IMDb > Vertigo (1958)
Vertigo
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
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) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 49% 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:
(57 articles)

Blu-Ray Review: Alfred Hitchcock Makes Striking HD Debut With ‘North by Northwest’
 (From HollywoodChicago.com. 11 November 2009, 2:06 PM, PST)
Free Lecture, Screening to Highlight Hitchcock's The 39 Steps, 12/6
 (From BroadwayWorld.com. 9 November 2009, 1:43 PM, PST)

User Comments:

Distinctive & Unforgettable Masterpiece more (496 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)
Create a character page for: ?

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


Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies
Create a character page for: ?

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)
Sueurs froides (Belgium: French title) (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Vértigo (Argentina) (Spain) (Uruguay) [es]
мЮБЮФДЕМХЕ (Soviet Union: Russian title) [ru]
A Mulher Que Viveu Duas Vezes (Portugal) [pt]
Aus dem Reich der Toten (Austria) [de]
De entre los muertos (Spain) [es]
De vrouw die tweemaal leefde (Netherlands) [nl]
Desmotis tou iliggou (Greece) [el]
En kvinde skygges (Denmark) [da]
La donna che visse due volte (Italy) [it]
Punainen kyynel (Finland) [fi]
Röd tår (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
Studie i brott (Sweden) [sv]
Szédülés (Hungary) [hu]
Um Corpo Que Cai (Brazil) [pt]
Vertigo - Aus dem Reich der Toten (West Germany) [de]
Vertigo - punainen kyynel (Finland) [fi]
Zawrót glowy (Poland) [pl]
Zij die tweemal leefde (Belgium: Flemish title) [un]
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:

Alfred Hitchcock had originally wanted to use his now-famous Vertigo zoom in Rebecca (1940), but due to lack of technology at that time he couldn't do it. The technique was inspired by a time when Hitchcock had fainted during a party. more

Goofs:

Continuity: As Scotty parks alongside Madeline in front of his apartment, his car (actually the camera truck) cuts across several parking spaces. When the angle changes and Scotty is shown stepping from his car, it is parked within one parking space. more

Quotes:

[first lines]
Officer on rooftop: Give me your hand. Give me your hand.
more

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Pervert's Guide to Cinema (2006) more

Soundtrack:

Sardis #4 more

FAQ

What have critics said?
How much time passed between Scottie's fall into depression and his running into Judy?
How did Scottie get down from the rooftop?
more

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
153 out of 213 people found the following comment useful.
Distinctive & Unforgettable Masterpiece, 19 June 2001
Author: Snow Leopard from Ohio

One of the many things that made Hitchcock such a great director is that he did not just stick to the same formula time after time; all of his best movies have their own unique feel and characteristics. "Vertigo" is particularly distinctive, both as a complex story filled with suspense, and as a fascinating study in psychological tension. While it lacks the humor of some of Hitchcock's other masterpieces, and sometimes moves rather slowly, it is unforgettable, and a great achievement by the director and his cast.

If you have never seen it, you will enjoy it more if you do not know too much about the plot, although the actual story is somewhat secondary to the ways that the characters are tested and their weaknesses exposed by the various events. Hitchcock uses a complicated story, interesting characters, lavish visual detail, and deliberate pacing, plus a fine musical score by the incomparable Bernard Hermann, to produce a mysterious, almost unearthly, atmosphere. The tension rarely lets up, and the viewer is caught up completely in it, at times almost to the point of discomfort. It's the kind of film that repays careful attention, as almost every moment is filled with significant detail.

There are also some great acting performances. Jimmy Stewart is outstanding in a role far different from his usual screen persona. He enables the viewer to sympathize completely with him, even as we cringe at many of his character's actions and decisions. Kim Novak is completely convincing in a difficult dual role, and the movie would not have been as compelling without her fine performance. The rest of the cast all have much smaller roles, but are all quite good too, especially Barbara Bel Geddes as Scottie's (Stewart's) old friend, who provides important insight into Scottie's character.

"Vertigo" is a classic by any standard. It's a must-see that remains just as impressive with each viewing.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (496 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Vertigo (1958)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
question -spoilers- SpaceZoMBiE
Influenced by Giorgio de Chirico? BiscuitEatingWench
Radical Plot Change? djagoon
One scene I wish Hitch had re-thought bruce-k-morrison
Did anyone think the nun was actually... Pearl_Jade
rushed endings (SPOILER) jannispetersen
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Basic Instinct Rebecca The Stunt Man The Salton Sea Psycho
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Crime section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.