A Tribute To Cornell Woolrich

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Along with James M. Cain and Raymond Chandler, Cornell George Hopley-Woolrich (1903-1968) helped define the terms psychological thriller and film noir, yet Woolrich doesn't get the amount of credit that Chandler and Cain receive. Many of Woolrich's novels and short-stories were made into films, radio shows and television episodes, on shows like "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "Lux Video Theatre". His works define the feelings of isolation, loneliness, fear and helplessness that would come to be a staple of many films of the noir genre. Perhaps he drew on his own personal experience of being an only child, going back and forth between his separated parents, having a love/hate relationship with his domineering mother, his homosexuality that left him alone and his reclusive nature not letting people in. He certainly seemed to know those situations that he described in his writings. While "Phantom Lady" (1944), "Black Angel" (1946) and "The Bride Wore Black" (1968) along with several others went on to be well-received films, the most famous Woolrich story is "Rear Window" (1954), directed by Alfred Hitchcock. At first Woolrich aspired to be another F. Scott Fitzgerald, and his early work reflects this, but also proved he could create suspense, dread and mystery and his work began to be published in magazines such as "Black Mask" besides as books. Woolrich also published work under the pen names William Irish and George Hopley. Ellery Queen continued to feature Woolrich's stories in his mystery magazines in the 50s. His mother's death in 1957 left him despondant and he sank further into his alcoholism. One of his legs became infected with gangrene and had to be amputated, leaving him to live in a wheelchair. He died of a stroke in 1968, leaving much work (novels, stories and his autobiography) unfinished, and he also left behind a list of titles for stories he had not yet begun to write. As he had been so hermitic in his lifestyle his funeral was poorly attended. A fund from his estate (which was named in honor of his mother) was put into a trust for young writers at Columbia University, where he had briefly studied.

"I was only trying to cheat death. I was only trying to surmount for a little while the darkness that all my life I already knew was going to come rolling in on me some day and obliterate me. I was only trying to stay alive a little while longer, after I was already gone." - Cornell Woolrich

So here are photos, cover, poster and DVD art of Woolrich's work. Hope you like it.

Music by the 101 Strings Orchestra, the theme from "The Shadow".

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[ginolight]

Beautiful posters of these exiting productions masterly accompained by your choice of music ! Thank you : it is very exceptional , same as the book covers you sent sometime ago !

[ghostqueen1951]

Excellent Video and the music fits perfectly. Great suspense!

Two of the thriller I have seen already, that are Rear Window and The Window. Wished I could watch the others, too!

Thanks for sharing!

[Rolfe2009]

Very interesting indeed, thanks for sharing! Great info!

Have a good week ahead, ~Lady E --[--@

[gfks11]

i like this genere very much, fantastic video with excellent informations, the titles are just scary enough, wonderful, would love to watch such old thriller!

[TheMaverickChinaman]

This Is WONDERFUL !