As a lifelong cinephile who has been captivated by the enigmatic world of Alfred Hitchcock since my formative years, I can’t help but feel a pang of melancholy when I reflect upon the ill-fated tale of “The Blind Man.” The story is an intriguing blend of artistic ambition and corporate resistance – a timeless dance between creativity and conformity.
I can’t imagine the glamour and excitement that Hollywood would have missed out on if Alfred Hitchcock and Walt Disney had chosen different career paths. Known as the “Master of Suspense,” Hitchcock was a visionary filmmaker who breathed life into countless fictional stories, crafting them into timeless cinematic masterpieces. His innovative spirit left an indelible mark on many genres. For instance, his movie The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog laid the foundation for future thrillers, while North by Northwest paved the way for the spy genre reminiscent of Bond films. And let’s not forget that Psycho, a staple in any horror director’s research materials, is always part of the conversation when discussing groundbreaking horror films.
Regarding Walt Disney, it’s worth noting that he was an innovative animator and producer, significantly contributing to the evolution of animated films. Moreover, he ventured into theme park investments, which further boosted the popularity of his movie productions.
In a world where you’d typically expect collaborations rather than rivalries among industry titans, it might come as a shock to learn about the animosity between these two. Despite their impressive accomplishments, Hollywood legends are more likely to share meals in clandestine gatherings and glamorous award ceremonies than engage in heated arguments. The film industry has largely prospered through cooperation, making a Hitchcock production for Disney Studios a plausible scenario. However, such a collaboration never materialized due to Walt Disney’s strong dislike of Hitchcock. In fact, Disney held the renowned filmmaker in such contempt that he blocked the production of one of Hitchcock’s planned movies, “The Blind Man,” from ever seeing the light of day.
The Blind Man Would Have Been Another Outstanding Hitchcock Thriller
In simpler terms, after the great success of “Psycho,” Alfred Hitchcock felt the pressure to top his previous work. To achieve this, he collaborated with screenwriter Ernest Lehman (known for writing North by Northwest). Together, they delved into the medical field in search of inspiration. Once more, he focused on crafting characters that would elevate an ordinary film into a truly original and captivating piece.
The narrative titled “The Blind Man” centers around Larry Keating, an acclaimed blind jazz pianist who experiences a revolutionary eye transplant operation. Post-surgery, Keating’s lifestyle significantly enhances as he can now watch movies and even admires his wife’s calves with newfound clarity. However, this is a suspenseful Hitchcock tale, so there’s an unexpected turn. Keating starts perceiving images of someone shooting at him, which he later discovers was imprinted on the retina of the eye donor, whose killer he unwittingly sees.
Given a different director and scriptwriter, the story could unfold with Keating reporting the crime to the police and waiting for their response. However, for Hitchcock, this character embarks on the classic film noir detective journey.
Given its initial impression, it’s not hard to imagine this could have ranked among Alfred Hitchcock’s finest works. While it may seem excessively dramatic on the surface, there’s a hidden sadness beneath – a combination that would have been characteristic of Hitchcock’s style. Regrettably, Disney intervened, and for an argument that might strike many Hitchcock enthusiasts as trivial.
Alfred Hitchcock Wanted to Shoot The Blind Man at Disneyland
As a die-hard film aficionado, I’ve learned from “Hitch: The Life and Times of Alfred Hitchcock” by John Russell Taylor, the legendary director himself had envisioned a significant portion of his movie to unfold within an amusement park. Given its grandeur and fame at the time, Disneyland seemed like the perfect choice. After all, it was only five years old and already a massive draw. The idea of shooting “The Blind Man” there promised even more publicity, making it seem like a no-brainer. However, they underestimated the challenge when they assumed all they needed to do was dial Mickey Mouse’s creator. Boy, were they mistaken!
When news about the project leaked, Walt Disney was taken aback upon seeing it in newspapers. In response, he publicly declared that the creator of the controversial film “Psycho” would never be allowed within Disneyland during his tenure as studio head. He strongly criticized Hollywood’s laxity and eagerness to produce violent films for financial gain, implying that those not telling stories like his were at fault.
It turned out that Hitchcock was very upset after their disagreement, and they didn’t communicate anymore. Later on, Lehman attempted to rework the script to accommodate different shooting locations, but it just didn’t seem fitting. To make matters worse, James Stewart, who was set to be the lead in the movie, decided to withdraw. The final blow came when Lehman himself gave up and announced his intention to leave the project, stating that he couldn’t find a solution for the script’s problems. This infuriated Hitchcock, who swore never to collaborate with the screenwriter again.
You Can Still “Hear” A Version of The Blind Man
In this case, Walt Disney was not petty but rather showed a strong commitment to certain values, and his decisions were guided by both financial responsibility and a sense of paternal care. He consistently ensured that the films produced under his leadership maintained a friendly and family-oriented atmosphere, reflecting his personal principles as a studio head.
As a film aficionado, I’ve always valued the PG rating, and it was rare to find someone who didn’t share this sentiment with me. It’s disappointing that one particular individual never appreciated a cinematic masterpiece, but his commitment to upholding wholesome values remains admirable even to this day. The Walt Disney Studios continue to be renowned for their family-oriented brand, embodying those same principles that he held dear.
Fans of Alfred Hitchcock may still harbor resentment towards Walt Disney for preventing a potentially magnificent movie from being made, but they can at least enjoy an adaptation of “The Blind Man“. Indeed, much like Larry Keating before the transplant, fans will have to make do with just listening. In 2015, the BBC produced an audio film based on Hitchcock’s script, with Mark Gatiss penning the screenplay and Hugh Larrie lending his voice. It’s not the same as seeing it on the big screen, but it’s a small comfort.
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2024-10-14 02:34