IMDb > Vertigo (1958)
Vertigo
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Photos (see all 113 | slideshow) Videos (see all 15)
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) -- AFI's 10 Top 10 - The 10 Greatest Films in 10 Classic Genres
Vertigo (1958) -- Detective Ferguson figures out the plot.
Vertigo (1958) -- A San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.
Vertigo (1958) -- A San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.
Vertigo (1958) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 37% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Alfred Hitchcock
Writers:
Alec Coppel (screenplay) &
Samuel A. Taylor (screenplay) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Vertigo on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 July 1958 (Brazil) more
Genre:
Crime | Mystery | Romance | Thriller more
Tagline:
A Hitchcock thriller. You should see it from the beginning! more
Plot:
A San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(59 articles)
Is Rihanna's 'Russian Roulette' Video An Homage To A David Lynch Movie?
 (From MTV Newsroom. 17 November 2009, 2:45 PM, PST)
Culture Warrior: What is Hitchcockian Suspense?
 (From FilmSchoolRejects. 15 November 2009, 9:30 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Hitchcock's most stunning achievement. A fascinating masterpiece which improves with each year and viewing. more (497 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

James Stewart ... John 'Scottie' Ferguson

Kim Novak ... Madeleine Elster / Judy Barton

Barbara Bel Geddes ... Midge Wood
Tom Helmore ... Gavin Elster
Henry Jones ... Coroner
Raymond Bailey ... Scottie's Doctor
Ellen Corby ... Manager of McKittrick Hotel
Konstantin Shayne ... Pop Leibel
Lee Patrick ... Car Owner Mistaken for Madeleine
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Ahdar ... Priest (uncredited)
Isabel Analla ... Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Jack Ano ... Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Margaret Bacon ... Nun (uncredited)
John Benson ... Salesman (uncredited)
Margaret Brayton ... Ransohoff's Saleslady (uncredited)
Paul Bryar ... Captain Hansen (uncredited)

Steve Conte ... Burglar (uncredited)
Jean Corbett ... Mrs. Elster (uncredited)
Bruno Della Santina ... Waiter at Ernie's (uncredited)
Roxann Delman ... Ransohoff's Model (uncredited)
Molly Dodd ... Beautician (uncredited)
Bess Flowers ... Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
Joanne Genthon ... Carlotta Valdes (uncredited)
Don Giovanni ... Salesman (uncredited)
Roland Gotti ... Bartender at Ernie's (uncredited)
Victor Gotti ... Matire d' at Ernie's (uncredited)
Fred Graham ... Policeman on Rooftop (uncredited)
Buck Harrington ... Elster's Gateman (uncredited)

Alfred Hitchcock ... Man Walking Past Elster's Office (uncredited)
Art Howard ... Juror (uncredited)
Catherine Howard ... Nun (uncredited)
June Jocelyn ... Nurse (uncredited)
David McElhatton ... Radio Announcer - European Version Only (voice) (uncredited)
Miliza Milo ... Saleswoman (uncredited)
Lyle Moraine ... Patron (uncredited)
Forbes Murray ... Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
Julian Petruzzi ... San Francisco Flower Vendor (uncredited)
Ezelle Poule ... Older Mistaken Identity (uncredited)
Kathy Reed ... Patron (uncredited)
William Remick ... Jury Foreman (uncredited)
Jack Richardson ... Escort (uncredited)
Jeffrey Sayre ... Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
Nina Shipman ... Woman in Museum Mistaken for Madeleine (uncredited)
Dori Simmons ... Woman at Ernie's Mistaken for Madeleine (uncredited)
Ed Stevlingson ... Inquest Attorney (uncredited)
Sara Taft ... Nun (uncredited)
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Directed by
Alfred Hitchcock 
 
Writing credits
Alec Coppel (screenplay) &
Samuel A. Taylor (screenplay) (as Samuel Taylor)

Pierre Boileau (novel "D'Entre Les Morts") and
Thomas Narcejac (novel "D'Entre Les Morts")

Maxwell Anderson  contributing writer (uncredited)

Produced by
Herbert Coleman .... associate producer
James C. Katz .... restoration producer (1996 restoration)
Alfred Hitchcock .... producer (uncredited)
 
Original Music by
Bernard Herrmann 
 
Cinematography by
Robert Burks (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
George Tomasini 
 
Casting by
Bert McKay (unit casting director) (uncredited)
 
Art Direction by
Henry Bumstead 
Hal Pereira 
 
Set Decoration by
Sam Comer 
Frank R. McKelvy  (as Frank McKelvy)
 
Costume Design by
Edith Head (costumes)
 
Makeup Department
Nellie Manley .... hair style supervisor
Wally Westmore .... makeup supervisor
Florence Avery .... hairdresser (uncredited)
Hazel Keats .... hairdresser (uncredited)
Benny Lane .... makeup artist: Miss Novak (uncredited)
Harry Ray .... makeup artist (uncredited)
Peggy Thomas .... hairdresser (uncredited)
Lenore Weaver .... hairdresser (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Phillip Feiner .... executive in charge of production (1996 restoration) (as Phillip J. Feiner)
Robert Heiser .... post-production manager: DTS (1996 restoration)
Frank Caffey .... production manager (uncredited)
Andrew J. Durkus .... unit production manager (uncredited)
C.O. Erickson .... unit production manager (uncredited)
Curtis Mick .... assistant unit production manager (uncredited)
Don Robb .... unit production manager: San Francisco (uncredited)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Daniel McCauley .... assistant director
Ralph Axness .... second assistant director (uncredited)
Cy Brooskin .... second assistant director (uncredited)
Charles C. Coleman .... assistant director: San Francisco (uncredited)
Herbert Coleman .... second unit director: San Francisco (uncredited)
John P. Fulton .... second unit director: back projection (uncredited)
Edward Haldeman .... second unit director (uncredited)
Clem Jones .... assistant director: San Francisco (uncredited)
Frank Kies .... assistant director: San Francisco (uncredited)
Edward Morey Jr. .... assistant director: San Francisco (uncredited)
 
Art Department
James Cottrell .... assistant props (uncredited)
Gene Lauritzen .... construction coordinator (uncredited)
Dominic Mautino .... stand-by painter (uncredited)
Martin Pendleton .... props (uncredited)
Manlio Sarra .... portrait: Carlotta (uncredited)
Fred Simpfenderfer .... nurseryman (uncredited)
Lee Vasque .... props (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Charlie Ajar Jr. .... recordist (1996 restoration)
Michael C. Casper .... re-recording mixer (1996 restoration) (as Michael Casper)
William Hooper .... sound editor (1996 restoration) (as Bill Hooper)
William Jacobs .... sound editor (1996 restoration)
Daniel J. Leahy .... re-recording mixer (1996 restoration)
Richard LeGrand Jr. .... supervising sound editor (1996 restoration) (as Richard Legrand Jr.)
Winston H. Leverett .... sound recordist (as Winston Leverett)
Harold Lewis .... sound recordist
Laura Macias .... foley artist (1996 restoration)
Bob McNabb .... sound editor (1996 restoration)
Sharon Michaels .... foley artist (1996 restoration)
Albert Romero .... foley mixer (1996 restoration)
Harry E. Snodgrass .... sound designer (1996 restoration) (as Harry Snodgrass)
Walter Spencer .... sound editor (1996 restoration)
Samuel Webb .... assistant sound editor (1996 restoration)
George Dutton .... sound (uncredited)
Michael Ferdie .... foley editor (1996 restoration) (uncredited)
Nick Gerolimates .... sound cable man (uncredited)
Hayden Hohstadt .... mike grip (uncredited)
Jim Miller .... sound recordist (uncredited)
Bud Parman .... sound boom man (uncredited)
Bert Van Volkenberg .... sound battery man (uncredited)
Bill Wistrom .... sound editor (uncredited)
 
Visual Effects by
Chris Bushman .... photo-chemical supervisor (1996 restoration)
Farciot Edouart .... process photography
John P. Fulton .... special photographic effects
Mike Glickman .... optical cameraman (1996 restoration)
W. Wallace Kelley .... process photography (as Wallace Kelley)
Scott Dougherty .... digital restoration producer: Cinesite (1996 restoration) (uncredited)
W. Wallace Kelley .... director of photography: back projection (uncredited)
Paul K. Lerpae .... optical effects (uncredited)
Jerry Pooler .... digital restoration supervisor (1996 restoration) (uncredited)
Tiffany Smith .... digital restoration coordinator: Cinesite (1996 restoration) (uncredited)
John Whitney Sr. .... motion control designer: title sequence (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Polly Burson .... stunts (uncredited)
Jean Corbett .... stunt double: Kim Novak (uncredited)
Ted Mapes .... stunts (uncredited)
Fred Perce .... stunt double: James Stewart (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Earl Canter .... camera assistant (uncredited)
Robert Coburn .... still photographer (uncredited)
Earl Crowell .... electrician (uncredited)
John Friedman .... camera assistant (uncredited)
Adolph Froelich .... best boy (uncredited)
Bobby Greene .... first assistant camera (uncredited)
Loyal Griggs .... director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
James Hawley .... assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
Warren Hoag .... electrician (uncredited)
Victor Jones .... gaffer (uncredited)
Michael P. Joyce .... assistant camera (uncredited)
Fred Kaifer .... camera operator: second unit (uncredited)
James Knott .... camera operator (uncredited)
Lon Massey .... electrician (uncredited)
Kyme Meade .... camera operator: second unit (uncredited)
Walter Newman .... grip (uncredited)
John Nostri .... grip (uncredited)
H. Parsley .... grip (uncredited)
G.E. Richardson .... still photographer (uncredited)
Irmin Roberts .... director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
Gus Ryden .... camera assistant (uncredited)
Leonard J. South .... camera operator (uncredited)
F. Steiner .... electrician (uncredited)
Darrell Turnmire .... company grip (uncredited)
Paul Uhl .... camera assistant (uncredited)
Edward Wahrman .... assistant camera (uncredited)
Paul Weddell .... assistant camera (uncredited)
B. Weiler .... camera operator: second unit (uncredited)
William Williams .... director of photography: animation (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Olive Long .... secretary: casting director (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Leonard Harris .... wardrobe: men (uncredited)
Roselle Novello .... wardrobe: women (uncredited)
Dario Piazza .... wardrobe: men (uncredited)
 
Editorial Department
Sharon McGeeney .... negative cutting: Superior Film Service Inc. (1996 restoration)
William Pine .... color timer: Deluxe Laboratories (1996 restoration) (as Bill Pine)
 
Music Department
Muir Mathieson .... conductor
Leon Birnbaum .... music editor (uncredited)
Bernard Herrmann .... orchestrator (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Saul Bass .... title designer
Walter Browski .... theater sales manager: DTS (1996 restoration)
John Ferren .... special sequence
Robert A. Harris .... restorer (1996 restoration)
Joanne Lawson .... restoration assistant (1996 restoration)
Richard Mueller .... technicolor color consultant
Marlene Noble .... restoration & research assistant (1996 restoration)
Ken D. Smith .... production executive (1996 restoration)
Mike B. Smith .... theater services engineer: DTS (1996 restoration)
Diane Cummings .... photo double (uncredited)
Diane Cummings .... stand-in (uncredited)
Kathleen Fagan .... script supervisor: second unit (uncredited)
Dr. A. Vincent Gerty .... technical advisor (uncredited)
Bill Gray .... production auditor (uncredited)
Frank Kies .... auditor: San Francisco (uncredited)
Luddie Laine .... dialogue coach (uncredited)
Al Peterson .... craft service (uncredited)
Peggy Robertson .... script supervisor (uncredited)
Art Sarno .... publicist (uncredited)
Anita Speer .... script supervisor: second unit (uncredited)
Herb Steinberg .... unit publicist (uncredited)
Dolores Stockton .... secretary: Mr. Coleman (uncredited)
Constance Willis .... script supervisor: San Francisco (uncredited)
 
Thanks
Barbara Bel Geddes .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration)
Henry Bumstead .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration: 1996 restoration
Herbert Coleman .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration: 1996 restoration
C.O. Erickson .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration: 1996 restoration (as C.O. 'Doc' Erickson)
Michael Hickey .... special thanks (1996 restoration)
Patricia Hitchcock .... special thanks (1996 restoration) (as Patricia Hitchcock O'Connell)
Michael Hyatt .... special thanks: 1996 restoration
Henry Jones .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration)
Kim Novak .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration)
Robert J. O'Neil .... special thanks (1996 restoration)
Tom Pollock .... special thanks (1996 restoration)
Peggy Robertson .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration)
Martin Scorsese .... special thanks (1996 restoration)
Dan Slusser .... special thanks (1996 restoration)
Leonard South .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration: 1996 restoration
Herb Steinberg .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration: 1996 restoration
James Stewart .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration)
Samuel A. Taylor .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration) (as Samuel)
Suzanne Taylor .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration)
June Van Dyke .... we would like to thank those members of the original production of Vertigo who were helpful in this restoration (1996 restoration)
Lew Wasserman .... special thanks (1996 restoration)
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

Also Known As:
'Vertigo' (USA) (poster title)
Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (USA) (complete title)
Darkling I Listen (USA) (working title)
Fear and Trembling (USA) (working title)
From Among the Dead (USA) (working title)
Illicit Darkening (USA) (working title)
more
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
128 min | USA:129 min (1996 restored version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.50 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS 70 mm (1996 re-release) (70 mm prints) | DTS (1996 re-release) (35 mm prints) | Dolby Digital (1996 re-release) (35 mm prints) | Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
USA:Approved (PCA #18867) | USA:PG (re-rating) (1983) (certificate no. 27072) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (1997) | Canada:G (Nova Scotia) (original rating) (1983) | Spain:T | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Brazil:14 | Netherlands:12 | Iceland:12 (1984) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12/9 (1995) | Finland:K-12/9 (1997) | Finland:K-16 (1958) | France:U | Norway:11 (re-rating) (1997) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Sweden:15 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (1988) | West Germany:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec)
Filming Locations:
900 Lombard Street, San Francisco, California, USA more
Company:
Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Visa d'exploitation en France #21096 more
Goofs:
Factual errors: In the scene where Scottie is following Judy for the first time back to the "Empire Hotel," now "York Hotel," the traffic flow on Sutter Street (one-way) is heading toward downtown instead of away from it, as it does in actuality. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Officer on rooftop: Give me your hand. Give me your hand.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) more
Soundtrack:
Symphony No. 34 in C K. 338, 2nd Movement, Andante di Molto (piu tosto allegretto) more

FAQ

Does Hitchcock have a cameo appearance in "Vertigo"?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
What's the name of the lady who manages the hotel?
more

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
50 out of 88 people found the following comment useful.
Hitchcock's most stunning achievement. A fascinating masterpiece which improves with each year and viewing., 15 January 2003
Author: Infofreak from Perth, Australia

I get a bit tongue-tied talking about Hitchcock's greatest movies because they are just so remarkable, so astonishing, so entertaining, so multi-levelled, that it's very difficult to put into words what makes them great. Hitchcock made some of the greatest movies ever made, and 'Vertigo', though by no means his most accessible film, is quite possibly his crowning achievement. It is without any doubt a masterpiece, and I cannot fault it in any way. Every time I watch it I am knocked out, and every time I see something new, some nuance or moment that I appreciate more than I did the previous viewing. Jimmy Stewart, one of the most popular movie star in Hollywood history, gives a remarkable performance throughout, one of the best in his career. Stewart had worked with Hitchcock before, and had always been superb, especially in the much copied suspense classic 'Rear Window' a few years prior to this, but he plays against type in 'Vertigo' and is jaw-droppingly good. It's difficult to remember now that 'Vertigo' is regarded as a movie milestone, that it received many bad reviews when it was originally released, and was a relative failure for Hitchcock. A lot of this had to do with Stewart's intense performance I think, and also the difficult subject matter. 'Vertigo' is essentially a tale of sexual obsession, something most people were probably not expecting at the time! Almost as good as Stewart is Kim Novak ('The Man With The Golden Arm') in a role that she will always be remembered for. 'Vertigo' is a virtuoso piece from Hitchcock, and a movie that will no doubt continue to inspire other film makers over the years to come. However the most important thing about it is that it is still wonderful viewing, and a movie experience that you will never forget. In my mind it is one of the three of four greatest American movies. Simply astonishing.

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