Classical Myth in Alfred Hitchcock's Wrong Man and Grace Kelly Films

In this welcome follow-up to his Classical Myth in Four Films of Alfred Hitchcock, Padilla continues to demonstrate the profound influence of classical myths and imagery on many of the Master of Suspense's most important works. Classicists and scholars of film and classical receptions alike will appreciate Padilla's thorough research, keen insights, and perceptive analysis, which are made accessible to lay audiences - both Hitchcock fans and armchair mythologists - through clear organization, direct prose, and full exposition of the works he discusses. By highlighting the imprint of classical myths, images, and patterns on the seemingly unrelated works of one of the most influential auteur-directors in the history of cinema, Padilla here makes an important contribution to the growing field of Reception Studies.--Kirsten Day, Augustana College P. is committed to making this book accessible to all audiences independently of their discipline of origin. Hence he spends a lot of time introducing concepts, myths, traditions, historical events, plots, production practices and film techniques. The avoidance of excessive jargon helps him deliver a monograph that can be read by both classical and film scholars alike - let alone Hitchcock enthusiasts. Although either side might be tempted to skip parts they feel more comfortable with, or the ones that alienate them, P. weaves his interpretation throughout these discussions by carefully going back and forth between texts to present a plausible and, ultimately, fascinating reading that is aided by his extensive knowledge of both sides of the project. As a result his book merits attention not just as a curiosity but as a serious attempt at film analysis. . . . In this sense P. benefits from alternative readings of the film, but his eye remains always on his perspective, thus making his interpretation original, insightful and very interesting to read.-- ""Classical Review"" Classical Myth in Alfred Hitchcock's Wrong Man and Grace Kelly Films is certainly a rewarding. . . read. . . To anybody interested in the subject, I would suggest starting with the author's Classical Myth in Four Films of Alfred Hitchcock before approaching this very profound piece of classical reception studies. Analysing Hitchcock films along the lines of (and as a helpful comparison to) classical myth is not an entirely new approach.[3] Padilla's book, however, takes it to the next level and is therefore recommended not only to specialists, but also to everyone interested in classical myth as a dynamic phenomenon. -- ""Bryn Mawr Classical Review"" The several ""prodigious feats"" of classicist Mark Padilla in this book more than emulate those of Mr Memory in Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps (1935). Professor Padilla's accomplishment is to have placed six Hitchcock films and their characters in something like a fundamental position in the history of art and narrative. His lens is that of Greek myth and culture, and it works splendidly. The character Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) in The 39 Steps is ""both high and low"", and we are told exactly why. Lisa Fremont (Grace Kelly) in Rear Window (1954) is successively ""self-centered"" and ""heroic"", and Padilla illustrates this by analogues drawn from two separate versions of the Aphrodite/Venus story. Exemplary stuff. Whole courses on the Western-art heritage could be based on Padilla's book.--Ken Mogg, Author of The Alfred Hitchcock Story