ABSTRACT

Originally published in 1988, The Women Who Knew Too Much remains a classic work in film theory and feminist criticism. The book consists of a theoretical introduction and analyses of seven important films by Alfred Hitchcock, each of which provides a basis for an analysis of the female spectator as well as of the male spectator. Modleski considers the emotional and psychic investments of men and women in female characters whose stories often undermine the mastery of the cinematic "master of suspense." The third edition features an interview with the author by David Greven, in which he and Modleski reflect on how feminist and queer approaches to Hitchcock studies may be brought into dialogue. A teaching guide and discussion questions by Ned Schantz help instructors and students to delve into this seminal work of feminist film theory.

chapter |14 pages

Introduction

chapter |13 pages

Rape vs. Mans/laughter

Blackmail

chapter |11 pages

Male Hysteria and the “Order of Things”

Murder!

chapter |13 pages

Woman and the Labyrinth

Rebecca

chapter |14 pages

The Woman Who Was Known Too Much

Notorious

chapter |20 pages

The Master's Dollhouse

Rear Window

chapter |13 pages

Femininity by Design

Vertigo

chapter |13 pages

Rituals of Defilement

Frenzy

chapter |6 pages

Afterword to the 1988 Edition

Hitchcock's Daughters

chapter |30 pages

Afterword to the 2005 Edition

Resurrection of a Hitchcock Daughter

chapter |16 pages

An Interview with David Greven

chapter |14 pages

Study Guide by Ned Schantz