A Shot By Shot Analysis Of A Major Scene In Hitchcocks Notorious
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The 3rd Major Scene in Alfred Hitchcocks Notorious
The scene begins by fading in on the back of the silent mans head (Cary Grant) in Alicias bungalow. Then the camera zooms out while sweeping right to give the first full shot and view of both of the main characters. They are shown seated at a table, with many empty bottles of liquor and glasses.
Then a tight reverse over the shoulder shot of Devlins face (Cary Grant) is next. Devlin then proclaims: “Theres one more drink left apiece. Shame about the ice.”
Next the shot reverses again to another tight over the shoulder shot but of Alicias face this time. Where she asks a question about what Devlin says. Devlin then answers her question about the ice when the shot is still on Alicia.
Now the shot reverses again to a tight shot of Devlins face over Alicias shoulder. He then asks Alicia a question: “Why do you like that song?”
Then the shot reveres again to an over Devlins shoulder shot tight on Alicias face. She begins to smile and laugh. Then Alicia gets suddenly serious and says: “Theres nothing like a good love song to give you a good laugh.”
The shot reverses again to a tight over the shoulder shot of Devlins face where he answers Alicias question.
Immediately reverses again to a tight over the shoulder shot of Alicias face, where she is shown yawning with her hand over her mouth. Then Alicia asks: “Its too stuffy in here isnt it?” Devlin answers while the shot remains the same. Alicia leans in towards Devlin and asks him another question: “What about we have a picnic?”
The shot then reverses again to another tight over the shoulder shot of Devlins face. He then answers her question with a question.
The shot reveres again to a tight but brief over the shoulder shot of Alicias face where she begins to stand up.
Next the shot changes to a full shot of Devlin and Alicia where she continues to stand. The camera follows them up as they now both fully rise, thus revealing more than just there faces in over 9 shots. Alicia states that they should go outside, while Devlin has a drink in hand. She then asks if Devlin is going to finish his drink. Devlin says that he is and takes down the rest of the drink leaving only a few drops, as Alicia gazes into his eyes. Alicia then proclaims that Devlin is “… quite a boy.” She then takes the glass out of Devlins hand and finishes the last few drops. As she is finishing the drink, she is walking away from Devlin to the right as the camera follows her in stride, leaving Devlin out of frame. When the drink is finished Devlin catches up to her and walks on the screen from the left. Alicia then states that her car is outside and that they should go for a drive. After Devlin agrees to go for a ride, they start to walk a little more to the right. Devlin then asks; “What about your guests?”
Immediately after Devlin says that the shot changes to a full shot of Hopkins passed out in a chair with Ethel on top of him. With the shot still on Hopkins and Ethel, Alicia proclaims that they will be alright.
Then comes a full shot of Devlin (left) and Alicia (right). Alicia is stating that she wants to drive. She attempts to put down her drink but is obviously too intoxicated to even do that. Devlin takes the glass from her and puts it down properly. The camera then moves with them as they move towards the door. Devlin asks; “Dont you need a coat?” Alicia proclaims that he will do just fine.
The last shot in this sequence is outside the bungalow and shows the door opening. It is a full shot of Devlin and Alicia. Devlin closes the door behind them and begin to walk to the right as the camera moves right along with them. They stop at the end of the porch and the wind seems to be blowing fairly