Hitchcock Film Tournament Update

In the 40's bracket, top seed Rebecca had to stage a last minute rally to defeat third seed Shadow of a Doubt 11-9 and move on to the final four. In the 50's bracket, we have our two semi-final matches set. Top seed Vertigo had little trouble with 8th seed I Confess 11-2. Second seed Rear Window shut out The Trouble With Harry 11-0. The Man Who Knew Too Much upset To Catch a Thief 8-6. And then Dial M For murder pulled  off an upset of third seed Strangers on A Train 9-4. So below are the semi-final matches set to begin today and run thru Monday 8 pm EST. Good news for Grace Kelly fans is that she still has two films in the tournament. Bad news is they play each other this round. I'm still miffed To Catch a Thief got knocked out. I have a photo from that film that I use as wallpaper on my computer screen at work. Oh well, at least Rear Window is still in the mix. Oh and I just realized Jimmy Stewart has to battle himself as Vertigo meets The Man Who Knew too Much. And actually he has three films left in the mix when you count Rear Window. So it's a safe bet to say he will have a film go on to the final four. Just a hunch.

50'S ERA SEMI-FINAL MATCH 1

1 VERTIGO (1958)

VS

5 THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (1956)

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50'S ERA SEMI-FINAL MATCH 2

2 REAR WINDOW (1954)

VS

6 DIAL M FOR MURDER (1954)

If It's Tuesday, Then It Must Be Grace Kelly - My First Grace Kelly Experience

I believe I was around 16 or 17 when I watched my first Grace Kelly movie. It was Dial M For Murder, her second pairing with Alfred Hitchcock. At the time, I had no idea who she was. The stars I had watched and knew about then were Cary Grant, Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, etc.  You know, the big guns. And I had only seen one previous Hitchcock film, Rebecca. And that was in my English class. Anyway, I was immediately impressed with this lovely new leading lady. And not just because of her striking good looks. Just because the way she carried herself in this movie. She plays Margot Wendice, wife to Ray Milland's Tony, who is plotting to kill her. Now Grace's character did have an affair a few years ago and tries to work things out with her husband. It's to Kelly's considerable charm that I did not blame her at any point during this film. Even though she committed adultery, she was just so darned nice and sweet about it. I forgave her immediately. After watching Grace in this film, I had to see as many of her films as possible. And while she did like only 12 or so films, I have yet to see one where she didn't a good performance. I believe Rear Window's Lisa Fremont was her best character and film, just slightly ahead of Margot.  She won her only Oscar for the Country Girl, where she downplayed her gorgeous beauty with a solid performance. But Dial M For Murder will always hold a special place in my heart for me, as this was the first film in which I ever saw her in and was immediately captivated by her. Just a story I wanted to share on this Tuesday then it must be Grace Kelly day. If you have never seen Dial M For Murder, check it out this Sunday on TCM at 6 pm EST.