by Sam Juliano
An Alfred Hitchcock ‘lovefest’ was announced this week by Voting Tabulator Extraordinaire Angelo A. D’Arminio Jr. after he sorted the ballots at the conclusion of the seven-week voting duration at the blogsite Wonders in the Dark, in which voters were asked to name in numerical order their 25 favorite films from 1950 to 1959. 37 people cast ballots, a number of whom run their own film sites. Rear Window (1954), a classic drama starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly which examines voyeurism, and is all but shot in a single room, finished first in this cinematically rich decade, with a total of 465 points, edging out another Hitchcock masterpiece, Vertigo, which finished with 435 points. Vertigo, which is often cited as one of the greatest films of all-time in polls run by Sight and Sound and other publications, is an eerily beautiful study on the destructive power of romantic illusion that again stars James Stewart as a retired police officer, suffering from vertigo. The female leads are played by Kim Novak and Barbara Bel Geddes. According to D’Arminio, Rear Window took the lead after the first few ballots were cast, and the film masterpiece never looked back. Vertigo was engaged in a spirited challenge from the musical masterwork Singin in the Rain, which settled in at Number 3, while John Ford’s western landmark The Searchers and Billy Wilder’s cynical study of decadence Sunset Boulevard rounded out the top 5.
Four foreign-language films mounted strong challenges to the top 5, and finished from Nos. 6 to 9: Kenji Mizoguchi’s Sansho the Bailiff, Yashujiro Ozu’s Tokyo Story, Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, and Max Ophuls’s Earrings of Madame de. Alexander Mackendrick’s Sweet Smell of Success, rounded out the top 10. The Top 50 films of the decade are as follows with point totals:
1 465 REAR WINDOW (HITCHCOCK)
2 435 VERTIGO (HITCHCOCK)
3 405 SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (DONEN, KELLY)
4 344 THE SEARCHERS (FORD)
5 326 SUNSET BOULEVARD (WILDER)
6 314 SANSHO THE BAILIFF/SANSHO DAYU (MIZOGUCHI)
7 292 TOKYO STORY (OZU)
8 282 THE SEVEN SAMURAI (KUROSAWA)
9 278 MADAME DE…/THE EARRINGS OF MADAME DE (OPHULS)
10 257 SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (MACKENDRICK)
11 253 WILD STRAWBERRIES (BERGMAN)
12 249 PATHS OF GLORY (KUBRICK)
13 229 12 ANGRY MEN (LUMET)
14 228 BEN-HUR (WYLER)
15 223 ON THE WATERFRONT (KAZAN)
16 202 THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (LAUGHTON)
17 188 BONJOUR TRISTESSE (PREMINGER)
18 185 HIGH NOON (ZINNEMANN)
19 184 A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (KAZAN)
20 182 NORTH BY NORTHWEST (HITCHCOCK)
21 181 THE SEVENTH SEAL (BERGMAN)
22 171 NIGHT AND FOG/NUIT ET BROUILLARD (RESNAIS)
23 167 TOUCH OF EVIL (WELLES)
24 167 UMBERTO D (DE SICA)
25 162 AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (MINNELLI)
26 156 ALL ABOUT EVE (MANKIEWICZ)
27 155 A MAN ESCAPED (BRESSON)
28 151 ORDET (DREYER)
29 149 SHANE (STEVENS)
30 147 THE AFRICAN QUEEN (HUSTON)
31 144 STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (HITCHCOCK)
32 140 WRITTEN ON THE WIND (SIRK)
33 139 NIGHTS OF CABIRIA (FELLINI)
34 135 I VITELLONI (FELLINI)
35 134 FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (FRED ZINNEMANN)
36 131 UGETSU MONOGATARI (MIZOGUCHI)
37 127 THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (WISE)
38 124 ACE IN THE HOLE (WILDER)
39 124 THE 400 BLOWS/LES QUATRE CENTS COUPS (TRUFFAUT)
40 123 THE DIARY OF A COUNTRY PRIST (BRESSON)
41 123 SCROOGE/A CHRISTMAS CAROL (DESMOND-HURST)
42 119 EAST OF EDEN (KAZAN)
43 113 INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (SIEGEL)
44 112 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (DE MILLE)
45 111 IKIRU (KUROSAWA)
46 108 MARTY (D MANN)
47 107 NIGHT OF THE DEMON (TOURNEUR)
48 103 THE WAGES OF FEAR (CLOUZOT)
49 102 THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (LEAN)
50 100 PATHER PANCHALI (S RAY)
Hi! Allan, Sam Juliano, Angelo A. D’Arminio Jr.
and WitD readers,
Being an Alfred Hitchcock “fanatic” (Well, I wouldn’t go that far, Oh! yes, I would… LOL!!!! 😆 ) I think that the poll result for Mr. Hitchcock’s films is “fantastic.”
Thanks,
Deedee 😉
Hi! WitD readers,
I’am so “happy” that some of my other choices made the top 50 list and they are….
Singing in the Rain (My mère, will be very glad that “her” Singing in the Rain made the list.) and I’am happy to see that films that are referred to as “noir.” are well represented too!
Sunset Blvd.,
Sweet Smell Success
Ace in the Hole
Touch of Evil…
French Films (or films that take place in France)
Night and Fog/Nuit Et Brouillard…
(Thanks, to Sam Juliano, I will be fortunate to watch Resnais’ Film “Night and Fog/Nuit Et Brouillard.”)
Bonjour Tristesse
An American in Paris
The Wages of Fear…I must admit that I haven’t watched the film “The Wages of Fear” yet, but I’am so glad to see the 2
Sci-Fi Films which I voted for made the list
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Invasion of the Body Snatchers….
…And I’ am also so “happy” to see that 2 of my favorite Hitchcock’s films also made the list!
Strangers on a Train and the 1959 film North by Northwest.
Merci! à tous les participants!
Deedee 😉
Some real surprises in terms of the order here. Didn’t expect Rear Window to beat Vertigo for example. But interesting stuff nonetheless. when does the 60s poll begin?
This list is just about definitive. I am not surprised at all of the Hitchcock dominance.
Well Kaleem, I must admit that the finish of REAR WINDOW at #1 is a major surprise, but it’s a supreme masterpiece of the cinema, so it’s not remotely unreasonable. In fact, it adds some unexpected excitement to the poll, and it’s proof that nothing is a given. Two Hitchcocks in the Top 2 is remarkable, and a testament to this genius’s reverence from all kinds of film fans.
Start compling your 60’s choices Kaleem! LOL!! That poll launches on Tuesday!
Dee Dee:
I must admit I was thinking of you (and I had a smile on my face from ear to ear) when the results were sent on to me by Angelo. I must admit I am rather surprised REAR WINDOW edged out VERTIGO, as I thought it would be the other way around, but let’s face it: they are both masterpieces of cinema. And the 50’s is Hitch’s decade. Even NORTH BY NORTHWEST at #18 did very well, and STRANGERS ON A TRAIN made the Top 50 as well.
Good point there too with the French themed and French language films, and that’s wonderful that the SINGIN IN THE RAIN choices pleases your mother. It certainly pleases many others too.
As always thanks for being the effervescent muse presiding over the execution of this poll from the very beginning.
And thanks for the endless insights as well.
And “noir” was indeed well-represented here Dee Dee with those five you list!
Thanks Joe.
Love the final list! It really goes to show how universally loved Hitchcock is…I mean is there any other director who has been so prolific and beloved by both audiences and critics across generations?
I’m glad to see WAGES OF FEAR snuck in there at the bottom.
The eloquent review of SANSHO THE BALIFF (featured here at lucky number 7) posted earlier on this site prompted me to put it in my Netflix queue, and it now sits on my coffee table waiting for what I am sure will be a momentous first viewing.
Thanks again for these awesome lists!
–DHS
Merci! Sam Juliano,
For the very kind compliment!….From….
Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, Urania and Deedee 😉
David:
We are all most grateful for you enthusiastic participation in the poll David, and I must congratulate you in having REAR WINDOW as your personal #1 choice. I don’t think anyone else had it at #1, though it’s very high placement on so many ballots insured it would wind up on top.
I simply cannot wait to hear of your reaction on SANSHO.
WAGES OF FEAR certainly deserved to make the cut.
And what you say of Hitchcock……well…….I couldn’t agree with you more.
I must admit I haven’t voted in the best of the decade polls, not because I’m indifferent to them but because I’m still seeing much of what is lauded in the critical establishment and wouldn’t want to hazard a list until I’ve seen some very important works (the names of which I won’t disclose, for my own protection).
Needless to say, like the Dame & et al. before me, I’m happy to see the Hitchcock love, and particularly happy to see “Rear Window” on the top spot. Unexpected, yes, but I’d put it at the top of the 1950s — and, since it’s my favorite film, on top of all the other decades.
This is a great looking list, and as always, the folks here at Wonders in the Dark should be extraordinarily proud of it.
T.S. What you says makes quite a bit of sense. As far as REAR WINDOW, I know well that it is indeed your #1 film of this decade, and as you say of all-time. Your fantastic Hitchcock series at Screen Savour attests to your authoritative knowledge and adoration of this genius, and the #1 and #2 placements of his two masterworks of this period speaks volumes.
Thanks very much for your unwavering support throughout and most kind words.
Must say I am stunned at the way it ended. I never figured “Rear Window” to come out on top, but it shows you just how revered this great movie is by so many.
Yep, Frederick, you and many others are voicing surprise in no uncertain terms. But what an inspired choice!
Sam, congratulations to the entire Wonders in the Dark crew for these superlative results. You won’t find a more definitive listing than the one these 37 voters collaborated on. The Hitchcock domination had to be expected, and it’s well-deserved. This list is a great reference for many of us.
As much as I love Hitchcock, it’s almost unfair that he snagged both the #1 and #2 spots.
I, too, am surprised that Rear Window bested Vertigo. If the point system were different, no doubt the results would be, as well.
But far be it from me to complain — especially because I didn’t vote. If only my Federico had placed higher. . . .
Pierre:
I agree that domination of the top two spots by the same director is, well.rather scary in the sense that it won’t ever be repeated in any subsequent poll. I agree the REAR WINDOW win has starled many people, including many who don’t even visit the site.
Asfar as your man Federico, with the 60’s up next and 8 1/2 , LA DOLCE VITA, JULIET OF THE SPIRITS and SATYRICIN, you can be sure he’ll make his mark!
Hi! Sam Juliano, Allan Fish and Wonder in the Dark readers…
I hope that all of you, …have a very pleasant Easter holiday tomorrow. Btw,
Here goes …TCM offering for
Sunday.
6:30 AM Green Pastures (1936)
8:15 AM Salome (1953)
10:00 AM Solomon And Sheba (1959)
12:30 PM Ben-Hur (1959)
4:30 PM Barabbas (1962)
7:00 PM Easter Parade (1948)
8:47 PM Short Film: Fred Astaire Bio (1962)
BW-4 mins,
9:00 PM King Of Kings, The (1961)
12:00 AM King of Kings, The (1927)
Deedee 😉
Hi! Sam Juliano, Allan Fish and WitD readers,
How very “apropos”….
Tonite on TCM director Alfred Hitchcock, will be….
(I’am quite sure T.S., have already announced this if he have posted his Sunday Matinee. )
Btw, I listened to Hitchcock’s film the 39 Steps (TCM aired this “gem” at 6:30am) while typing in another room earlier this morning. )
….(Hitchcock in the 40s will be) featured as part of the essential tonite…. Wow!… 8)
8:00 PM Saboteur (1942)
10:00 PM Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
12:00 AM Foreign Correspondent (1940)
2:15 AM Rebecca (1940)
4:30 AM Spellbound (1945)
Deedee 😉
Thanks very much, Dee Dee for that Easter greeting, and likewise the best to you and yours! It’s dark and raining right now in the NYC area, but we’re hoping for a nice spring day tomorrow.
Thatt TCM lineup of course is wonderful, and it makes matters easy for the real film lovers. BEN-HUR, which is one of my favorites, is nicely paired up thematically with BARABAS, and the two versions of KING OF KINGS is a wise programming choice.
It’s interesting you said you “listened” to THE 39 STEPS—that’s yet another way of truly appreciating that masterwork, from it’s dialogue!
Of course that 40’s Hitchcock line-up there is to die for!
Speaking of Hitchcock, as in Alfred….I must admit that I suffer with 3 phobia(s)….Claustrophobia….An irrational fear of being in a confined or enclosed space. and I also suffer with Vertigo and it usually occur in conjunction with my Acrophobia.
I guess, that rules out my trip to the “mighty” Eiffel Tower…
…But, while doing some research on Hitch’s private life…I read that director
Alfred Hitchcock, also suffered with a phobia too!….and the clinical name for what he suffered with is called “Ovophobia.”
My question to you on the day before Easter is
what is the common name for Hitchcock’s phobia? 😕
Deedee 🙂
Or ra~ther (British, accent used…) what was it that cause the Master of Suspense to be….
Dee Dee, many people who have ‘acrophobia’ mistake it for ‘vertigo’ which is more of a dizzying condition.
I also have a DREADFUL fear of heights, and when Allan Fish was here over the Christmas holidays, I refused to join him and the family to the observation deck near the top of the Empire State Building, as it would have given me nightmares of being in high places. Just thinking about it terrifies me, as a past experience there years ago has never been shaken.
You better forget about the Eiffel Tower!!! LOL!!!
I think the name is HITCHCOCKMANIA.
Sam said, “Dee Dee, many people who have ‘acrophobia’ mistake it for ‘vertigo’ which is more of a dizzying condition.”
Sam, right you are!…I was one of those people who “mistakenly” thought that vertigo was a fear of height too!…Thank-you! Mr. Hitchcock…
Sam said, “….I refused to join him and the family to the observation deck near the top of the Empire State Building, as it would have given me nightmares of being in high places. Just thinking about it terrifies me, as a past experience there years ago has never been shaken.
Sam Juliano!!!! …that sounds “mysterious” and “Hitchcockian” Because I am “conjuring up” thoughts of his (Hitch’s) 1940 film Foreign Correspondent and the scene with actor Joel McCrea and Edmund Gwenn, at the top of Empire State Building, but it should be very obvious to those of us who(m) watched this film that you are “obviously” the Joel McCrea character!
LOL!!!!….I’am just kidding! around with you, but of course!
I think the name is HITCHCOCKMANIA.
Ha! ha! …LOL!!! 😆
Deedee 🙂
Hi! Sam, Allan and WitD readers,
I was reading another poster, comment on another message board and she also wished…those among us who(m) don’t celebrate the Easter holiday just a happy springtime…and then I remembered my Easter greetings that I have posted and I thought how “thoughtless”
of me therefore, here goes a more PC :?message or Easter greeting!….Happy Easter!
….To all of those who(m) observe the Easter holiday! plus (belated) Passover greetings and happy springtime to those who don’t.
Deedee 😉
Hi! Sam Juliano, Allan and Wonder in the Dark
readers…
For those of you who(m) care! 😕 …I will tell you tomorrow what director Alfred Hitchcock was
disgusted with….
No Forbidden Planet?
Nuts.
Hitchcock = boring and predictible
Perhaps his imitators are to blame for his predictibility but, with just a few exceptions, I’ve never been able to enjoy Hitchcock. Too many instances where he relies on a momentary lapse of convenient stupidity or some other sort deus ex machina.
Such lists have little meaning, but even so, it’s a shame to see On the Waterfront so far down.
I dunno if this qualifies as a phobia or what they would call it, but one thing Hitchcock was afraid of was police officers. (He apparently had a thing about authority figures.)
i would liked to have seen The Man With the Golden Arm included, but overall, a strong list with few glaring omissions.
Bonjour! Pierre de Plume,
Pierre de Plume said,”I dunno if this qualifies as a phobia or what they would call it, but one thing Hitchcock was afraid of was police officers”
Yes, Pierre, he (Hitch) did have a fear of police officer and yes, there is a name for what he suffer with and it is called
Astynomiaphobia.
The definition of Astynomiaphobia
(from Greek astynomia “police” + phobia “fear”)
noun — The overwhelming, irrational fear of the police or police officers, or of the secret police.
Below is some information that I found over there on IMDb and it explain to a “certain extent” the reason why he may have suffered with this phobia.
As a child, Hitchcock was sent to the local police station with a letter from his father. (père)
The desk sergeant read the letter and immediately locked the boy up for ten minutes.
After that, the sergeant let young Alfred go, explaining, “This is what happens to people who do bad things.” Hitchcock had a morbid fear of police from that day on.
He also cited this phobia as the reason he never learned to drive (as a person who doesn’t drive can never be pulled over and given a ticket).
It was also cited as the reason for the recurring “wrong man” themes in his films.”
Merci!
Deedee ;-D
“STALAG 17”, B. Wilder. GREAT movie!
Correction
(Yes, Pierre, he (Hitch) did have a fear of police officer and yes, there is a name for what he suffered with and it is called
Astynomiaphobia.)
Hi! Sam Juliano, Bonjour! Pierre De Plume and WitD readers…
Ok! here goes…. the other phobia that (Hitch) suffered with was called Ovophobia it is a fear of eggs, but I was told by a fellow blogger, that you cannot suffer with a “fear” eggs, but can either be disgusted, sickened or revolted by the thought of eating eggs.
Therefore, it should be obvious that he loathed eggs, especially, if you watched the 1955 film To Catch a Thief and read his quote
below…
….”I’m frightened of eggs, worse than frightened, they revolt me. That white round thing without any holes. Have you ever seen anything more revolting than an egg yolk breaking and spilling its yellow liquid? Blood is jolly, red. But egg yolk is yellow, revolting. I’ve never tasted it.” — Alfred Hitchcock
and ….
In Alfred Hitchcock’s 1955 film “To Catch a Thief ” in order to show his disdain for eggs….watch for the scene in the segment in which actress Jessie Royce Landis, (Francie’s mom) squash her cigarette in a plate of sunny side up eggs.
Merci!
Deedee
The list is okay. It is too long. There are a number of films on this list that are “classics” but not all that “great” in my opinion. Examples of such are; “Paths of Glory”, “High Noon”, etc. I also think “Vertigo” is overrated and “North by Northwest” underrated as Hitchcock goes.
Steve: Thanks very much for your opinion and your most-valued input. Actually to be fair, the list is NOT too long at all. We have been polling each decade and announcing the top 50, when similar internet polls have named 100 or 200. There are far more than “50” great films in each decade.
As far as “Vertigo” being “overated,” well let’s just say we’ll agree to disagree. The most ‘scholarly’ of all critic groups are those at Sight and Sound, and among so many others they believe the film to be among the five greatest of all-time. I’m not asking you to change, but just to be aware that the most important intellectuals have venerated it for years. And I do not “love” every film that made this list either, neither does any other single voter. This is a composite judgement.
Thanks again. You may appreciate the 60’s results more.
The Thing from Another World is the best science fiction film of the era, or is at least equal to the two on the list. And #39 is way too low for the 400 Blows, in my view. But the most glaring absence is RASHOMON, even considering the other Kurosawa masterpieces up there!
Good points there RWA, though like anything else, it’s varying opinions. I love THE THING myself of course too, as well as THE 400 BLOWS.
Yes, and there’s also the problem that I wouldn’t want to remove any of the films on the list. Not just those which I have seen, but those I haven’t as well; I can’t judge them until I’m finally able to sit to down and watch them!
Another excellent point there RWA, it’s a double-edge sword here.
I must say, that photo of Gene Kelly in “Singin’ in the Rain” looks like it belongs in “Jizz in My Pants” instead.
Oh, and I f%&king HATE “Singin’ in the Rain.” With all my heart.
you are right about the photo JM!!!! Allan’s choice there was rather odd.
As far as hating SINGIN IN THE RAIN, well, I forgive you.
LOL. Truthfully JM, thanks very much for stopping by. Much appreciated.
The list seems heavy on art and light on pop films. No Disney (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Lady and the Tramp). Also should have Rio Bravo and Thing from Another World. And maybe Forbidden Planet.
I’m wondering where Giant and All That Heaven Allows are… (ATHA is one of the very few films archived in the Library of Congress, specifically for its aesthetic and thematic contributions to American society)
Michael:
The reason why it’s high on art is that most of the voters here (and even the newer visitors) are serious cinema fans. When a poll like this is offered they list what they truly feel are teh greatest films. I love Disney too, but not really in the 50’s the earlier three masterpieces, SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and FANTASTIA were in the 30’s and 40’s and then we had that mini streak in the 90’s starting with the best of that batch BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. TRAMP and 20,000 for me would not get near a Top 25. But your opinion is just as valid.
I love that Sirk, jeopardygirl, but these voters favored WRITTEN ON THE WIND. But ATHA did receive a number of points.
I could quibble about this film is included or that film being omitted, not to mention where any particular film is on the list. That is not important. What is important is that your list celebrates the films of what might very well the best decade in film for both Hollywood and world cinema.
Thanks for the list, it made my day.
Dutch:
You are a scholar and a gentleman! We thank you for visiting. If you wish to see the present “progess” of the 60’s poll, click on the link “Best Movies of the 1960’s” under our Wonders in the Dark header.
We are doing every decade.
And IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO “DEE DEE”
If Hitch had an aversion to “eggs” he’s lucky he never met John Waters!!!!
LOL!!!!!
….”I’m frightened of eggs, worse than frightened, they revolt me. That white round thing without any holes. Have you ever seen anything more revolting than an egg yolk breaking and spilling its yellow liquid? Blood is jolly, red. But egg yolk is yellow, revolting. I’ve never tasted it.” — Alfred Hitchcock
WELL “DEE DEE” that quote you prvided pretty much says it all!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, that list is…damn good. I got this link from IMDB and wasn’t expecting much, but this was downright excellent. Of course I don’t nessisarily agree with the order and there are some oversights (La Strada, Rififi, Fires on the Plain) but it really covers the strengths of the decade. You’ve got yourself a regular reader.
I have to agree with your choices, pretty much. In my adult opinon, the Fifties were all about Hitch. I was actually around in the Fifties, but back then my favorite movies tended to star the Three Stooges or John Wayne.
Ace list on the whole. Just finished reading Patrick McGilligan’s excellent bio of Hitchcock so am extra thrilled to see him at the top 🙂 But quite surprised Some Like It Hot didn’t make it.
Very happy to see Sweet Smell of Success up there but the exclusion of Rashomon is unforgivable!!! (and on a more personal note I find Rio Bravo the most simply entertaining film of all time!)
how could you leave “the day the the earth stood still” off that list? shame on you!
Hi! Sam Juliano,
Sam Juliano said,”If Hitch had an aversion to “eggs” he’s lucky he never met John Waters!!!!”
I know, I know..some fellow bloggers just mentioned him in the same breath with eggs!…. recently…. huh?!? 😕
I don’t get it!…as a matter of fact, I don’t think I
want to get!
Btw, Sam Juliano, a fellow blogger upon learning of
Hitchcock, fear of eggs said,“A fear of eggs serves him right! We all have a fear of flocks of birds now thanks to him!” and….
….I agree with her…ha!ha!…LOL!!!! 😆
Deedee 😉
Typo Alert!…Uh! oh!…I fear that I’am heading toward my 2nd “coronation”… 😦
I don’t get it!…as a matter of fact, I don’t think that I want to get it!
Deedee
Rear Window: #1 Overrated movie of all time. Set feels like a cheap cardboard box. Stewart’s character’s attitude towards Kelly’s character makes almost no sense. The woman is over-the-top beautiful, arrives in overkill evening dress, and the guy looks like he’s been sitting there jerking off.
What a highly intellectual and insightful comment Al. I await your upcoming condemnations of Shakespeare’s HAMLET, Da Vinci’s MONA LISA, Beethoven’s 9TH, Renoir’s THE RULES OF THE GAME and Joyce’s ULYSSES.
Wow.
Yep, Movie Man, that exclamation is just about right! LOL!!!
Sam, I have e-mailed you my latest “Guess the Pic”.
The “wow” was directed at your extremely rare burst of sarcasm, as much as anything else! You even had me going for the first sentence…