make our list? Let us know in the comments. For more like this, be sure to check out our other movie posts. Don’t forget to follow The Greatest Generation on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.
