Rear Window: The Making of a Hitchcock Masterpiece in the Hollywood Golden Age

Disclaimer - This is Not a Romance Genre Book

By Jennifer O'Callaghan

Citadel Press - September 2025

Non-Fiction


There are two must-watch Hitchcock movies I always tell people about. Rope and Rear Window. Rope takes place in an apartment. It starts with a murder in the apartment followed by the killers hosting the victim's friends and family for a party. The question throughout is will their former teacher, played by Jimmy Stewart, figure out what happened? Tragically, the murder was committed for intellectual purposes, and even worse, was actually based on a true murder.

When Hitchcock tapped Jimmy to be in Rear Window, he was resistant to be in a similar movie. This time, a man confined to his apartment due to a broken leg is watching his neighbors through his rear window. Over time, he becomes convinced one of his neighbors has killed his wife. There is no body and nobody is reported missing.

Both sound like simple plots, but Hitchcock masterly weaves fascinating characters and intrigue. It is not simply filming a movie. Hollywood of that era was so different than today. In Rear Window: The Making of a Hitchcock Masterpiece in the Hollywood Golden Age author Jennifer O'Callaghan takes readers into the past and delves into the intricate workings in the studios at that time. It was interesting to learn everything from how actors were contracted by studios to the PCA which could censor movies. Hitchcock was also an expert at thwarting the PCA.

Then there was the cast and crew. Grace Kelly, a literal princess. I was curious to learn more about her and her life after she left Hollywood. Edith Head was a formidable force in the world of design. The neighbors in the other apartments that Jimmy's character was watching included interesting individuals from Raymond Burr of Perry Mason fame, to a piano player who later created the Chipmunks. There are so many fascinating stories on every page. Rear Window: The Making of a Hitchcock Masterpiece in the Hollywood Golden Age is a must read for Hitchcock and Rear Window fans as well as anyone with an interest of Hollywood.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

 

FTC Disclaimer: I did receive a copy for review. However, this website only posts "good" reviews. If I cannot post a positive review, I notify whoever has provided me with the book/ARC/ebook.