The Women Who Knew Too Much

The Women Who Knew Too Much: Hitchcock and Feminist Theory by Tania Modleski.

Descriptions: "Modleski argues that Hitchcock was neither misogynist or sympathetic in his portrayal of women in film. With an analysis that uses psychoanalysis and feminist criticism she shows Hitchcock's approach to be ambivalent to women. Tania Modleski claims that critical approaches to Hitchcock have falsely fallen into two camps: either he is seen as a misogynist, or as sympathetic to women in his demonstration of women's plight in patriarchy. In opposition to these positions, Modleski asserts that Hitchcock is ambivalent towards his female characters. Applying the theories of psychoanalysis, mass culture, and a broad range of film and feminist criticism, Modleski presents readings of seven Hitchcock films from various periods in his career. First published in 1988, The Women Who Knew Too Much remains a classic work in film theory and criticism. The book consists of a theoretical introduction and analyses of seven important films by Alfred Hitchcock, each of which provides a basis for an analysis of the female spectator as well as of the male spectator. Modleski considers the emotional and psychic investments of men and women in female characters whose stories often undermine the mastery of the cinematic Master of Suspense. This new edition features a new chapter which considers the last 15 years of Hitchcock criticism as it relates to the ideas in this landmark book."

Editions

• ISBN 0415901766 (paperback)
• ISBN 0415973627 (paperback)
• ISBN 0416017118 (paperback)