Vertigo

Vertigo is a classic combination of the suspenseful tension of director Alfred Hitchcock and beleaguered leading man James Stewart in a 1958 mystery thriller. The American Film Institute voted "Vertigo" as the number one Mystery Film of all time in 2008. The film follows Scottie Ferguson (James Stewart), a police detective that must resign from the San Francisco force when he develops a paralyzing case of vertigo, an overwhelming fear of falling. He changes careers to an independent investigator and receives a case from an old friend, Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore). Gavin's wife, Madeleine (Kim Novak) has been acting strangely lately, and believes she may be possessed by a spirit. At first, Scottie wants nothing to do with a marital case, but as soon as he sees Madeline, he takes the case. As Madeline speaks more and more of death, Scottie becomes more entranced with her, but at a critical moment his disabling vertigo prevents him from keeping her safe. Scottie thinks he has lost her forever until he notices sales girl Judy Barton (also Kim Novak), who looks just like a brunette version of the blond Madeline. Then, Scottie's confusion and guilt leads to a dizzying climax in this dark psychological drama.