The woman prominently featured in the abstract and iconic opening credits of Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo is Kim Novak.
While the title sequence by Saul Bass is renowned for its innovative use of kinetic typography and spiraling optical illusions, it cleverly introduces key elements and characters of the film.
The Significance of the Opening Credits
The opening credits of Vertigo are not merely a list of names; they are a masterclass in psychological tension and foreshadowing. Directed by Saul Bass, these sequences set a distinctive mood for the film, utilizing abstract graphics to convey themes of obsession, dizziness, and mental instability.
Key elements of the opening credits that pertain to the question include:
- Abstract Visuals: The sequence features close-ups of a woman's face, specifically her eyes, which are then integrated with a series of swirling, hypnotic spirals. These visuals are designed to evoke a sense of vertigo and disorientation.
- Connection to Kim Novak: As the camera travels up to a pair of eyes that look nervously from one side to another, the name of the film's lead actress, Kim Novak, appears on screen, accompanied by an orchestral swell. This direct pairing links the featured eyes and the abstract female presence to Novak's character, Madeleine Elster/Judy Barton.
Kim Novak's Role in Vertigo
Kim Novak plays a dual role in Vertigo, portraying both the mysterious Madeleine Elster and the working-class Judy Barton. Her performance is central to the film's exploration of identity, illusion, and psychological obsession, making her presence in the opening credits highly symbolic of the narrative to unfold. The "nervous eyes" depicted in the credits effectively hint at the troubled and complex nature of the character she embodies.
