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Spellbound Overview:

Spellbound (1945) was a Film Noir - Mystery Film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and produced by David O. Selznick.

The film was based on the novel The House of Dr. Edwardes written by Hilary St. George Sanders and John Palmer published in 1927.

SYNOPSIS

Hitchcock's psychological mystery makes engrossing use of the contemporary fascination with Freudian analysis. It stars Bergman as a coolly intellectual analyst who grows to suspect that the new director of the institute (Peck) is not who he claims to be. As a bond of love grows between the two, Bergman is torn between her rational fear that Peck may be the murderer of the director they were expecting, and her heart telling her that he's an innocent man suffering an emotional trauma. As her love opens mental doors for Peck, the experience brings warmth to Bergman's character. The typical mystery-story chase sequence is here a search for clues in Peck's psyche. The production began with producer Selznick's interest in analysis. It features famous set pieces depicting Peck's mental state, including a dream sequence designed by surrealist artist Salvador Dali. The sequence (Dali created material for 22 minutes, nearly all of it cut) was directed by an uncredited William Cameron Menzies.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Academy Awards 1945 --- Ceremony Number 18 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorMichael ChekhovNominated
Best CinematographyGeorge BarnesNominated
Best DirectorAlfred HitchcockNominated
Best PictureSelznick International PicturesNominated
See More Oscar Winners

Spellbound BlogHub Articles:

Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck are “Spellbound” by Alfred Hitchcock

By Stephen Reginald on Sep 23, 2020 From Classic Movie Man

Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck are “Spellbound” by Alfred Hitchcock Spellbound (1945) is a film noir with a psychological twist directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It stars Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck with a screenplay by Ben Hecht, based on the novel The House of Dr. Edwardes (1927)... Read full article

Mirage (1965): Gregory Peck 20 Years After Spellbound

By 4 Star Film Fan on Feb 3, 2020 From 4 Star Films

“Most people will do in the dark what they never would think of doing in the light.” Mirage takes full advantage of one of those grab-you-right-away openings. The scene commences in the dark, there’s a power outage, candles are flickering, and voices call out up and down the corrid... Read full article

Spellbound

By Barry P. on Nov 24, 2018 From Cinematic Catharsis

(1945) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock; Written by Ben Hecht; Based on the novel The House of Dr. Edwardes by Hilary Saint George Saunders and John Palmer; Starring: Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Michael Chekhov, Leo G. Carroll and Rhonda Fleming; Available on Blu-ray and DVD Rating: **** ... Read full article

Narrative and Visual Connections in Hitchcock’s ‘Spellbound’

By Virginie Pronovost on Jun 3, 2018 From The Wonderful World of Cinema

    Friday, I cam back from a one-month trip to England (where I even got the chance to meet the amazing Carol from The Old Hollywood Garden!). While I loved it very much, I must admit I did miss blogging a little. But I’m back! I had a nice surprise as I arrived home: my essay on Spellbou... Read full article

Review: Spellbound (1945)

By 4 Star Film Fan on May 7, 2018 From 4 Star Films

The Fault… is Not in Our Stars, But in Ourselves… — William Shakespeare It’s so easy to adore Ingrid Bergman and it’s no different in Spellbound. Yes, she starts off as an austere psychiatrist purely interested and invested in scientific thought and practices in psychoanal... Read full article

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Spellbound Quotes:

John Ballantine: I'm haunted, but I can't see by what!
John Ballantine: That Freud stuff's a bunch of hooey.
Dr. Alex Brulov: Oh, you are a fine one to talk! You have a guilt complex and amnesia and you don't know if you are coming or going from somewhere, but Freud is hooey! *This* you know! Hmph! Wiseguy.
John Ballantine: Now, this honeymoon is complicated enough without your dragging medical ethics into it.
Dr. Alex Brulov: There's lots of happiness in working hard. Maybe the most.
Dr. Alex Brulov: My dear girl, you can not keep bumping your head against reality and saying it is not there.
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Spellbound Facts
Originally released with an overture before the opening credits, and exit music after the end title.
After Alfred Hitchcock had suggested "Hidden Impulse" as a title, studio secretary Ruth Rickman came up with the title "Spellbound", which tested well in a pre-release survey.
The shot where the audience sees the killer's view down a gun barrel pointing at Peterson was filmed using a giant hand holding a giant gun to get the perspective correct.
Although the film is in black and white, two frames where the gun shot goes off while pointed at the camera are tinted red.
The snow falling on John Ballentine and Dr. Peterson during the skiing scene was actually cornflakes.
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