Alfred Hitchcock’s reputation is not one that can slide as easily. From being too controlling while making movies to the lack of creative freedom provided to other cast and crew members, the list seems to go on. One trait of his which stood out more than others, impacting even Dakota Johnson’s family for a very long time was his treatment of the cast, especially the actresses.
Despite all of it, he was a renowned filmmaker who made some of the most critically acclaimed films. Many of his films were regarded as masterpieces and were loved dearly by the audience. However, one actress got on his nerves more than others, making him hate her with every cell in his body.
Alfred Hitchcock Refused To Work With Vera Miles
Alfred Hitchcock wanted really badly to cast Vera Miles in his 1958 hit, Vertigo. He had his eyes on the actor and even she was willing to be a part of the film. At the same time, both the actor and the director were looking forward to their collaboration. However, according to Hitchcock, he completely lost interest in working with the actress after one particular incident.
“Paramount was perfectly willing to have her, but she became pregnant just before the part that was going to turn her into a star. After that I lost interest; I couldn’t get the rhythm going with her again.”
Although it is much lesser in practice now, earlier in Hollywood, an actress becoming pregnant would very easily be described as the end of her career. Although that was not the case for the actress, it proved to be a barrier nonetheless. When the actress revealed that she was pregnant, Hitchcock refused to work with her on the film, stating that she missed out on a perfect opportunity to become a massive star.
Alfred Hitchcock Hired Kim Novak as a Replacement for Vera Miles
Alfred Hitchcock’s choice for his Madeline after Vera Miles left the project was Kim Novak. However, the director’s vision was not to improve Novak as an actress but to turn her into Miles instead. He wanted her to act exactly like the actress he previously wanted.
“I went to Kim Novak’s dressing room and told her about the dresses and hairdos that I had been planning for several months. I also explained that the story was of less importance to me than the overall visual impact on the screen, once the picture is completed.”
Novak and Hitchcock always had some beef going on between them, constantly going back and forth because of their creative differences. Despite her hesitation, she bent the way the director wanted her to, enacting a different person entirely. The fame that the movie got was extraordinary and greatly helped her career as well. Vertigo’s acclaim even inspired Robert Downey Jr, who is looking to make a remake of the film.
Source: IndieWire
