Books2Movies Club discussion

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Originally called "It Had to Be Murder", Cornell Woolrich's short story got renamed after Alfred Hitchcock made a film Rear Window (1954). There were afterwards two adaptations of the story, Rear Window (1998) with Christopher Reeve and Daryl Hannah in the main roles, and Disturbia (2007), a rejuvenated version of Hitchock's movie with Shia LaBeouf in the main role.

I remember having myself seated on the edge of the chair while I was watching Hitchcock's Rear Window. Back then I didn't know of course that it was based on the story. Now I am glad we are going to read it in the club, so that we can enjoy the movie again! At least I liked it. What are your thoughts of it? Have you seen the other two movies (too)? If you have read the Woolrich's story, what were your impressions of it too? What is in your opinion better, the movie or the story?

Something about this movie always makes me feel slightly queasy.

And I hate to see Perry Mason being mean.

Shelley
http://dustbowlstory.wordpress.com

I just finished reading the story and last night saw the Hitchcock movie!

It was an interesting mystery but full of plot holes, both in the movie and in the book ...

Firstly, in the book - I didn't like the main character, since he seemed too arrogant and obnoxious.
For example, when he called his detective friend, he was very cocky and annoying... He gave a random accusation and expected the police force to go all out and follow through with a full investigation, based on his assumptions. Then he even says "Don't expect anything more from me. I've dropped it in your lap. I've given you all I have to give. A name, an address, and an opinion." > he seems like a really annoying guy!

Further more, it was very unrealistic that the policemen would come in and search this guy's apartment while he was out - without a warrant!! This would NEVER happen, so I really didn't like the ridiculousness of it all... The police were all over this case, even though there was no shred of evidence and it all sounded very made up. Yes - it turned out true, but no police would act on such vague and proof-less accusations.

The movie was much better, due to numerous characters being added. The characters contributed a lot to the overall enjoyability of the movie, whereas the written story lacked all that... I liked the movie's nurse, as opposed to the house boy in the book, as well as the addition of Grace Kelly and all the surrounding neighbors.

The overall solving of the murder was completely different in the movie from the novel, and i am not sure why the screenplay was changed so drastically?

However, despite overall liking the movie better, the ending in the book seemed more satisfying than the one in the movie. (view spoiler)[ In the movie, the killer is in Jeff's appartment, throws Jeff out the window, the police are there - then randomly one policeman yells from the window "yes, he confessed all of it" - THE END! All in 30 seconds. He confessed in less than a minute?! Really?? It was very, very rushed, especially for a slow paced 2 hour movie... They had plenty of time to explain the motives/method/crime a little more... (hide spoiler)]

I've seen Disturbia when it came out... Wasn't aware that it was a remake of the "Rear Window" although now in retrospect i see a lot of the similarities... :)I liked this one probably the best even though it was very "Hollywood" :)

I read the story last night and really enjoyed it. I agree that the narrator was obnoxious, that much I wondered what was his occupation outside that room when the police was so eager to listen to him? I am not sure it was said what was he doing for life in the book that his word really could have carried that much weight. I didn't like his behaviour toward his manservant. It was so... insulting, like Sam is beneath him. On the other hand, he behaved in the same manner toward his policeman friend! Well, he sort of got humiliated in the end for his arrogance.

I liked the way the story was solved too! I saw the movie really long time ago, so I hope I'll watch it this weekend to compare it with the book asap. If I do not get distracted with other things beforehand :(

As much as I recall, Disturbia wasn't officially released as the remake or adaptation, so you are not wrong there. I think it came out more as a homage to both the movie and the story.

I didn't know that! I got the story from this book I am reading now - bought it long time ago though, so I do not know is it available to buy anymore - Adaptations: From Short Story to Big Screen: 35 Great Stories That Have Inspired Great Films. It is really awesome collection of short stories made to film. Of the stories we mentioned so far it has Dick's Minority Report, Akutagawa's In the Grove, Nolan's Memento Mori and Cheever's The Swimmer.

I read this story from a book "Speak to me of Death" by Cornell Woolrich. I got it from the library.

Vronk - Maybe this book is available for you?

I borrowed my copy of the book from the library. Was not impressed with the lead character in the book. The Hitchcock movie is better than the book --- better developed characters - although I did enjoy different aspects of the book considering the time period it was written in.

I saw the movie last night! The use of sound impressed me very much, and the set was gorgeous. I must admit though, just like Elena said, the ending was way too rushed, like they didn't know how to wrap things up. The timing between events was too weird. Some things couldn't naturally happen in so little time as it was pictured in the movie!

There's one curiosity that amused me, I don't know did you notice that too - James Stewart saying for Miss Lonelyheart's guest that he is a bit too young for her -- now don't you think it is double standard, when his love interest was about twenty years his junior? Not that I care about age gaps, it just was plain hilarious to hear that from his mouth. I wonder maybe that was intentional :)

Zeljka wrote: "... There's one curiosity that amused me, I don't know did you notice that too - James Stewart saying for Miss Lonelyheart's guest that he is a bit too young for her -- now don't you think it is double standard, when his love interest was about twenty years his junior? ..."

Total double standard! :D
Not sure if it was intentional or not... or just a reflection of the times and attitudes...

This is another rare instance in which the film exceeds the written as an art form. I love the (literal) framework of the film, where the protagonist observes all the events in a building across from the "Rear Window" of his apartment. Grace Kelly's performance is memorable not only for her wardrobe (and who can forget that divine Mark Cross travel case?!), but for her witty and tenacious detection in the film. Of course her real motivation is to get the avowed bachelor Jimmy Stewart to recognize that she is more than a match for him when it comes to adventure-seeking and risk-taking.

For suspense Rear Window is one of Hitchcock's finest achievements.

I finally got around to reading this one. I had to track it down in an omnibus collection at my library (Vronk, maybe your library has a Cornell Woolrich short story collection of some kind?) and I'm interested to read the other short stories in the original Rear Window (a.k.a. "It Had To Be Murder") collection, as I did enjoy this one. I had no idea that Disturbia was essentially based on the story and while I've not seen it, now that I've read the story, the premise does sound similar.

I agree, the fact that they were willing to search the apartment was a bit "huh?" even if it was in a different time and a different country (I believe it's set in England?) I don't think the laws were THAT different. And I got the impression that Jeff was connected to the police somehow in the past (do we know how he got his injury?) and that he was trusted somewhat, but he could have been a P.I. or something else. Even a coroner, for all we know.

Definitely a suspenseful story. I'm not going to watch the movie, as my mind starts to imagine things too easily (as I sit here and type this, I only just finished reading the story, and my husband is out at the grocery store so of course I'm jumping at every little sound!) and I just know I'd better not, even if I know where it's headed.

Alana wrote: "I finally got around to reading this one. ..."

Yes, some ideas seemed strange, just like that that you mentioned, searching the premises without permission. It was still worth reading :) I think you might like the movie, it isn't scary at all. You can watch it with your husband, I daresay it is a perfect choice for a cool movie night :)

Haha I'll let him know he's being my body guard for the evening!