Vertigo

The movie Vertigo has significant underscoring in the movie. There seems to be several musical themes that are used throughout the movie. For example, there is a repetitive leitmotif with a romantic but eerie theme between John and Madeleine. Also, there seems to be a leitmotif whenever John "spies" on Madeleine during the first part of the movie. It is a creepy, eerie theme that adds to the mystery and spookiness of the idea that Madeleine is possessed. After the stalking scenes the theme is prevelant it seemes whenever the "possessed" idea is present. So while the theme orginally seemed like a leitmotif for John spying, it was more a theme for the eerie idea of the possession.

The underscoring for all the musical themes in the movie seems minimalistic, at least in a sense. The music is very repetitive and while there is a motion of notes, the music does not "go anywhere" just like in "The Day the Earth Stood Still." The music is repetitive and helps increase the intensity of a scene and also builds suspense. Also, the music is not very harmonious (it is more sharp, disjunct, and short in some instances). Another device used in both films is the burst of loud music at the moment of a suspenseful or important scene and then the music typically stops. For example, in Vertigo, there is a sharp blast of music when a close up of the tombstone is showed to the viewer. And when Madeleine jumps into the river, there is also the loud burst. This idea helps add to the intensity of the scene and "startles" the viewer forcing them to notice and pay attention to the drastic and important ideas in the movie.

While there was a lot of underscoring, diagetic music was also present. For example, their was organ music in the Church while John was spying on Madeleine, and diagetic music from the record player when Midge play music in the begining and when she visits John at the mental institution. There is also diagetic music, the church bells, at the end when Judy falls from the church bell tower. There seemed to be only one scene where the lack of music created an effect, in the court room during the trail. It added to the seriousness of the situation and also acted as a form of respect, much like in that of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington where there is no music in senate and during court scenes.