Rear Window
Executive Summary
Overview
Genres: thriller, mystery, drama, romance, comedy, suspense, crime
Setting: Present day, New York City
Themes: Voyeurism, Paranoia, Obsession, Suspicion, Appearance vs. Reality
Conflict and Stakes: John's struggle to clear his name after being falsely accused of a crime, with his career and reputation at stake
Overall Mood: Tense and suspenseful
Mood/Tone at Key Scenes:
- Scene 5: Intense and dramatic as John confronts the real perpetrator
- Scene 10: Emotional and cathartic as John is vindicated in court
Standout Features:
Pass/Consider/Recommend
Explanation:
USP:
Market Analysis
Budget Estimate:$20-30 million
Target Audience Demographics: Adults aged 25-54, fans of legal thrillers and drama
Marketability: It has the potential to attract a wide audience and generate buzz with its gripping storyline and strong performances
Unique blend of legal thriller and drama genres, with compelling characters and relevant social themes
Strong appeal to fans of courtroom dramas and mystery thrillers, with a diverse cast and engaging plot
Profit Potential: High, due to strong appeal to a wide adult audience and potential for award nominations
Analysis Criteria Percentiles
What this means: Each criteria is ranked in comparison to scripts in our Vault (such as The Matrix, Breaking Bad, etc.) This allows you to see where you stand compared to other produced scripts for each criteria.
Writer's Voice
Memorable Lines:
- L.B. Jeffries: We've become a race of Peeping Toms. What people ought to do is get outside their own house and look in for a change. (Scene 1)
- Lisa: "I'm in love with you. I don't care what you do for a living. Somehow I would just like to be part of it." (Scene 14)
- Jeff: You did it, Thorwald! You did it! (Scene 41)
- Stella: Nobody's invented polite words yet for killing. (Scene 39)
- Stella: The New York State sentence for a peeping Tom is six months in the workhouse! (Scene 6)
Characters
John Smith:A successful lawyer falsely accused of a crime, determined to clear his name
Sarah Johnson:John's loyal assistant who helps him uncover the truth
Detective Mark Thompson:The lead investigator on John's case, skeptical of his innocence
Story Shape
Screenplay Story Analysis
Note: This is the overall critique. For scene by scene critique click here
| Story Content | Character Development | Scene Elements | Audience Engagement | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Click for Full Analysis | Tone | Overall Grade | Concept | Plot | Characters | Character Changes | Conflict | High stakes | Story forward | Emotional Impact | Dialogue | ||
| 1 - Opening Sequence | "suspenseful" | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | ||
| 2 - Introduction to the Neighborhood | "Observational" | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 3 - Assignment Offer | "intriguing" | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 4 - Interpreting the Neighborhood | "Observational, Intrigued" | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 6 | ||
| 5 - Neighborhood Watch | "observant, voyeuristic" | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | ||
| 6 - Stella the Nurse | "Light-hearted" | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 7 - The Love Advice | "Playful" | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 9 | ||
| 8 - Jeff's Observation and Lisa's Visit | "Observational, Romantic" | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 8 | ||
| 9 - Dinner and Dancing | "Playful" | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 9 | ||
| 10 - Romantic Dinner | "romantic" | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 9 | ||
| 11 - Observing the Neighbors | "sympathetic" | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 | ||
| 12 - Watching and Dining | "Somber, Romantic" | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | ||
| 13 - A heated argument about lifestyles | "Tense" | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | ||
| 14 - The Break-Up | "Tense" | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | ||
| 15 - Nocturnal Activities | "Tense" | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 16 - Observations in the Night | "Tense" | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | ||
| 17 - Jeff and Stella Observe the Suspicious Salesman | "Tense" | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | ||
| 18 - Salesman's Suspicious Actions | "Tense" | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 6 | ||
| 19 - Observing Suspicion | "Tense" | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | ||
| 20 - The Suspicious Salesman | "tense" | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | ||
| 21 - Jeff's Paranoia Deepens | "Tense" | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | ||
| 22 - Jeff and Lisa Gather Information | "Suspenseful" | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 10 | ||
| 23 - Jeff Becomes Increasingly Paranoid | "Tense" | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | ||
| 24 - Surveillance and Disappointment | "Tense" | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | ||
| 25 - Jeff and Coyne Discuss the Murder Suspicions | "Suspenseful" | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | ||
| 26 - Observing Thorwald | "Tense" | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 7 | ||
| 27 - Jeff and Coyne Argue about Searching Thorwald's Apartment | "Tense" | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | ||
| 28 - Jeff Surveils the Neighbors | "Suspenseful" | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | ||
| 29 - Preparing to Leave | "Tense" | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | ||
| 30 - Observing Thorwald's Movements | "Tense" | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | ||
| 31 - Investigating Mrs. Thorwald's Disappearance | "Suspenseful" | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 7 | ||
| 32 - Observations and Revelations | "Tense" | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 33 - Detective Doubts | "Tense" | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 6 | ||
| 34 - The Blame Game | "Tense" | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | ||
| 35 - The Case Against Thorwald | "Tense" | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | ||
| 36 - The Trunk | "Serious" | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | ||
| 37 - Ethics and Love | "serious" | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 8 | ||
| 38 - The Aftermath of the Scream | "Tense" | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | ||
| 39 - Jeff's Discovery | "suspenseful" | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | ||
| 40 - The Letter | "Suspenseful" | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | ||
| 41 - The Confrontation | "Tense" | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | ||
| 42 - The Investigation Continues | "Tense" | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 8 | ||
| 43 - Jeff makes a deal with Thorwald | "Tense" | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | ||
| 44 - Lisa's Break-In | "Tense" | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | ||
| 45 - Lisa Confronts Thorwald | "Tense" | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | ||
| 46 - Lisa is caught breaking in | "Tense" | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | ||
| 47 - The Break-In | "Suspenseful" | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | ||
| 48 - Jeff Reports Lisa's Arrest | "Tense" | 8 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | ||
| 49 - Confrontation with Thorwald | "Tense" | 9.2 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | ||
| 50 - Jeff's Dangerous Escalation | "intense" | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | ||
| 51 - The Final Confrontation | "tense" | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | ||
| 52 - The Final Confrontation | "Tense" | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | ||
Scene 1 - Opening Sequence
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 7
by
John Michael Hayes
Based on a short story by
Cornell Woolrich
FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
FINAL WHITE SCRIPT
December 1, 1953
Converted to PDF by ScreenTalk™ Online
http://www.screentalk.org
REAR WINDOW 1.
FADE IN:
Scene 2 - Introduction to the Neighborhood
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 0
Although we do not see the foreground window frame, we
see the whole background of a Greenwich Village street.
We can see the rear of a number of assorted houses and
small apartment buildings whose fronts face on the next
crosstown street, sharply etched by the morning sun.
Some are two stories high; others three; some have
peaked roofs, others are flat. There is a mixture of
brick and wood and wrought iron in the construction.
The apartment buildings have fire escapes, the others do
not.
The neighborhood is not a prosperous one, but neither is
it poor. It is a practical, conventional dwelling place
for people living on marginal incomes, luck - or hope
and careful planning.
The summer air is motionless and heavy with humid heat.
It has opened windows wide, pushed back curtains, lifted
blinds and generally brought the neighborhood life into
a sweltering intimacy. Yet, people born and bred to
life within earshot and eyeglance of a score of
neighbors have learned to preserve their own private
worlds by uniformly ignoring each other, except on
direct invitation.
THE CAMERA PULLS BACK until a large sleeping profile of
a man fills the screen. It is so large that we do not
see any features, but merely the temple and side of the
cheek down which a stream of sweat is running.
THE CAMERA PANS OFF this to the right hand side of the
window, and MOVES TO a thermometer which is hanging on
the wall just outside the window. It registers 84.
THE CAMERA MOVES ON into the open, and brings nearer to
us a room with a large studio window. We are able to
see inside this room. A short, balding man is standing
near the window, shaving, using a small bowl of water
and a portable mirror which he has set up on a shelf.
To the right of him is a battered upright piano. On top
of the piano is a radio. The music selection coming
from the radio stops, and the announcer is heard.
ANNOUNCER
The time - 7:15 A.M., WOR, New York.
The temperature, outside, 84 ---
Friends - is your life worth one
dollar?
REAR WINDOW 2.
The man shaving quickly puts down his razor, hurries to
the radio, and changes the station, moving past a number
of commercial voices until he again finds some music.
Contented, he returns to his shaving.
THE CAMERA MOVES ON AND OVER to a far building. It
passes over the face of this building until it comes to
fire escapes. It goes up and near enough to one which
has become the outdoor bedroom of a couple. We are near
enough to see an alarm clock hanging from the rail which
is now ringing vigorously. A man rises lazily to a
sitting position. He gropes to switch the alarm off.
We see that his pajamas are stained with sweat. In his
sitting position he leans forward and shakes somebody
beside him. To our surprise, the head of this other
person - a woman - rises where his feet are. They have
been sleeping in opposite directions. They sit limply
looking at each other with bedraggled and weary
expressions which show they enjoyed very little sleep in
the heat of the night.
THE CAMERA NOW MOVES DOWN toward the left onto another
low building. It MOVES IN A LITTLE to a living room
window. Just inside the windowsill, a small fan is
oscillating. The fan sits on the right side of the
table, and to the left of it is an automatic toaster.
Behind the toaster stands a full-bodied young woman,
apparently wearing only a pair of black panties. Her
stomach, navel, and the lower part of her chest are
naked. Just below her breasts, the curtain, partly
drawn, has thrown a deep shadow which extends upward,
hiding her breasts, shoulders and head. Two pieces of
toast pop up in the toaster. She takes them out,
butters them. Then she turns around and bends over
another table on which stands an automatic coffee-maker.
She picks up the coffee-maker, and swings back to the
table to sit down. She does this so deftly that her
breasts are never exposed, but hidden by the fan as she
sits down. The fan moves back and forth as she pours
coffee, far enough to reveal that she wears no bra, but
not far enough to fulfill the exciting promise of her
lack of clothes.
THE CAMERA MOVES ON to a distant street corner seen
between two buildings. The traffic is very light at
this hour, but a Sanitation Department truck moves
through the intersection spraying water out behind it to
cool the pavement and keep the dust down. Three little
kids in bathing suits run behind the truck, playing in
the water.
THE CAMERA MOVES OFF and around to some buildings at the
side. As it skims this building, we see a hand emerge
from one of the windows, and remove the cover from a
birdcage which is hanging from a hook on the wall
outside. In the cage are two lovebirds - arguing.
REAR WINDOW 3.
THE CAMERA NOW PULLS BACK SWIFTLY and retreats through
the open window back into Jefferies' apartment. We now
see more of the sleeping man. THE CAMERA GOES IN far
enough to show a head and shoulders of him.
He is L. B. JEFFERIES. A tall, lean, energetic
thirtyfive, his face long and serious-looking at rest,
is in other circumstances capable of humor, passion,
naive wonder and the kind of intensity that bespeaks
inner convictions of moral strength and basic honesty.
He is sitting in an Everest and Jennings wheelchair.
THE CAMERA PANS along his right leg. It is encased in
a plaster of Paris spica from his waistline to the base
of his toes. Along the white cast someone has written
"Here lie the broken bones of L. B. Jefferies."
THE CAMERA PANS to a nearby table on which rests a
shattered and twisted Speed Graphic Camera, the kind
used by fast-action news photographers.
On the same table, the CAMERA PANS to an eight by ten
glossy photo print. It shows a dirt track auto racing
speedway, taken from a point dangerously near the center
of the track. A racing car is skidding toward the
camera, out of control, spewing a cloud of dust behind
it. A rear wheel has come off the car, and the wheel is
bounding at top speed directly into the camera lens.
THE CAMERA MOVES UP to a framed photograph on the wall.
It is a fourteen by ten print, an essay in violence,
having caught on film the exploding semi-second when a
heavy artillery shell arches into a front-line Korean
battle outpost. Men and equipment erupt into the air
suspended in a solution of blasted rock, dust and
screeching shrapnel. That the photographer was not a
casualty is evident, but surprising when the short
distance between the camera and the explosion is
estimated. A signature in the lower right hand corner
of the picture reads -- "L. B. Jefferies."
THE CAMERA PANS to a second photograph of a picket line
at an aircraft plant strike. Strikers, non-strikers and
police are embroiled in a bitter and confused riot.
Clubs, fists and truncheons swing, blood flows, faces
twist with emotion and fallen victims struggle to regain
their feet. The picture represents no distant, cautions
photographic observation, but rather an intimate report,
so immediate and real that the viewer has the nervous
feeling the fight surrounds him and he had best defend
himself. The same signature, "L. B. Jefferies," is in
the corner.
REAR WINDOW 4.
THE CAMERA PANS TO another framed picture, this one a
beautiful and awesome shot of an atomic explosion at
Frenchman's Flat, Nevada. It is the cul-de-sac of
violence. The picture taken at a distant observation
point, shows some spectators in the foreground watching
the explosion through binoculars.
THE CAMERA MOVES ON to a shelf containing a number of
cameras, photographic film, etc. It then PAN ACROSS a
large viewer on which is resting a negative of a woman's
head.
From this, THE CAMERA MOVES ON to a magazine cover, and
although we do not see the name of the magazine, we can
see the head on the cover is the positive of the
negative we have just passed.
THE CAMERA FINALLY COMES TO REST ON a pile of
magazines - perhaps a hundred or so. They are all of
the same publication.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
Scene 3 - Assignment Offer
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
The screen is filled with the top of a desk. In
addition to the usual telephones, blotting pad, etc.,
the most prominent feature is the number of glossy photo
prints, and even larger-sized mat prints. Some of them
have slips pasted over with descriptions. The center of
the desk is occupied by a large layout of photographs on
one magazine page. Behind this we hear the murmur of
two voices of men who can be vaguely seen beyond the
desk.
THE CAMERA PANS UP and we are now face to face with IVAR
GUNNISON and JACK BRYCE. Gunnison is sitting on a
window-ledge, and beyond him we realize we are high
above the New York streets. Bryce leans against a wall
at right angles to him.
Gunnison is holding a cablegram in his hand. Bryce has
a cigarette in his mouth. He scratches a match, and is
about to light it, when he notices that Gunnison, still
reading the cable, has reached into an inside shirt
pocket, and produced a cigarette. Quickly, Bryce moves
over to light Gunnison's cigarette. Then he settles
back to light his own. Gunnison doesn't even bother to
thank him.
GUNNISON
(Looks up)
Indo-China - Jeff predicted it would
go sky-high.
REAR WINDOW 5.
BRYCE
From the looks of Davidson's cable,
it might even go higher than that.
And we haven't even got a camera over
there.
GUNNISON
(Stands)
This could go off in a month - or an
hour.
BRYCE
I'll pull somebody out of Japan.
GUNNISON
(Heads for his phone)
Bryce, the only man for this job is
sitting right here in town.
(Picks up phone)
Get me L. B. Jefferies.
BRYCE
(Puzzled)
Jefferies?
GUNNISON
(To Bryce; still holding
phone)
Name me a better photographer.
BRYCE
(He can't)
But his leg!
GUNNISON
Don't worry - it comes off today.
Bryce gives Gunnison a startled look.
GUNNISON
I mean the cast.
(To phone)
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI CLOSEUP
Shooting through the open window, onto Jeff. He is
shaving himself with an electric razor as the phone
rings. He shuts off the shaver, picks up the phone.
JEFF
Jefferies.
REAR WINDOW 6.
GUNNISON
(On filter)
Congratulations, Jeff.
JEFF
For what?
GUNNISON
For getting rid of that cast.
JEFF
Who said I was getting rid of it?
At this moment, his attention is drawn to something
across the way. He looks up, expectantly. There is
almost a touch of eagerness in his expression.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - LONG SHOT
While Jeff is continuing his phone conversation, we see
the object of his look. Two pretty girls have appeared
on the distant roof. They are smiling and talking,
although we cannot hear their dialogue. Each wears a
terrycloth robe. With their backs to the CAMERA, they
take off the robes, slipping them down over their
shoulders slowly. Then, seductively, they turn -
revealing the full beauty of their tanned and bathing-
suited bodies. It is almost as if they want to be
noticed, the center of neighborhood attention. They at
least have all of Jeff's attention. Then they spread
the robes in front of them, and lie down on the roof,
and out of sight. Jeff seems a little disappointed.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
During the whole of this previous action, the
conversation between Jeff and Gunnison has gone on as
follows:
GUNNISON
(With logical proof)
This is Wednesday.
JEFF
Gunnison - how did you get to be such
a big editor - with such a small
memory?
GUNNISON
Wrong day?
REAR WINDOW 7.
JEFF
Wrong week. Next Wednesday I emerge
from this plaster cocoon.
GUNNISON
That's too bad, Jeff. Well, I guess
I can't be lucky every day. Forget
I called.
JEFF
Yeah. I sure feel sorry for you,
Gunnison. Must be rough on you
thinking of me wearing this cast
another whole week.
INT. GUNNISON'S OFFICE - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Gunnison is now seated at his desk, with the phone
receiver to his ear. His assistant, Bryce, can be seen
vaguely in the background.
GUNNISON
That one week is going to cost me my
best photographer - and you a big
assignment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSE-UP
Jeff asks, eagerly and alertly.
JEFF
Where?
We hear Gunnison's reply.
GUNNISON
There's no point in even talking
about it.
Jeff's eyes become set upon something else in the
neighborhood he sees.
Scene 4 - Interpreting the Neighborhood
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 6
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
Jeff's attention is now drawn to another feature of his
backyard entertainment. THE CAMERA IS NOW FOCUSED on
the window of the small building where we earlier saw
the girl behind the oscillating fan. Loud ballet music
is pouring from her open window. The girl, now dressed
REAR WINDOW 8.
in dark and revealing leotard, and ballet slippers, has
just turned away from a portable record player. She
begins the first graceful movement of a modern ballet
interpretation.
She gracefully moves across the room to the rhythm of
the music and dance, toward the ice box. With her feet
still moving, she throws open the door, and then
rhythmically moving back to the center of the room,
gnaws the chicken bone, occasionally waving it in the
air as part of the choreography. She now twirls over
toward a table at the other side of the room on which is
an open package of bread slices, some butter nearby.
With swaying body, she puts down the chicken leg, and
gracefully and rhythmically butters a slice of bread.
She picks up both bread and chicken leg and continues
her interpretive dance, alternately munching the bread
and butter and chicken leg.
INT. APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes drop from the ballet dancer's room to the
one underneath.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - LONG SHOT
THE CAMERA PANS from the window of the dancing girl, to
the window below. Someone is reading the New York
Harald Tribune. The paper lowers, and we see an elderly
lady, in her late sixties. She is a faded, refined
type. She looks up in the direction of the music and in
a calm routine fashion adjusts the volume of her hearing
aid. She resumes her reading.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff is amused by what he sees, but continues his
conversation with Gunnison, which has gone on through
all the scenes with the ballet dancer.
JEFF
(Insistent)
Where?
GUNNISON
(Filter)
Indo-China. Got a code tip from the
bureau chief this morning. The place
is about to go up in smoke.
REAR WINDOW 9.
JEFF
(Pleased; excited)
Didn't I tell you! Didn't I tell you
it was the next place to watch?
GUNNISON
You did.
JEFF
(On filter)
Okay. When do I leave? Half-hour?
An hour?
GUNNISON
With that cast on - you don't.
JEFF
(On filter)
Stop sounding stuffy. I'll take
pictures from a jeep. From a water
buffalo if necessary.
GUNNISON
You're too valuable to the magazine
for us to play around with. I'll
send Morgan or Lambert.
JEFF
Swell. I get myself half-killed for
you - and you reward me by stealing
my assignments.
GUNNISON
I didn't ask you to stand in the
middle of that automobile race track.
JEFF
(A little angry)
You asked for something dramatically
different! You got it!
GUNNISON
(Quietly)
So did you. Goodbye, Jeff.
JEFF
(Won't let him hang up)
You've got to get me out of here!
Six weeks - sitting in a two-room
apartment with nothing to do but look
out the window at the neighbors!
At this moment we hear the sounds of a piano playing.
It is a simple, but broken, melody as if someone was
REAR WINDOW 10.
just learning to play the piano, or carefully composing
a song. It clashes abruptly with the music from the
ballet dancer's apartment. It irritates Jeff as he
looks in the direction of the new music.
JEFF
It's worse than the Chinese water
torture.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
We now see the source of the piano music. It comes from
the apartment with the studio window which we saw
earlier where the man was shaving and listening to the
radio. The short, balding man sits at the piano playing
a few notes, then transferring them by pencil to
notepaper on the piano rack. He continues this process,
fighting the interference of the ballet music. The
opening bars of his melody are beautiful and ear-
catching. It is slow, hard work, and the ballet music
finally becomes such an interference that he gives up
and walks to the window to look down toward the dancer's
apartment.
He stands by a table at the window which is littered
with records, the morning coffee cup, unwashed, the
remains of breakfast, old newspapers, song sheets, etc.
He takes a cigarette out of his mouth, looks for an ash
tray, and ends up putting it out in the coffee cup. He
then returns to the piano and begins picking out the
melody the dancer is playing on her record player.
Scene 5 - Neighborhood Watch
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Jeff frowns at the double sound, and raises his voice a
little. He continues the conversation which has been
heard all through the previous scene.
GUNNISON
Read some good books.
JEFF
I've been taking pictures so long I
don't know how to read anymore.
GUNNISON
I'll send you some comic books.
JEFF
(Low, tense)
Listen - if you don't pull me out of
this swamp of boredom - I'll do
something drastic.
REAR WINDOW 11.
GUNNISON
Like what?
JEFF
(On filter)
I'll - I'll get married. Then I'll
never be able to go anywhere.
GUNNISON
It's about time you got married -
before you turn into a lonesome and
bitter old man.
JEFF
Can you see me - rushing home to a
hot apartment every night to listen
to the automatic laundry, the
electric dishwasher, the garbage
disposal and a nagging wife.
GUNNISON
Jeff - wives don't nag anymore --
they discuss.
Jefferies glances out across to the other apartments as
he sees:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
We see a three-storied, flat-roofed apartment house.
The brick is weatherworn and faded. Each apartment has
three windows facing the back, one showing a hallway,
one a living room, and the window on the right opening
into a bedroom.
On the second floor, a man has entered the living room
from a hallway door. He carries a large aluminum sample
case common to salesmen. He sets down the case heavily,
removes his hat, and slowly wipes his brow with the back
of his right hand. He takes off his coat and tie. His
shirt is stained with sweat underneath. He rolls up his
sleeves, and his well-muscled arms heavy with hair
confirm his dark, husky build.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
With his eyes still focused on the distant apartments,
Jeff continues talking with Gunnison.
REAR WINDOW 12.
JEFF
Yeah? Maybe in the high rent
districts they discuss - but in my
neighborhood, they still nag.
GUNNISON
Well - you know best. Call you
later, Jeff.
JEFF
Next time, have some good news.
He hangs up and resumes his attention on the apartment
of the salesman.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman looks toward the bedroom door, hesitates,
then reluctantly walks toward it. For a moment he is
hidden by the wall.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff shifts his look more to the right.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The man enters the bedroom. We can see a woman lying on
the far bed. Near her, a small table is covered with
medicine bottles, spoons, boxes of pills, a water
pitcher and the other impedimenta of the chronically
ill. The woman sits up as the man enters. She takes a
wet cloth off her forehead. Before the man even reaches
her, she begins talking, somewhat vigorously. Pointing
to a wristwatch, she seems to be saying something such
as "You should have been home two hours ago! I could be
lying here dying for all you'd know - or care!" The man
stops short of the bed, makes gestures of trying to
placate her, but she goes on scolding. His attitude
changes to weary patience, then irritation, then anger.
He shouts back at her, turns and goes out of the room.
Back in the living room, he picks up his hat, throws it
against the wall in anger, and leaves the apartment,
slamming the door behind him.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff's attention is suddenly diverted to himself. His
leg, under the cast, begins itching. He squirms, tries
REAR WINDOW 13.
to move the leg a little. It gives no relief. He
scratches the outside of the cast, but the itch gets
worse. He reaches for a long, Chinese back-scratcher
lying on the windowsill. Carefully, and with
considerable ingenuity, he works it under the cast. He
scratches, and a look of sublime relief comes over his
face. Satisfied, he takes the scratcher out. As he
replaces it on the windowsill, his attention is drawn
back to the scene outside the window.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
We see the man who left his apartment in anger come out
of the doorway into the backyard. He is easy to
identify through the color of his garish necktie. In
one hand the man carries a small garden hoe and rake,
and in the other a pair of trimming shears. He goes to
a small patch of flowers, perhaps three feet square.
They are beautiful, multi-colored three foot high
zinnias. He kneels down, inspects them, touches them
affectionately and with some pride. His anger seems to
have left him, replaced by the kind of peace that
flowers bring many people. He stands up, carefully hoes
the ground, them rakes it. Then he snips a few leaves
off the lower parts of the plant. Finally, he waters
them.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff's attention is turned to something else of interest.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Into the next door yard we see emerging from the
apartment below the ballet dancer, the elderly lady.
She wear a broad sun hat, dark glasses, and a sunsuit
consisting of pink shorts and halter. She carries a
copy of the Herald Tribune, and still wears her hearing
aid. She settles into a folding, canvas deck chair.
Her skin is dead white, and her body is thin to the
point of emaciation. No sooner has she settled into her
chair, than she is attracted by the sound of the
salesman working in his garden. She gets up, walks to
the fence, and looks over. He notices her, but doesn't
speak. She begins gesturing to him how to take care of
his flowers. He listens for a moment, then looks
directly at her. The strong movements of his mouth show
us that he objects vigorously to the annoyance of her
comments. She moves away from the fence, started and a
little shocked.
REAR WINDOW 14.
Scene 6 - Stella the Nurse
- Overall: 6.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 6
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 8
Jeff is seated in the foreground, in a waist shot.
Behind him, the entrance door to his apartment opens.
STELLA McGAFFERY comes in. She is a husky, unhandsome,
dark-haired woman who is dressed like a district nurse,
with dark coat, dark felt hat, with a white uniform
showing underneath the coat. She carries a small black
bag.
Stella pauses on the landing to watch Jeff. He doesn't
appear to notice her entrance.
STELLA
(Loud)
The New York State sentence for a
peeping Tom is six months in the
workhouse!
He doesn't turn.
JEFF
Hello Stella.
As she comes down the stairs of the landing, holding on
the wrought iron railing with one hand:
STELLA
And there aren't any windows in the
workhouse.
She puts her bag down on a table. It is worn, and looks
as if it belongs more to a fighter than a nurse. She
takes off her hat coat, and hangs them on a chair.
STELLA
Years ago, they used to put out your
eyes with a hot poker. Is one of
those bikini bombshells you always
watch worth a hot poker?
He doesn't answer. She opens the bag, takes out some
medical supplies: a thermometer, a stop watch, a bottle
of rubbing oil, a can of powder, a towel. She talks as
she works.
STELLA
We've grown to be a race of peeping
Toms. What people should do is stand
outside their own houses and look in
once in a while.
REAR WINDOW 15.
STELLA (cont'd)
(She looks up at him)
What do you think of that for
homespun philosophy?
A look at his face shows he doesn't think much of it.
JEFF
Readers' Digest, April, 1939.
STELLA
Well, I only quote from the best.
She takes the thermometer out of its case, shakes it
down. Looks at it. Satisfied, she walks to Jeff.
She swings the wheelchair around abruptly to face her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff starts to protest.
JEFF
Now look, Stella --
She shoves the thermometer into his mouth.
STELLA
See it you can break a hundred.
As she leaves him holding the thermometer THE CAMERA
PULLS BACK as she crosses to a divan. She takes a sheet
from underneath, and covers the divan with it. Talking,
all the time.
STELLA
I shoulda been a Gypsy fortune
teller, instead of an insurance
company nurse. I got a nose for
trouble - can smell it ten miles away.
(Stops, looks at him)
You heard of the stock market crash
in '29?
Jeff nods a bored "yes."
STELLA
I predicted it.
JEFF
(Around thermometer)
How?
REAR WINDOW 16.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Stella stops for a moment, and looks at Jeff
challengingly.
STELLA
Simple. I was nursing a director of
General Motors. Kidney ailment they
said. Nerves, I said. Then I asked
myself - what's General Motors got to
be nervous about?
(Snaps her fingers)
Overproduction. Collapse, I
answered. When General Motors has to
go to the bathroom ten times a day -
the whole country's ready to let go.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - CLOSEUP
A patient, suffering look comes over his face. He takes
out the thermometer.
JEFF
Stella - in economics, a kidney
ailment has no relationship to the
stock market. Absolutely none.
STELLA
It crashed, didn't it?
Jeff has no answer. Defeated, he puts the thermometer
back into his mouth.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - CLOSEUP
Stella goes on with her work.
STELLA
I can smell trouble right in this
apartment. You broke your leg. You
look out the window. You see things
you shouldn't. Trouble. I can see
you now, in front of the judge,
flanked by lawyers in blue double-
breasted suits. You're pleading,
"Judge, it was only innocent fun. I
love my neighbors like a father." -
The Judge answers, "Congratulations.
You just gave birth to three years in
Dannemora."
REAR WINDOW 17.
THE CAMERA PANS HER over to him. She takes out the
thermometer, looks at it.
JEFF
Right now I'd even welcome trouble.
STELLA
(Flatly)
You've got a hormone deficiency.
JEFF
How can you tell that from a
thermometer!
STELLA
Those sultry sun-worshipers you watch
haven't raised your temperature one
degree in four weeks.
She gets down the thermometer. Sterilizes it with a
piece of alcohol-soaked cotton in her other hand.
She gets behind the wheelchair the CAMERA PULLS back as
she pushes it over to the divan. She puts the
thermometer away in its case. Then she helps him off
with his pajama top. She helps him stand on one foot.
He hops one step, then she lowers him, face down, on the
divan. She gets a bottle of rubbing oil.
Scene 7 - The Love Advice
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 9
The CAMERA is very low at one end of the divan. Jeff's
head, half-buried in the sheet, is large in the fore-
ground. Beyond him Stella looms large and powerful-
looking.
JEFF
I think you're right. There is going
to be some trouble around here.
Stella takes a handful of oil, slaps it on his back. He
winces.
STELLA
I knew it!
JEFF
Don't you ever heat that stuff up.
STELLA
Gives your circulation something to
fight.
REAR WINDOW 18.
STELLA (cont'd)
(Begins massaging his back)
What kind of trouble?
JEFF
Lisa Fremont.
STELLA
You must be kidding. A beautiful
young woman, and you a reasonably
healthy specimen of manhood.
JEFF
She expects me to marry her.
STELLA
That's normal.
JEFF
I don't want to.
STELLA
(Slaps cold oils on him)
That's abnormal.
JEFF
(Wincing)
I'm not ready for marriage.
STELLA
Nonsense. A man is always ready for
marriage - with the right girl. And
Lisa Fremont is the right girl for
any man with half a brain, who can
get one eye open.
JEFF
(Indifferent)
She's all right.
She hits him with some more cold oil. He winces again.
STELLA
Behind every ridiculous statement is
always hidden the true cause.
(Peers at him)
What is it? You have a fight?
JEFF
No.
STELLA
(After a pause)
Her father loading up the shotgun?
REAR WINDOW 19.
JEFF
Stella!
STELLA
It's happened before, you know! Some
of the world's happiest marriage have
started 'under the gun' you might say.
JEFF
She's just not the girl for me.
STELLA
She's only perfect.
JEFF
Too perfect. Too beautiful, too
talented, too sophisticated, too
everything -- but what I want.
STELLA
(Cautiously)
Is what you want something you can
discuss?
Jeff gives an exasperated look.
JEFF
It's very simple. She belongs in
that rarefied atmosphere of Park
Avenue, expensive restaurants, and
literary cocktail parties.
STELLA
People with sense can belong wherever
they're put.
JEFF
Can you see her tramping around the
world with a camera bum who never has
more than a week's salary in the bank?
(Almost to himself)
If only she was ordinary.
Stella sprinkles powder on his back, spreads it around.
THE CAMERA PULLS BACK as she helps Jeff to a sitting
position. He buttons on his shirt.
STELLA
You're never going to marry?
REAR WINDOW 20.
JEFF
Probably. But when I do, it'll be to
someone who thinks of life as more
than a new dress, a lobster dinner,
and the latest scandal. I need a
woman who'll go anywhere, do
anything, and love it.
THE CAMERA MOVES IN as she helps him into the wheel-
chair, listening to him with exaggerated attention. He
stops as he notice her attitude. Then he goes on with
less conviction:
JEFF
The only honest thing to do is call
it off. Let her look for somebody
else.
STELLA
I can just hear you now. "Get out of
here you perfect, wonderful woman!
You're too good for me!"
JEFF
(After pause)
That's the hard part.
She swings him around in front of the window. He starts
to look out.
STELLA
Look, Mr. Jefferies. I'm not
educated. I'm not even
sophisticated. But I can tell you
this - when a man and a woman see
each other, and like each other -
they should come together - wham like
two taxies on Broadway. Not sit
around studying each other like
specimens in at bottle.
JEFF
There's an intelligent way to
approach marriage.
STELLA
(Scoffing)
Intelligence! Nothing has caused the
human race more trouble. Modern
marriage!
Jeff swings his chair back to look at her.
JEFF
We've progressed emotionally in --
REAR WINDOW 21.
STELLA
(Interrupting)
Baloney! Once it was see somebody,
get excited, get married -- Now, it's
read books, fence with four syllable
words, psychoanalyze each other until
you can't tell a petting party from
a civil service exam
JEFF
People have different emotional
levels that --
STELLA
(Interrupting again)
Ask for trouble and you get it. Why
there's a good boy in my neighborhood
who went with a nice girl across the
street for three years. Then he
refused to marry her. Why? - Because
she only Scored sixty-one on a Look
Magazine marriage quiz!
Jeff can't help smiling.
STELLA
When I married Myles, we were both
maladjusted misfits. We still are.
And we've loved every minute of it.
JEFF
That's fine, Stella. Now would you
make me a sandwich?
She relaxes.
STELLA
Okay -- but I'm going to spread some
common sense on the bread. Lisa
Fremont's loaded to her fingertips
with love for you. I'll give you two
words of advice. Marry her.
JEFF
(Smiles)
She pay you much?
Stella leaves for the kitchen in a huff. Jeff turns his
chair to the window.
Scene 8 - Jeff's Observation and Lisa's Visit
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 8
Jeff now looks out to see what has happened to the old
lady, and the man with the flowers.
REAR WINDOW 22.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The elderly lady is now asleep in her desk chair, her
face covered with the Herald Tribune. There is no sign
of the man with the flowers.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes travel up to the ballet dancer's window.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
She is sitting near the window looking into an upright
mirror. Dreamily, and methodically, she is brushing her
long copper-colored hair.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
His eyes are suddenly turned in another direction,
sharply to his left.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
He is now looking at the windows of the apartments
nearest to him. A shade has gone up, and a man,
obviously a caretaker is raising a window with some
effort. Having accomplished this, he turns back into
the room, and we now see him approach a young man and
woman who are standing just inside the doorway. He
hands a key to the young man, and then obligingly brings
in two suitcases which he places on the floor beside
them. He gives them a studied, but agreeable nod, then
departs. We now see that the girl has a small hat with
a veil, and an ornate corsage pinned to her light blue
tailored suit. The boy, who like the girl is perhaps
twenty years old, wears a dark blue serge suit and a
grey felt hat. He takes off the hat, and scales it over
to a nearby chair. Quickly they are in each other's
arms, kissing passionately, crushing the girl's corsage
and pushing her hat back a little. They part, the boy
laughs nervously, and takes a furtive glance out toward
the corridor. He looks back into the room, and beckons
her to come out. She follows him wonderingly. For a
moment, both are lost from sight. When they reappear,
he is carrying her in his arms, over the threshold. He
sets her down, closes the door, and they kiss again.
They part, still holding hands and looking into each
other's eyes. Then slowly, and significantly, she looks
toward the open window. He releases her hands, goes to
the window and pull down the shade, as she is reaching
upward with both hands to unpin her hat.
REAR WINDOW 23.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
There is a soft, understanding look on Jeff's face, and
he gives an involuntary sigh. He is unaware that Stella
is now standing behind him.
STELLA
(Quietly)
Window shopper
He freezes, turns slowly to look up at her.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SUNSET - LONG SHOT
The CAMERA makes a short sweep around the neighborhood
showing that some of the rooms are now with heir lights
on. The CAMERA PULLS BACK into Jeff's apartment until
his head fills the screen. He is asleep. A shadow of
some other person creeps over his face. His eyes start
to open. He looks up.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - CLOSEUP
The screen is filled with the eyes, nose and mouth of a
woman coming nearer and nearer to the CAMERA to kiss
Jeff. The face is more or less in shadow, a faint light
coming onto the profile from the window. It moves down
until the lips move out of her bottom of her screen, and
just the remain for fill the screen.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - CLOSEUP
The two big profiles filling the screen. The girl
kisses Jeff firmly, but not passionately. Then her head
moves back an inch or two. She speaks.
LISA
(Softly)
How's your leg?
JEFF
Mmmm - hurts a little.
LISA
And your stomach?
JEFF
Empty as a football.
REAR WINDOW 24.
LISA
And you love life?
JEFF
Not too active.
LISA
Anything else bothering you?
JEFF
Uh-huh.
She gives a low. Warm laugh, and the CAMERA PULLS BACK
to show that Lisa has been bending over Jeff's
wheelchair from the side. As she straightens up, it
PANS her swiftly over to the corner of the room, keeping
her in big closeup. She turns on a low, hanging light.
We see her full facial beauty for the first time. It is
a warm, intelligent face.
LISA
(As she moves)
Reading from top to bottom -
(Light on)
Lisa --
The CAMERA FOLLOWS HER quickly to another lamp. She
gets a little farther away from us so that we now see
her down to her waist. She turns on the second lamp and
the light shows us that her beauty is not alone in her
face.
LISA
Carol -
The CAMERA PANS HER over to a third lamp which she turns
on. She is now full figure, beautifully groomed and
flawless. Her dress is high-style fashion and dramatic
evening wear.
LISA
Fremont.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff looks across the room at her.
JEFF
The Lisa Fremont who never wears the
same dress twice?
REAR WINDOW 25.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - SEMI-LONG SHOT
LISA
Only because it's expected of her.
She does a professional model's turn in the dress
showing off its features.
LISA
Right off the Paris plane. Think it
will sell?
Scene 9 - Dinner and Dancing
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 9
Jeff replies:
JEFF
Depends on the quote. Let's see --
there's the plane tickets over,
import duties, hidden taxes, profit
markups --
LISA
-- A steal at eleven hundred dollars.
JEFF
(A low whistle)
That dress should be listed on the
stock exchange.
LISA
We sell a dozen a day in this price
range.
JEFF
Who buys them? Tax collectors?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (SUNSET) - MEDIUM SHOT
She laughs pleasantly.
LISA
Even if I had to pay, it would be
worth it - just for the occasion.
She looks down at the long mahongany table beside her
which is littered with a number of his personal effects.
Her own handbag is also on the table. As she talks her
eyes scan the table as if she's looking for something
specific.
JEFF
(Off - puzzled)
Something big going on somewhere?
REAR WINDOW 26.
LISA
(Looking up from the table)
Going on right here. It's a big
night.
JEFF
(Off)
It's just a run-of-the-mill Monday.
The calendar's loaded with them.
Lisa finds what she has been looking for. Picks up an
old and cracked cigarette box, examines it as she talks.
LISA
It's opening night of the last
depressing week of L. B. Jefferies in
a cast.
JEFF
(Off)
Hasn't been any big demand for
tickets.
She turns to look at him, and moves toward him, carrying
the cigarette box.
LISA
(Smiling)
That's because I bought out the
house. -- This cigarette box has seen
better days.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (SUNSET) - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa facing Jeff in the chair.
JEFF
Picked it up in Shangai - which has
also seen better days.
LISA
It's creaked - and you never use it.
And it's too ornate. I'm sending up
a plain, flat silver one - with just
your initials engraved.
JEFF
Now that's no way to spend your hard-
earned money!
LISA
I wanted to, Jeff
(A sudden intake of breath)
Oh!
REAR WINDOW 27.
She turns around quickly and dashes to the door,
dropping the cigarette box on the table as she passes,
THE CAMERA PANNING with her. She goes up the two steps,
stops, turns back to Jeff.
LISA
What would you think of starting off
with dinner at the "21"?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (SUNSET) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
JEFF
You have, perhaps, an ambulance
outside?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (SUNSET) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
She reaches for the doorknob, turns it:
LISA
(Simply)
Better than that. The "21."
She swings open the door and stands to one side. Framed
in the doorway is middle-aged waiter wearing a white
linen pea jacket with a red collar. He's carrying in
one hand a large portable warming oven, and in the other
hand an ice bucket containing a bottle of wine covered
with a napkin.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SUNSET - CLOSEUP
His reaction is one of tender amusement.
Scene 10 - Romantic Dinner
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 9
LISA
Thank you for waiting Carl.
He smiles, nods enters. He goes down the stairs, as she
follows. THE CAMERA GOES with both of them.
LISA
Kitchen's on the left. I'll take the
wine.
He hands her the wine bucket and she places it on the
table. He moves toward the kitchen.
CARL
Good evening, Mr Jefferies.
REAR WINDOW 28.
JEFF
Hello.
Carl goes into the kitchen.
LISA
(Up, to Carl)
Just put everything right in the oven
Carl. On "low."
CARL
(Off)
Yes ma'am.
LISA
(Enthusiastically)
Let's open the wine now. It's a
Montrachet.
JEFF
(Appreciatively)
A big glassful.
She moves to a small bar set in the wall cabinet.
Produces two glasses, hold them up.
LISA
Big enough?
JEFF
Fine. Corkscrew's on the right.
She finds it. Puts the glasses on the table, uncovers
the wine, and begins screwing in the corkscrew.
LISA
I couldn't think of anything more
boring and tiresome than what you've
been through. And the last week must
be the hardest.
JEFF
Yeah - I want to get this thing off
and get moving.
LISA
(Struggling with cork)
Well, I'm going to make this a week
you'll never forget.
Carl comes out of the kitchen carrying the empty warming
oven. He sets it down he sees Lisa struggling with the
corkscrew.
CARL
Let me, madam.
REAR WINDOW 29.
She does. He takes out his own professional corkscrew,
quickly inserts it and levers the cork out. He deftly
wraps the napkin around the bottle and pours the wine,
replacing the bottle in the wine bucket. Lisa has
opened her purse to produce some money, in bills. She
hands it to the waiter.
LISA
This will take care of the taxi as
well.
Carl, without looking at the money, puts it in his
pocket.
CARL
Thank you, Miss Fremont.
He picks up the warning oven.
CARL
Have a pleasant dinner, Mr. Jefferies.
JEFF
Thank you.
Carl goes up the stairs and out the door, while THE
CAMERA REMAINS on Lisa and Jeff. She picks up both
glasses of wine and walks toward Jeff. She seats
herself on the windowsill as she hands him his glass. We
notice that the outside is considerably darker by now,
and the lights are beginning to come on in the various
apartments outside. They raise their glasses in a
silent toast, and sip the wine. THE CAMERA CLOSES IN
until they are both in a tight TOW SHOT.
LISA
What a day I've had!
JEFF
Tired?
LISA
Not a bit. I was all morning in a
sales meeting. Then over to the
Waldorf for a quick drink with
Madame Dufresne - just over from
Paris. With some spy reports. Back
to the "21" for lunch with the
Harper's Bazaar people - that's when
I ordered dinner. Then two Fall
showings - twenty blocks apart. Then
I had to have a cocktail with Leland
and slim Hayward - we're trying to
get his next show.
(Softly, looking up to him)
Then I had to dash back and change.
REAR WINDOW 30.
JEFF
(Mock seriousness - one
girl to another)
Tell me - what was Slim Hayward
wearing?
LISA
(Seriously)
She looked very cool. She had on a
mint green---
She breaks off with a little laugh, and a slight
reproachful look at Jeff. She sips her drink then says:
LISA
And to think, I planted three nice
items about you in the columns today.
Jeff's opinion of that is a short chuckle.
LISA
You can't buy that kind of publicity.
JEFF
That's good news.
LISA
Someday you might want to open up
your own studio here.
JEFF
How could I run it from say --
Pakistan?
She puts down her glass and slides along the window seat
nearer to him, THE CAMERA CLOSING IN. She looks up at
him with a serious frankness.
LISA
Jeff -- isn't it time you came home?
You could pick your assignment.
JEFF
I wish there was one I wanted.
LISA
Make the one you want.
JEFF
(As if he can't believe her)
You mean leave the magazine?
LISA
Yes.
REAR WINDOW 31.
JEFF
For what?
LISA
For yourself - and me.
(She adds eagerly)
I could get you a dozen assignments
tomorrow...fashion, portraits --
Jeff interrupts her with soft laughter.
LISA
(Offended)
Don't laugh. -- I could do it!
JEFF
That's what I'm afraid of.
(He gazes into space)
Could you see me - driving down to
the fashion salon in a jeep - wearing
combat boots and a three day beard?
(He chuckles at the thought)
LISA
I could see you looking handsome and
successful in a dark blue flannel
suit.
JEFF
(Looking directly at her)
Let's not talk any more nonsense, huh?
She stands up. THE CAMERA PULLS BACK.
LISA
I'd better start setting up for
dinner.
She moves away behind him, into the kitchen.
Scene 11 - Observing the Neighbors
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Jeff gives a sigh of relief, exhaling his breath, then
looks down toward his legs in thought. He holds this
attitude for just a moment, then seems to shake off his
concern to lift his head and turn his attention to what
might be happening in his neighborhood beyond his window.
Behind him we see the vague form of Lisa bringing in a
card table, which she proceeds to unfold.
REAR WINDOW 32.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Jeff's attention is concentrated on an apartment we have
not seen before. This belongs to a single woman, about
forty years of age. She lives alone. Her apartment is
below that of the salesman with the invalid wife.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff leans forward with increased interest. Behind him
we get vague figure of Lisa laying a cloth over the card
table.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
A nearer view show us a more intimate picture of the
woman Jeff is concentrating on. She is thin and
unattractive. At the moment, she is putting on her make-
up in front of the bedroom mirror. She gives a half
turn and picks up a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, which
she puts on, and leans nearer to her mirror. She picks
up a lipstick and proceeds to paint her lips carefully.
Having completed her make-up, she takes off her glasses
and surveys her face in the mirror. She stands up,
swings the skirt of her dress around, admires herself in
the mirror. She is quite flat-chested, and the dress
hangs unattractively. She lifts her chin, gives one
last look, and turns toward her living room. As if she's
preparing to meet someone.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Without taking his eyes from the scene, Jeff picks up
his wineglass and drinks. As he drinks, his eyes move
slightly over.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
THE CAMERA HAS PANNED slightly to the woman's living
room window. A small, candle-lit table is set up, with
dinner for two. The spinster sweeps into the room,
smiling. She goes to the door, opens it, and in
pantomime admits an imaginary caller. She pretends to
kiss him lightly, take his hat, and place the hat on a
chair. Then she shows him to a seat at the table,
disappears into an unseen kitchen and returns with a
bottle and two glasses. She sits down, pours two
drinks. She lifts her drink in a toast to the imaginary
man opposite her.
REAR WINDOW 33.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff gives a faint, sympathetic smile, and
subconsciously raises his glass in response. In the
background, Lisa, having just placed a pair of
candlesticks on the table, is returning to the kitchen.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Having finished her drink, the lonesome woman pours
herself another one. Then she starts to take a sip,
smiling across the table at her imaginary guest. She
lowers the glass onto the table. The smile fades from
her face as her head drops. Suddenly she buries her
head in her arms over the table and starts to sob.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff, his glass in hand, looks out sympathetically. He
is unaware that Lisa is standing behind him, and is also
watching this little drama.
LISA
That's what is know as "manless
melancholia."
JEFF
(Nods agreement)
Miss Lonely Hearts. -- At least
that's something you'll never have to
worry about.
LISA
Oh? You can see my apartment all the
way up on 63rd street?
JEFF
Not exactly - but we have a little
apartment here that's probably about
as popular as yours.
(He points)
You, of course, remember Miss Torso.
Both of them swing their eyes a little to the left.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The kitchen-lining room combination of the ballet
dancer's apartment has now been made more presentable.
The ice box is now skillfully concealed by a large
Chinese screen. All kitchen utensils have been put
away, replaced by more attractive effects, and lamp
light softens the surroundings.
REAR WINDOW 34.
Miss Torso is now wearing a cocktail dress, which shows
off her figure to great advantage, especially when she
leans toward tree assorted men to offer them a plate of
hors d' oeuvres. She is the perfect hostess, animated,
charming, and with an added personal touch for each
guest. She is behaving with a sophistication which was
not apparent when we first saw her in the morning. Her
every movement is followed admiringly by the eyes of the
three men - one wearing black tie, with a touch of grey
in his hair, a Long Island socialite - a young rather
handsome, actor in grey flannel suit - and last, a
bright, pleasant, young man who might possibly be from
Wall street, wearing a blue-pin-striped suit. The
latter two are engaged in an animated conversation. The
young man in the grey suit is showing the other young
man some newspaper cuttings he's taken from his pocket.
Miss Torso sees that the cocktail glass of the third man
is empty. She takes it over to the window, and starts
to fill it. The man in the tuxedo follows her over,
with a casual glance toward the other two. He stands
beside her as she makes the drink. He looks at his
watch with some impatience, and makes a side comment to
her as to the lateness of the time. She turns, gives
him a light kiss on his cheek, as if she's telling him
to be patient. Instead of pacifying him, it makes him
more amorous, and he puts an arm around her shoulder an
plants a heavy kiss on her cheek. She turns to face
him, they look into each other's eyes a moment, and she
allows herself to be kissed on the lips - but only long
enough so as to attract the attention of the other two
men. With a little admonishing look, she moves away
from him, and makes him rejoin the other two.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff turns and looks up to Lisa with a grin.
JEFF
Well, she picked the most prosperous
looking one.
LISA
She's not in love with him - or any
of them.
JEFF
How can you tell that - from here?
LISA
You said it resembled my apartment
didn't you?
She moves away with a significant look to him. THE
CAMERA MOVES IN until Jeff is in semi-closeup, alone.
REAR WINDOW 35.
He ponders over her last remark, then changes his look
to another direction.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The newlyweds's apartment has the shades still drawn.
Although there's a light burning inside.
Scene 12 - Watching and Dining
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 6
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
There is a slight, but warm, smile on Jeff's face as he
looks at the drawn shade. His eyes move away from the
newlyweds' apartment, and slowly explore the
neighborhood to his right. He finds something of
interest, and stops to stare at it. His face sobers at
what he sees.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman's apartment. We see both the living room
and the bedroom. The salesman has prepared a dinner
tray, and is carrying it from the kitchen, through the
lining room, into the bedroom. He places it on the lap
of his wife, sitting up in bed. He puts a couple of
pillows behind her back to make her more comfortable.
She doesn't bother to thank him, but is busy examining
the content of the tray. Her attitude shows her
dissatisfaction. Nothing is right. It's not what she
wanted, and it's badly prepared. She begins criticizing
him. He starts to answer her back, but decides better
of it, and instead, leaves the room. He goes to the
kitchen reaches up to a wall cabinet, takes down a
bottle and pours himself a drink. Then he returns to
the lining room, listens a moment. The wife is grudging
beginning to eat the dinner. The husband quietly lifts
a phone from the cradle, and dials a number.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff becomes completely absorbed with he sees. He leans
forward a little.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
We get a better view of the salesman waiting while his
connection is being made. Whoever he has called
answers. And instantly there is a marked change in his
attitude. He relaxes, smiles, is warm. Ha talks
softly, perhaps guardedly, with an occasional glance at
the bedroom door. In the bedroom, his wife has become
aware of the call.
REAR WINDOW 36.
Quietly she moves the tray, gets out of bed, and goes to
the bedroom door to listen. The wall hides her from our
view.
Then suddenly, she apparently opens the door, because
the living room, we see her arm suddenly appear,
pointing at the man and the telephone. He speaks
quickly into the phone, and hangs up. His face is
flushed and angry as he goes toward the bedroom. In the
bedroom his wife appears walking back to the bed,
followed by the husband. She is laughing, and he is
answering her in angry tones. She climbs in bed
laughing. The more she laughs, the more angry he gets,
and the harder she laughs. Finally, he leaves the room,
goes into the living room, back into the kitchen and has
another drink. He stands there, controlling an outburst
of emotion, and seems almost to be crushing the shot
glass in his clenched fist.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
While Jeff has been engaged in watching this little
drama, the SOUND of a piano has started. He now diverts
his attention from the salesman's apartment to the
source of the piano music. He turns his eyes in the
direction of the composer's apartment.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Through the studio window of the song-writer's apartment
we see the man at work again on his original melody, and
he is farther along the line of the melody than before.
It is beginning to take some shape, and give promise of
tis full beauty.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff, listening to the composer. His head turns as
Lisa's voice comes over:
LISA
(Emerging from kitchen)
Where's that music coming from?
THE CAMERA QUICKLY PULL BACK as Jeff swings his chair
around. Lisa is emerging from the kitchen, carrying the
serving dish of their lobster thermidor.
JEFF
Oh... some songwriter. In the studio
apartment. Lives alone. Probably
had an unhappy marriage.
REAR WINDOW 37.
LISA
(Putting down the food)
I think it's enchanting.
She pulls up a chair and seats herself at the card
table. We now observe that tow small lit candles adorn
the table, and the rest of the room lights are out.
LISA
Almost as if it were being written
especially for us.
JEFF
(Pleasantly)
No wonder he's having so much trouble
with is.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
A faint shade of disappointment is seen on Lisa's face;
but she quickly recovers and looks down at the table.
LISA
Well, at least you can't say the
dinner isn't right.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff looks at her soberly.
JEFF
Lisa, it's perfect
(Looks down at the food,
without enthusiasm)
As always.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
The brightness drains from Lisa's face, and she lowers
her eyes slowly toward the table.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa slowly helping Jeff to lobster from the main dish.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
REAR WINDOW 38.
Scene 13 - A heated argument about lifestyles
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Shooting over Jeff's shoulder we see beyond him the
divan-bed upon which Lisa is stretched out. There is
one light burning, behind Lisa's head. A fierce
discussion is in progress. Lisa gesticulates with her
hands, body and legs.
LISA
There can't be that much difference
between people and the way they live!
We all eat, talk, drink., laugh,
sleep, wear clothes --
Jeff raises both his hands.
JEFF
Well now, look --
Lisa draws back one leg, and points a finger
challengingly.
LISA
If you're saying all this just
because you don't want to tell me the
truth, because you're hiding
something from me, then maybe I can
understand --
JEFF
There's nothing I'm hiding. It's
just that --
LISA
(Won't let him break in)
It doesn't make sense to me. What's
so different about if here from over
there, or any place you go, that one
person couldn't live in both places
just as easily?
JEFF
Some people can. Now if you'll let
me explain --
LISA
(Ignores him)
What is it but travelling from one
place to another, taking pictures?
It's just like being a tourist on an
endless vacation.
JEFF
All right. That's your opinion.
You're entitled to it, but --
REAR WINDOW 39.
LISA
It's ridiculous for you to say that
it can only be done by a special,
private little group of anointed
people.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff begin to get desperate.
JEFF
I made a simple, but true statement
and I'll back it up, if you'll just
shut up for a minute!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa, stretched out on the divan. She looks at him for
a moment without speaking. Then:
LISA
If your opinion is as rude as your
manner, I'm not sure I want to hear
it.
We see Jeff's hand coming to the foreground with a
restraining gesture.
JEFF
(Soothing her)
Lisa, simmer down - will you?
LISA
(Something starts her up
again)
You can't fit in here -- I can't fit
in there. According to you, people
should be born, live an die on the
same --
JEFF
(Loud, sharp)
Lisa! Shut up!
Lisa turns on her side, and stares into the room,
angrily.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
After a moment of silence, Jeff says earnestly:
JEFF
Did you ever eat fish heads and rice?
REAR WINDOW 40.
LISA
Of course not.
JEFF
You might have to, if you went with
me. -- Ever try to keep warm in a C-
54, at fifteen thousand feet, at
twenty below zero?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa, still looking out into the room, and without
turning, says:
LISA
Oh, I do that all the time. Whenever
I have a few minutes after lunch.
JEFF
Ever get shot at, run over,
sandbagged at night because people
got unfavorable publicity from your
camera?
She doesn't answer, obviously annoyed at the unnecessary
questions.
JEFF
Those high hells would be a lot of
use in the jungle - and those nylons
and six-ounce lingerie --
LISA
(Quickly)
Three.
JEFF
Well, they'd be very stylish in
Finland - just before you froze to
death. Begin to get the idea?
She turns at last, and looks across at him.
LISA
If there's one thing I know, it's how
to wear the proper clothes.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
SHOOTING OVER LISA'S SHOULDER, and down her body, with
Jeff in the chair beyond. Jeff says, as if remembering
some old experience:
REAR WINDOW 41.
JEFF
Huh? Try and find a raincoat in
Brazil. Even when it isn't raining
(Squints at her)
Lisa, on this job you carry one
suitcase. Your home is the available
transportation. You sleep rarely
bathe even less, and sometime the
food you even look at when they were
alive!
LISA
Jeff, you don't have to be
deliberately repulsive just to
impress me I'm wrong.
JEFF
If anything, I'm making it sound good.
(A thoughtful pause)
Let's face it, Lisa...you aren't made
for that kind of a life. Few people
are.
Scene 14 - The Break-Up
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 8
Lisa realizes she is getting nowhere.
LISA
You're too stubborn to argue with.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff, getting angry.
JEFF
I'm not stubborn! I'm truthful!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Lisa, with sarcasm.
LISA
I know. A lesser men would have told
me it was one long holiday -- and I
would have awakened to a rude
disillusionment.
REAR WINDOW 42.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff is definitely angry.
JEFF
Now if you want to get vicious, I'd
be very happy to accommodate you!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Lisa starts to rise from the divan, THE CAMERA PANNING
UP. She moves away from THE CAMERA into the center of
the room, as she says:
LISA
(Wearily)
No - I don't particularly want that.
(She turns, faces him)
So that's it. You won't stay here -
I can't go with you.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff looks across at her with some concern.
JEFF
It would be the wrong thing.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa, from Jeff's viewpoint.
LISA
You don't think either one of us
could ever change?
JEFF
Right now, it doesn't seem so.
Lisa begins to move around the room assembling her
possessions preparatory to leaving. She puts a comb,
and other effects, into a handbag. She gets her stole.
All this as she talks.
LISA
(Simply)
I'm in love with you. I don't care
what you do for a living. Somehow I
would just like to be part of it.
REAR WINDOW 43.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff starts to say something then thinks better of it,
and remains silent.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa pauses in the act of gathering her things together.
LISA
And it's deflating to find out that
the only way I can be part of it - is
to take out a subscription to your
magazine. -- I guess I'm not the girl
I thought I was.
JEFF
There's nothing wrong with you, Lisa.
You have the town in the palm of your
hand.
LISA
(Looks at Jeff)
Not quite - it seems.
(Tosses a stole over her
shoulder)
Goodbye, Jeff.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
JEFF
You mean "goodnight."
LISA
I mean what I said.
Jeff's eyes follow her up the steps toward the door. He
calls out to her, impulsively, as we HEAR the SOUND of
the door opening.
JEFF
Lisa!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa turns in the half-opened door.
JEFF
Can't we just sort of keep things
status quo?
LISA
Without any future?
REAR WINDOW 44.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI LONG SHOT
Jeff tries to be pleasant, and offhand.
JEFF
Well - when'll I see you again?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Lisa, standing in the open doorway.
LISA
Not for a long time. Not, at least
until --
(She begins smiling)
-- tomorrow night.
Continues smiling as she close the door softly behind
her.
Scene 15 - Nocturnal Activities
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
The pleasantness on Jeff's face slowly melts into
baffled discouragement. He reaches for a nearby phone
picks up the receiver, dials. It buzzes on filter.
Receiver up on filter.
GUNNISON
(Filter)
Hello.
JEFF
Gunnison?
GUNNISON
Yeah. Is that you, Jeff?
JEFF
It's me.
GUNNISON
Something wrong?
JEFF
The word is "everything." Now what
time does my plane leave Tuesday?
GUNNISON
(Unhappy)
Jeff ---
REAR WINDOW 45.
JEFF
(Won't give him time to
argue)
I don't care where it goes - just as
long as I'm on it.
GUNNISON
(Wearily, after pause)
Okay. Indo-China. Tuesday. We'll
pick you up.
JEFF
That's more like it. Goodnight, old
buddy.
GUNNISON
Yeah.
Jeff hangs up, looks up to the door through which Lisa
left. He's not particularly happy.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff returns to the window. He lights a cigarette and
smokes it peacefully, as he contemplates the
neighborhood.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The CAMERA slowly sweeps over the various apartments
with an odd window lit here and there. In the distant
street there is still some traffic passing, with one or
two pedestrians going by. THE CAMERA completes its
sweep, and starts to move back again. Somewhere a dog
howls. The PANNING CAMERA comes to a sudden halt.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff smiles a little, but as the howl continues, his
expressions sobers. His eyes begin to scan the
neighborhood, as if looking for the source. He fails to
find it, and sits there, puzzled and disturbed. The
scene, and the sound of the dog:
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff's chair is turned facing the window so that we see
the darkened room behind him. There is just one side
light burning, which illuminates the side of his face.
REAR WINDOW 46.
His head nods sleepily as he dozes. He opens his eyes
and looks out, as a slight sound of rain starts.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - LONG SHOT
From his viewpoint we see the first few drops of rain
starting to fall. It is sort, gentle rain, not a
downpour. There are still some windows lit in the
neighborhood. The apartment house corridors all have
small night lights burning.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff wakens a little more fully as his attentions is
drawn to:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
The couple who sleep on the fire escape. The increasing
rain cause them to hastily gather their things to
retreat inside. The man, hurriedly untying the alarm
clock from the railing of the fire escape, lets it slip
through his fingers. As if falls to the garden below,
the CAMERA FANS SWIFTLY down with it. When the clock
hits the ground, the alarm goes off sending a shrill
sound through the neighborhood.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff smiles at the incident, and then lowers his eyes
slightly as something else catches his attention.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Coming out of his apartment into the corridor on the
floor below is the salesman with the nagging wife. The
shades are drawn in his apartment, but a light burns
dimly behind them. The salesman carries a large
aluminum suitcase - the same one we saw him with earlier
in the day. The sound of the alarm startles him. He
turns toward the window a moment listening. Then
reassured that is is nothing important, he turns and
moves down the corridor.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff is puzzled. He looks down a moment in thought.
Then he forts his eyes and swings them toward the left.
He looks steadily toward the distant street corner.
REAR WINDOW 47.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The street corner, lighted by a lamp, is deserted. A
moment later, the salesman, still carrying the suitcase,
moves diagonally across the corner, head down against
the rain.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff looks wonderingly at this nocturnal activity. Then
he looks down at his wristwatch.
INSERT
Jeff's watch reads 1:55.
QUICK FADE OUT:
QUICK FADE IN:
INSERT
The watch now reads 2:35.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
More puzzled, allows his eyes to travel from the street
to the apartment corridor.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
The salesman is see coming down the corridor to his
apartment, still carrying the aluminum case. He quickly
enters his apartment door in a business-like manner.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff starts to assume a thoughtful air, when he is
startled by a light which falls across his face from the
right. He looks toward the light.
Scene 16 - Observations in the Night
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
The light comes from the song-writer's apartment. His
door is open, and he is hanging onto the door frame, his
hand still on the light switch. He surveys his
apartment. He appears rather drunk. He comes into the
apartment, closes the door behind him, and sways a
little. He wears a hat, pushed back on his forehead,
and no raincoat. His clothes are quite wet. He might
have even fallen.
REAR WINDOW 48.
He looks disgustedly at the piano, then lurches toward
it. There is no doubt now as the state of his
drunkenness. At the piano he viciously sweeps all the
note paper off the music stand. This seems to give him
some satisfaction, but he loses his balance, twists
sideway, and fall into a nearby chair. He remains
there, bleary-eyed and a little sick.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
What he has observed seems to give Jeff an idea. He
moves his wheelchair backward and to the lift alongside
the side board. Awkwardly, with his left hand, he
reaches up for a bottle of whiskey. He cradles the
bottle in his lap, and reaches for a tumbler. He then
wheels back to the window, and pours himself a good,
long drink. He lifts up the glass, starts to drink, but
something happening beyond his window startles him and
he stops in the middle of his drink, his eyes a little
wider then usual.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman is again leaving his apartment with his
aluminum suitcase.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes travel down to the street.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
A brief moment or two. Then the salesman, carrying his
aluminum case, crosses the street.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff's face is expressionless. He just stares.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff's head is nodding and dozing again. The side light
from the song-writer's apartment is no longer on his
face. Jeff's eyes open, then his head comes up quickly,
trying to clear the sleep from his mind, as he remembers
the object of his vigilance.
REAR WINDOW 49.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The salesman's apartment shows the shades drawn and a
dim light burning behind them. The CAMERA PANS to the
empty corridor.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes turn sharply in the direction of the street.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The street is deserted. At the right hand side of the
screen a light goes on. THE CAMERA PANS OVER and we see
that Miss Torso has returned from her date. She is
wearing a three-quarter length coat over her evening
dress. She is inside, with the door two-thirds closes,
but she leans out to kiss someone goodnight. Then is
takes some coaxing to get the door completely closed.
She turns the key in the lock. She listens a moment
then comes to the center of the room. She takes her
coat off and drapes it over chair. She removes the
screen in front of the ice box, then opens the ice box.
She searches it for something to eat; finds a big piece
of pumpkin pie. She closes the ice box. She starts to
eat the pie as she moves in the direction of the
bathroom. Stopping a moment, she puts the piece of pie
on a table, and proceeds to take off her dress. Undoing
the zippers, she slides it over her head as she passes
into the bathroom. The dress is thrown on a nearby
chair, and the bare arm picks up a piece of pie. She is
now in the bathroom. We see her slip down the brassiere
straps, but the window does not permit us to see any
lower. As she munches on the pie, she pulls out a few
holding up her hair, which she proceeds to brush
rhythmically. She turns and moves down her bare back.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes suddenly switch to the street.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI LONG SHOT
We catch a quick glimpse of the salesman, just passing
the alleyway, suitcase in hand. The CAMERA PANS across
the ballet dancer's apartment, over to the salesman's
apartment. It waits, until he appears in the corridor.
He enters his apartment.
REAR WINDOW 50.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff sits in his wheelchair, looking quietly out at the
neighborhood, sleep beginning to take hold on him again.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - LONG SHOT
THE CAMERA PANS slightly over the whole of the
neighborhood. The lights in Miss Torso's apartment snap
out. Only one light remains. It burns behind the drawn
shades of the salesman's apartment.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAWN - CLOSEUP
A big head of Jeff. He is still in his wheelchair,
sound asleep. The CAMERA PANS off his face, out through
the window. The rain has stopped, and the general light
of dawn is coming up. The CAMERA COMES TO REST on the
salesman's apartment and corridor, which is still dimly
lit by the electric lights. We see the salesman emerge
into the corridor, pause a moment to allow a woman to
proceed him. Her back is to the CAMERA and we do not
see her face. They move away, down the corridor. The
CAMERA PANS BACK into Jeff's sleeping face.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - LONG SHOT
It is now mid-morning. The sun is shining. Miss Torso
is practicing her dance to the sound of ballet music.
We can hear the song-writer at work, but the thing that
attracts our attention mostly, is some action that
emanates from the fire escape where the couple sleep at
night. On a long rope, the woman is lowering an open
wicker basket in which sits a small dot. When is
reaches the yard below, the CAMERA PANNING DOWN, the
dog steps out and runs off to explore the yard. The
woman pulls up the basket, and leaves it on the fire
escape. The CAMERA PULL BACK into Jeff's apartment
where Stella is busy massaging Jeff's back at he lies
face down on the divan.
STELLA
You'd think the rain would have
cooled things off. All it did was
make the heat wet.
Stella hits a sore muscle in Jeff's back. He jumps.
REAR WINDOW 51.
JEFF
That's a stiff one.
Scene 17 - Jeff and Stella Observe the Suspicious Salesman
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 8
A low camera has Jeff's head on the foreground, with
Stella just behind him, at work on his back. She
attacks the sore muscle vigorously.
STELLA
The insurance Company would be a lot
happier if you slept in your bed, not
the wheelchair.
JEFF
(Between clenched teeth)
How did you know!
STELLA
Eyes bloodshot. Must have been
staring out the window for hours.
JEFF
I was.
STELLA
(Massaging harder)
What'll you do if one of them catches
you?
JEFF
Depends one which one.
She stops massaging, reaches for the oil.
JEFF
Now Miss Torso, for example --
Stella hits his back with a palmful of cold oil. It
takes his breath.
STELLA
Keep your mind off her.
JEFF
She's real eat, drink and be merry
girl.
STELLA
And she'll end up fat, alcoholic and
miserable.
JEFF
Speaking of misery, Miss Lonely
Hearts drank herself to sleep again.
REAR WINDOW 52.
JEFF (cont'd)
Alone.
STELLA
Poor girl. Someday she'll find her
happiness.
JEFF
And some man will lose his.
STELLA
Isn't there anyone in the
neighborhood who might cast an eye in
her direction?
JEFF
Well, the salesman could be available
soon.
STELLA
(Interested in the scandal)
He and his wife splitting up?
JEFF
It's hard to figure. He went out
several time last night, in the rain
carrying his sample case.
STELLA
(So?)
Isn't he a salesman?
JEFF
Now what could he sell at three in
the morning?
STELLA
(Shrugs)
Flashlights. Luminous dials for
watches. House numbers that light up.
JEFF
He was taking something out of the
apartment. I'm certain.
She helps him to a sitting position.
STELLA
His personal effects. He's probably
running away - the coward.
JEFF
Sometimes it's worse to stay than it
is to run.
REAR WINDOW 53.
STELLA
(Looks at him)
But it takes a particularly low type
of man to do it.
Jeff turns his head away for a moment. She helps him
into the chair. Hands him his shirt, which he proceeds
to put on. The back of his chair is to the window.
STELLA
(Putting oil and power away)
What about this morning? Any
developments?
JEFF
No. The shades are still drawn in
their apartment.
STELLA
(stops)
In this heat?
(Turns, looks over his
shoulder)
They're up now.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
He quickly turns his wheelchair around to the window
until he is in profile.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman, having just raised the shades in the
living room, is now looking out the window. It is not
a casual look, but a long, careful, searching appraisal
of all the apartment house windows in his neighborhood,
starting from his left to his right. His eyes move
closer toward Jeff's apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff in his chair, facing the window, Stella beside
him. Jeff nearly knocks the startled Stella off her
feet with his arm.
JEFF
Get back! Out of sight! Quick!
He propels his chair backward quickly, and Stella moves
to the side with surprising agility. They are both in
shadow.
REAR WINDOW 54.
STELLA
(A startled whisper)
What is it? What's the matter?
Jeff keeps his eyes trained on the window.
JEFF
(Quietly)
The salesman's looking out his window.
Stella relaxes, gives Jeff a disgusted look, and starts
to move out of the shadows.
STELLA
A Federal offense.
JEFF
(Sharply)
Get back there! He'll see you!
She moves back into the shadows.
STELLA
I'm not shy. I've been looked at
before.
JEFF
(Still peering toward
window)
It's not an ordinary look. It's the
kind of look a man gives when he's
afraid somebody might be watching him.
Scene 18 - Salesman's Suspicious Actions
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
The salesman completes his searching glance at the
neighborhood. Then something directly below his window
catches his attention. He looks sharply downward, his
body visibly tensing.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff, with a restraining hand to Stella, begins to edge
his chair cautiously forward so that he can see what the
salesman is looking at.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
THE CAMERA MOVES FORWARD, and as it reaches the edge of
the window, PANS DOWN and shows us what the salesman is
looking at. The little dog that was lowered in the
basket is sniffing at the salesman's personal flower bed.
REAR WINDOW 55.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes move up quickly to look at the salesman.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (DAY)
The salesman leans forward and grips the window sill as
he watches the dog. The CAMERA PANS DOWN and we now see
that the old lady with the hearing aid is leaning over
the fence admonishing the dog. We can faintly hear her
voice saying something to the effect that he'll get into
trouble. The dog turns to glance at her and apparently
taking heed, moves away. The old lady is wearing a
faded house-robe.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSEUP - (DAY)
Jeff is amused at the dog incident. Behind him, Stella
moves to the center of the room, saying:
STELLA
Goodbye, Mr. Jefferies. I'll see you
tomorrow.
JEFF
(Grunts)
Uh-huh.
She begins putting her equipment back into her black
bag. Jeff's eyes lift to the salesman's apartment, and
the amusement drains from his face. He leans forward a
little, tensely.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (DAY)
The salesman has his aluminum case on the table near the
center of the room. He is carefully wiping out the
interior with dust cloth.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SEMI-CLOSEUP - (DAY)
Jeff watching intently. Stella putting the last of her
things into her bag.
STELLA
And don't sleep in the chair again.
Jeff continues to what the salesman, his face showing a
great concentration of thought.
JEFF
Uh-huh.
REAR WINDOW 56.
Stella picks up her bag, stares at Jeff's back a moment,
then starts for the door.
STELLA
Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Great
conversationalist.
Jeff swings half-way around in his chair just as Stella
reaches the top of the steps.
JEFF
Stella
She turns around. Jeff points to a coat-stand near the
door.
JEFF
(Goes on quickly)
Will you take those binoculars out of
the case and bring them to me.
She puts down her bag, reaches for the binoculars, takes
them out the case. She comes down the stairs, brings
them to him. He immediately swings to the window, and
lifts them to his eyes. Stella sniffs, then goes to the
door, as she says:
STELLA
Trouble. I cam smell it. I'll be
glad when they crack that cast, and
I get out of here.
As Stella goes out the door, the CAMERA MOVES IN until
Jeff's head, and the binoculars, are filling the screen.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (DAY)
The salesman has completed his cleaning of the case. He
is in the act of placing it on the floor. He turns and
again glances out of the window.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSEUP - (DAY)
Jeff quickly lowers the binoculars and edges back a few
inches. He watches a moment, then cautiously lifts the
binoculars again.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (DAY)
The man is now moving out of the living room, and the
binoculars PAN him though to the small kitchen which is
seen through a side window.
REAR WINDOW 57.
The man starts to busy himself in this kitchen with his
back to us, but the image is very unsatisfactory.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the binoculars and there is an expression of
exasperation on his face. He throws the binoculars
down, and then looks about him. He backs his chair up
quickly toward the main cabinet on his left. He leans
down, opens a cupboard door and takes out a long-focus
lens. Then from a shelf above he takes a small Exacta
camera. He quickly take off the existing lens and puts
on the telephoto lens in its place. He wheels himself
back to the window and raises the camera to his eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - CLOSE SHOT
Through the view-finder of the camera, we are now
brought into close proximity with the salesman in his
little kitchen. His back is still to us. He half-turns
and takes a used newspaper. He spreads it open, along
the drainboard. From the sink he takes out a large
butcher's knife, and a long, narrow saw. They disappear
from sight as he lays them on the newspaper and proceeds
to wrap them up. Having completed his job, he emerges
from the kitchen carrying the newspaper-wrapped parcel.
For a moment he is lost behind the wall that separates
the kitchen recess from the living room. He does not
reappear for a moment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the camera for a moment, and watches
tensely. Suddenly he puts it up to his eye again.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - CLOSE SHOT
Half of a man's body is now seen in the living room.
Then the salesman turns and moves to the center of the
room. He is not carrying anything. He sits down on a
couch, with a display of fatigue. He yawns and
stretches out of sight at full length on the couch.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DAY - CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the camera. He watches the living room for
a moment. Then his eye travel briefly back to the
kitchen; then return to the living room. His brow knits
a little as we:
FADE OUT
REAR WINDOW 58.
FADE IN:
Scene 19 - Observing Suspicion
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 8
The thermometer outside of Jeff's window, registering 83
degrees. The CAMERA PANS OFF to the left until it comes
to rest on the song-writer's studio. He is dressed only
in bathing trunks, and is vigorously cleaning his rug
with a carpet sweeper. In the middle of his sweeping,
he stops, hurries a step or two to the piano. He plays
a couple of notes with one hand, while he stands.
Listens, plays them again. Decides they are no good,
and returns to his carpet sweeping.
THE CAMERA PANS FARTHER LEFT to the salesman's
apartment. There are no lights burning behind the drawn
shade of the bedroom, but the living room and the
kitchen are lighted. There is no sign of the salesman.
THE CAMERA CONTINUES ITS PAN to the left, to include the
couple who sleep on the fire escape in the hot weather.
We now get an opportunity to examine these people more
closely. The man is balding, and middle-aged. He is
wearing striped pajamas. He is in the act of laying out
the mattress. His wife is slightly younger, peroxided,
faded show girl type. Also wearing pajamas, with a
fluffy handkerchief in the left pocket, the wife is
leaning over the railing holding onto the rope which
leads to the dog's basket now on the floor of the
courtyard. Having been a one-time siffleuse, her call
to the dog is clarion and melodic.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The little dog emerges reluctantly from the shadows, and
steps into the basket. It begins to move upward, and
THE CAMERA FOLLOWS it. When the basket reaches the fire
escape, THE CAMERA PANS ON to the apartment of Miss
Torso. She is in the bathroom brushing her long hair,
while she thoughts seem to be far away.
THE CAMERA DROPS DOWN to the apartment below, occupied
by the elderly lady with the hearing aid. For the first
time we see something of her activities inside the
apartment. She wears a short smock, although her legs
are still bare. She is hard at work on a piece of
abstract sculpture. It takes the form of a piece of
mahogany through which a simple hole has been carved.
THE CAMERA MOVES ON much farther to the left, and
eventually comes to rest on the newly-weds' apartment
with the shade still drawn.
It MOVES ON and at last passes though Jeff's window, and
comes to rest on the two bid heads of Jeff and Lisa.
REAR WINDOW 59.
Her lips are brushing lightly against his cheek as she
speaks:
LISA
How far does a girl have to go -
before you notice her?
Jeff moves his eyes slightly to something outside the
window.
JEFF
If she's pretty enough, she doesn't
have to go anywhere. She just has to
"be".
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The salesman's apartment, just as we saw it a moment
ago. The shades drawn and lights out in the bedroom,
the shade up and lights on in the living room and
kitchen. Still no one in sight.
LISA
Well, "ain't I?" -- Pay attention to
me.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - TWO SHOT
We are now able to see that Jeff's apartment is in
darkness, only faintly lit from the distant light of the
neighbors' window. By her position, Lisa is seated on
Jeff's sound knee, her arms around his neck.
JEFF
I'm not exactly on the other side of
the room.
LISA
Your mind is. And when I want a man,
I want all of him.
She starts kissing him.
JEFF
Don't you ever have any problems?
LISA
(Murmurs, kissing him)
I have one now.
JEFF
So do I.
REAR WINDOW 60.
LISA
(Kissing)
Tell me about it.
JEFF
(Slight pause)
Why would a man leave his apartment
three times, on a rainy night, with
a suitcase? And come back three
times?
LISA
He likes the way his wife welcomes
him home.
JEFF
Not that salesman's wife. And why
didn't he go to work today?
LISA
Homework. It's more interesting.
JEFF
What's interesting about a butcher's
knife and a small saw wrapped up in
a newspaper?
LISA
Nothing, thank heaven.
JEFF
(Looking again)
Why hasn't he gone into his wife's
bedroom all day?
LISA
I wouldn't dare answer that.
JEFF
(After pause)
Lisa - there's something terribly
wrong.
She gives up trying to interest him in romance, and
moves back from the embrace. THE CAMERA PULL BACK.
LISA
And I'm afraid it's with me.
Lisa stands, straightens out her dress, stretches a
little then she turns to the divan, apparently not too
interested in his observation about the salesman's life.
JEFF
(Looks at Lisa)
What do you think?
REAR WINDOW 61.
LISA
(Without returning his look)
Something too frightful to utter.
Jeff is thoughtful for a moment, then he relaxes and
smiles a little. He turns to the window to look out
again. Lisa exits the picture.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa stretches herself out on the divan. Her head rest
on the cushion at the far end, and she instinctively
falls into an attractive pose. However, her expression
is disturbed as she watches Jeff.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
He stares intently out the window.
JEFF
He went out a few minutes ago - in
his undershirt - and he hasn't come
back yet.
Scene 20 - The Suspicious Salesman
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 7
Lisa weighs this information, trying to make some sense
out of it.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff turns his eyes from the salesman's apartment, and
looks down reflectively. He looks up again, and then
his eyes catches sight of something. He leans forward
slightly.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso is lying, face down, on her divan bed. The
only light in the apartment is from a reading lamp. She
is reading a book held in one hand, while eating a
sandwich in another.
Her back is bare, and all she wears is a pair of brief
dark blue shorts. At one point, she lifts her torso up
slightly to brush crumbs out from beneath her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
He looks away from Miss Torso, thoughtfully.
REAR WINDOW 62.
JEFF
You know - that would be terrible job
to tackle.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Lisa leans forward and looks out the window to see what
Jeff is referring to. She turns back to him with a
blank stare.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff turns and looks at her, quite unaware of her
surprise at his comment.
JEFF
How would you begin to cut up a human
body?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa sits bolt upright on the divan. She reaches back
quickly and pulls on the overhead light. At that moment
the song writer returns to his composing. We can see
him over Lisa's shoulder. He is beginning his song
again, and it has taken on new fullness and melody.
Although it is not complete, it is farther along then
before, and he plays his theme a number of different
ways, trying to move it note by note to its completion.
Lisa just stares at Jeff for a moment.
LISA
Jeff - I'll be honest with you --
you're beginning to scare me a little.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff is staring out of the window again. Over this we
hear Lisa's voice:
LISA
(Quietly insistent)
Jeff - did you hear what I said?
You're beginning to --
Jeff puts out a restraining hand.
JEFF
(Interrupting)
Be quiet! Shhh!
(Pause)
He's coming back!
REAR WINDOW 63.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
At last the salesman is seen coming along the corridor.
He does not wear shirt, but only an undershirt. Slung
over one shoulder, with his arm through is, is a large
coil of sturdy rope. He goes through the living room
into the bedroom. He does not put the bedroom lights.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff reaches quickly for his binoculars, and trains them
on the salesman's apartment.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
As seen though the binoculars, the salesman comes out of
the bedroom, to the kitchen, where he gets a carving
knife. He turns around and goes back to the bedroom.
The lights go on behind the draw shades, after a short
moment. The dim shadow of the salesman is seen moving
around the room.
Scene 21 - Jeff's Paranoia Deepens
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 6
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 8
Lisa, still stretched out on the divan looking at Jeff,
suddenly sits upright and then getting up from the
divan, mover over to Jeff, THE CAMERA GOING WITH her.
In a sudden surprise move, she swings his chair
completely around so that his back is to the window. He
drops the binoculars into his lap in surprise. THE
CAMERA MOVES IN as Lisa leans over Jeff, gripping both
sides of his chair
LISA
(sharply)
Jeff - if you could only see yourself.
JEFF
Now, Lisa --
LISA
(Abruptly)
Sitting around, looking out a window
to kill time, is one thing -- but
doing it the way you are --
(She gestures)
-- with, with binoculars, and with
wild opinions about every little
movement you see - is, is diseased!
JEFF
Do you think I consider this
recreation?
REAR WINDOW 64.
LISA
I don't know what you consider it -
but if you don't stop it, I'm getting
out of here.
JEFF
You'd better before you catch the
disease!
LISA
(Insistent)
What is it you're looking for?
JEFF
I want to find out what's wrong with
the salesman's wife. Does that make
me sound like a madman?
LISA
What makes you think something's
wrong with her?
LISA
A lot of things. She's an invalid
who needs constant care - and yet the
husband nor anyone else has been in
there all day.
LISA
Maybe she died.
JEFF
Where's the doctor - the undertakers?
LISA
She could be under sedatives,
sleeping.
(Looks up)
He's in the room now.
Jeff tries to turn around, but she won't let the chair
move.
JEFF
Lisa, please!
LISA
There's nothing to see.
JEFF
There is - I've seen things through
that window! Bickering, family
fights, mysterious trips at night,
knives, saws, rope - and since last
evening, not a sight or sound of his
wife!
REAR WINDOW 65.
JEFF (cont'd)
Now you tell me where she is and what
she's doing!
LISA
Maybe he's leaving his wife. I don't
know, and I don't care. Lots of
people have saws, knives and robs
around their houses. Lots of men
don't speak to their wives all day.
Lots of wives nag, and men hate them,
and trouble stars - but very, very,
very few of them end up in murder -
if that's what you're thinking.
JEFF
It's pretty hard to stay away from
that word isn't is?
LISA
You could see all the things he did,
couldn't you?
JEFF
What are you getting at?
LISA
You could see that he did because he
had the shades in his apartment up,
and walked along the corridor, and
the streets and the backyard?
JEFF
Yeah.
LISA
Jeff, do you think a murderer would
let you see all that? That he
shouldn't keep his shades down and
hide behind them?
JEFF
That's where he's being clever.
Acting nonchalant.
LISA
And that's where you're not being
clever. He wouldn't parade his crime
in front of the open shades.
She turns the wheelchair slightly to her left so that he
can see the newlyweds' apartment.
REAR WINDOW 66.
LISA
(Pointing)
For all you know - there's something
a lot more sinister going on behind
those shades.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The drawn shades of the newlyweds' apartment. A dim
light burning behind them.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff looks, turns back to her, trying to suppress a
chuckle.
JEFF
No comment.
LISA
Don't you see how silly you're being?
JEFF
Okay, Lisa - probably you're right.
He's probably in the bedroom now,
entertaining his wife with the indian
rope trick. I'll admit to criminal
insanity. Now when do I start the
cure?
Lisa hal looked up and out the window. She opens her
mouth to answer, but a new look overtakes her face. It
is concern, surprise, and a little shock. Jeff sees the
change, is sobered, and quickly turns the chair around.
He looks out the window, using his binoculars.
Scene 22 - Jeff and Lisa Gather Information
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 10
The shades in the bedroom are now up. Both beds are
empty, and stripped of their linen, the mattresses
thrown up over the end of the beds. The salesman,
sweating heavily, stands over a large, square trunk in
the center of the room. It is stoutly bound by the
heavy rope we previously saw him bring into the
apartment. He wipes one forearm across his brow, and
then heads for the kitchen. In the kitchen, he produces
a bottle, pours himself two or three straight drinks,
then leans with a display of exhaustion against the
kitchen sink.
REAR WINDOW 67.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff lowers the glasses. His look is sober. Lisa
stands behind him, one hand on the back of the
wheelchair. She, too, is serious. THE CAMERA MOVES IN
until Lisa's head fills the screen. She says, slowly:
LISA
Let's start from the beginning again,
Jeff. Tell me everything you saw --
and what you think it means.
She is still staring out the window, as the scene
FADES OUT
FADE IN:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff is seated in the dark, his face lit by the faint
glow from the distant street. He is looking out of the
window tensely, as THE CAMERA MOVES IN, until he is in
big profile.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - LONG SHOT
From Jeff's viewpoint, all the windows are dark. The
couple are sleeping on the fire escape. The salesman's
apartment is dark as well. Suddenly a match flares, and
we see the salesman light a cigar. The flame of the
match illuminates his face for a moment. When is dies
out, we see just the glow of the cigar burning.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
The CAMERA is now facing Jeff. We see that his left
hand rests on the telephone receiver which is close to
him. The phone starts to RING, but makes only the
slightest sound, as he instantly picks it up. As he
talks, in a low voice, he keeps his eyes on the
salesman's apartment.
JEFF
Yeah?
INT. PHONE BOOTH - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
We get an impression of Sixth Avenue behind Lisa at the
phone. Lisa also talks in a low, quiet voice.
REAR WINDOW 68.
LISA
The name on the second floor rear
mailbox reads Mr. And Mrs. Lars,
that's L-A-R-S, Lars Thorwald.
JEFF
(Filter)
What's the apartment house number?
LISA
125 West Ninth Street.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff, still looks toward the salesman's apartment.
JEFF
Thanks, Lisa.
INT. PHONE BOOTH - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Lisa smilingly says:
LISA
Okay, chief. What's my next
assignment.
JEFF
To get on home.
LISA
All right -- but what's he doing now?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff is still looking toward the salesman's apartment.
JEFF
Just sitting in the living room. In
the dark. And he hasn't gone near
the bedroom. Now get some sleep.
Goodnight.
He puts the receiver down, and resumes his vigil.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - LONG SHOT
All we can see is the glow of the salesman's cigar.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
REAR WINDOW 69.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff is seated by the window in his wheelchair. He is
talking on the telephone while his eyes are still on the
neighborhood. There is a touch of urgency in his voice.
JEFF
Look, Coyne -- it's just one of those
things I can't tell you on the phone.
You have to be here, and see the
whole set-up.
The CAMERA PULLS BACK slightly as Stella emerges from
the kitchen. She is carrying a tray with breakfast on
it. Eggs, bacon, toast and coffee.
JEFF
It's probably nothing important --
just a little neighborhood murder.
That's all. -- As a matter of fact,
I did say "murder".
Stella squeezes past the right side of Jeff, and places
the food tray on a windowseat in front of him. She
peers out cautiously toward Thorwald's apartment for a
moment. Then she squeezes back, moving to the sideboard
against which leans a small table on an adjustable stand.
JEFF
My only thought was to throw a little
business your way. A good detective,
I reasoned, wold jump at the chance
to detect.
Stella returns with the table, and sets it up so that it
is across Jess's lap. She gets the tray of food pausing
to look toward Thorwald's apartment. Then she places
the breakfast on the tray table in front of Jeff. He
has move back a little to avoid getting the phone cable
tangled in the food and dishes.
JEFF
Well, I usually took my best pictures
on my day off.
(Nods)
Okay, Coyne -- soon as you can.
Scene 23 - Jeff Becomes Increasingly Paranoid
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 6
He hangs up. Stella takes the phone and puts it down
for him. He looks at the breakfast, reaches for a knife
and fork.
REAR WINDOW 70.
JEFF
Stella, I - I can't tell you what a
welcome sight this is. No wonder
your husband's still in love with you.
STELLA
Police?
JEFF
(Pauses in cutting food)
Huh?
STELLA
You called the police?
JEFF
Oh. Well, yes and no. It wasn't an
official call. He's just a friend.
(Almost to himself)
An old, ornery friend.
He begins eating, appreciatively. She moves behind his
chair, pausing to look toward Thorwald's apartment
again. Jeff is just lifting a piece of bacon to his
lips when Stella speaks.
STELLA
(Half to herself)
Now just where do you suppose he cut
her up?
The hand carrying the bacon to Jeff's mouth hesitates
for a moment.
STELLA
(Answering herself)
Oh - of cause! In the bathtub.
That's the only place he could wash
away the blood.
The hand holding the bacon moves back to the plate.
Jeff just starts ahead. Stella turns and walks into the
kitchen. Jeff pushes the food away, and picks up the
coffee cup instead.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes, over the coffee cup, are staring intently
at the backyard.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment. The shades up. No one moving.
The rope-tied trunk still sits in the bedroom.
REAR WINDOW 71.
To the left we see the casket lowering with the dog in
it. We HEAR the woman WHISTLING an aria.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - CLOSEUP
His eyes stray in an upward direction as he puts down
the coffee cup.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The CAMERA PANS UP past the woman lowering the dog, up
to the roof where one of the sunbathers can be seen
sitting up, rubbing her body with sun tan oil.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - CLOSEUP
Jeff's eyes moves down again. Abstractedly his hand
strays toward the piece of bacon. He picks it up.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment. We are now aware that the sales-
man is now in his living room, lying out of sight on the
sofa, because the smoke from a newly lighted cigar is
starting to ascend toward the ceiling of his room.
Stella's voice is heard calling out from the kitchen:
STELLA'S VOICE
He'd better get that trunk out of
there before is starts to leak.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Again the bacon stops before is reaches Jeff's mouth.
He puts it down on the plate again, as his eyes move
slightly toward the left.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso, in ballet outfit, is hanging up a small wash
on a clothes line. It consists mostly of lingerie. She
is doing her inevitable leg practice at the same time.
THE CAMERA PANS OVER SUDDENLY TO Thorwald's apartment,
and except for the smoke rising from the unseen sofa,
there is no activity.
REAR WINDOW 72.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - CLOSEUP
Jeff seems to be getting a bit listless, or bored, by
constantly watching Thorwald's apartment. His eyes sort
of stray around the neighborhood, and end up looking
toward:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - MEDIUM SHOT
The newlywed's apartment. Shade down, business as usual.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - CLOSEUP
Jeff smiles affectionately, and starts to turn his eyes
away; but something startles him, and he looks quickly
back.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - MEDIUM SHOT
The shade suddenly going up in the newlywed's apartment.
The young husband leans his hands on the windowsill, and
looks out. He is wearing only his pajama bottoms,
because of the heat, and we see that he is a well-
muscled, attractive young man. He looks around with
some satisfaction. He turns at the sound of a woman's
voice behind him.
GIRL'S VOICE
H-a-a-r-r-e-e......
He turns his head, is thoughtful for a brief moment,
then he pulls down the shade.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
His smile almost becomes a private chuckle. Stella's
abrupt voice breaks in urgently:
STELLA'S VOICE
Look! Look - Mr. Jefferies!
Jeff's head snaps toward the center of his window.
Stella has appeared behind his wheelchair.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Two men wearing tan coveralls are standing outside
Thorwald's door. One of them carries a clipboard.
Suddenly Thorwald is seen sitting up on the living room
sofa. His fair is disheveled and he is unshaved. He
stands up, and moves toward the door.
REAR WINDOW 73.
He opens it, and after a short exchange of dialogue, he
admits the two men, leaving the door open behind them.
He leads the two man across the living room to the
bedroom.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Stella and Jeff watching intently. He is feeling down
alongside his wheelchair for his binoculars.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - BINOCULAR SHOT
A close view shows the two man carrying the trunk across
the living room toward the corridor.
Scene 24 - Surveillance and Disappointment
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
Jeff lowers the binoculars quickly.
JEFF
(Agitated)
I thought Coyne would get here before
the trunk went - or I'd have called
the police.
(To Stella)
Now we're going to lose it.
Stella moves toward the door quickly. Jeff turns
quickly over his shoulder to watch her. She is already
going up the steps.
JEFF
Stella, don't do anything reckless!
As Stella goes out the door, she calls back:
STELLA
I'm just going to get the name of
their truck!
JEFF
(Up)
I'll watch the alleyway - in case it
goes that way.
We hear nothing from Stella, but the sound of her heavy
tread down the hallway stairs. Jeff returns to
Thorwald. He eases himself back into the shadows a bit
and then raises his binoculars.
REAR WINDOW 74.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - BINOCULAR SHOT
Jeff concentrates his attention on the alley-way that
leads to the street. Just normal traffic. The
binoculars swing to Thorwald apartment. The salesman is
now at the telephone. He has picked up the receiver,
and proceeds to dial 221.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - CLOSEUP
The binoculars still up to Jeff's face. Under them his
mouth moves, as if he's talking to himself.
JEFF
Long Distance.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - BINOCULAR SHOT
The salesman speaks some words to the operator. Placing
the call. As he does this, he reaches with his other
hand for a nearly bottle, and working the cork out with
one hand, he pours a stiff drink into a tumbler. He
drinks it as soon as he finishes talking with the
operator.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the binoculars a little, and takes a normal
eye sight on the alleyway.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - LONG SHOT
Pulling across to the far side of the street we see the
hood and cab of a freight truck.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff quickly puts the glasses up.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - BINOCULAR SHOT
By the time the binoculars are up, another trucks has
crossed from the left. In momentarily blocks out the
side of our freight truck. By the time the two trucks
part, we can only see the back half of the freight truck
before it pulls out of sight. Jeff is only able to read
the words "FREIGHT LINES". The binoculars are held for
a moment until we see a puffing and blowing Stella
arrive at the opening of the alleyway. She looks toward
the front of Thorwald's apartment house.
REAR WINDOW 75.
And by her attitude we can see that there is no truck
outside. She looks about her for a moment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the binoculars, discouraged.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - LONG SHOT
The figure of Stella is seen, looking up toward Jeff's
apartment, and arms outspread in a helpless gesture.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
Scene 25 - Jeff and Coyne Discuss the Murder Suspicions
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 9
SHOOTING TOWARDS the big window, with the neighborhood
beyond, Jeff is as usual seated in his wheelchair on the
left of the window, but now turned toward a newcomer.
The second man is standing near the divan looking out
the window with the binoculars. This newcomer is POLICE
DETECTIVE LIEUTENANT THOMAS J. COYNE, the man Jeff
phoned earlier in the day. He is an intelligent-
appearing, well-dressed modern detective. He has a
sense of humor. He lowers the glasses, and turns to
Jeff.
COYNE
You didn't see the killing, or the
body? How do you know there was a
murder?
JEFF
Because everything that man's done
has been suspicious. Trips at night
in the rain, saws, knives, trunks
with rope, and a wife that isn't
there any more.
COYNE
I'll admit it all has a mysterious
sound -- but is could mean a number
of different things. Murder is the
least likely.
JEFF
Go ahead, Coyne -- tell me he's an
unemployed magician -- amusing the
neighborhood with sleight-of-hand.
Coyne paces a little.
REAR WINDOW 76.
COYNE
It's too stupid and obvious a way to
murder - in full view of fifty
windows - and then sit over there--
(He points)
--smoking a cigar -- waiting for the
police to pick him up.
JEFF
Well, officer - do your duty.
COYNE
You've got a lot to lean about
homicide, Jeff. Morons have
committed murder so shrewdly that it
took a hundred trained police minds
to catch them. That salesman
wouldn't just knock off his wife
after dinner, toss her in a trunk and
put her in storage.
JEFF
I'll bet is's been done.
COYNE
Almost everything's been done - under
panic. But this is a thousand to one
shot. That man's still sitting
around his apartment; he isn't
panicked.
JEFF
(A pause)
You think I made all this up?
COYNE
I think you saw something - that
probably has a very simple
explanation.
JEFF
For instance?
COYNE
(Shrugs)
His wife took a trip.
JEFF
She - was - an - invalid!
COYNE
You told me.
(Look at watch)
I've got to run, Jeff.
REAR WINDOW 77.
JEFF
All right - you don't believe me.
Coyne saunters toward steps, picking up his hat on the
way. Stops.
COYNE
I - uh - won't report it to the
Department. Let me poke into a
little on my own. No point in you
getting any ridiculous publicity.
JEFF
(Coldly)
Thanks.
COYNE
We know the wife is gone. I'll see
if I can find out where.
JEFF
Do that.
He goes up the steps to the door, putting on his hat.
He pauses his hand on the door knob.
COYNE
You have any headaches lately?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff answers, showing only the slightest irritation.
JEFF
Not 'til you showed up.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Coyne, still at the door:
COYNE
Uh-huh. Well, it'll wear off in
time -- along with the
hallucinations. See you around.
He starts to go out the door, and closes it behind him.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-LOMG SHOT
From Coyne's viewpoint. Jeff lifts his hand in a feeble
parting gesture.
REAR WINDOW 78.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Before the door has completely closed, Coyne opens it
again, and looks in.
COYNE
By the way - what happened to your
leg?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
JEFF
I was jaywalking.
COYNE'S VOICE
(O.s.)
Where?
JEFF
(With nonchalance)
The Indianapolis Speedway.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
The door starts to close again, as if Coyne considered
Jeff's answer quite reasonable. Then the door pops open
and Coyne's head comes in, a surprised expression across
his face.
COYNE
During the race?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff answers with a straight face.
JEFF
Yup. It sure stopped traffic.
We don't see Coyne again, but only HEAR the sharp slam
of the DOOR off. Jeff chuckles. Then he turns back to
the window.
Scene 26 - Observing Thorwald
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 6
- Dialogue: 7
Jeff's attention is drawn to something in the yard below.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The little dog is busily scratching away at Thorwald's
pet flower bed.
REAR WINDOW 79.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - CLOSEUP
Jeff smiles mischievously. Suddenly his face changes as
he sees:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald coming out of his basement door, carrying a
watering can. He fills it from a nearby faucet. He
does not notice the little dog's destructive activities.
When the watering can is filled, he straightens up,
turns toward the flower bed. He stops for the briefest
moment, when he sees the dog. He walks to the dog,
gently lifts him out of the garden, and giving him a
friendly little pat, sends him off. He proceeds to
patiently brush back the disturbed earth, and then
begins his watering.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff is frankly puzzled by the salesman's friendly
attitude toward the dog. He looks off in another
direction, as he catches of:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - LONG SHOT
Coyne, who has appeared, at the street opening. The
detective is surveying the front of the apartment
building where Thorwald lives. A paper seller behind
him offers to sell him a paper. Coyne isn't interested.
As Coyne saunters forward toward the salesman house, the
scene:
LAP DISSOLVES TO:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DAY) - MEDIUM SHOT
Coyne is nonchalantly leaning up against the side board,
with a highball in one hand. Jeff has turned his chair
around from the window to face him.
COYNE
He has a six months leases, and has
used up a little over five and a half
months of it.
(Takes a sip of drink)
Quiet. Drinks, but not to
drunkenness. Pays his bill promptly,
with money earned as a consume
jewelry salesman - wholesale. Kept
to himself, and none of the neighbors
got close to him, or his wife.
REAR WINDOW 80.
JEFF
I think they missed their chance with
her.
COYNE
(Studies drink)
She never left the apartment --
JEFF
(Interrupting)
Then where is she - in the ice box?
COYNE
(Continues)
--- until yesterday morning.
JEFF
(Alert)
What time?
COYNE
Six ayem.
Jeff looks thoughtful a moment, and then says, with a
touch of discouragement:
JEFF
I think that's about the time I fell
asleep.
COYNE
Too bad. The Thorwalds were just
leaving the apartment house at that
time.
He puts down his drink, and strolls toward the window,
looking out. THE CAMERA MOVES IN slightly to tighten
the shot.
COYNE
Feel a little foolish?
JEFF
Not yet.
Coyne becomes interested in watching something out the
window. Unconsciously he smooths out his coat and tie.
He even smiles somewhat secretly to himself at what he
sees.
REAR WINDOW 81.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DAY) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso, in ballet costume, practicing her dance on
the outside balcony. She is exciting and desirable.
Scene 27 - Jeff and Coyne Argue about Searching Thorwald's Apartment
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 9
Jeff notices Coyne's interest.
JEFF
How's your wife?
Startled at being observed, Coyne moves quickly away
from the window, affecting nonchalance. THE CAMERA
MOVES BACK as Coyne returns to his drink. Jeff smiles
at catching Coyne enjoying Miss Torso.
COYNE
Oh - oh, she's fine.
(Not too convincing)
Just fine.
He tosses off the rest of the drink, and his movement is
almost a comment. Jeff's face grows serious.
JEFF
Who said they left then?
COYNE
Who left - where?
JEFF
The Thorwalds - at six in the morning?
Coyne quickly collects his thoughts, and gets back to
the case at hand.
COYNE
The building superintendent, and two
tenants. Flat statements - no
hesitation. And they all jibed to the
letter. The Thorwalds were leaving
for the railroad station.
JEFF
Now how could anybody guess that?
They had, perhaps, signs on their
luggage, "Grand Central Or Bust!"?
COYNE
(Sighs)
The superintendent met Thorwald
coming back. He said Thorwald told
him he had just put his wife on the
train for the country.
REAR WINDOW 82.
JEFF
A very convenient guy - this
superintendent. Have you checked his
bank deposits lately?
COYNE
Jeff - huh?
JEFF
(Sharply)
Well - what good is his
information?!! It's a second-hand
version of an unsupported statement
by the murderer himself - Thorwald!
Anybody actually see the wife get on
the train?
COYNE
I hate to remind you - but this all
started because you said she was
murdered. Now did anyone, including
you, actually see her murdered?
JEFF
Coyne - are you interested in solving
a case, or making me look foolish?
COYNE
If possible - both.
JEFF
Well then do a good job of it! Get
over there, and search Thorwald's
apartment! It must be knee-deep in
evidence.
COYNE
I can't do that.
JEFF
I mean when he goes out for a paper,
or a drink, or something. What he
doesn't know won't hurt him.
COYNE
I can't do it even if he's gone.
JEFF
(With sarcasm)
What's the matter? Does he have a
courtesy card from the police
department?
REAR WINDOW 83.
COYNE
Now don't get me mad! Even a
detective can't walk in anybody's
apartment and search it. If I were
ever caught in there, I'd lose my
badge inside of ten minutes!
JEFF
Just make sure you're not caught. If
you find something, you've got a
murderer and nobody will care about
a couple of house rules. If you find
nothing - he's clear.
COYNE
At the risk of sounding stuffy,
Jeff - I'll remind you of the
Constitution, and the phrase "search
warrant" issued by a judge who knows
the Bill of Rights verbatim. He must
ask for evidence.
JEFF
Give him evidence.
COYNE
I can hear myself starting out.
"Your Honor - I have a friend who's
an amateur sleuth, an one night,
after a heavy supper---"
(He shakes his head "no")
He'd throw the New York State Penal
Code right in my face. -- And it's
six volumes.
JEFF
By morning there might not be
anything left to find in his
apartment.
COYNE
(Looking out window)
A detective's nightmare.
JEFF
What do you need before you can
search - bloody footsteps leading up
to the door?
COYNE
(Looking out window)
One think I don't need is heckling!
You called and asked me for help --
and now you're acting like a taxpayer!
REAR WINDOW 84.
COYNE (cont'd)
(Turns and look at Jeff)
How did we ever stand each other in
that same plane for three years?
JEFF
You know, every day for three years
I asked myself that same question?
COYNE
Ever get an answer?
JEFF
Yeah - frequently - it ran something
like this: "Your request for transfer
turned down --"
He can't help smiling, and neither can Coyne.
COYNE
Sorry I had to turn it down.
(He checks his watch)
I'm going over to the railroad
station and check Thorwald's story.
He moves to the sideboard, picks up a felt hat.
JEFF
Forget the story - find the trunk.
Mrs. Thorwald's in it!
COYNE
Oh - I almost forgot!
He pulls a slip of paper out of his pocket. Jeff
watches him intently.
COYNE
(Looking at Jeff)
There was a postcard in Thorwald's
mailbox
(Refers to paper)
Mailed yesterday afternoon, three-
thirty P.M. from Merritsville -
(Looks up, speaks
pleasantly)
- That eighty miles north of here.
(Back to paper)
The message read "Arrived O.K.
Already feeling better. Love, Anna."
He looks at Jeff with some smugness.
JEFF
(Slowly)
Is -- is Anna - who I think it is?
REAR WINDOW 85.
COYNE
(Nods "yes")
Mrs. Thorwald.
He puts on his hat, and goes toward the door.
COYNE
(Maliciously)
Anything you need?
Scene 28 - Jeff Surveils the Neighbors
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 8
Jeff is sober.
JEFF
Yeah. A good detective.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CLOSEUP
The sun has just set. THE CAMERA is concentrating on
the long-focus lens camera which fills the screen. Just
beyond, there is a plate on which a solitary sandwich.
Jeff's hand comes in, picks it up. We PAN US with the
sandwich until Jeff's head fills the screen. (Except
for a small light in the kitchen, Jeff's apartment is in
darkness.) As he munches, he keeps his attention on the
neighborhood.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment is darkness. THE CAMERA PANS
slightly to the left, as we see the dog being lowered in
its basket. We follow the basket down to the yard which
brings Miss Lonely Heart's apartment into view. She is
wearing a kelly Green suit, and is seated at her
dressing table. She seems to be putting on the final
touches of her make-up, prior to going out.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CLOSEUP
Jeff looks down, he smiles to himself. He turns, and we
see him raise the long-focus camera to his eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - CAMERA SHOT
The long-focus lens brings Miss Lonely Hearts into an
enlarged picture which reveals details we have not
previously noticed.
REAR WINDOW 86.
A pair of ill-fitting, horn-rimmed reading glasses rest
half way down her nose, and she has to tilt her head
back slightly as she applies lip-stick, with their aid.
Satisfied, she takes off the glasses, and examines her
face as a whole, through squinting eyes. She has faded
good looks, has fairly nice clothes, but is badly in nee
of advice on hair dressing. Her hair-so makes her seem
middle-aged. She reaches for a tall glass of liquor
next to her, and takes a long drink. Putting the glass
down, she squints to see if she has disturbed the
lipstick. Unable to see clearly, she puts on the
glasses again, looks, and touches up her lips slightly.
She puts her glasses in a handbag, then stands to put
out the lights. She walks into the living room,
finishing the drink. The long-focus lens moves with
her. She goes straight for a bottle of liquor, and
pours out a final neat slug, and tosses it off. Then
she leaves the apartment, with a show of determination.
She turns out the lights behind her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the long-focus lens, and turns his head to
the right as he hears the first notes of the song-
writer's melody which we have heard him trying to
complete.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
The song writer is at the piano, poking out his melody,
slowly, note by note. He is in black tie, and from the
looks of the apartment he is preparing for guests. An
attractive girl is setting out trays of canapes,
glasses, ice and liquor. She pauses as she crosses the
room carrying a tray of food. She listens a moment to
the song-writer's melody. Her expression shows that it
pleases her, and moves her romantically. She comments
on it to the song-writer, who starts from the beginning
again, playing it more fully.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - SEMI-CLOSEUP
A new source of music comes in to interfere with the
piano playing. It is orchestral ballet music, in a
modern style. Jeff's head turns in this new direction.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso, and a male partner whom we have not seen
before, are practicing a pas a deux. He is a tall
flowing-haired young man, lithe and graceful beyond
normal masculine capacity.
REAR WINDOW 87.
They stop, at one point, to listen to a word of comment
from a woman who is watching. By her gestures, she is
obviously a professional choreographer.
THE CAMERA PANS from this to the street beyond.
Standing there, on the sidewalk, looking up and down the
street is a Kelly Green clad figure.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DUSK) - CLOSEUP
He quickly raises his long-focus camera to his eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DUSK) - CAMERA SHOT
We are now given a waist-high shot as the focus is
adjustment by Jeff. The figure is that of Miss Lonely
Hearts. She seems to be trying to figure out what to
do, or where to go. She nervously looks at a couple of
men passers by. Getting no reaction, she crosses the
street, and seats herself at an empty table in front of
the cafe. She orders a drink.
She is suddenly blotted out by a figure of a man who
enters the picture from the left side. He is much
nearer the lens, because he is on this side of the
street. He is, therefore, slightly out of focus. The
lens suddenly sharpens. It is Thorwald, carrying a
light-weight cardboard bow under his arm. THE CAMERA
PANS him over to the right until he is lost behind the
building.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (DUSK) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
He lowers the lens, and we see Jeff's eyes travel across
the screen, as he imagines Thorwald's progression. Then
sharpening his look, he picks up the long-focus lens,
and easing himself back cautiously, begins watching
Thorwald.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (DUSK) - CAMERA SHOT
Thorwald comes up the corridor, and stands unlocking his
door. As he hesitates, we are able to see the cardboard
box he is carrying has the name of a laundry on it. He
enters the apartment turns on the living room lights.
He proceeds to the bedroom, and the lights go on there.
A number of suits and top coats are lying on an orderly
pile on the bed. He takes the laundry out of the box
and puts in on the bed next to the suits. Then he goes
to the dresser, and instead of putting the laundry away,
he proceeds to take out the contents of the drawers -
pajamas, shirts, sox, etc. He piles these on the beds.
REAR WINDOW 88.
Scene 29 - Preparing to Leave
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 7
Jeff lowers the camera quickly. He picks up the phone
and dials a number, still keeping his eyes on Thorwald.
The phone buzzes on filter, then is picked up and
answered by a woman:
MRS. COYNE
(Filter)
Hello.
JEFF
Mrs. Coyne?
MRS. COYNE
Yes.
JEFF
Jeff again.
(A note of urgency)
Has Tom come in yet?
MRS. COYNE
Not yet, Jeff.
JEFF
You haven't even heard from him?
MRS. COYNE
Not a word.
For a moment, Jeff looks desperate. He doesn't know
what to say.
MRS. COYNE
It is something really important,
Jeff?
JEFF
I'm afraid it is, Tess.
MRS. COYNE
I'll have him call the moment I hear
from him.
JEFF
Tell him not to waste time calling.
To get over here soon as he can. I
think Thorwald's pulling out tonight.
MRS. COYNE
Who's Thorwald
REAR WINDOW 89.
JEFF
He knows.
(As an after-thought)
Don't worry, Tess. It's a man.
MRS. COYNE
(She laughs)
Goodnight, you idiot.
JEFF
(A slight smile)
Goodnight, Mrs Coyne.
He hangs up. Then, his brows knit a little, as if he's
puzzled about something he sees across the neighborhood.
He lifts up the long-focus lens.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - CAMERA SHOT
Early night. In the dresser Thorwald finds an alligator
handbag. He holds it up thoughtfully. We have
previously seen this handbag hanging from the bedpost
when Mrs. Thorwald was in bed. Thorwald takes the bag
into the living room, where he picks up the phone and
dials.
JEFF
Long distance again.
Thorwald reaches his party. As he talks, thoughtfully,
he takes some jewelry from the handbag - a couple of
rings, diamond wristwatch, brooch, pearls, etc. He
discusses each piece, apparently trying to make some
decision. Then, seemingly satisfied, he replaces them
in the bag and hangs up.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers his camera lens and edges his chair forward
in an effort to hear what Thorwald is saying. But a
sudden rise in the SOUND coming from the song-writer's
apartment, causes him to turn his head toward the studio
with exasperation.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
The first four of the song-writer's guests come through
the door, admitted by the song-writer's girl friend.
There is a squeal from the woman who great each other,
and hearty "helloes" from the men. The song-writer
dashes off a LOUD VAMP of greeting on the piano, then
gets up to offer drinks.
REAR WINDOW 90.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff turns his attention back to Thorwald, but gives up
any attempt at listening. He lift the long-focus lens
up to his eyes again.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - CAMERA SHOT
Having completed his call, Thorwald returns to the
bedroom carrying the handbag. He goes to a pile of
coats lying on the bed. He lifts the top two coats
slightly, and slides the handbag under them and out of
sight.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
There is the SOUND of footsteps coming down the corridor
to Jeff's apartment. He lowers the camera lens, and
turns his attention to his door.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The door opens, and Lisa stands silhouetted in the
entrance, black-lighted by the corridor lights. It's an
attractive picture.
Int. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff's head is turned toward her, his back more toward
the neighborhood.
JEFF
Quick. Take a look. Thorwald's
getting ready to pull out for good!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff abruptly turns back to the window, as Lisa dashes
into the picture behind him, and looks out. Jeff's
expression changes a little, as they see:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The lights are out in Thorwald's bedroom, and Thorwald
is in the act of pouring himself out a drink in the
living room. He comes to the window, glass in hand, and
looks down into the garden, nonchalantly. Over this, we
HEAR Lisa's voice, questioningly:
LISA
It doesn't seem to be in any hurry.
REAR WINDOW 91.
JEFF
(Stares out the window,
exasperated)
He was just laying all his things out
on one of the beds! Coats, suits,
shirts, sox, even his wife's --
Scene 30 - Observing Thorwald's Movements
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
He stops, turns to her quickly.
JEFF
That alligator bag his wife had on
the bedpost --
LISA
What about it?
JEFF
He had it hidden in the dresser!
Well, at least it was in there. He
took it out, went to the phone and
called somebody long distance. -- His
wife's jewelry was in the handbag.
And something about is worried him.
He was asking somebody advice over
the phone.
LISA
Someone not his wife?
JEFF
I never saw him ask her for advise
before.
(Smiles)
But she volunteered plenty.
Jeff turns back to the window.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
Thorwald is standing at the window with his drink in his
hand. Then he turns, puts his unfinished drink down on
a table, and goes to the door. He puts the light out in
the living room and goes out the door. He walks briskly
down the corridor.
LISA
I wonder where he's going now?
JEFF
I don't know.
REAR WINDOW 92.
LISA
Suppose he doesn't come back again?
JEFF
He will. All his things are still
piled on the bed.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Lisa moves toward a nearby lamp.
LISA
Well, I guess it's safe to put on
some lights now.
JEFF
(Looking to left)
Not yet!
He picks up the long-focus lens and trains it on the
street intersection, as Lisa moves back to him.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - CAMERA SHOT - (NIGHT)
The street intersection. Some traffic, mostly
pedestrian. Miss Lonely Hearts still sitting at the
cafe table, alone. Drinking. There is no sign of
Thorwald.
Scene 31 - Investigating Mrs. Thorwald's Disappearance
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
He lowers the lens.
JEFF
He must have gone somewhere to the
right.
The CAMERA PULLS BACK as Lisa starts around the
apartment turning on the lights. As she light
increases, we see that she is wearing another
extravagantly beautiful dress. She seems quite
animated, moving gracefully, her skirt and hair swinging
with her movement. Jeff turns around to face the room.
LISA
All day long I've tried to keep my
mind on work.
JEFF
Thinking about Thorwald?
REAR WINDOW 93.
LISA
(Nods yes)
And you, and you friend Coyne --
(Stops, to Jeff)
Did you hear from him again - since
he left?
JEFF
Not a word. He was going to check on
the railroad station, and the trunk.
He must be still on it.
As he talks, she seems to be thinking something over to
herself. He starts pacing, trying to distill her
thoughts. We see that she has brought an oversized
handbag with her, which lies prominently on the table.
Jeff watches her.
JEFF
Something on your mind, Lisa?
LISA
It doesn't make sense to me.
JEFF
What doesn't?
LISA
Women aren't that unpredictable.
JEFF
(Losing a little patience)
Lisa -- I can't guess what you're
thinking.
THE CAMERA CLOSES IN, Lisa stops, faces him. Her eyes
sparkle, and her body is tense with concentration.
LISA
A woman has a favorite handbag - it
always hangs on her bedpost where she
can get at it. Then she takes a trip
and leaves it behind. Why?
JEFF
Because she didn't know she was going
on a trip - and where she was going
she wouldn't need a handbag.
THE CAMERA eases back.
REAR WINDOW 94.
LISA
But only her husband would know that.
(Starts to pace again)
And the jewelry! Women don't keep
all their jewelry in a purse, all
tangled, getting scratched and
twisted up.
JEFF
Do they hide it in their husband's
clothes?
LISA
They do not! And they don't leave it
behind them. A woman going anywhere
but the hospital would always take
makeup, perfume and jewelry.
JEFF
Inside stuff?
LISA
Basic equipment. You don't leave it
behind in your husband's drawer in
your favorite handbag.
JEFF
I'm with you, sweetie, but Detective
Thomas J. Coyne has a pat answer for
that.
LISA
That Mrs. Thorwald left at six ayem
yesterday with her husband?
JEFF
That's what the witnesses told him.
LISA
Well, I have a pat rebuttal for Mr.
Coyne - that couldn't have been Mrs.
Thorwald - or I don't know women.
JEFF
Still -- those witnesses.
LISA
We'll agree they saw a woman - but
she wasn't Mrs. Thorwald. - That is,
yet.
She comes over to Jeff. He reaches up, takes her hand.
JEFF
Come here.
REAR WINDOW 95.
He pulls her into his lap. She puts her arms around
him. She is very happy, and kisses Jeff's cheek.
LISA
I'd like to see your friend's face
when we tell him. He doesn't sound
like much of a detective.
JEFF
Don't be too hard on him. He's a
steady worker. I wish he'd get
there, though.
LISA
(Nuzzling Jeff)
Don't rush me. We have all night.
There's a pause. Then Jeff moves back a little to look
her straight in the eye.
JEFF
We have all - what
LISA
Night. I'm going to stay with you.
JEFF
You'll have to clear that through my
landlord----.
She cuts him off with a kiss. When she pulls back
LISA
I have the whole weekend off.
JEFF
Well that's fine, but I only have one
bed, and ---
Lisa smothers him with another kiss. She lets up.
LISA
Say anything else, and I'll stay
tomorrow night too.
JEFF
Lisa, I won't be able to give you
any---
She smothers him with still another kiss. Then moves
back.
JEFF
---pajamas.
REAR WINDOW 96.
She laughs, gets up. Goes to the large handbag on the
table. Is is a Mark Cross ladies 'attache' case.
LISA
You said I'd have to live out of one
suitcase
(Picks up case)
I'll bet yours isn't this small?
JEFF
That's a suitcase?
LISA
(Starting to open it)
A Mark Cross overnight case, anyway
Compact, but ample enough.
She has opened it, and surprisingly enough, it is a
compact outfit of pajamas, slippers, toothbrush,
toothpaste, and all the general necessities for a
comfortable overnight stay. She comes to Jeff, sits in
his lap again, displaying the inside of the case
LISA
I'll trade you - my feminine
intuition for a bed for the night.
JEFF
(Gives in smiling)
I'd be no better than Thorwald, to
refuse.
The SOUND from the party in the song-writer's apartment
becomes more noticeable as his party grows. And at this
point he begins playing the song he has been composing
for the past few days.
LISA
There's that song again.
She gets up from Jeff's lap, and puts the overnight case
on the table. Open. She goes to the window, and looks
toward the song-writers' apartment. Jeff turns with her.
Scene 32 - Observations and Revelations
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 8
The party at the song-writer's has grow considerably
larger. An assortment of well-dressed people have now
crowded into the studio. They are drinking, eating,
etc. At the moment, a number of them are crowded around
the piano, listening to the composer's newest song -
which isn't quite completed. However, the melody has
become more beautiful than ever. During the following
scene, we HEAR the melody being played a number of
different ways on the piano.
REAR WINDOW 97.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa stands, listening, entranced.
LISA
Where does a men get the inspiration
for a song like that?
Jeff watches her.
JEFF
From his landlord -- once a month.
LISA
It's utterly beautiful.
(Turns to Jeff)
I wish I could be creative.
JEFF
You are. You have a talent for
creating difficult situations.
LISA
(Happily)
I do?
JEFF
Staying the night here, uninvited.
She sits down on the edge of the divan near Jeff. She
leans toward him.
LISA
Surprise - is the most important
element of attack.
(She smiles)
And beside, you're not up on your
private eye literature. When they're
in trouble, it's always their Girl
Friday who gets them out of it.
JEFF
The same girl who keeps him out of
the clutches of seductive show girls,
and over-passionate daughters of the
rich.
LISA
The same.
JEFF
But he never ends up marrying her.
Strange.
REAR WINDOW 98.
LISA
(Stands up; deadpan)
Weird.
(She does a complete spin,
then, ingenuously)
Why don't I slip into something
comfortable?
JEFF
You mean - like the kitchen? And
make us some coffee?
LISA
Exactly what I had in mind - along
with some brandy.
She goes to the kitchen, humming with the song-writer's
melody which we can HER off. Jeff turns back to the
window, looks out.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
The shade is going up in the newlyweds apartment. The
young husband throws up the window an lights a
cigarette. He takes a deep and satisfying drag on the
cigarette, glancing toward the song-writer's party.
Just as he starts to exhale the smoke, we HEAR his young
wife's voice off:
GIRL'S VOICE
H-a-a-r-r-e-e-!
He chocks on the smoke, sputtering and coughing. When
he recovers, he throws the cigarette down to the back-
yard with a show of irritation. Then slowly he pulls
the shade down. Behind us is SOUND of a door shutting
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Over Jeff's shoulder we see Coyne coming down the steps
slowly, and seemingly preoccupied. Jeff swings the
chair around so that his back is to us.
SEMI-CLOSEUP
Without looking at Jeff, Coyne comes into the apartment
takes off his hat and places it on the table. He runs
a hand over the side of his head and down the back of
his neck, which seems to indicate some fatigue.
SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff. Looking expectantly at Coyne.
REAR WINDOW 99.
SEMI CLOSEUP
Coyne reaches for a cigarette on the table, and puts it
to his lips. While searching his pockets for a match,
he HEARS Lisa humming. His eyes turn upward.
MEDIUM SHOT
Over the cabinet which divides the living room from the
kitchen, we can see a glimpse of Lisa's shadow on the
ceiling.
SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff, has follows Coyne's look.
SEMI CLOSEUP
Coyne picks up cigarette lighter from table, and lights
his cigarette. As he is placing the lighter back on the
table, he sees:
CLOSEUP
From his viewpoint, Lisa's bag containing her lingerie
and overnight effects.
CLOSEUP
Jeff. His eyes turn from the lingerie up to Coyne.
CLOSEUP
Coyne's look is completely noncommittal. His eyes turn
at the sound of the song-writer's party. He moves
forward to get a better view, as the CAMERA RETREATS in
front of him. He stops to glance out of the window.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
The party is now full progress. The room is
overcrowded. And some people are now sitting on the
floor with there backs to the window. Others are
outside. A crowd hides the piano player, but music can
be head competing with the babble.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Coyne turns his head away, and looks straight out. His
expression hardens a little, as he sees:
REAR WINDOW 100.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI LONG SHOT
The window of Thorwald's apartment, completely dark.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
He also is looking toward Thorwald's apartment. He
turns his eyes anxiously back to Coyne. He seems to be
trying to penetrate Coyne's mind.
Scene 33 - Detective Doubts
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 6
- Dialogue: 6
Coyne turns his head from the window, and looks down at
Jeff. He asks, quietly:
COYNE
What else do you have on this man
Thorwald?
Jeff's tension eases off a little, by he is eager to
talk.
JEFF
Enough to scare me that you wouldn't
get here in time, and we'd lose him.
COYNE
(Soberly)
You think he's getting out of here?
JEFF
Everything he owns is laid out on the
bedroom, ready for packing.
Coyne looks back toward Thorwald's bedroom. We see the
dark apartment beyond him. Coyne nods thoughtfully. He
turns his head suddenly at the sound of Lisa coming out
of the kitchen. She holds two large brandy snifters
containing some brandy. They are cupped in her hand,
the stem between her fingers. She is rotating them
gently toward the body to warm the brandy. She is quite
beautiful.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Coyne reacts to her appreciatively.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
She continues rotating the brandy.
REAR WINDOW 101.
LISA
I'm just warming some brandy.
She comes forward hands one snifter to Jeff. She offers
the second to Coyne. (NOTE: In the following set of
scenes, whenever anyone holds a brandy sniffer, it is
being rotated- regardless of their attitudes.)
LISA
Mr. Coyne? - I presume.
Coyne sort of smiles, and takes the snifter awkwardly.
JEFF
Tom, this is Miss Lisa Fremont.
Coyne bows his head slightly, but his eyes remain on her
in a fixed stare.
COYNE
How do you do?
Lisa smiles in return.
LISA
We think Thorwald's guilty.
She turns around, and goes right back into the kitchen.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Coyne stares after her, ignoring her remark, still not
recovered from the fist sight of her attractiveness.
Then quickly, his eyes move down and to the left.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
The open overnights case with its displayed lingerie.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Slowly Coyne's eyes travel back to Jeff.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Quickly guessing what's on Coyne's mind
JEFF
(Cautiously)
Careful, Tom.
REAR WINDOW 102.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Coyne's eyes travel past Jeff to look out the window.
He still holds the brandy snifter in one hand, and a
cigarette in the other. Absentmindedly he still rotates
the brandy. The SOUND of the phone ringing is heard.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff picks up the phone.
JEFF
Hallo?
He listens, and then looks up to Coyne.
JEFF
Just a minute, please.
Coyne crosses and stands behind Jeff, as Jeff hands him
the Phone. He juggles the cigarette, the brandy snifter
and the phone all at once. This is all done deadpan.
COYNE
Coyne speaking.
(He listens)
Uh-huh. - Yeah. Mummmm.- Mmm.
Hmm. - Okay. Thank you, and goodbye.
He hands the receiver back to Jeff, who hangs up. Lisa
comes back in with her own brandy snifter, rotating it.
LISA
The coffee will be ready soon.
(Urgent)
Jeff, aren't you going to tell him
about the jewelry?
Coyne looks suddenly interested. He asks tersely:
COYNE
Jewelry?
JEFF
He has his wife's jewelry hidden in
among his clothes over there.
COYNE
You sure it belongs to his wife?
He turns his head to Lisa, who answers.
REAR WINDOW 103.
LISA
It was in her favorite handbag. --
And, Mr. Coyne, that can lead to only
one conclusion.
COYNE
Namely?
His head snaps cask to Jeff, who answers:
JEFF
That wasn't Mrs. Thorwald who left
with him yesterday morning?
COYNE
You figured that out, huh?
His head moves back to Lisa as she answers with a touch
of pride in her voice.
LISA
It's just that women don't leave
jewelry behind when they go on a trip.
Before Coyne can comment, Jeff asks impatiently:
JEFF
Come on, Tom - you don't really need
any of this information, do you?
Coyne smiles at Jeff, and then strolls over to the table
where he puts out his cigarette and puts down the brandy
snifter.
COYNE
As a matter of fact, I don't.
Coyne goes to the window and looks out, as they watch
him, expectantly. He speaks without looking at them.
His voice is flat and to the point.
COYNE
Lars Thorwald is no more a murderer
than I am.
Scene 34 - The Blame Game
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 8
Jeff and Lisa stare at him in astonishment. Then Jeff
recovers, and answers with some anger:
JEFF
You mean you can explain everything
that went on over there - and is
still going on?
REAR WINDOW 104.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
He spins around, and his face has lost all its
friendliness.
COYNE
No!
He starts to place the room.
COYNE
And neither can you.
(Points out window)
That's a secret and private world
you're looking into out there.
People do a lot at things in private
that they couldn't explain in public.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa and Jeff. She replies with some sarcasm.
LISA
Like disposing of their wives?
COYNE
(Off)
Get that idea out of your mind. It
will only lead you in the wrong
direction.
JEFF
But Tom -- the saw, the knives --
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Coyne breaks in, takes a step forward.
COYNE
Did you ever own a saw?
JEFF
(Off)
Well, in the garage, back home, we --
COYNE
(Interrupts)
And how many people did you cut up
with it? Or with the couple of
hundred knives you've probably owned
in your lifetime?
REAR WINDOW 105.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff, reasoning:
JEFF
But I'm not a killer!
COYNE
(Off)
Your logic is backward.
Lisa cuts in spiritedly.
LISA
You can't ignore the wife
disappearing! And the trunk- and the
jewelry -- !
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Coyne starts to pace up and down, throwing out a hand in
careful explanation.
COYNE
I checked the railroad station. He
bought a ticket. He put her on the
train ten minutes later.
Destination: Merritsville.
Witnesses. This deep.
(He holds his hand a few
feet off the floor)
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff and Lisa.
LISA
It might have been a woman -- but it
couldn't have been Mrs. Thorwald.
That jewelry --
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Coyne comes up to the CAMERA, looking at Lisa.
COYNE
Look, Miss Fremont. That feminine
intuition sells magazines - but in
real life, it's still a fairy tale.
I don't know how many wasted years
I've spent running down leads based
on women's intuitions.
REAR WINDOW 106.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff is resentful of Coyne's comments to Lisa.
JEFF
I take it you didn't find the trunk.
-- And this is just an old speech
you once gave at the Policeman's Ball.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Coyne has turned away into the center of the room. He
swings around.
COYNE
I found the trunk -- a half hour
after I left here.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa speaks again with continuing sarcasm:
LISA
Of course, it's normal for a man to
tie his trunk up with a heavy rope.
COYNE
(Off)
When the look is broken - yes.
JEFF
What was in the trunk? A surly note
to me?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Coyne comes toward the CAMERA again.
COYNE
(Carefully)
Mrs. - Thorwald - 's - clothes. --
Clean - carefully packed - not too
stylish - but presentable.
LISA
(Off)
Didn't you take it to the crime lab?
Coyne gives her a scathing look.
COYNE
I sent it on its merry and legal way.
REAR WINDOW 107.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff challenges Coyne:
JEFF
Why - when a woman only goes on a
simple trip, does she take everything
she owns?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Coyne, with a studied, gracious gesture, to Lisa.
COYNE
Let the female psychology department
handle that one.
Scene 35 - The Case Against Thorwald
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 8
Lisa answers, but very coldly:
LISA
I would say that is looked as if she
wasn't coming back.
COYNE
(Off)
That's what they call a family
problem.
JEFF
(Persisting)
If his wife wasn't coming back -- why
didn't he tell his landlord? -- I'll
answer it for you - because he had
something to hide.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Coyne hesitates a moment, and lets his eyes wander, to:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
The overnight case, with Lisa's lingerie.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
His eyes going back to Jeff.
REAR WINDOW 108.
COYNE
(Blandly)
Do - uh - you tell your landlord
everything?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff replies, pointedly:
JEFF
I told you to be careful.
Lisa looks down at Jeff, not comprehending.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Coyne points to one of the photographs on the wall.
COYNE
If I'd been careful piloting that
reconnaissance plane, you wouldn't
have taken the kind of pictures that
got you a medal, a big job, fame,
money --
JEFF
(Expressionless)
All the things I hate.
Coyne has a complete change of manner. He relaxes and
smiles.
COYNE
Now - what do you say we sit down to
a quiet, friendly drink or two --
forget all about this, and tell lies
about the old days in the war? Hmmm?
He looks from one to the other.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Neither Jeff or Lisa display even the slightest
friendliness. Their faces are cold and set. Then Lisa
speaks, icily:
LISA
You're through with the case?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Coyne is relaxed.
REAR WINDOW 109.
COYNE
There isn't any "case" to be through
with, Miss Fremont. Now let's get
down to that friendly drink.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff and Lisa remain unmoved.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
A little self-conscious, Coyne checks his watch, and
says with a pleasant laugh:
COYNE
Maybe you're right. I guess I'd
better get home and get some sleep.
He waits. No response comes across. His face sobers a
little, he reaches for his unfinished drink of brandy.
He tries to toss it off like a straight shot of liquor.
Part of is shoots out of the brandy snifter, down each
side of his face, and into his suit. He sputters a
little, and puts the glass down.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff and Lisa deadpan.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Coyne is wiping his coat lapels with a handkerchief. He
looks at them pleasantly.
COYNE
I'm not much of a snifter.
He starts away toward the door.
COYNE
If you need any more help, Jeff -
consult the yellow pages of your
telephone directory.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa, still burning:
REAR WINDOW 110.
LISA
I hate funny exit lines.
JEFF
Who was the trunk addressed to?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Coyne picks up his hat.
COYNE
Mrs. Anna Thorwald.
He starts up the steps to the door.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff points out a challenging finger.
JEFF
Let's wait and see who pick it up.
Scene 36 - The Trunk
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
Coyne poises on the step. He snaps his fingers.
COYNE
Oh - that phone call!
(To Jeff)
I gave them your number - hope you
don't mind.
JEFF
(Off)
That depends on who "they" were.
COYNE
(Pleasantly)
The police Department at
Merritsville. They called to report.
The trunk was just picked up - by
Mrs. Anna Thorwald.
He puts on his hat, smiles, and says.
COYNE
Don't stay up too late.
He quietly closes the door behind him.
REAR WINDOW 111.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa and Jeff. Jeff turns his chair around, and looks
out to the neighborhood. Lisa stands glumly behind him.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
The song-writer's party is now in full swing, and fairly
crowded. It is a happy, gay affair.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
None of the gaiety is reflected in Lisa and Jeff. Some
new music is heard coming across the courtyard and Jeff
turns toward it with some irritation.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso's apartment has the door closed, and all that
we can see of her, as she is lying on the divan, is her
legs swinging in arcs as she exercise to record music.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Lisa is not looking in the same direction as Jeff. All
during this, she has been staring out at Thorwald's
apartment. Now her eyes are looking at the apartment
underneath. She murmurs to Jeff:
LISA
Look.
Jeff turns his eyes in the same direction as hers.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
A light has gone on in Miss Lonely Hearts' apartment.
They look. Surprise of surprises, she has returned with
a lover hooked. He is much younger then she, and a
little more keyed up to the promise of an adventure
still fresh to him. Her actions are coy, and over-
feminine. She slips away from his hasty embraces and
exploratory kisses with the proper flush of confusion
and nervous giggle that seems to say, "It's quite a
surprise you find me so desirable, but me mustn't do
anything improper, you know. After all, we're
practically strangers - and what would you think of me?"
She pours a drink for each of them with gestures over-
gentell. As she sips her drink and look at him over the
rim of the glass, he tosses his off with nervous
dispatch.
REAR WINDOW 112.
He moves toward her, this time more cautiously. An
embrace, a long kiss. She puts her drink down on the
edge of the chair. It spills over onto the rug. He
begins kissing her cheek, her ear, her neck.
Suddenly and fiercely she pushes him away. Slaps him
across the face. He moves back with shock as she loudly
and emphatically orders him out, out, out. He flushes
with anger and embarrassment, and his mouth twists into
unpleasant shapes as he slaps degrading words back at
her, telling her what she is. She screams at him to get
out. He leaves, slamming the door behind him.
She goes back dumbly to the spilled liquor, makes a
futile effort to clean it up, and the collapses onto the
rug sobbing hard enough to shake her whole body.
Scene 37 - Ethics and Love
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 6
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 8
Lisa turns away from Jeff's chair to get a cigarette
from the table. She lights is, as Jeff turns his chair
back to the room.
JEFF
As much as I hate to give Thomas J.
Coyne too much credit, he might have
gotten ahold of something when he
said this was pretty private stuff
going on out there.
He indicates the outside neighborhood with a movement of
his head. She doesn't answer, but studies the
photographs on the wall of his room.
JEFF
Do you suppose it's ethical to watch
a man with binoculars, and a long-
focus lens - until you can see the
freckles on the back of his neck, and
almost read his mail - do you suppose
it's ethical even if you prove he
didn't commit a crime?
LISA
I'm not much on rear window ethics.
JEFF
Of cause, they have the same chance.
They can look at me like a bug under
glass, if they want to.
REAR WINDOW 113.
LISA
(Turns to him)
Jeff - if anybody walked in here, I
don't think they'd believe what they
see.
JEFF
Huh?
LISA
You and me with long faces - plunged
into despair - because we find out
that a man didn't kill his wife.
We're two of the most frightening
ghouls I've ever known.
Jeff starts to smile at the realization.
LISA
You'd think we could be a little bit
happy that the poor woman is alive
and well.
Jeff smile is broad, and he starts to chuckle. She
relaxes and joins him. She sits on his lap, her arms
around his shoulders.
LISA
Whatever happened to that old saying
"Love Thy Neighbor."
JEFF
I think I'll start reviving it
tomorrow, with say - Miss Torso for
a start?
She gets up, goes to the blinds, and proceeds to lower
them one by on.
LISA
(As she get up)
Not if I have to move into an
apartment across the courtyard and do
the dance of the seven veils once an
hour.
(As she lowers the blinds)
Show's over for tonight.
He smiles. She goes to the table, picks up he overnight
case.
LISA
Preview - of the coming attractions.
She goes to the kitchen entrance, pauses.
REAR WINDOW 114.
LISA
Did Mr. Coyne think I stole this case.
JEFF
(Mock seriousness)
No, Lisa -- I don't think he did.
She shrugs, goes into the kitchen, the CAMERA PANNING
her.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff is sitting on the wheelchair near the bar, a drink
in his hand. He starts to take a sip from the glass,
when Lisa comes out of the kitchen. She is an ethereal
beauty, in sheer peach night grow, covered by a gossamer
matching kimono. She turns gracefully in front of Jeff.
He lowers his drink.
LISA
(Softly)
What do you think?
Jeff puts his drink on the bar. He tries to decide how
to answer her question. He can't.
LISA
I'll rephrase the question.
JEFF
Thank you.
Lisa holds out the folds of her kimono.
LISA
Do you like it?
JEFF
(Studying it)
Well, -- if there was one less thread
this way --
(Motions horizontally)
-- and two less that way --
(Motions vertically)
-- I might give up bachelorhood.
Lisa turns playfully toward the kitchen.
LISA
I'll be right back.
Blood-curdling scream from the courtyard outside
suddenly cuts through the night.
REAR WINDOW 115.
Startled, both Jeff and Lisa move quickly for the
window - Lisa lifting the blinds up. The long scream
subsides into near-hysterical sobbing.
Scene 38 - The Aftermath of the Scream
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
We get a high comprehensive view of all the apartments.
Light are going on in some windows, shades are lifted on
others, people are beginning to lean out looking for the
source of the cream and sobbing. The song-writer's
party comes to a sudden halt, as his guest crowd to the
window.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa and Jeff at the window, looking out, startled.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The landlord, beneath the newlyweds, looks out. Tilting
his head up toward the center of the yard.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
A couple comes out on the high balcony to the right.
Look down.
MEDIUM SHOT
The newlywed's blinds come up, and for the first time we
see both of them at the window, the girl looking over
the boy's shoulder.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Some members of the song-writer's party move out to the
patio-balcony, to get a better look down in the yard.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The bird woman comes to the window. Her white face
looks forward toward the center of the courtyard.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso, pulling a around her, comes out onto her
porch, and looks to her left.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Hearing aid comes quickly into her backyard.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
REAR WINDOW 116.
The couple who own the dog are standing on their fire
escape. They are both looking down, but while the
husband is quiet, the wife is holding her hands to the
side of her head, sobbing loudly. We have heard her
sobbing since the moment of the scream which she uttered.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lying near the sidewalk in the backyard below the
couple's fire escape, is the silent body of the little
dog they own. Miss Lonely Hearts comes running out of
the basement door. She goes directly to the dog, picks
it up in her arms. Then she slowly turns and looks up
at the sobbing woman above her.
LONELY HEARTS
(Her voice clear)
It's dead! It's been strangled and
the neck is broken!
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Instead of increasing her sobbing, this news quiets,
momentarily, the woman who owned the dog. Her hands go
down to the railing of the fire escape, gripping it
fiercely. She lifts her face to the neighborhood, her
lips set and her eyes burning. Her chest moves
convulsively from the crying.
SIFFLEUSE
Which one of you did it?
(Loud)
Which one of you killed my dog?
(No one answers; her voice
is acid)
You don't know the meaning of the
word "neighbor". Neighbors like each
other - speak to each other - care if
anybody lives or dies. But none of
you do! You don't talk, you don't
help, you - you don't ---
(Fighting tears)
Even see. But I couldn't imagine any
of you being so low that you'd kill
a little helpless, friendly dog! The
only thing in this whole neighborhood
who liked anybody!
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The guests at the song-writer's party begin to move
silently back to the studio apartment.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The people move off their balcony into the apartment.
REAR WINDOW 117.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The woman almost screams at the people now, as she looks
up at the apartment.
SIFFLEUSE
Did you kill him because he liked
you? Just because he liked you?
She breaks out sobbing anew, and returns to her
apartment and out of sight, the crying growing fainter
with her retreat. The husband leans over the fire-
escape, and motions Mess Lonely Hearts to place the dog
in the basket, which is already lowered.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Lonely Hearts puts the dog in the basket, and
watches as the husband draws it slowly up.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The bathing beauties go inside their apartment.
MEDIUM SHOT
The newlyweds draw their shades again.
MEDIUM SHOT
The landlord moves away from the window.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The dog moves closer to the fire escape, slowly, the
husband pulling the rope in hand over hand.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Torso goes back to her apartment.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Hearing Aid turns down the volume of her hearing
aid and goes back to her apartment.
SEMI-LONG SHOT
The dog reaches the fire escape, and the husband
tenderly takes it out of the basket. He turns to carry
it's into the apartment.
REAR WINDOW 118.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Jeff and Lisa are at the window. He is holding on of
hands. Jeff speaks without looking up.
JEFF
For a minute, Coyne almost had me
convinced I was wrong.
LISA
But you're not?
JEFF
In the whole courtyard, only one
person didn't come to the window.
(He points)
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment. It is dark. The only light that
can be seen in it is the glowing end of a cigar in the
center of the room, back from the window - as if
Thorwald was sitting quietly on his sofa, smoking.
Scene 39 - Jeff's Discovery
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 8
Lisa looks down at Jeff.
LISA
Why would Thorwald want to kill a dog?
(Almost a laugh)
Because it knew too much?
He nods solemnly and then turns back to the window, as
both he and Lisa look again towards
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald's apartment. Still dark, and only the unmoving
glow of a cigar showing in the center of the apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff, Stella and Lisa are grouped at the window, looking
out. THE CAMERA is behind them. Jeff holds the
long-focus lens to his eye.
EXT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CAMERA SHOT
We wee the upper part of the bedroom window, belonging
to Thorwald.
REAR WINDOW 119.
The lover part of the window is covered by a wall. In
the bathroom, Thorwald is wiping the enameled wall with
a damp cloth. He rubs at particular spots now and then.
Over this we hear:
JEFF
Do you think this was worth waiting
all day to see?
LISA
Is he cleaning house?
JEFF
He's washing down the bathroom walls.
STELLA
Must have splattered a lot.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
We now see their faces. Jeff lowers the camera with a
long-focus lens. Neither he nor Lisa make any comment.
Finally Stella blurts out:
STELLA
Well, why not? That's what we're all
thinking. He killed her in there,
and he has to wipe up the stains
before he leaves.
Lisa turns away from the window.
LISA
Stella, your choice of words --
Stella also turns, interrupting her
STELLA
Nobody's invented polite words yet
for killing.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CLOSEUP
Jeff, who is still staring out the window, has a look of
sudden discovery on his face. He calls quickly:
JEFF
Lisa - Lisa - on the shelf over
there - get me the small yellow box --
He turns halfway around, and points. We see Lisa moving
behind him toward the shelf. He adds:
REAR WINDOW 120.
JEFF
And that little viewer.
He turns back to the window, holding out his right hand
to the side, waiting for the box and viewer. The CAMERA
PULLS BACK a little as Lisa comes up, and places the box
and viewer in his hand. He opens the box, which
contains color slides, and holds one or two of the
slides up to the light. Lisa looks down at him
curiously and Stella comes forward from the background.
JEFF
(Half to himself as he
searches slides)
These aren't more than two weeks
old. -- I hope I didn't take all leg
art.
(Discovers the right slide)
I think this is the one.
Puts the other slides to one side and puts the selected
one onto the viewer, with sounds of satisfaction. As he
lifts the viewer to his eyes Lisa asks impatiently:
LISA
Jeff - what are you looking for?
He squints out through the viewer, then looks away a
moment without it.
JEFF
Something - that if I'm right - might
solve a murder.
He looks back through the viewer.
STELLA
Mrs. Thorwald?
JEFF
Uh-uh. The dog. I think I know now
why Thorwald killed it.
He takes the viewer from his eye, hands it to Lisa.
JEFF
You take a look and tell me what you
see.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CLOSEUP
Lisa raises the viewer to her eye.
REAR WINDOW 121.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - CLOSEUP
Through the viewer we see the identical view out of the
window.
JEFF
(Over)
Now take it away.
The viewer moves away, and we are left with the
identical scene, but not quite so still, a slight breeze
stirring the foliage.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff looks up to a puzzled Lisa.
JEFF
Well?
LISA
It's just a picture of the backyard,
that's all.
JEFF
I know. But there's one important
change. The flowers in Thorwald's
pet flower bed.
STELLA
You mean the one the dog was sniffing
around?
JEFF
(To Stella)
And gigging in
(Points out window)
Look at that flower bed.
They all lean forward to look.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
The flower bed. The flowers have a slight dip in the
center. Jeff speaks off:
JEFF
There's a dip at this end. And since
when do flowers grow shorter in two
weeks?
STELLA
There's something buried there.
REAR WINDOW 122.
Scene 40 - The Letter
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
All three ease back in awe. Lisa, still looking out,
says:
LISA
(Breathing it)
Mrs. Thorwald!
Suddenly Stella begins to chuckle. They look around at
her. Her face sobers as she answers their unasked
question:
STELLA
You haven't spent much time in
cemeteries, have you?
(they don't answer)
Mr. Thorwald could hardly put his
wife into a plot of ground scarcely
one foot square.
Jeff and Lisa slowly turn their heads to look out at the
garden.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DUSK - SEMI-LONG SHOT
The garden again with its small indentation of flowers
over this we hear the ghoulish voice of Stella:
STELLA
Unless, he puts in standing on
end. -- which would be very original
and not require the use of either a
knife or a saw. My guess is she's
scattered all over town. A leg in
the East River - an arm --
LISA
(Cuts in)
Stella, please.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff looks at Stella.
JEFF
Something's in there. Those flowers
have been taken up, and put back
again.
LISA
(Has a hard time saying it)
It could be -- the knife, and the saw.
REAR WINDOW 123.
STELLA
(Quickly)
Call Lieutenant Coyne!
LISA
No - let's wait. Let's wait until it
gets dark. I'll go over and dig it
up!
Halfway through Lisa's speech, Jeff begins speaking.
JEFF
(To Stella)
I'm not going to call Coyne until I
show him the body of Mrs. Thorwald --
(To Lisa)
And you're not going to dig up
anything, an get your neck broken too.
THE CAMERA EASES BACK to allow Lisa to sit on the divan,
and Jeff turn his chair toward her. Stella still look
out the window, thinking.
JEFF
What we've got to do is fine some way
to get in there, and --
Stella's quiet voice brings him to a halt.
STELLA
He's starting to pack.
Jeff whips back to the window; Lisa turns to look.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald, in the bedroom, methodically folding a suit
into a suitcase. Another suitcase, unopened, is visible.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff is staring out, gripping his chair tightly. There
is a touch of desperation on his face. He looks down at
the flowers, briefly, then swings around abruptly. He
wheels away from the camera to the wall cabinet. We see
him take a piece of notepaper, a pencil and an envelope.
He puts a name on the envelope, and then proceeds to
write something on the sheet of paper. Stella and Lisa
edge up behind him, and look down at what he is writing.
REAR WINDOW 124.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
THE CAMERA RUSHES DOWN over Jeff's shoulder, just in
time to catch the last word as he finishes writing the
message. The envelope is addressed to "LARS THORWALD."
The massage reads, simply, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER?"
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff at the window, looking through the long-focus lens.
We get a glimpse of Stella behind him. He is watching:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - CAMERA SHOT
The alleyway and street. Just regular traffic.
Suddenly Lisa comes into the picture from the left. She
is carrying a white envelope. She stops, waves her
hands at Jeff, smiles, and then hurries on. The lens
slowly pans to the right and stops on Miss Torso's
apartment. She is standing on a small stepladder,
nailing curtains above her window. Her legs are bare,
though she wears high-heel shoes. We do not see more
than half-way up her thighs. The lens takes this in for
the briefest split-second of hesitancy then moves on to
await the arrival of Lisa along Thorwald's corridor.
She moves not appear yet. The lens moves back to get
another glimpse of Miss Torso, who is now descending the
ladder. She is wearing a leotard. Over this, we hear
Stella's voice:
STELLA
What are you going back for?
The lens quickly swings back to Thorwald's corridor.
Lisa is seen turning the corner, and approaching
Thorwald's door on tiptoe.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the long-focus lens to get a more
comprehensive view of Thorwald's apartment and corridor
outside.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa approaches the door of Thorwald's apartment. The
salesman comes into the living room. He finds a package
of cigarettes, extracts one, and lights it. Lisa kneels
down, and carefully slides the litter under the door.
REAR WINDOW 125.
At this moment, Thorwald extinguishes the match, tosses
it into an ashtray, and turns toward the door. He
freezes as he sees the letter on the floor. This
momentary hesitation allows Lisa to straighten up, turn,
and walk carefully but swiftly, away. Thorwald moves
rapidly toward the door. He bends down, scoops up the
letter, and examines it briefly. Lisa is just turning
out of sight at the end of the corridor, as Thorwald
throws open the door. He looks sees no one. He takes
a few questioning steps down the corridor, then stops to
examine the letter again. Slowly he turns and makes his
way back to the apartment, tearing open the envelope.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lifts the long-focus lens to his eyes again. His
expression is tense.
Scene 41 - The Confrontation
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Thorwald stops in front of his door to read the note.
There is some curiosity on his face. As he reads, all
movement and emotion drain from his body. He stands
there, frozen. Jeff's voice is heard over:
JEFF
You did it, Thorwald! You did it!
Suddenly Thorwald turns and dashes down the corridor.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Jeff whips the long-focus lens from his eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
As Thorwald dashes down the corridor, we hear Jeff's
voice. He cries out instinctively, but almost to
himself:
JEFF
Lisa! Look out! He's coming!
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Both Stella and Jeff frantic.
STELLA
(Accusingly)
You shouldn't have let her do that!
If he ever ---
REAR WINDOW 126.
JEFF
(Interrupting)
Look!
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa suddenly appears at the ground floor door below
Thorwald's. She hides, pressing back against the wall
tensely. In the corridor above, Thorwald returns,
frustrated. He comes out onto the fire escape directly
above Lisa. She is aware of him, and immediately
retreats into the doorway. She disappears down the
lower corridor, as Thorwald searches his fire escape.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-CLOSEUP
There is a sigh of relief from both of them.
STELLA
Thank heaven that's over!
JEFF
I have a feeling we've just begun.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald is now passing through the living room into the
bedroom. He picks up a shirt and puts it on. He then
returns to packing his suitcases, moving unhurriedly.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff rubs his chin thoughtfully. Stella is scanning the
neighborhood. We hear a radio, or a television show,
off; and there is distant, rhythmic music coming from
the cafe on Thorwald's street.
JEFF
No doubt of it. He's leaving. The
question is - when?
Stella's brow knits a little as she sees something. She
reaches for the long focus lens.
STELLA
Mind if I use the portable keyhole?
Jeff hands it to her.
JEFF
Not as long as you tell me what
you're looking at.
REAR WINDOW 127.
She lifts it to her eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - CAMERA SHOT
Miss Lonely Hearts' apartment. She has opened a small
brown bottle, and taken out four red capsules which she
places on the white table cloth of her little table.
There is a candle burning in a holder, and other lamps
also light the apartment. She is dressed in sedate
street clothes. She sits at the table, and by the light
of the candle proceeds to open a black-covered book, and
read it. The print is fine. She bends over it a
moment, looks up at the capsules, and returns to the
book. She seems quite at peace. Stella and Jeff are
heard over:
STELLA
I wonder.
JEFF
What?
STELLA
Miss Lonely Hearts just laid out
something that looks like rodium tri-
eckonal capsules.
JEFF
You can tell that from here?
STELLA
I handled enough of those red pills
to put everybody in New Jersey asleep
for the winter.
JEFF
Would four of them---?
STELLA
(Breaks in)
No - but it makes the rest easy to
take. And she's reading the Bible.
JEFF
(After a slight pause)
Then I wouldn't worry too much. But
let's keep an eye on her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - MEDIUM SHOT
Stella lowers the long-focus lens.
REAR WINDOW 128.
STELLA
You know? You might not be too bad
a bargain for Lisa after all.
JEFF
(You don't say!)
I might just take that compliment as
an insult.
The door bursts open, and they both turn quickly toward
the entrance.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa comes in, panting and flushed. She stands a second
at the door, catching her breath, but smiling with the
pleasure of sampling danger and escaping unharmed.
LISA
Wasn't that close?
JEFF
(Off)
Too close.
She comes down the stairs.
LISA
What was his reaction? I mean when
he looked at the note?
Scene 42 - The Investigation Continues
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 8
As Lisa comes up to the two of them.
STELLA
Well, it wasn't the kind of
expression that would get him a quick
loan at the bank.
Lisa comes close to Jeff, speaks warmly.
LISA
Jeff - how did I do?
He takes her hands.
JEFF
Real professional. Would have made
a great layout for the Bazaar. The
model pressed back against a brick
wall, eyes wild, tense. Low cut
bodice, in new suspicious black, with
a --
REAR WINDOW 129.
Some of the pleasure goes out of her face. Stella
notices it.
STELLA
(Interrupts Jeff)
You'd make a good door prize at a
wake.
It relieves the slight friction, as both Jeff and Lisa
laugh. Lisa happens to look toward the window, and the
laugh dies.
LISA
Jeff - the handbag.
Jeff and Stella turn toward the window. Jeff grabs the
long-focus lens, lifts it up.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - CAMERA SHOT
Thorwald has the new alligator bag belonging to his
wife, in his hand. He moves slowly across the bedroom,
out of sight behind the door. He doesn't appear in the
living room. In a moment he reappears, moving back to
his packing. He puts the handbag into one of the
suitcases - the one which he has almost completed
filling. He goes on with his packing.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff puts down the long-focus lens, and turns around
toward the room. The two women watch him expectantly.
JEFF
Suppose Mrs. Thorwald's wedding ring
was among the jewelry he has in the
handbag.
(Supporting his proposition)
During that phone conversation he
held up three rings - one with a
diamond - one with a big stone of
some kind - and one plain gold band.
LISA
(Excited)
And the last thing she'd leave behind
would be her wedding ring! -
(To Stella)
Do you ever leave yours at home?
Stella lifts her left hand, and looks fondly at her ring
finger.
REAR WINDOW 130.
STELLA
The only way anybody could get that
off would be to chop my finger---
STELLA
Let's go down and find out what's
buried in the garden.
LISA
Why not? I always wanted to meet
Mrs. Thorwald.
Jeff looks at them aghast.
JEFF
What are you two talking about?
STELLA
Got a shovel?
JEFF
No.
STELLA
There's probably one in the basement.
JEFF
Now wait a minute --
LISA
Jeff, if you're squeamish, just don't
look.
JEFF
Now hold on. I'm not a bit squeamish
about what might be under those
flowers -- but I don't care to watch
two women end up like that dog --
Stella grows a little uneasy. Her eyes drift toward
Thorwald's apartment.
STELLA
(To Lisa)
You know, Miss Fremont - he might
just have something there.
JEFF
There's no point in taking
unnecessary chances.
(He points)
Give me the phone book, Lisa.
Lisa moves for the phone book on the stand near the
kitchen.
REAR WINDOW 131.
LISA
What for?
JEFF
maybe I can get Thorwald out of the
apartment.
Lisa hands him the book.
STELLA
We only need a few minutes.
Jeff looks for Thorwald's number in the directory.
JEFF
I'll try to give you at least fifteen
minutes.
LISA
How?
JEFF
(Finds the number)
Chelsea 2-7099.
(He looks up, reaches for
the phone)
We scared him once. Maybe we can
scare him again.
(Picks up receiver; pauses)
I'm using that word "we" a little too
freely, I guess. I don't take any of
the chances.
LISA
Shall we vote him in, Stella?
STELLA
Unanimously.
The two women smile. Jeff picks up the phone and dials
Chelsea 2-7099. The women watch him tensely. He holds
the receiver away from his ear a little, and the buzzer
is heard sounding on filter. Lisa looks toward
Thorwald's apartment; then Stella; then Jeff.
Scene 43 - Jeff makes a deal with Thorwald
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 9
Thorwald's apartment. He comes out of the bedroom
toward the phone. He wears a light summer coat and tie,
despite the heat. In the bedroom, everything is packed
with the exception of one open suitcase. We see another
suitcase, his sample case, and a couple of topcoats
across the bed. He approaches the phone hesitantly,
undecided whether or not to answer it.
REAR WINDOW 132.
JEFF
(Off, half-aloud)
Go ahead, Thorwald - pick it up.
You're curious. You wonder if it's
your girl friend calling. The one
you killed for. Pick it up, Thorwald!
Quickly Thorwald does pick it up.
THORWALD
(Cautiously, on filter)
Hello.
JEFF
(Off)
Did you get my note?
There is a pause as Thorwald gropes for an answer. We
can almost hear his breathing.
JEFF
Well - did you get it, Thorwald?
THORWALD
Who are you?
JEFF
I'll give you a chance to find out.
Meet me in the bar at the Brevoort -
and do it right away.
THORWALD
Why should I?
JEFF
For a little business meeting - to
settle the estate of your late wife.
THORWALD
(After a pause)
I don't know what you mean.
JEFF
(Firmly)
Now stop wasting time, Thorwald, or
I'll hang up and call the police.
THORWALD
(Breathing heavily)
I only have a hundred dollars or so.
JEFF
That's a start. I'm at the Brevoort
now. I'll be looking for you.
REAR WINDOW 133.
He hangs up before Thorwald can reply. Thorwald looks
at the receiver a moment, then he slowly hangs up. He
stands at the phone thinking. He doesn't suspect he is
being watched through the window. Then he makes up his
mind and starts for the door. After he goes out he
tests the door to make certain it is locked.
LISA
(Over)
Let's go, Stella.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff turns his wheelchair halfway around as Lisa and
Stella start quickly for the door, THE CAMERA PANNING
THEM across the room. They pause at the sound of Jeff's
voice.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff calls after them:
JEFF
One of you watch this window. If I
see him coming back, I'll signal with
a flashbulb.
The door slams off and we hear the footsteps of the
women dying down the corridor as Jeff picks up the long-
focus lens and takes a sight on the alleyway.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
Thorwald goes past the alley opening.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Jeff puts down the lens and wheels quickly to the wall
cabinet. He finds a box of flash bulbs and a reflector.
He puts them in his lap and returns to the window,
putting the chair sideways. He leans out a little and
looks down.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Lisa is in the courtyard directly below Jeff's window.
She has reached the stairway leading up and to the
right. She looks, waves at Jeff as Stella comes up to
her carrying a shovel. The two women hurry up the
stairs toward the iron ladder they will use to climb the
wall between Jeff's yard and that of Thorwald's.
REAR WINDOW 134.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Jeff picks up the phone and quickly dials. The buzzer
sounds on filter, then the phone is lifted. A woman's
voice is heard and Jeff seems a little puzzled at the
sound of it.
BABY SITTER
This is Coyne's house.
JEFF
This is L. B. Jefferies, a friend of
Tom's. Who am I talking with?
He squints out the window.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa has climbed over the wall and is helping Stella
down into Thorwald's yard. The shovel is lying on the
ground beside Lisa. Jeff's conversation continues over
the action of the two women.
BABY SITTER
This is the baby sitter.
JEFF
Oh. When are they expected home?
BABY SITTER
I'm hired 'til one. They went to
dinner and maybe night-clubbing.
JEFF
Well, if he calls in, tell him to get
in touch with L. B. Jefferies right
away. I might have quite a surprise
for him.
BABY SITTER
Does he have your number, Mr.
Jefferies?
JEFF
He has it. Thank you.
BABY SITTER
Goodnight.
Jeff hangs up. Stella is now beginning to dig,
carefully lifting the flowers off the center of the bed
where they had dipped down. She places the flower
plants on the sidewalk. Lisa stands facing Jeff's
window and occasionally glances over her shoulder
uneasily at Stella's work.
REAR WINDOW 135.
At this moment, the sounds of musical instruments begin
to be heard from the songwriter's apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
A little annoyed at the interruption, Jeff turns to look
at the studio apartment.
Scene 44 - Lisa's Break-In
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
In the songwriter's apartment, several of his musician
friends have gathered. One plays a guitar, another a
clarinet, and so on. One by one they try out the theme
of the songwriter's new melody, running through it in
turn to become familiar with the notes. We, therefore,
hear the melody played informally in different ways with
different instruments.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff shifts his eyes from the songwriter's apartment
back to the courtyard.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Stella is busy, expertly handling the shovel. Lisa has
her back to the nurse, but looks apprehensively over her
shoulder. She then looks up toward Jeff's apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff gives her an encouraging little gesture with his
hand. Then his eyes lift a little as he looks up.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Miss Lonely Hearts is sitting on the sofa, writing a
note with a pad on her knee. Next to her, on the table,
the pills are still in evidence.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff picks up the long-focus lens and trains it on the
alleyway.
REAR WINDOW 136.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
The alleyway and street intersection, with normal night
traffic, but no sign of Thorwald. THE CAMERA LENS PANS
across and down to the hole being dug by Stella. We get
an impression of Lisa's legs as we go by. The spade
comes out of the hole and rests on the side. THE CAMERA
LENS PANS up just in time to catch Stella turning up to
Jeff. She throws out a helpless hand and shakes her
head. "Nothing."
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff lowers the lens and looks down at the two women
with evident disappointment.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa glances up to Thorwald's apartment. She turns and
gestures some instructions to Stella. Then she looks up
at Jeff and gestures her intention to enter Thorwald's
apartment. She turns and dashes toward Thorwald's fire
escape as Stella makes a fruitless grab to restrain her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff, shocked and alarmed, calls out:
JEFF
Lisa - no!
He looks quickly toward the intersection and then right
back to Lisa. Apparently no sight of Thorwald.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
While Lisa starts up the fire escape, we see Stella
running toward the wall in the foreground to climb over
it. Stella has abandoned the shovel and left the
flowers and dirt strewn over the walk.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
Jeff, tense and wide-eyed, watches Lisa climb the fire
escape.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa climbs the fire escape to the second floor and the
outside of Thorwald's apartment.
REAR WINDOW 137.
She tries, unsuccessfully, to get through the window
which opens into the kitchen from the fire escape. And
then, with some difficulty, stretches and succeeds in
getting in through the living room window, which is
open. She goes directly to the bedroom and we see her
bending over one of the suitcases.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT
Jeff quickly picks up the long-focus lens and trains it
on the salesman's apartment.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - CAMERA SHOT
Lisa turns from the suitcase with the alligator handbag
in her hand. There is an expression of triumph on her
face. She opens it and her expression changes to
dismay. She looks toward Jeff's apartment and, to
communicate her dismay, she turns the handbag upside
down. Nothing falls out. Empty.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP
He lowers the long-focus lens and he is sweating with
anxiety. He mutters, almost to himself:
JEFF
Come on. Come on! Get out of there!
His eyes turn quickly to the alleyway and back again to
Lisa.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Lisa has dropped the bag on the bed and is now looking
around the bedroom, looking for some place to start
searching for the jewelry. She moves quickly to the
dresser and begins opening the drawers to check them.
She finds nothing.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
As Jeff watches tensely, the door bursts open behind him
and Stella hurries into the apartment.
STELLA
Ring Thorwald's phone the second you
see him on the way back!
Jeff swings toward Stella. He reaches for the phone.
REAR WINDOW 138.
JEFF
I'm going to ring him now!
As he picks up the receiver, Stella pushes his hand down
again.
STELLA
Give her another minute. -- She's
doing this for you.
Stella looks out the window and her face registers
shock. Jeff turns quickly to the window again,
forgetting the phone for the moment.
STELLA
Miss Lonely Hearts!
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Miss Lonely Hearts is in the act of popping an envelope
up against the table lamp on the table next to the sofa.
From the same table, she takes a pill bottle and empties
the contents into her left hand. Replacing the bottle,
she picks up a glass of water.
STELLA
(Off)
Call the police!
We hear the sound of the receiver picked up, and Jeff
starting to dial New York Police. At this moment, from
the song-writer's apartment which has been quiet for a
while, comes a new burst of melody. It is the melody
which the song-writer has been composing during the past
few days. Now it is rich, and full, and completed, as
the musical group plays it. Miss Lonely Hearts lifts
her head to listen, and slowly lowers the pills and
glass of water into her lap, her whole purpose arrested
by the beauty of what she hears.
Scene 45 - Lisa Confronts Thorwald
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 6
Jeff and Stella turn for a quick glimpse of the song-
writer's apartment.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
A quick flash of the song-writer's apartment, and his
musical group gathered around the piano.
STELLA
Maybe that music will delay her
taking the pills.
REAR WINDOW 139.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff and Stella look back to Thorwald's apartment. Jeff
has the receiver to his ear, and the buzzer can be heard
on filter.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
At the bottom of the picture, Miss Lonely Hearts is
still listening to the music, while in the apartment
above Lisa appears into the living room from behind the
doorway that leads to the bedroom. She looks across to
the source of the music. She is as arrested by the
melody as Miss Lonely Hearts. Then looking across to
Jeff, she holds up her hands triumphantly to show him
the jewelry she has discovered. At this point, Thorwald
appears coming along the corridor of his apartment
house! Lisa is completely unaware of his approach.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT
Stella is so shocked, she can only gasp for breath.
Jeff, in near panic, shouts in anguish!
JEFF
Lisa! Lisa!
At this moment, the phone is picked up on filter, and a
voice speaks:
POLICE
Precinct Six - Sergeant Allgood.
Jeff opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out, as
his attention is focused on:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald at the door, unlocking it with his key. We see
that Lisa has heard the sound, and looks toward the
door, all but frozen with alarm. The Policeman on the
phone repeats with studied irritation:
POLICE
Precinct Six - Sergeant Allgood.
Lisa dashes back into the bedroom just in time to avoid
being seen by Thorwald as he opens the door and enters
the apartment.
REAR WINDOW 140.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP
Jeff, urgently into phone, with a serious and rapid
voice:
JEFF
A man is assaulting a woman at one
two five west ninth street. Second
floor rear. Make it fast.
POLICE
Your name?
JEFF
L. B. Jefferies.
POLICE
Phone number?
JEFF
(Impatiently)
Chelsea 2-5598.
POLICE
Two minutes.
Phone is down on filter, and Jeff replaces his receiver.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - (NIGHT) - SEMI-LONG SHOT
Thorwald crosses the living room, and goes into the
bedroom. Suddenly he looks onto the bed. He picks up
the open alligator handbag. He turns, facing the
window, looking down at the bag. He looks up in the
direction of the living room. Then suddenly his whole
frame stiffens, his head turns a little further around
to his right. He is looking directly at Lisa who is out
of our sight in the corner of the bedroom. He holds out
the bag, and without moving, starts to question the
unseen Lisa. He takes a little step forward, and his
head begins to turn slightly to the left as Lisa begins
to emerge into the living room, backing away slowly. By
her gestures, and nervous laughter, she appears to be
offering a lame excuse for being found in his apartment.
He comes towards her, and enters the living room as
well. Lisa edging toward the door, points to it as she
apparently argues with him as to the way she came in.
He points to the window. She makes one more step toward
the door, but Thorwald reaches out quickly and grabs her
by the wrist. He twists it brutally, and flings her
sideways into the sofa beneath the window. Her head
snaps back against the head rest. With his right hand
he throws the handbag across the room in anger, and with
his left open-palmed he demands something from Lisa.
Slowly her right hand comes up and opens.
REAR WINDOW 141.
He takes the jewelry from her, looks at it for a
surprised moment, puts it into his coat pocket. He
reaches down with both hands, and by the wrists jerks
her to her feet. He is talking viciously to her. We
can hear Lisa calling out faintly: "Jeff! Jeff!"
Thorwald suddenly looks out at the neighborhood. He
realizes that somebody might be watching him. He drags
her across the room, reaches up with one arm, and the
lights go off. The faint light from the bedroom
illuminates their struggle, but not clearly.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
An angry Jeff is staring, and trying to penetrate the
semi-darkness of Thorwald's room. Then he bends his
head forward in despair, and after a brief moment speaks:
JEFF
(With deep sincerity)
Stella - what can we do?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT) - CLOSEUP
Stella staring out, tense, frightened. Then her
expression changes sharply as she looks slightly to the
left.
STELLA
There they are.
Jeff looks up quickly.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
Two policemen move quickly and professionally up the
corridor toward Thorwald's apartment. They stop at the
door, listen a moment, and then push the buzzer
insistently. Inside the apartment, lights go on, and
Thorwald is in the center of the room looking toward the
door. Lisa staggers away from him, trying to rearrange
her clothes and her hair. She is as surprised at the
interruption as Thorwald. He listens, looks back
questioningly toward Lisa, then goes to the door. He
passes into the kitchen.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Jeff and Stella visibly relax. Jeff doesn't say
anything, but a gesture of rubbing his eyes with the
back of his hand gives an indication of how deep his
tension was.
REAR WINDOW 142.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
After a moment's hesitation, Thorwald goes to the door
and opens it.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Jeff quickly puts a hand out and takes up his long-focus
lens. He looks through the finder.
Scene 46 - Lisa is caught breaking in
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Thorwald's head and shoulders fill the screen. For a
moment Thorwald is genuinely frightened by the sight of
the police. We see him listening to the policeman out
of the picture. Thorwald turns slowly and we see him
lose much of his fright and regain some control of his
face. He completes his turn and is looking at the girl
a little puzzled. He then swings back toward the police.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SEMI-CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
A quick flash of Jeff and Stella looking. Jeff still
has the long-focus lens to his eye.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
Thorwald is displaying indignation and complaint to the
police as he nods his head vigorously toward Lisa. At
this the police start to advance into the apartment,
going directly for Lisa. She flashes a quick look
toward Jeff's window. She turns back as the first
policeman reaches her. He starts to question her.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SEMI-CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Stella turns away and goes quickly to the table for the
binoculars. Jeff still is using the long-focus lens.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - BINOCULAR SHOT - (NIGHT)
We see Lisa start to excuse her presence in the same
manner she used with Thorwald previously, as if to say
she came into the apartment by mistake. Thorwald,
listening, comes quickly forward to contradict her,
vigorously. He holds out the jewelry in his hand, and
then picks up and shows the empty handbag. The
policeman, impressed, looks back to Lisa for an
explanation. She has none. Over this we hear Stella
frantically asking:
REAR WINDOW 143.
STELLA
What's she trying to do? Why doesn't
she turn him in?
JEFF
Smart girl.
STELLA
Smart? She'll be arrested!
JEFF
That'll get her out of there, won't
it?
The first policeman indicates that Lisa is to come along
with him. He pauses momentarily to tell the second
policeman to take a statement from Thorwald about the
attempted burglary. The second policeman reaches for
the jewelry in Thorwald's hand, and takes it for
examination. In the brief pause while the two policemen
speak to each other, Lisa starts to wave her left hand
behind her back.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Jeff looking through his camera.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - CAMERA SHOT - (NIGHT)
We get a closer view of the waving hand. She stops
waving and holds her fingers spread out. With her other
hand she points to the wedding ring on her left hand.
STELLA
Mrs. Thorwald's ring!
THE LENS PANS UPWARD AND ACROSS until it brings
Thorwald's profile into the picture. He is looking down
directly at Lisa's hands. His head slowly turns, and he
looks right up - directly into the lens. Suddenly he
becomes aware that Lisa is signalling to someone who is
watching him.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Jeff and Stella. He drops the camera into his lap.
JEFF
Stella! The lights! He'd seen us!
Stella hurries from the window, turning off lights, as
Jeff backs his chair into the room.
REAR WINDOW 144.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
As Thorwald's attention is drawn back to the second
policeman to answer further questions, the first
policeman takes Lisa by the arm and leads her out of the
apartment. He goes down the corridor pushing the
curious people away from the door.
Scene 47 - The Break-In
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 10
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 7
The last light out, Stella stops to catch her breath,
and turns to Jeff.
STELLA
When you took your first snapshot --
did you ever think it would bring you
to this?
JEFF
(Urgently)
Stella - how long do you think he'll
stay there?
STELLA
(Squinting out window)
Unless he's dumber than I think, he
won't wait 'til his lease is up.
Jeff points to a drawer in the wall cabinets.
JEFF
My billfold! In the right hand
drawer.
Stella moves to get it.
STELLA
What do you need money for?
JEFF
To bail Lisa out of jail.
She finds a billfold, hands it to Jeff. He takes it,
extracts some bills and begins counting them. As he
counts, Stella comments:
STELLA
You know - you could just leave her
there until after next Tuesday - so
you could sneak away safely - as
planned.
He looks up sharply at her, and then without comment
goes back to counting the money.
REAR WINDOW 145.
JEFF
(With obvious
disappointment)
One hundred and twenty-seven.
STELLA
How much do you think you'll need?
JEFF
First offense burglary --
(He shrugs)
-- probably two-fifty.
(Gets an idea, points)
The piggy bank.
Stella, following his pointing finger, gets a piggy bank
down from a shelf on the sideboard. He takes it, cracks
it on the knee of his cast. It splits open, and some
money comes out. Mostly bills, a few silver halves.
What he doesn't get, Stella picks up.
STELLA
Ten here.
JEFF
Thirty-three here. Totals one-
ninety. Not enough.
STELLA
I got twenty or so in my purse. Give
me what you've got.
Jeff does, as Stella gets her purse.
JEFF
What about the rest?
STELLA
When those cops get a look at Miss
Fremont -- they'll even contribute.
Stella goes up to the door. The phone RINGS. Jeff
grabs it, picks it up. Stella pauses.
JEFF
(To phone)
Just a minute.
(To Stella)
I'll tell you who it is when you get
back.
Stella goes quickly out the door. He returns to the
phone call, glancing at the same time toward the
courtyard.
REAR WINDOW 146.
Scene 48 - Jeff Reports Lisa's Arrest
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 6
- Dialogue: 7
JEFF
Jefferies.
COYNE
(Filter)
This is Coyne, Jeff.
JEFF
(Urgently)
Tom, I've got something real big for
you.
COYNE
(Wearily)
Look Jeff, don't louse up my night
with another man killer stuffing a
grisly trunk that turns out to be --
JEFF
(Interrupting harshly)
Listen to me! Lisa's been arrested.
COYNE
(Slightest pause)
Your Lisa?
JEFF
My Lisa. She went into Thorwald's
apartment, and he came back. The
only way I could get her out was to
call the police.
COYNE
(Angry)
I told you that --
JEFF
(Interrupting)
I know what you told me! She went in
to get evidence, and she came out
with it.
COYNE
Like what?
JEFF
Like Mrs. Thorwald's wedding ring.
If that woman were still alive, she'd
be wearing it.
COYNE
(Grudgingly)
A possibility.
REAR WINDOW 147.
JEFF
(Talking fast)
A fact! Last night he killed a dog
for pawing in his garden. Why?
Because he had something buried in
there. Something a dog could scent.
COYNE
Like an old hambone?
JEFF
(Fast)
I don't know what pet name Thorwald
had for his wife. And that night he
went out half a dozen times with the
metal suitcase. He wasn't taking his
possessions, because they're up in
his apartment now!
COYNE
You think perhaps it was "old
hambone?"
JEFF
In sections! And one other thing,
doubting Tom - it just occurred to me
that all the calls Thorwald made were
long distance! If he called his wife
the day she left - after she arrived
in Merritsville - why did she need to
send him a postcard saying she'd
arrived?
COYNE
(After pause; a detective)
Where'd they take Lisa?
JEFF
Precinct Six. I sent a friend over
with bail money.
COYNE
Maybe you won't need it. I'll run it
down, Jeff.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
We see Thorwald leave his apartment and proceed down the
corridor.
JEFF
Just don't dally. Thorwald knows
he's being watched. He won't hang
around long.
REAR WINDOW 148.
COYNE
If that ring checks out, we'll give
him an escort. So long.
He hangs up, and just as he does, Jeff looks toward
Thorwald's apartment. He rolls forward to the window.
He seems a little puzzled by what he sees.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
Thorwald's apartment. Completely dark. No movement, or
glow of a cigar. The corridor outside lighted, but
empty.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
Jeff scratches the side of his chin, studies Thorwald's
apartment as if he might see some small clue as to where
the salesman is. He looks toward the intersection to
his left. Apparently he sees nothing. He turns to look
down into the garden.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
Miss Lonely Hearts is standing in the yard outside her
apartment, looking up to the porch of Miss Torso. The
ballet dancer is in high heels and a fresh summer dress.
MISS TORSO
(Faintly heard)
Have you heard that song he's been
writing?
She indicates the song-writer's apartment. Miss Lonely
Hearts turns, looks up at the studio apartment a moment,
then looks up at Miss Torso.
MISS LONELY HEARTS
(Nods yes)
I'm glad I was here when he played it.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
He sits quietly a moment, thinking. Suddenly he jumps
a little as the phone rings. He reaches for it, picks
up the receiver.
REAR WINDOW 149.
JEFF
(Still looks out window)
Hello.
(No answer)
Hello, Coyne? Tom? Tom, I think
Thorwald's left. I don't see
anything of --
(He looks at receiver,
then:)
Hello.
Slowly he looks up toward Thorwald's apartment. Then,
back to the receiver. On filter, a receiver can be
heard carefully being replaced. Jeff slowly lowers the
phone into the cradle. He looks once more toward
Thorwald's apartment. Then he turns his chair around
quickly and looks toward the door to his apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
The door. Quiet in the apartment, and in the corridor.
Light showing beneath the door from the hall light.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
Jeff watching, waiting, nervous at first. He reaches
for the phone, changes his mind. He looks around for
some kind of a weapon, finds none to suit him. He hears
the slightest squeak of a floorboard, and looks quickly
toward the door again.
Scene 49 - Confrontation with Thorwald
- Overall: 9.2
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 8
The door. Another squeak of a floorboard, so light and
quickly passing that at any other time it would have no
significance, even if it could be heard. Then the light
beneath the door disappears. Black.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
Jeff squints at the door, blinks, squints again.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
The door. No doubt about it, black.
REAR WINDOW 150.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
He looks again for a weapon, and almost by instinct he
snatches up his flash holder and the small packet of
bulbs he had taken out to signal Lisa earlier. He tries
to move his wheelchair farther into the shadows. His
eyes are glued to the door of his apartment, and his
senses are sharp as a hunting dog's. He scarcely
breathes.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Only the slightest sound is heard as the doorknob turns.
The door slowly and carefully swings open, but the
corridor is too dark to tell at first who is entering.
The door closes just as quietly. From the shadowed
recess comes a heavy voice. A threatening voice.
THORWALD
What do you want from me?
Jeff doesn't answer. Thorwald steps to the top of the
stairs, and is now somewhat visible. He looks tall and
huge and explosive.
THORWALD
Your friend - the girl - could have
turned me in. Why didn't she?
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Jeff doesn't answer. His eyes watch Thorwald. He licks
his lip with nervous tension and grips the flash holder.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Thorwald comes down the two steps, pauses at the bottom.
THORWALD
What is it you want? A lot of money?
I don't have any money.
Jeff doesn't answer.
THORWALD
Say something!
He moves forward a couple of steps.
THORWALD
(Sudden loud anger)
Say something! Tell me what you want!
REAR WINDOW 151.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Jeff still doesn't speak. He grips the flash holder a
little more tightly, lifts it just the fraction of an
inch as if he is prepared to use it.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SEMI-CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Thorwald has advanced to the middle of the room, his
eyes on Jeff and his hands clenching with the effort to
control his anger.
THORWALD
Can you get me that ring back?
JEFF
(Quietly)
No.
THORWALD
(Loud)
Tell her to bring it back!
He advances a step.
JEFF
I can't. The police have it by now.
THORWALD
Then if the police get me -- you
won't be around to laugh!
Thorwald starts to move threateningly for Jeff.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SEMI-CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
From a three-quarter angle toward Thorwald. Jeff lifts
the flash holder to face level and closes his eyes. He
explodes the flash.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Thorwald's face fills the screen registering shock,
confusion. He throws up his hands for protection and
recoils, making an involuntary sound of surprise.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT)
A vision of Jeff and the apartment as seen by Thorwald.
It is distorted and out of focus, filled with large
twisting balls of bright yellow color.
REAR WINDOW 152.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Thorwald blinking, trying to regain his sight.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SEMI-CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Jeff ejects the used bulb and quickly inserts another.
He works furiously, sweating. He gets the bulb in the
flash holder just in time to meet Thorwald coming at
him. Jeff closes his eyes and another bulb explodes in
Thorwald's face.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Thorwald's face, full screen again, as he recoils from
the flash.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT)
The apartment as seen by Thorwald again. Big, twisting
balls of blinding yellow.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Thorwald stumbles back against the side table, knocking
objects off onto the floor, struggling for balance and
sight. Jeff works rapidly to put a fresh bulb in the
holder.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
Thorwald regains his equilibrium and some of his sight.
Orienting himself, he starts for Jeff again. This time,
when the flash holder goes off, we see it from Jeff's
angle. Thorwald is lighted almost white, shockingly
outlining every detail of his face, clothes, hands. His
rage and frustration are fixed for a brief but
terrifying moment. He stumbles backward again, trying
to brush the light away from his face almost as if it
were a solid enveloping substance.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
Jeff ejects a bulb, puts his last bulb into the flash
holder. He tries to move the wheelchair a little
further away from Thorwald. Then he raises the flash
holder again.
In b.g. we see: Coyne, Lisa, Stella and the detectives
come to Thorwald's door, try it. Locked.
REAR WINDOW 153.
One of the men steps forward with a flat steel jimmy and
snaps the lock open. They move quickly into the
darkened apartment. Coyne hits the lights inside the
kitchen. The group goes into the living room. The
lights go on. No sign of Thorwald. Coyne, Lisa and
Stella instinctively turn and look toward Jeff's
apartment.
Scene 50 - Jeff's Dangerous Escalation
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
From Thorwald's apartment shooting at Jeff's window. A
sudden bright flash is seen as the last flash bulb goes
off. And it lights the scene of Jeff in the wheelchair
and Thorwald diving through the air at him. Darkness
rushes in, blacker than before.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Thorwald has finally reached Jeff, knocking the flash
equipment out of his hands and coming to grips with him.
It is apparent that he is trying to pull Jeff out of the
wheelchair. Jeff fights him off.
The wheelchair crashes over, spilling Jeff to the floor.
Thorwald is on top of him, lifting, dragging him to the
window. Jeff grabs everything he can to keep himself
away from the window, but Thorwald is far too powerful
for him. He strains to raise Jeff to the windowsill.
THORWALD
I'll give you a good look out the
window.
Slowly, inexorably, he raises Jeff to the windowsill.
Jeff frantically grabs for the upright window frame,
wrapping his arms around it. Thorwald shoves the rest
of his body over the windowsill.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Coyne, Lisa, Stella and the two detectives, crossing
Thorwald's yard, see Jeff going out the window. Lisa is
panicked.
LISA
Jeff! Jeff!
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - MEDIUM LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
From Coyne's viewpoint, Jeff hanging out the window and
Thorwald hammering at his hands and arms with bare
fists.
REAR WINDOW 154.
Coyne pushes Lisa to one side and starts to scale the
wall, preceded by the two detectives.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Thorwald fights to dislodge Jeff's grip.
EXT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
Looking down on Jeff's face, showing his strain and the
pain of Thorwald's attack. The brick floor of the patio
seems a hundred feet below.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Thorwald and Jeff struggling.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
Coyne pulling himself to the top of the wall. Lisa,
Stella and the two men below, looking up. Lisa is white-
faced and frightened.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Thorwald smashes at Jeff's arms and hands. Jeff's grip
begins to slip.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
Coyne reaches the top of the wall, looks up at Jeff.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - MEDIUM LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
Jeff, as seen from Coyne's angle, hanging, somehow
weathering Thorwald's insane attack.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
Coyne reaches for his service revolver. He doesn't have
it! He looks down, and calls one of the detectives back.
COYNE
Creel! Your Thirty-eight!
REAR WINDOW 155.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
Looking down at the two detectives from Doyle's point of
view. Creel grabs for his gun expertly. The holster
breaks away. It is in his hand and with a deft movement
he tosses it upward.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-CLOSE SHOT - (NIGHT)
Coyne catches it, turns up to Jeff's apartment.
INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Thorwald still trying to loosen Jeff's grip. The
salesman, in a complete, wild, sweating rage, is beyond
all reason. His glasses hang from one ear, his coat is
torn, his tie pulled to one side.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - MEDIUM LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
Shooting over Coyne's shoulder as he steadies himself
against the wall, lifting the service revolver up for a
shot at Thorwald. His aim is careful, slow, painfully
deliberate. Jeff seems about to fall.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
The two detectives ahead of Coyne are moving up below
the window. Lisa stand looking up, her hands at the
sides of her head, frozen with panic.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
Two detectives appear behind Thorwald and grab him. The
startled Thorwald stops his attack on Jeff as he looks
wildly around to find the source of his new attack.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Jeff, hanging from the window frame. He claws
desperately for a hold.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - COMPREHENSIVE SHOT - (NIGHT)
People rush to their windows, looking out at the
excitement. Some people on the ground floor come out
into the yard. Coyne and the two detectives come into
the patio beneath Jeff.
REAR WINDOW 156.
Coyne directs them to improvise something to break
Jeff's fall -- leaves, greenery, their coats, cushions
from the patio furniture -- anything they can find. The
four uniformed policemen rush into the backyard. Lisa
and Stella come over the wall into the patio beneath
Jeff. They look up at Jeff, encouraging him to hold on.
A detective goes into Jeff's cellar door, trying to
reach his apartment before Jeff loses his grip.
The siffleuse and her husband are standing on the fire
escape in plain, almost somber clothes. They watch
expressionlessly. Beneath them the empty basket which
once held their dog swings silently in the night air.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Jeff, hanging from his windowsill. He loses his grip
and plunges down into the patio below. Two detectives
throw themselves beneath him. They are knocked to the
ground as Jeff's fall tumbles both of them. After Jeff
hits, he lies still, twisted over to one side.
Coyne and Lisa rush over to Jeff. There is an audible
SOUND of shock in the neighborhood as Jeff has fallen --
various oh's, ah's, and possibly a stifled scream or two.
Scene 51 - The Final Confrontation
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 6
- Dialogue: 5
Lisa kneels down, cradles Jeff's head in her lap. There
are tears in her eyes. Her clothes are disheveled and
her dress torn. Her hair is disarranged. But withal,
her face is as beautiful as ever, with love.
LISA
Jeff - Jeff darling!
He opens his eyes. Winces with pain.
LISA
(To the detectives)
Get an ambulance.
(Down to Jeff)
Don't move. Try to lie still.
JEFF
Lisa -- I -- I -- can't tell you how
scared I was that you -- you might --
LISA
(Affectionately)
Shut up. I'm all right.
REAR WINDOW 157.
JEFF
(To Coyne)
Think you've got enough for a search
warrant now?
COYNE
Oh sure. Sure. I can make it.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
At that moment, a man appears leaning out of Jeff's
window. He looks down to the patio.
DETECTIVE
Lieutenant Coyne?
COYNE (OFF)
(Looking up)
Yeah?
DETECTIVE
Thorwald's ready to take us on a tour
of the East River.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI CLOSEUP - (NIGHT)
Stella tugs at Coyne's arm and stands on tiptoe to
whisper something into his ear. Coyne then looks up to
the detective.
COYNE
Did he say what was buried in the
flower bed?
DETECTIVE
Yeah. It's over in his apartment.
In a hat box. Wanna look?
Coyne turns quizzically at Stella.
STELLA
Oh, no thanks -- I don't want any
part of her.
(She pauses, then does a
surprised take back to
Coyne)
What did I say?
DISSOLVE TO:
REAR WINDOW 158.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - PAN SHOT - (DAY)
Beginning on Jeff's window thermometer, the CAMERA PANS
FROM RIGHT TO LEFT around the neighborhood.
In the songwriter's apartment we see the songwriter with
a guest -- Miss Lonely Hearts. Both in dress and manner
she seems quite happy and adjusted to life. The
songwriter is placing the first recording of his new
song on a record player for her to hear. It is a full
symphonic arrangement which is heard over. They
CONTINUE TO PAN.
Thorwald's apartment is empty, stripped of its
furnishings. Two painters are repainting the walls.
The siffleuse and her husband are on their fire escape,
training a new white dog to ride in their basket.
Miss Torso is practicing her ballet again. She wears a
white leotard. The sound of someone at the door
interrupts her. She goes to the door, opens it an inch
or two cautiously. When she sees who is outside, she
throws open the door. An innocuous, unhandsome and
somewhat shy army private enters with a barracks bag
slung over one shoulder. She kisses him fondly after
closing the door. He puts down the barracks bag, tosses
his hat into a chair and, with the attitude of a man who
belongs there, goes to the icebox to see what's to eat.
The newlyweds are arguing.
The CAMERA PANS past Jeff who is asleep in his
wheelchair facing away from the window. CAMERA MOVES
DOWN to the lower part of his body and we see that both
his legs are now in casts. The CAMERA LIFTS SLIGHTLY to
show Lisa sitting on the sofa nearby. She wears levis
and a plaid cotton shirt. She is reading a book on
travel. She looks up briefly at Jeff. When she
realizes he is asleep, she puts down the travel book and
reaches for the latest copy of Harper's Bazaar. She
settles down to study it as we
FADE OUT.
THE END
REAR WINDOW 159.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SEMI-LONG SHOT - (NIGHT)
The siffleuse and her husband are standing on the fire
escape in plain, almost somber clothes. They watch
expressionlessly. Beneath them the empty basket which
once held their dog swings silently in the night air.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Miss Torso, behind the wall of her yard, has been unable
to see much of anything. Frustrated, she looks up
toward the composer's apartment.
MISS TORSO
What happened?
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
The song-writer, at the edge of his roof, answers:
SONG-WRITER
Somebody shot the photographer - and
he fell out his window. Something
like that.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
Torso impulsively says:
MISS TORSO
That music you wrote. It's the most
beautiful thing I ever heard.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - MEDIUM SHOT - (NIGHT)
The song-writer beams:
SONG-WRITER
Come on up.
Scene 52 - The Final Confrontation
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 8
Coyne turns back to Jeff and Lisa.
COYNE
How's your stomach?
REAR WINDOW 160.
JEFF
Bent.
COYNE
You were right. There was something
in that garden. I just got a
signal -- it's in Thorwald's icebox
now.
Lisa looks away. Jeff smiles at her discomfort.
JEFF
That reminds me -- two heads are
better than one.
FADE OUT.
THE END
Characters in the screenplay, and their arcs:
| Character | Arc | Critique | Suggestions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa | Throughout the movie, Lisa is presented as a caring and supportive partner to Jeff, but also as someone who struggles to connect with his more adventurous and unconventional personality. As the investigation into Thorwald's activities deepens, Lisa becomes more involved and invested in uncovering the truth. She eventually takes significant risks to gather evidence against Thorwald, ultimately revealing her bravery and commitment to justice. By the end of the movie, Lisa has not only helped Jeff to solve the case, but she has also deepened her relationship with him and gained a newfound sense of confidence and independence in herself. | The character of Lisa is well-developed and nuanced throughout the movie. However, her arc could be more fully realized if there was more explicit emphasis on her struggle to reconcile her successful career with her romantic aspirations and on her eventual triumph in achieving both. Additionally, some of Lisa's actions in the movie, particularly her breaking into Thorwald's apartment, could benefit from more backstory or motivation to make them feel more integral to her character development. | To further develop Lisa's arc, the screenplay could include scenes or dialogue that show her struggle to balance her career and her relationship with Jeff, as well as her growing sense of confidence and independence as a result of her involvement in the investigation. Additionally, Lisa's motivations for certain actions, such as her decision to break into Thorwald's apartment, could be made clearer through enhanced dialogue or flashbacks to earlier scenes in the movie. |
| Stella | Stella starts out as Jeff's supportive nurse, always willing to indulge his curiosity about the neighbors. As he becomes more and more obsessed, she becomes concerned for his safety and tries to talk him out of getting too involved. However, when they discover evidence of a murder, Stella is drawn into the investigation with gusto. She proves to be an asset to the team with her resourcefulness and wit, but her enthusiasm also puts her in danger. In the end, Stella helps Jeff escape and takes charge of their plan, cementing her position as a loyal friend. | The character arc for Stella is solid but somewhat predictable. She starts out as a reliable confidant and eventually becomes an active participant in the investigation. However, the shift from concerned friend to enthusiastic partner is a bit abrupt and could use more development. Additionally, Stella's pragmatism and wit are not fully explored, and the character could benefit from more nuance and complexity. | To improve Stella's character arc, give her more backstory and motivation for why she is so dedicated to helping Jeff. Perhaps she has a personal stake in the investigation or has a strong sense of justice. Additionally, explore her relationship with Jeff more fully, particularly her frustrations with his obsession. Finally, allow her pragmatism and wit to shine by giving her more opportunities to problem-solve and joke around with the group. |
| LB Jeffries | LB Jeffries undergoes a transformation as he delves deeper into the lives of his neighbors. From being an immobilized and bored photographer, he turns into an investigative observer, digging up evidence of a murder. Despite warnings from his girlfriend, Lisa, and his friend, Doyle, he risks his life to solve the case. In the end, he not only solves the mystery but also finds the courage to commit to a relationship with Lisa. | The character arc of LB Jeffries appears well-constructed, with a clear transformation from a bored and cynical photographer to an investigative observer with newfound courage. However, while Jeffries initially seems skeptical of taking up the assignment from Gunnison, his transition to an investigative observer appears too sudden and convenient. | To improve the character arc, it would be beneficial to show Jeffries struggling more with his boredom and restlessness, leading to his curiosity about his neighbors. Another suggestion could be to show Jeffries gradually building up his investigation skills, perhaps with the help of Lisa or Doyle, instead of suddenly becoming an investigative observer. This would add more depth to his transformation and make it more convincing. |
| Jeff | Jeff's character arc starts as a restless and skeptical adventurer who is unsure about his relationship with Lisa. He then becomes increasingly involved in his neighbors' lives due to his curiosity and boredom. As his obsession grows, he puts himself and those around him in danger, highlighting his loyalty and willingness to take risks. By the end of the screenplay, Jeff has developed a stronger emotional connection with Lisa and become a brave and resourceful risk-taker. | While Jeff's curiosity and obsession with his neighbors are interesting, it often leads to him making reckless decisions that put others in danger. His personality is also rather cynical and detached, making it hard to connect emotionally with him. Additionally, his limited growth throughout the screenplay could be further developed to make his character arc more impactful. | To improve Jeff's character arc, it would be helpful to have him confront and work through his emotional detachment and trust issues. The consequences of his recklessness could also be explored in greater depth, forcing him to face the reality of his actions. Additionally, having him take responsibility for the danger he puts others in and actively work to keep them safe can help strengthen his growth and redemption arc. |
| Thorwald | Thorwald's character arc begins as a seemingly calm and collected neighbor who rapidly becomes more and more unhinged as Jeff and his companions begin to investigate him. Despite being initially somewhat elusive, Thorwald becomes increasingly violent and aggressive as he becomes more paranoid and desperate. Ultimately, his true nature is revealed and justice is served. | Thorwald's character arc is relatively straightforward and predictable. While his transformation from cool and collected to violent and desperate is intriguing, the resolution of his arc is somewhat anticlimactic and underwhelming. | To improve Thorwald's character arc, it might be interesting to explore some of the motivations behind his behavior more deeply. Additionally, finding a more satisfying way to bring him to justice could help make his arc more impactful and memorable. |
| Miss Lonely Hearts | Miss Lonely Hearts' character arc involves a progression from a place of deep loneliness, despair, and potential suicidal tendencies towards a greater sense of self-worth and self-acceptance. Through her interactions with Jeff and the other characters, she begins to see herself in a more positive light and recognizes the potential for love and connection in her life. She also begins to take steps to address some of her underlying issues and seeks help for her depression and anxiety. By the end of the film, she has developed a greater sense of hope and optimism for her future. | The character arc for Miss Lonely Hearts is fairly well-developed and realistic, but it could benefit from more emphasis on her personal growth and agency. Throughout the film, she is largely defined by her relationships with others, rather than her own inner journey. Additionally, her reliance on male attention and validation could be seen as problematic, and it would be beneficial to see her find fulfillment and happiness outside of romantic relationships. | To improve the character arc for Miss Lonely Hearts, it would be helpful to give her more agency and autonomy. This could involve exploring her past experiences and trauma more deeply, as well as giving her more opportunities to take action and make decisions for herself. Additionally, it would be important to emphasize the importance of self-love and self-acceptance, rather than relying on external sources of validation. Finally, it might be helpful to broaden her relationships beyond romantic partners and explore other types of meaningful connections and sources of support. |
Here are different Tropes found in the screenplay
| Trope | Trope Details | Trope Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Voyeurism | The protagonist, LB Jeffries, observes his neighbors through his rear window as a form of entertainment. | Voyeurism is the act of watching someone without them knowing. An example of this trope can be found in the TV show 'You', where the protagonist Joe Goldberg becomes obsessed with a woman named Beck and starts stalking her, watching her without her knowledge. |
| Suspense | Throughout the screenplay, LB Jeffries becomes increasingly worried and paranoid about the activities of his neighbors, particularly a salesman who he suspects of murder. | Suspense is the feeling of anticipation or uncertainty about the outcome of events. An example of this trope can be found in the movie 'Psycho', where the audience is kept in suspense about the true identity of the murderer until the end of the film. |
| Mystery | LB Jeffries becomes suspicious of his neighbor's behavior and begins investigating a possible murder. | Mystery is a plot device that involves the solution of a problem or puzzle. An example of this trope can be found in the TV show 'Sherlock', where the protagonist Sherlock Holmes solves complex crimes and mysteries using his intelligence and deduction skills. |
| Romance | LB Jeffries and his girlfriend Lisa argue about their future together, but ultimately they reunite and work together to take down the suspect. | Romance is a storytelling trope that involves a love story between the protagonist and another character. An example of this trope can be found in the movie 'The Notebook', where two young lovers are separated by war and social class, but ultimately reunite in old age. |
| Police Procedural | The police work to solve the mystery of the suspected murder and ultimately capture the suspect. | Police Procedural is a storytelling trope that focuses on the investigative procedures of the police in solving a crime. An example of this trope can be found in the TV show 'CSI', where a team of forensic scientists solves complex crimes using science and investigation skills. |
| Damsel in Distress | Lisa is arrested and Jeff and Stella work to free her from jail. | Damsel in Distress is a storytelling trope that involves a female character who is in danger and needs to be rescued by a male character. An example of this trope can be found in the movie 'King Kong', where a giant ape falls in love with a woman and kidnaps her. |
| Action | Jeff uses his camera flash as a defense against Thorwald, who is attempting to kill him by hanging outside the window. The police ultimately capture Thorwald after his failed attempt to kill Jeff. | Action is a storytelling trope that involves fast-paced physical action and often includes fight scenes and chases. An example of this trope can be found in the movie 'Die Hard', where a police officer single-handedly takes down a group of terrorists who have taken hostage a building. |
| Theme | Theme Details | Themee Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Voyeurism | The protagonist, LB Jeffries, spies on his neighbors as a form of entertainment due to his boredom and injury. | Voyeurism is a theme throughout the screenplay, demonstrated by Jeffries' obsession with observing his neighbors through his rear window. It highlights the problematic nature of observing and intruding on other people's privacy. |
| Paranoia | Jeffries becomes increasingly suspicious of his neighbor and assigns his friend Coyne as a detective to investigate. | Throughout the screenplay, Jeffries becomes increasingly paranoid of his neighbor's actions, leading him to assign his friend as a detective to solve a potential crime. This theme highlights how paranoia can cloud one's judgment and lead them to act out of character. |
| Obsession | Jeffries becomes obsessed with his neighbor's behavior, leading to tension in his relationship with Lisa. | Jeffries' obsession with his neighbor's behavior becomes a prominent theme throughout the screenplay, ultimately impacting his romantic relationship with Lisa. It highlights how an obsession can consume a person's life and lead to negative consequences. |
| Suspicion | Jeffries suspects his neighbor of committing murder, leading to an investigation and ultimately uncovering evidence of the crime. | Suspicion is a theme throughout the screenplay, with Jeffries becoming increasingly convinced that his neighbor has committed murder. This quest for the truth ultimately leads to the discovery of evidence and the solving of the crime. |
| Appearance vs. Reality | Jeffries' observations of his neighbors lead him to form conclusions about their lives that are not always accurate. | Throughout the screenplay, Jeffries' observations of his neighbors lead him to make judgments about their lives that are not always accurate, highlighting the theme of appearance vs. reality. This theme demonstrates that appearances can be deceiving and that it is important to look beyond surface-level observations. |
Screenwriting Resources on Themes
Articles
| Site | Description |
|---|---|
| Studio Binder | Movie Themes: Examples of Common Themes for Screenwriters |
| Coverfly | Improving your Screenplay's theme |
| John August | Writing from Theme |
YouTube Videos
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Story, Plot, Genre, Theme - Screenwriting Basics | Screenwriting basics - beginner video |
| What is theme | Discussion on ways to layer theme into a screenplay. |
| Thematic Mistakes You're Making in Your Script | Common Theme mistakes and Philosophical Conflicts |
Screenplay Rating:
Highly Recommend
Executive Summary
Rear Window is an exceptional screenplay that masterfully combines suspense, humor, and romance within a limited setting. Its strengths lie in its unique perspective, compelling characters, witty dialogue, and engaging narrative. Minor areas for improvement include the portrayal of female characters and the resolution of the romantic subplot. Overall, this is a highly recommended screenplay with the potential to be a classic film.
Strengths
- Masterful use of limited setting and voyeuristic perspective to create suspense and engage the audience. high
- Compelling and well-developed characters with distinct personalities and motivations. high
- Expertly crafted dialogue that is both witty and revealing, furthering character development and plot. high
- Seamless blend of suspense, humor, and romance, offering a captivating and multi-layered narrative. high
- Strong opening that quickly establishes the setting, introduces the protagonist and his limitations, and sets the stage for the mystery. high ( Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 )
Areas of Improvement
- The portrayal of female characters, particularly Stella's comments, could be seen as outdated or sexist by modern audiences. medium
- The ending could benefit from a more explicit resolution to the romantic tension between Jeff and Lisa. low
MissingElements
NotablePoints
- The use of the 'Rear Window' as a metaphor for voyeurism and the limitations of perspective is thought-provoking and adds depth to the story. high
- The subplot involving Miss Lonelyhearts adds a layer of emotional complexity and explores themes of loneliness and despair. medium ( Scene 16 Scene 18 Scene 19 )
Memorable lines in the script:
| Scene Number | Line |
|---|---|
| 1 | L.B. Jeffries: We've become a race of Peeping Toms. What people ought to do is get outside their own house and look in for a change. |
| 14 | Lisa: "I'm in love with you. I don't care what you do for a living. Somehow I would just like to be part of it." |
| 41 | Jeff: You did it, Thorwald! You did it! |
| 39 | Stella: Nobody's invented polite words yet for killing. |
| 6 | Stella: The New York State sentence for a peeping Tom is six months in the workhouse! |