L'affare Blindfold

When Alfred Hitchcock made "North by Northwest", it was so successful that the studios wanted him to make another movie in the same style. However Hitchcock wanted to move on saying, "Style is merely self-plagiarism".

Nevertheless, Hollywood loved the ingredients in "North by Northwest" and attempted many variations on the theme: "Charade", "Arabesque", "Caprice" and "Blindfold", which got as close as any.

Psychiatrist and playboy, Dr Bartholomew Snow, is enlisted by national security chief, General Pratt (Jack Warden), to help the recovery of Arthur Vicenti, a top scientist suffering from a mental breakdown. Vicenti is in danger from an organisation that kidnaps and sells scientists to the highest bidder.

Snow, who never loses his sangfroid for a moment, is blindfolded and taken to a secret location for his meetings with Vincenti, but returns to his practice in New York so that nothing appears out of the ordinary. When Vicenti's sister, showgirl Vicky Vicenti, comes looking for her brother, she and Snow become involved along with enemy agents of varying degrees of intelligence.

Eventually it all ends up in the Florida Everglades with alligators, airboats, quicksand and Rock and Claudia in a clinch at the fadeout.

By this stage of his career, Rock Hudson was as smooth as Cary Grant, but how sexy was Claudia Cardinale in "Blindfold"?

There is a scene in her dressing room where she wears a see-through costume with the only nod to modesty being a sprinkle of strategically placed sequins and some feathers. Claudia Cardinale was never likely to be first choice for Shakespeare, but she was such a stunning presence that it didn't matter if she wasn't totally projecting the Stanislavski Method.

Although Rock could give powerful performances, he just about phoned this one in. However it's really all he needed to do and he had great comedic timing; I love his reaction when his secretary catches him in his office playing with Vicky's knee. There is a stupid fight scene with Rock using a fire extinguisher, but the clever sequence where he retraces the route when he was blindfolded makes up for it.

For those who liked "North by Northwest", "Blindfold" blended the same basic ingredients well.

I saw this movie many years ago and yet I have never forgot it. If it comes out on DVD I will probably buy it since Rock Hudson, Claudia Cardinale, and Jack Warden did good characterizations. The sets and music add to the suspense. The movie moves along and has some interesting moments like when Rock Hudson tries to relocate the place he was taken blindfolded. Interesting how geese and people laughing sound similar. This one is rarely on TV so rent it if you can or buy it.

"Blindfold" is based on a 1960 novel of the same title by Lucille Fletcher. Not having read the book, but from what little I could find out about it, my guess is that it was a straight mystery story of espionage, crime and action. In other words, no comedy. This film is billed as a comedy first, and with its opening and script it's obviously intended to be that. Rock Hudson's New York psychiatrist, Dr. Bartholomew Snow, is about to lose fiancé number six and get number seven. Where the action and skullduggery get a little heavy, one might begin to wonder about this; but then a light touch appears. So, there are things like a mule to ride through a swamp, mannequins that serve as decoys, and such.

Some reviewers saw similarity to Hitchcock thrillers. I'll grant a little bit of a touch of Hitchcock, but it would be a far stretch to compare this with the likes of "North by Northwest." One thing that stood out is this film's bit of satire. The scenes with Dr. Snow trying to get through the various American security and intelligence agencies and running into brick walls are funny.

Most of the characters have something about them that doesn't appear too serious, so the humorous undertone of the film is always apparent, even in the kidnapping and interrogation scenes. So, this never gets to the point of a griping mystery or very exciting action thriller. The romance aspect is almost an afterthought. There isn't much chance for that to take hold with all the scurrying about that goes on.

The screenplay seems a little choppy or disjointed in a couple of places. The cast are all good, but no one stands out as above average. Anne Seymour, as Dr. Snow's receptionist and secretary, Smitty, provides half the humor. She seemed to have an air of enjoying or having fun making the movie. The action or thrill scenes are okay and somewhat interesting, but really quite lame or tame compared even to the standard fare.

This isn't a film to watch if one is looking for lots of laughs or a comedy to enjoy. Or if one wants an edge-of-seat mystery or fast and furious action thriller. Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale are in other films that have very good comedy. And Bruce Willis or Tom Cruise would have a slew of edge-of-seat action films one might choose. But, for a rainy afternoon or relaxing evening, fans of these actors at least might enjoy this film.

Here are the best lines in the movie.

Dr. Bartholomew Snow, on the phone with fiancé number six, "She said what? She said all psychiatrists are nuts, did she? Well, let me tell you something about your mother..." She hangs up.

Smitty, "Oh, um, you'll like Mr. Fitzpatrick - typical Madison avenue syndrome." Dr. Snow, "I'll make the diagnosis, Miss Smith." Smitty, "Yes, doctor."

Dr. Snow, with maudlin music in the background, "Miss Smith - just because I have suffered several disappointments, you seem to be under the impression that I am intolerably shallow. On the contrary, it is precisely the warmth of my emotions that causes all these... difficulties. Mine's a... tender spirit... Eager for love.... Easily Wounded." Smitty, who has been working on records at her desk, "Yes, doctor. Just don't bleed on the rug."

This is a pleasant mystery thriller with some light comedic moments and as such is typical of a lot of movies made in the same period of the middle to late sixties, most with one word titles such as this one has. Partly inspired by the popularity of the stylish "Charade" of a few years earlier, and more obviously influenced by Hitchcock, this is a mixed group of films with often middle aged or lesser known actors in the lead. This one has a biggie: Rock Hudson. He plays a psychiatrist with the wonderfully slick, Hollywoodish name of Bartholomew Snow, who gets in trouble up to his ears and, more to the point, eyeballs, when one of his patients turns out to be a prominent scientist who's being trailed some rather unsavory characters.

Hudson's ably supported by the luscious Claudia Cardinale, and the two make a very attractive couple. Also good is the late Jack Warden in a key role, and Guy Stockwell as a man who stutters. There's really no need to go much further into the plot except to say if one is in the mood for stylish, anodyne entertainment, this is a good one to catch. It has good credentials, too: directed by Philip Dunne, from a Lucille Fletcher story, photographed by the legendary Joe MacDonald. Though not on the Hitchcock level, the movie exudes class. While I wouldn't call this a brilliant film, it never insult the viewer's intelligence.

Good fun entertainment by Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale. As always Jack Warden does a nice job in a support role. When Hudson is kidnapped he makes note of the things he hears on the way to the kidnappers hideout. He is able to help the police track down the kidnappers following the sounds. To this day this movie stands out in my mind because of them noting the geese sounding like people at a party. Grab some popcorn and enjoy it if you are lucky enough to catch an airing of this on TV.