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Steven Smith's avatar

This moment has always been a standout for me as well. Because I knew Vertigo’s plot long before seeing it, I thought Novak’s line reading here was too “Judy,” too revealing. Eventually I decided that I was projecting that onto her reading because I knew of the deception Judy is referencing. The moment does seem unique in Hitchcock’s work, although there are other, more playful moments in his films that require a second viewing. (PSYCHO: Mother isn’t herself today.) Thanks for another great piece!

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