You know, nothing says “summer” like the song “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis. It’s a great melody, but the video might be even better. I can’t explain the sudden mood lighting … or the reason Lewis keeps looking at the ceiling. But, hey, that doesn’t matter:
Relaxation CDs are interesting … because they make me so relaxed. Maybe it’s just that I need to get more sleep. But if one of those tracks starts to play on my iPod, I zone out almost immediately.
In fact, the calming music is so soothing that it’s kind of got me confused. I mean, how do the musicians in the studio record that stuff without falling asleep? It’s a mystery, I tell you. Like one of those classic “ship in a bottle” souvenirs you sometimes see in seaport village gift shops. I just don’t know how they do it.
In the world of cinema, Alfred Hitchcock is still known as one of the greatest directors of all time. He was a master of suspense, scaring the [living daylights] out of audiences around the world. Some of his best movies include “Psycho” (1960), “Vertigo” (1958), “Dial M for Murder” (1954), and “Rear Window” (1954). In fact, I still have nightmares just thinking about him.
But like any of this man’s great plotlines, today’s quiz has a slight twist. And that is, which movie is known as the best Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never made? In other words, what famous movie is commonly mistaken as a Hitchcock classic—even though it was directed by someone else? Is it:
a) “To Catch a Thief”
b) “The Birds”
c) “Charade”
d) “The Man Who Knew Too Much”
If you answered “Option C,” you are correct. Each one of these films is by Alfred Hitchcock—except the thriller “Charade.” Directed by Stanley Donen in 1963, it was an instant cinematic hit.
Everything about this movie feels like an Alfred Hitchcock film. The suspense, the dark lighting, the plot twists, and even the leading man. (Cary Grant starred in multiple Hitchcock masterpieces.)
But a big reason “Charade” feels like the “real thing” is because of its music. Every note of this film’s haunting melody—composed by Henry Mancini—is brilliant. Like it was written for one of Alfred Hitchcock’s own stories. As far as theme songs go, “Charade” has one of the very best. But watch out—this song is so catchy, it might actually kill you.
