Master of suspense and set design!

The setting of the film definitely adds to the storyline. For anyone that has ever lived in an apartment, you know that there is usually a lot to see, maybe not as interesting as the courtyard of Mr. Jeffries though. Each window, each apartment has a story to tell, not only with the inhabitants, but simply with the décor. We can tell a lot about the characters based on what we see happening in their homes, what we see on their walls. A few examples: Jeffries has pictures, magazines, and photography equipment throughout his apartment. The musician has a piano as the main focus of his apartment. Our first view Miss. Lonelyhearts apartment has a table set for two, but only one diner, her pink wall leads us to think that she is a passionate but lonely woman.

Because we are watching all of the comings and goings through the window of Jeffries, and we can’t always hear what’s going on, or see everything that we want to, we are left in suspense. One main example of this is when we see the Thorwalds arguing, but we can’t hear what they are arguing about.

 I read that the studio where the scene was built had the ground removed and that the courtyard is in what was the basement to add depth to the apartment complex, meaning that Jeffries second floor apartment is actually on the main floor of the studio. What an amazing idea!

Just was the décor of their apartment tells us about the person, a bigger window into a characters personality is their wardrobe. The costuming of the characters is exquisite, and very descriptive of the time. The women leads are dressed according to their status. Lisa in her fabulous wardrobe, very becoming a woman that works in high fashion; Stella in her drab dresses, very similar to the drab scrubs we would expect to see a nurse in. Jeffries is in his pajamas, which is exactly what we would expect to see a man that sits at his window all day watching his neighbors wearing.