Kim Novak and James Stewart, Vertigo (1958)

The first time I saw Vertigo (Amazon dvd link), I was a teenager – it was shown on television one night when I was supposed to be doing homework. I recall being so mesmerized by Kim Novak’s beauty and talent that I could scarcely follow the movie. I just followed her!

Years later, I rewatched it and realized just what a chilling, wonderful movie it is. Trippy, yes… but an enjoyable kind of trippy.

I have to tell on my teenaged self a little here – at the time… this was before I was completely obsessed with old Hollywood, remember…. I spent half the movie thinking that the brunette Kim Novak was Yvonne DeCarlo. At some point, during the film, it occurred to me that it was Kim Novak in a dual role – making me even more impressed with her.

If you’ve never seen Vertigo – I hope you’ll check it out. Fair warning, though… don’t let Kim Novak get you under her spell – you won’t know what’s going on!