Sunday 21 December 2014

It Had to Be Murder by Cornell Woolrich


" You’ve seen nothing. You know nothing. You only have the negative proof that you don’t see her any more."

This is the short (very short) story that inspired Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. Certainly, one of my favourite films, the inspiration source is a far cry from the cinematic representation. For starters, there is no love interest - imagine the film without Grace Kelly? 

Our hero, is no James Stewart, there is no sign of a camera and the reason for his immobility is not explicitly described. The aspects that remain are the suspenseful interface with Mr Thorwald and the mysterious disappearance of the ailing Mrs Thorwald.

A speedy, tale of suspense that has lost some of its ability to thrill by virtue of familiarity with the cinematic interpretation.

3 out of 5 nosy neighbours might get into trouble.

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