James Stewart has been featured in movies resembling the noir pattern, yet Call Northside 777 stands as his only movie that belongs to the genre. The movie was released in 1948 and the visuals explored in it make it a model for noir, shaping the way viewers perceived the genre.
Not only did fans of James Stewart enjoy Call Northside 777, but critics scored the movie 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting the impact and response of the viewers. However, James Stewart’s subsequent collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock, which often look similar to noir, do not entirely belong to the genre.
James Stewart’s movies after ‘Call Northside 777’
After the release of Call Northside 777 in 1948 and the success that accompanied the movie, setting the tone for other movies belonging to the noir genre, James Stewart and Alfred Hitchcock’s movies have only been considered noir because of their cinematic movements.
Alfred Hitchcock uses his unique tone of suspense in his movie Vertigo, which borrows from noir’s visual and cinematic elements. The dark mise-en-scène of the movie reflects noir influences without fully subscribing to its styles. Hence, Alfred Hitchcock’s work owes much to noir but reimagines it to suit his storytelling style, which matches James Stewart’s personality on screen.
Anyone would know that James Stewart was not the typical protagonist of a genre like noir. Early in his career, he was celebrated as a moral and upright hero, very far from the morally unstable characters often central to noir narratives. His role in movies like Rope and Rear Window also made fans trust his character in movies.
Other noir movies
Looking at the protagonists of classic noir like The Maltese Falcon or The Big Sleep. These characters are far from being morally right and they are known for deceit and corruption. James Stewart’s charisma distinguishes him from such roles, making it less likely for him to play them.
However, Call Northside 777 challenged this perception. James Stewart played a journalist investigating a potentially wrongful conviction, a role that leaned into noir’s emphasis on cynicism and justice while allowing his natural charisma to shine.