Marnie

The 1950s was probably Alfred Hitchcock’s classic era, when he controlled all the aspects of his movies, a true auteur.  He typically combined a loose plot, usually set off by a “Macguffin”, with a slightly ambiguous leading man in a dangerous position not of his making, and lots of female sex appeal from his blonde leading ladies.

The next decade started with a massive hit with Psycho, but not all of his 60s movies were so popular.

Marnie was for most commentators an interesting outing, but one in which Hitchcock over-indulged his prurient side, and there’s plenty of casual misogyny here, and a not altogether sympathetic portrayal from Sean Connery playing against Tippi Hedren..

The advertising was clear – this was a “sex mystery”, and that shows in its posters, including this original US Insert, featuring nice images of Connery and Hedren.