Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most famous directors in film history. Mention his name and it’s instantly recognized, even by those who have never seen his movies. That same name is almost synonymous with two things for which Hitchcock is known. For instance, Hitchcock’s known as the “Master of Suspense”. Hitchcock worked almost exclusively in this genre and is one of its’ foremost directors.
The other association made with his famous name is the concept or stereotype of the “Hitchcock blonde”. He often cast reserved, icy, blonde leading ladies. Their deceptive appearance often masked a smoldering interior life. And while one might assume he only worked with blonde actresses, that is not so. Many of his films feature leading ladies with darker tresses. Therefore, I thought it was high time Hitchcock’s other leading ladies received some attention. It’s not fair (or true) that “blondes have all the fun.”
RELATED: Five Romantic Films – Hitchcock Style
For the purposes of this list, I am not including the leading ladies from Hitchcock’s early British films. I am only listing actresses from his films starting in 1936.
HITCHCOCK’S OTHER LEADING LADIES
(In no particular order)
1. Shirley MacLaine – The Trouble with Harry (1955)
Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
IMDb Synopsis: The trouble with Harry is that he’s dead, and everyone seems to have a different idea of what should be done with his body.
Additional Info: MacLaine plays single mother Jennifer Rogers. She’s one of many people who stumble across a dead body. Each person then thinks they are guilty of the man’s death and then takes pains to hide the body. Jennifer has a personal connection to the deceased as his estranged wife. As an interesting tidbit, this is MacLaine’s debut film for which she won a Golden Globe. On another note, this is the director’s second comedy, albeit a dark one.
Where to Watch: Rent/Buy on YouTube, GooglePlay, and iTunes
2. Ruth Roman – Strangers On A Train (1951)
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
IMDb Synopsis: A psychotic socialite attempts to force a professional tennis star to prove a theory that two complete strangers can get away with murder.
Additional Info: Roman plays the wealthy love interest to Farley Granger’s tennis star. It’s his desire to marry her that leads him into an arrangement to have his wife murdered.
Where to Watch: Rent/Buy on Amazon, YouTube, GooglePlay and iTunes
3. Jane Wyman – Stage Fright (1950)
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
IMDb Synopsis: A struggling actress tries to help a friend prove his innocence when he’s accused of murdering the husband of a high society entertainer.
Additional Info: The blonde Marlene Dietrich is also cast in this film as a suspected murderer. But Wyman remains the heroine who goes undercover to clear her friend’s name.
Where to Watch: Rent/Buy on Amazon, YouTube, GooglePlay, iTunes and PlayStation
4. Teresa Wright –Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
IMDb Synopsis: A young woman discovers her visiting uncle may not be the man he seems to be. (Hitchcock was quoted as naming this as his favorite film)
Additional Info: This is only Wright’s fourth film, but she had already been Oscar-nominated twice with one win. Furthermore, both Wright and Hitchcock list this as their favorite film.
Where to Watch: Rent/Buy on Amazon, YouTube, GooglePlay and iTunes
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5. Maureen O’Hara – Jamaica Inn (1939)
Photo Credit: Mayflower Productions
IMDb Synopsis: In Cornwall in 1819, a young woman discovers that she’s living near a gang of criminals who arrange shipwrecks for profit.
Additional Info: Adapted from the Daphne de Maurier novel, O’Hara plays the heroine, Mary Yellan. And, she’s one of the few redheads to appear in a Hitchcock film.
Where to Watch: Stream on Roku. Rent/Buy on YouTube, GooglePlay and iTunes
6. Margaret Lockwood – The Lady Vanishes (1938)
Photo Credit: United Artists
IMDb Synopsis: While traveling in continental Europe, a rich young playgirl realizes that an elderly lady seems to have disappeared from the train.
Additional Info: Lockwood is Iris Hunter, the playgirl who meets the elderly lady. When the woman vanishes, Iris’ sanity is questioned when she’s the only one who remembers the woman’s existence. Often listed as a favorite among Hitchcock enthusiasts. Lockwood was the number one box office star in Britain during the 1940’s. Moreover, this film was her breakout role and brought her to the attention of Hollywood.
Where to Watch: Stream on Film Struck. Rent/Buy on Amazon
7. Sylvia Sidney – Sabotage (aka The Woman Alone) (1936)
Photo Credit: General Film Distributors Ltd.
IMDb Synopsis: A Scotland Yard undercover detective is on the trail of a saboteur who is part of a plot to set off a bomb in London. But when the detective’s cover is blown, the plot begins to unravel.
Additional Info: Sydney is the unsuspecting wife of the saboteur who is befriended by the undercover detective.
Where to Watch: Stream on Roku and Film Struck. Rent/Buy on iTunes
8. Laraine Day – Foreign Correspondent (1940)
Photo Credit: United Artists
IMDb Synopsis: On the eve of World War II, a young American reporter tries to expose enemy agents in London.
Additional Info: Day plays Carol Fisher, a young woman who finds herself embroiled in the reporter’s investigations.
Where to Watch: Stream on Film Struck. Rent/Buy on iTunes
Have you seen any of these films? Do you have a favorite Hitchcock movie?
Featured Top Image: Strangers on a Train (Warner Brothers)
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