Kim Novak on Vertigo

Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece Vertigo has been voted the Greatest Film of All Time in Sight & Sound magazine's 2012 poll, considered to be the most trusted guide of its kind. Sight & Sound's worldwide poll of critics takes place every decade, and for the past 50 years has been topped by Citizen Kane...until now.

Here, actor Kim Novak recounts her starring role in Vertigo and how she felt "stripped naked" playing the part of Madeleine/Judy.

Watch the full interview:

[pauline]

Someone asked "What happened to her career?" She gave it up to live a wholesome life on a ranch in Oregon and devoted her life to art. She has been happily married to a vet for decades. Nice lady.

[thatscousedude]

One of the best female performances on film. She plays in essence three roles and nails all of them. The forest scene is mesmerizing.

[bernardrubin]

She was incredible in this film and deserved an Oscar. She deserved an Oscar just for working with Hitch!

[probyful]

"Vertigo" is a masterpiece.
Kim Novak is the most beautiful woman ever seen on the silver screen.
She is still lovely. I adore her.

[sgsmozart]

I saw her at the Castro Theater in San Francisco celebrating the 60th anniversary of the film's opening. She spoke for about 30 minutes after the film was shown....charming...lovely and down to Earth !

[eoscarz]

The bests of the Hitchcock's films. The chemistry between Novak and Stewart was palpable.

[mms]

I loved the "Hitchcock playing James Stewart Role". A very insightful comment. 

[DodaGarcia]

She looks amazing! It's hard to believe she was already 80 years old around the time of this video.

[ToughXArmy]

Vertigo is a true masterpiece every time I see it I am amazed at something new!!

While the picture is deservedly recongized today as one of the best movies of all time, when it premiered it was not even nominated, nor were Hitchcock, Novak nor Stewart.
Only the great Kim Novak survives. Why can't the Acaemy honor Vertigo and Novak?
I cannot think of any other actress of her era who could have given the performance Kim Novak gives in Vertigo. For me the picture works its spell due to Novak.

[stevehenrichs]

1:07 YES! HE WAS OBSESSED, BUT LOOK AT THE QUALITY OF THE FILM THAT WAS PRODUCED THEY'LL NEVER MAKE FILMS LIKE THIS ANYMORE!

[ToughXArmy]

Novak was mesmerizing in Vertigo, a great performance.

Kim Novak was a great Star whose films include Picnic, Bell Book and Candle, The Man with The Golden Arm, Of Human Bondage, Strangers When We Meet. In her heyday of great stardom Novak worked with Hitchcock in Vertigo, Billy Wilder in Kiss Me Stupid,
and her co stars were the top stars of her era: Elizabeth Taylor, Jack Lemmon, Rita Hayworth,
James Stewart, Roz Russell, Rock Hudson, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Walter Matthau, etc.

I

[sureyeahwhynotamiright]

I remember the first time I saw this, when we see Judy as Judy for the first time, it took me a good while to realize she was also Kim Novak. Such amazing performances in one role.

[marthalillard]

Sure was great to see Kim on the Oscars tonight! I have seen Vertigo and Bell Book and Candle so many times I can't count. She is enchanting.

[sweetsunnydaygirl]

Just SUCH a lovely, talented lady! :) Gorgeous inside and out! So lovely that she has a decades-long, happy marriage!! BRAVO, KIM!! So interesting as well to hear her personal thoughts and feel what she was experiencing working with Hitchcock. Wow! Also one of my favorite films....I've watched it many times and plan to continue to....as I do with films I adore. I have learned that they are very comforting to play in the background instead of music....depending on my mood. They are like an old friend! God bless you Kim!! You look flawless!! 🙏💕🤗🛐🛐

[josephguardino]

I do love Kim. Happy Birthday Kim. I like the interpretation identification Kim offers on the part she played in Vertigo of changing herself from Judy to Madeleine to be loved like she did in her Hollywood journey.

[gailjarvis]

Wow. What a great, touching insight from one of America's most underrated actresses. God bless you Kim. You're a keeper.

[antoinemozart]

Hitch is without a doubt one of the greatest directors of all time. And Vertigo is his masterpiece.

[TheNoMan]

She might not played many films throughout her career however, her charm and duality as an actress are what makes her so pleasant to watch.

[powerliftingcentaur]

I never tire of hearing her talk about this film.

[captainactionman]

She's part of what is not only Hitchcock's greatest film, but as of 2012, what is considered the greatest film of all time. Citizen Kane held that title for 50 plus years, but no more. I wholeheartedly agree! Vera Miles would've been great -- but Novak? So much better! She (Hitchcock & Stewart) should have won an Oscar!!!