Robin Wood - Hitchcock Films Revisited

Page 108-109
Introduces Vertigo and the meaning of the title, about Scotties fear of heights. It tells you the origin of the story, that it is from a novel by 'Eoileau and Narcejac, called D'enire les Morts.'
But goes on to say Hitchcock only took the basic outline of the narrative from the book, and goes on to say that the movie is the best movie of all time.


Page 110-111
This starts with a textual analysis of the intro of the film. It talks about the conscious decision and the phallic imagery of the shapes, and the never ending spiral shape, and the woman's lips and face shot in separate shots as opposed to a full face at once. It then goes on to talk about the first scene, where Scottie is seen as a strong, detective archetype. But immediately weakened by his inability to get up the roof after the other men do, and is left needing the help of an active male. He becomes passive and quits his job, which is what makes him active and strong. A detective in that era is like the superhero in this era, and a cowboy in the 1970's. 
On 111 it talks about the Midge scene, and how again Scottie is feminised, constantly but also we are encouraged to see Midge as unattractive. Scottie is shown as a feminine, passive character due to his characteristics. He has no strength, he has to wear a corset and use a walking stick. His inability to keep his walking stick up is phallic to keeping his stick up.