"How About You, Handsome?"

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In the old days the star of a film was sometimes introduced by stealth. The camera would show a portion of his/her anatomy -- a behind-the-head shot or an insert of his/her hands or a shot of walking shoes, say -- but the face wouldn't be revealed until 10 or 20 or even 30 seconds had elapsed. This told the audience, of course, that the person being concealed was at the very least a major costar, and most likely a romantic figure. And they wanted to know more.

Sean Connery was introduced this way at the beginning of Dr. No, his first 007 film. Ditto Farley Granger and Robert Walker in the opening seconds of Strangers On A Train. Vivien Leigh's face was partially obscured for four or five seconds during her first scene as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind.

But no one ever kept a star's face from being shown as long as Alfred Hitchcock did during an early scene in Notorious. For a full 93 seconds he showed audiences only the back of Cary Grant's head. To prolong the who-is-this? effect he had costar Ingrid Bergman speak three lines to Grant, who was shown sitting down and drinking at a small party at Bergman's home, and with Grant saying nothing in return, and not even gesturing in some way.

It's still fascinating today. Bergman pours him a drink, sizes him up and asks if she knows him. Nothing. Then she says, "That's okay, I like party-crashers." And a woman dancing nearby says, "He's not a crasher -- I brought him." And you're thinking, "Okay, but who is he?" You're also wondering why doesn't he at least offer some mild little pleasantry when Bergman says, "You know something? I like you." Does he smile or wink? No telling. All we see is the stillness and the shiny black hair. And yet it's obvious he's Mr. Cool. Finally the dangle ends after a minute and 33 seconds, and in the next scene the camera finally introduces that familiar cleft chin and the cow eyes and all the rest.

Here's the clip. The back-of-the-head shot lasts from 3:06 to 4:39.

I'm mentioning this for two reasons. One, MGM Home Video is releasing a Notorious Bluray on 1.24.12. And two, stealth introductions like Grant's in Notorious are over and done with. Ones that last a long time, I mean. Unless I'm forgetting something.

Weak Excuse << previous | next >>Stillness Of The Man

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 5, 2011 at 6:29 PM

comment #1

Cde. says ...

Speed Racer does it. Opening shot from behind, then tapping feet, then hands, then the face is revealed in a flashback. The audience doesn't see Emile Hirsch's face for a few minutes.

Posted by Cde. at December 5, 2011 8:13 PM

comment #2

Jericho Cane says ...

Ryan Gosling's introduction in DRIVE. Back to the camera while delivering opening speech, first seen as a reflection in his rearview mirror, then formally introduced via beams of florescent street lamps passing his car.

Posted by Jericho Cane at December 5, 2011 8:22 PM

comment #3

Danny King says ...

We only really get a good look at the back of Mickey Rourke during the opening sequences of "The Wrestler," so that's a pretty good example. But it's an indie film and obscuring Rourke's face for a minute or so absolutely doesn't garner the same impact that Hitchcock's choice to film CARY GRANT from behind did when "Notorious" was released.

Posted by Danny King at December 5, 2011 8:29 PM

comment #4

NDH says ...

One of the greatest introductions to a character is, without a doubt, Orson Welles in The Third Man. Not only have the other characters been talking about the unseen Harry Lime for much of the picture, thereby upping the suspense of his reveal, but the scene in which he eventually appears also capitalizes on the buildup by bathing him in dark shadows for several seconds. When the light finally illuminates his face, and Welles gives us that great smile, it makes for a terrific cinematic moment.

Posted by NDH at December 5, 2011 8:41 PM

comment #5

George Prager says ...

SPEED RACER? Jesus. Can you come up with something a little more legit? What's next? You don't see Matthew Lillard's face until 10 minutes into SCOOBY-DOO?

Posted by George Prager at December 5, 2011 8:42 PM

comment #6

Cde. says ...

Quiet you. Speed Racer remains amazing, while Scooby Doo, etc, remain shit.

I'd forgotten about Ryan Gosling's introduction in Drive. Beautiful shot.

Posted by Cde. at December 5, 2011 8:57 PM

comment #7

Cde. says ...

Now that I think about it, I can't remember Scooby Doo either. I have a vague recollection that I saw it, but I have no idea why, where or when. I think I've blocked it from my memory.

Maybe it's really an unsung masterpiece.

Posted by Cde. at December 5, 2011 9:07 PM

comment #8

joe banks says ...

Spielberg (yikes!) does this well with Indy's "reveal" in the opening scene of "Raiders"

yeahhhh

Posted by joe banks at December 5, 2011 9:24 PM

comment #9

lazarus says ...

NDH, no offense, but you're not addressing a FIlm Study 101 class..

I'd like to think that even the more idiotic people who frequent this place are aware of that one.

How about the homage to The Third Man at the end of The Departed, when Vera Farmiga walks right past Matt Damon in the cemetery?

Posted by lazarus at December 5, 2011 9:28 PM

comment #10

Jonathan Ara says ...

Schindler's List is another good Spielberg example. At least a minute before we see Schindler's face, right?

And Kane's introduction in Citizen Kane is good, too ([Young Kane] . . . Merry Christmas, Charles . . .[Kane in a chair] . . . and a Happy New Year")

Posted by Jonathan Ara at December 5, 2011 9:30 PM

comment #11

Hallick says ...

It technically isn't the same thing, but god DAMN, that moment when The Joker takes off his mask in the opening sequence of "The Dark Knight" is a big time movie reveal in my book. It ranks right up there with the best of them all.

Posted by Hallick at December 5, 2011 10:11 PM

comment #12

Zach says ...

Um... The Godfather?

Also, when Nicholson first shows off his Joker face in Burton's Batman.

Posted by Zach at December 5, 2011 10:37 PM

comment #13

reverent and free says ...

@Hallick, somewhat disagree. It's awkward in that scene the way Fitchner is made to say "What do you believe!?" just to prompt Ledger's one liner.

His true entrance is when he crashes the mob meeting.

I always liked the way Dr. Strangelove is seen in the background at the end of the War Room table in multiple shots before he's properly introduced.

And there's Steve Buscemi's surprise appearance in Miller's Crossing as Mink. One of the best thought out cameos ever.

Posted by reverent and free at December 5, 2011 10:56 PM

comment #14

reverent and free says ...

I like films that introduce a character in silence with a closeup of their hands at work, whether it's Schindler getting dressed up for a night with the Nazis or old Norman fixing his hook in A River Runs Through it. It makes them feel much more alive than if you get launched directly into dialogue.

Posted by reverent and free at December 5, 2011 11:07 PM

comment #15

PastePotPete says ...

"And there's Steve Buscemi's surprise appearance in Miller's Crossing as Mink. One of the best thought out cameos ever."

At that point in his career, it was more like a bit part than a cameo. His biggest role before that was probably Tales from the Darkside.

Posted by PastePotPete at December 5, 2011 11:21 PM

comment #16

NDH says ...

lazarus, forgive me for showing enthusiasm about a scene that I love. i didn't realize that revisiting such an obvious example would only be appropriate for film illiterates.

Posted by NDH at December 6, 2011 1:03 AM

comment #17

The Pope says ...

I always thought Connery's intro was cribbed from Bogart's reveal in Casablanca.

Speaking of The Godfather, I rather liked the way Coppola tracked us through the shadows in Apocalypse Now before Brando's bald head loomed out at us.

Posted by The Pope at December 6, 2011 1:55 AM

comment #18

Gridlock says ...

They've just moved on, and now you spend the entire godamn film waiting to see more of the alien/monster than a toenail and an eye. Thanks, Ridley.

Posted by Gridlock at December 6, 2011 4:39 AM

comment #19

Ray says ...

While not the star of the film, I always dug the way QT kept Ving Rhames' face out of the picture until Willis sees him in front of his car.

Posted by Ray at December 6, 2011 5:10 AM

comment #20

Super Soul says ...

Since we're bending the rules of star and stealth a little, this is one of my favorites:
http://images.blu-ray.com/reviews/3248_2.jpg

Posted by Super Soul at December 6, 2011 5:20 AM

comment #21

Rashad says ...

Spielberg does it all the time. Even Indy 4 had a great introduction with the silhouette.

My favorite of the past few years was definitely the Bear Jew scene.

Posted by Rashad at December 6, 2011 6:18 AM

comment #22

JLC says ...

Not exactly the same, but John Carpenter's slow reveal of the adult Michael Myers/the Shape in Halloween is great. You see him as a shell-shocked kid, then see only glimpses of him before he dons the Shatner mask. The best part is the kid's reaction when Myers grabs him outside the school. Of course, you never get a really good look at his non-masked face.

Posted by JLC at December 6, 2011 6:47 AM

comment #23

raygo says ...

Mommie Dearest did possibly the best homage to old school character introductions. Never showing her face, Faye Dunaway rises before dawn, dunks her face in an ice bath, dresses, gets in a waiting limo, signs 8x10 glossies, arrives on set, dresses, then turns to face the camera. It's really the best part of that movie. Too bad it couldn't live up to the opening.

Posted by raygo at December 6, 2011 7:28 AM

comment #24

lazarus says ...

Rashad: too bad Eli Roth's obnoxious performance nearly took me out of the film.

He was easily the worst thing in that movie, though to be fair he was amusing enough pretending to be Italian in the movie theatre scene .

Posted by lazarus at December 6, 2011 7:34 AM

comment #25

Ray says ...

JLC, speaking of Halloween, ya ever seen this vid?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW6_h4qqp6E

Posted by Ray at December 6, 2011 8:39 AM

comment #26

LicentiousMaximus says ...

Since we're bending the rules: Opening shot of the first ep of Mad Men, Don Draper in a smoky haze inside of a restaurant.

Posted by LicentiousMaximus at December 6, 2011 9:15 AM

comment #27

Rashad says ...

lazrus: Yeah, his readings outside of the Italian scenes are iffy, but that scene I still thought he was funny.

Posted by Rashad at December 6, 2011 9:47 AM

comment #28

actionlover says ...

Robert Montgomery in "Lady In The Lake".

This discussion is over.

I win.

Posted by actionlover at December 6, 2011 10:06 AM

comment #29

Rashad says ...

Also Bill in Kill Bill Vol.1 is never shown but the handkerchief in the beginning is a great scene

Posted by Rashad at December 6, 2011 11:40 AM

comment #30

lazarus says ...

Nice one, actionlover.

I was just reading Chandler's short story last night.

Speaking of Montgomery, any fans here of Ride the Pink Horse?

Posted by lazarus at December 6, 2011 11:56 AM

comment #31

JLC says ...

@Ray, that vid is actually what reminded me of this. Those guys were certainly committed.

Posted by JLC at December 6, 2011 12:10 PM

comment #32

DeafEars says ...

Kevin Costner was introduced this way in THE UNTOUCHABLES, and IIRC Oliver Stone kept Anthony Hopkins in the dark for a bit before showing him in NIXON.

Posted by DeafEars at December 6, 2011 12:40 PM

comment #33