Hitchcock Horror on Fridays at the Millburn Library

Despite his reputation as the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock was more “interested in the evolution of his characters, of the love story in the film,” according to Professor Gabriel Miller of Rutgers University, a Maplewood resident who has launched a seven-part Hitchcock discussion and movie series at the Millburn Free Public Library.

The series began last week with the 1943 thriller which when released met critical acclaim and was nominated for an Academy Award for screenwriting. Miller, currently at work on a book about director William Wyler, chose to focus on Hitchcock’s Hollywood works, and began with a movie that starts, fittingly, close to home, with scenes of Newark.

Miller is a longtime Hitchcock fan and scholar, who recalls seeing Psycho on his eleventh birthday with his father. His first published work of scholarship was about Hitchcock, and Miller credits that piece with launching his academic career.

Miller hopes that viewers will see Hitchcock as an artist who uses film to consider the relationship of “man to man, and man to God.” He notes that Hitchcock had an abiding interest in original sin, and was deeply influenced by Catholicism.

Both Rear Window and Vertigo – “Hitchcock’s finest,” says Miller – are about “watching.” Both films link movie viewing with sadness and sickness. Likewise, both look at marriage and alternatives to marriage, including, in Rear Window, murder.

Jimmy Stewart, says Miller, represents Hitchcock as he was. “Cary Grant is the man he wanted to be,” notes Miller. “Of course, who doesn’t want to be Cary Grant?”

NOTORIOUS, Oct. 28

STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, Nov. 4

REAR WINDOW, Nov. 11

VERTIGO, Nov.18

PSYCHO, Dec. 2

NORTH BY NORTHWEST, Dec. 9

The librarians say they are trying a new approach with this series and will open only for the pre-registered film audience at 7 p.m. with the film and discussion beginning at 7:30 p.m. Only registrants will be allowed in the building and no other library services will be available.

Register online at mfplib.org. For more information call 973-376-1006 ext. 126.