Let me just start by saying that Grace Kelly was probably the most beautiful woman to ever appear on a movie screen. Of the films in which she appeared, Rear Window sticks out it my mind (and most people’s) as the one in which she looked almost supernaturally gorgeous. And, of the moments in that film, in no other is she more radiant than her grand entrance, making today’s “Best Entrance or First Line in a Film” an easy choice.

Before going any further though, I have to confess that today’s topic is supposed to be “Favorite Animated Movie.” Now, I have nothing against animation, but I have seen very little of it. Indeed, I can literally count on one hand the number of animated films I’ve seen (not counting childhood, but there weren’t that many more from then). Again, I don’t have disdain for them or anything, it’s just never been a genre I’ve gravitated toward. Any that I’ve seen, I’ve seen once and enjoyed plenty, but I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite; I just don’t feel that strongly about them. Thus, I stole a question from a movie survey we sent around years ago (I think the questions were written by Richard, J.T. and myself), to use here in this place instead.

But back to the Ninth Wonder of the World that is Grace Kelly in Rear Window. She was at the height of her beauty (though she never slid very far the other side of it, even through three children and three decades), and Hitchcock’s camera absolutely adored her. But here her character, Lisa Carol Fremont, is a buyer for an upscale department store, gets the dresses on loan, and is always turned-out to the nines. I’m not sure there’s ever been another actress so gorgeously attired in any movie without it detracting from the film itself. Her appearance so perfectly fits the character, and Kelly never allowed the clothes to wear her anyway. She’s wearing my favorite of the dresses in her entrance, but that’s only a small part of the appeal.

For some inexplicable reason, Lisa’s boyfriend, Jeff, is resisting her charms. It seems he’s a world-traveling, adventure-seeking photojournalist and can’t see himself settling down with a socialite wife. Methinks he protests too much, and frankly, Lisa seems to think so as well. Throughout the movie winds one great seduction-slash-argument in favor of Lisa landing the title of Mrs., and her entrance sets it up perfectly. He’s convalescing with a broken leg, napping in the early evening, and the smile that greets her when he opens his eyes to find her over him makes us sure he was dreaming of her. What follows is a stunning slow-motion shot of her face leaning in to his for a lingering kiss. For 1954, it was pretty steamy, but Hitchcock always got away with more than most. It’s a sexy, sensual greeting between two lovers that bodes well for Lisa’s chances with him in the future. She’s dominating him here, playfully controlling the room, and there’s no reason to believe that she won’t go right on doing just that.

 

Have you ever seen anything more becoming? Have you ever been more happy to see a character in your life? The film will take off now even with that laid-up curmudgeon of a protagonist we’ve got, she’ll make sure of it. Ah, what a beautiful film, what lovely chemistry between the leads, what a radiant star in Grace Kelly.