"Rear Window" to be Screened at A&M International Thursday

The film "Rear Window," an American film noir mystery thriller, will be screened at Texas A&M International University on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in Bullock Hall, room 101.

The screening is open to the public and free of charge. It is part of a "Manifestations of 'Noir' " Fall Film Series organized by Dr. Sean Chadwell, assistant professor of English, and Dr. William Nichols, assistant professor of Spanish.

Rated PG, the 1954 American film was directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock.

"Rear Window' is the last of our 'classic' noir films this semester. Though it is a color film, Hitchcock creates a "noir" feel through the voyeuristic tendencies of the main character," Dr. Chadwell commented.

The main character is Jeff Jefferies (James Stewart), a professional photographer who works for a magazine in New York. While on assignment photographing an auto race, he breakes his leg and is confined to a wheelchair.

He starts spending his time looking out of the rear window of his apartment, observing and interpreting the private lives of neighbors. Through his window, he witnesses what he believes is a murder. He begins to suspect that the killer is the husband of the victim.

Jeff convinces his girlfriend, Lisa Fremont, and his nurse, Stella, to investigate and help him identify the killer.

"Stewart's character gives an X-ray vision of society by spying into people's windows. We see what he sees. In the process it becomes evident that life in Hitchcock's 1950s isn't so sweet and innocent," Dr. Nichols noted.

Drs. Chadwell and Nichols will briefly introduce the film and profile its stylistic and thematic debt to 'noir' before viewing. At the film's conclusion, informal discussion will be held to answer questions and allow audience members to share their comments on the film.

The free film series began in September and continues weekly at 7 p.m. in Bullock Hall, room 101 through Nov. 30. The remaining films in the series are: "Tesis"(1996), November 16 and "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" (1958), November 30.

For additional information on the Fall Film Series, "Manifestations of Noir," please contact Dr. Chadwell at 326-2471 or e-mail to schadwell@tamiu.edu or Dr. Nichols at 326-2610 or e-mail to wnichols@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu