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Family Plot

Family Plot is a 1976 American black comedy thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, marking his final feature-length directorial effort.^[1] Adapted for the screen by Ernest Lehman from Victor Canning's 1972 novel The Rainbird Pattern, the film stars Barbara Harris as Blanche Tyler, a fraudulent spiritualist, and Bruce Dern as her taxi-driver boyfriend George Lumley, who are hired by an elderly client to locate her long-lost nephew.^[2] Their search leads them to cross paths with a pair of jewel thieves, Arthur Adamson (William Devane) and his accomplice Fran (Karen Black), resulting in a series of mistaken identities, chases, and comedic entanglements set primarily in San Francisco.^[1] Released on April 9, 1976, by Universal Pictures, the 120-minute Technicolor production features original music by John Williams and incorporates Hitchcock's signature cameo appearance as a silhouette behind a frosted glass door.^[3]^[4] Produced on a budget of approximately $4.5 million, Family Plot represented a lighter, more humorous departure from Hitchcock's earlier suspense classics, blending elements of crime caper and romantic comedy while retaining his trademarks of tension and irony.^[3] Principal photography took place from May to August 1975, largely on location in Northern California, with Hitchcock, then 76 years old, overseeing the project amid health challenges but maintaining creative control.^[5] The screenplay emphasized character-driven humor over graphic violence, reflecting Hitchcock's intent to end his career on a whimsical note, as noted in contemporary reviews praising its breezy tone and ensemble performances.^[4] Despite mixed initial critical reception—some viewing it as uneven compared to Hitchcock's masterpieces—the film has gained appreciation for its playful subversion of thriller conventions and as a fitting, understated valediction to the "Master of Suspense."^[1] It holds a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 40 reviews.^[1]

Synopsis

Plot

Blanche Tyler, a fraudulent psychic motivated by greed, conducts a séance for her wealthy client, Julia Rainbird, who seeks to locate her long-lost nephew, Edward Shoebridge, given up for adoption decades earlier to avoid scandal. Julia promises Blanche a $10,000 reward upon finding him so she can name him her heir. Blanche enlists her bumbling boyfriend, George Lumley, a cab driver with amateur detective aspirations, to assist in the search; together, they trace leads to San Juan Capistrano, California, where George's investigation at a local cemetery uncovers clues about the Shoebridge family plot, including suspicious gravestones that hint at hidden secrets.^[4] Parallel to this, jewel thieves Arthur Adamson and his partner Fran orchestrate high-stakes kidnappings of prominent figures, demanding precious gems as ransom to fuel their criminal enterprise. Adamson, a ruthless and controlling figure who deals in stolen diamonds through his legitimate jewelry business, plans the abduction of Bishop Wood, leveraging Fran's reluctant participation despite her growing moral qualms about the violence involved. The paths of the two couples intersect when George unwittingly picks up Fran as a passenger in his cab following a botched heist, leading to a series of comedic mishaps and escalating suspicions as George's inquiries draw him closer to Adamson's operation.^[6] As tensions mount, Adamson and Fran execute the bishop's kidnapping during a cathedral service, stashing him at Adamson's remote home while demanding diamonds from the victim's family. George, captured briefly during his probing, escapes and alerts Blanche, who uses her cons to infiltrate the thieves' world; in a key twist, they discover that Adamson is the missing Edward Shoebridge, the very heir they've been seeking, whose criminal life stems from rejecting his family's legacy. The climax unfolds in a chaotic confrontation at Adamson's home, where Blanche and George discover the hidden ransom diamond in Adamson's chandelier, outwitting the thieves amid slapstick confrontations and revelations. Alfred Hitchcock makes his signature cameo approximately 40 minutes into the film as a silhouette seen through the frosted glass door of the Registrar of Births and Deaths office.^[4] The narrative resolves comically when the police arrive, arresting Adamson and Fran, allowing Blanche and George to claim the reward from Julia while exposing the family ties. In a final pun tying to the film's title, the "family plot" refers both to the inheritance scheme and the literal cemetery plot where the Shoebridges are buried, with Blanche breaking the fourth wall by winking at the audience in triumphant glee.^[7]

Cast

Actor	Character	Description
Barbara Harris	Blanche Tyler	A fraudulent psychic medium who cons clients with fake séances.^[1]
Bruce Dern	George Lumley	Blanche's boyfriend, a taxi driver who aids her in locating missing persons.^[1]
Karen Black	Fran	The partner of a criminal involved in kidnappings for ransom.^[3]
William Devane	Arthur Adamson	A jeweler who orchestrates jewel thefts and kidnappings.^[3]
Ed Lauter	Maloney	An associate of Arthur Adamson in his criminal activities.^[8]
Cathleen Nesbitt	Julia Rainbird	An elderly wealthy woman seeking her long-lost nephew.^[1]
Nicholas Colasanto	Constantine	A regular client of Blanche's psychic services.^[9]

Alfred Hitchcock makes an uncredited cameo appearance approximately 41 minutes into the film as a man whose silhouette is seen through the frosted glass door of the Registrar of Births and Deaths office.^[5]

Production

Development and Writing

Family Plot originated as an adaptation of Victor Canning's 1972 novel The Rainbird Pattern, a thriller set in England involving a wealthy woman's search for her long-lost illegitimate nephew and a parallel plot of kidnappers targeting prominent figures.^[10] Alfred Hitchcock acquired the film rights to the novel in 1973, viewing its dual narrative structure as a fitting vehicle for his signature suspense intertwined with thematic symmetry.^[11] Screenwriter Ernest Lehman, who had previously collaborated with Hitchcock on North by Northwest (1959), was hired in 1973 to adapt the story, relocating the setting from England to California—specifically San Francisco and surrounding areas—to better suit American audiences and Hitchcock's preference for familiar locales.^[11] Lehman initially envisioned a darker, more dramatic tone faithful to the novel's sinister undertones, but Hitchcock directed revisions toward lighter comedic elements, emphasizing black humor and quirky character interactions to align with his late-career interest in blending suspense with levity.^[5] The script underwent extensive development through 1973–1975, with Lehman and Hitchcock conducting story conferences documented in transcripts from that period.^[11] Key changes included Americanizing character names and backstories, introducing a fake psychic con artist (Blanche Tyler) and her cab-driving boyfriend (George Lumley) as the investigators in place of the novel's more straightforward private detective, and amplifying the comedic pacing over pure suspense.^[12] Multiple drafts followed: an undated handwritten version, the first typed draft dated April 15, 1974 (with revisions), a second draft from September 16, 1974, and the final shooting script approved on August 14, 1975.^[11] This iterative process, incorporating Hitchcock's detailed notes and sketches for scenes, culminated in a screenplay that earned Lehman the 1977 Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture from the Mystery Writers of America.^[5]

Casting

Casting for Family Plot began in mid-1975, coinciding with the start of principal photography in May of that year. Alfred Hitchcock, who was dealing with declining health including heart issues and limited mobility, personally oversaw final approvals to foster an ensemble dynamic suited to the film's lighthearted, comedic thriller tone.^[13]^[14] Hitchcock selected Bruce Dern for the role of George Lumley based on their previous collaborations, including Dern's brief appearance in the 1964 film Marnie and guest spots on episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Dern's lanky, humorous screen presence aligned with the character's bumbling quality.^[5]^[15] For the antagonist Arthur Adamson (also known as Edward Shoebridge), Hitchcock originally cast Roy Thinnes but replaced him approximately one month into production when William Devane became available; Devane had previously demonstrated intense dramatic range in Robert Altman's McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971).^[16] Karen Black was chosen as Fran Thomas after initial considerations, bringing her established versatility from roles in films like Five Easy Pieces (1970). For the minor role of Julia Rainbird, Hitchcock cast British veteran Cathleen Nesbitt, whose long career portraying elegant, aristocratic figures—such as in An Affair to Remember (1957)—provided the requisite dignified presence.^[17] Ed Lauter was cast as Joseph P. Maloney after Hitchcock spotted his tough, menacing turn as a prison guard in The Longest Yard (1974), filling the slot for a blue-collar heavy following other actors' unavailability.^[18]

Filming

Principal photography for Family Plot commenced on May 12, 1975, and wrapped on August 18, 1975, spanning roughly three months of production on a budget of $4.5 million.^[19]^[20] The shoot combined location work in Northern and Southern California with extensive studio filming at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, reflecting Hitchcock's preference for controlled environments amid his declining health at age 76.^[21] Filming locations centered on San Francisco for key exteriors, including the kidnappers' home at 2240 Sacramento Street at Buchanan Street, Grace Cathedral at 1051 Taylor Street standing in for St. Anselm’s Cathedral, and the Fairmont Hotel at 950 Mason Street for a pivotal message scene.^[22] In Los Angeles, scenes were captured at 4254 Lexington Avenue in Silver Lake for Blanche’s home, Southwestern Law School at 3050 Wilshire Boulevard doubling as a department store, Pioneer Cemetery at 553 East Sierra Madre Boulevard in Sierra Madre as Barlow Creek Cemetery, 22124 Sierra Highway in Sylmar for Maloney’s garage, and 10451 Bellagio Road in Bel-Air as the stand-in for Julia Rainbird’s mansion (now demolished).^[22] The runaway car sequence unfolded along Angeles Crest Highway in Angeles National Forest, while the climactic confrontation was recreated on the Universal Studios backlot after Hitchcock deemed the real Sacramento Street location too chilly for extended shooting.^[22]^[23] Hitchcock, hampered by arthritis and other health ailments that limited his mobility and on-set presence, relied on rear projection for interior car scenes to minimize physical demands.^[21]^[24] Cinematographer Leonard J. South, a longtime Hitchcock collaborator who had served as camera operator on earlier films like Rear Window, handled the visuals, earning an Oscar nomination for his work.^[25] Production designer Henry Bumstead, returning from Vertigo and Topaz, oversaw the sets, including the elaborate jewelry workshop and mansion interiors that emphasized the film's blend of comedy and thriller elements.^[26] Hitchcock's cameo, appearing as a silhouette in the registrar's office, was among the early shots completed to accommodate his schedule.^[3]

Music

The score for Family Plot was composed by John Williams, marking his first and only collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock on the director's final film. Williams drew on the story's blend of mystery and comedy to create a light, whimsical soundtrack that contrasts with the more ominous tones of Hitchcock's earlier works scored by Bernard Herrmann. The recording sessions took place over three days, January 12, 13, and 14, 1976, at Universal Studios Stage 10 in Studio City, California, with orchestration by Herbert W. Spencer and Al Woodbury.^[27] Williams employed a versatile orchestration featuring a large string section of over 20 violins, minimal brass (omitting trumpets and tuba), and prominent solo instruments including harpsichord, ARP synthesizer, and timpani to balance suspense and humor. Low strings and building crescendos underscore tense theft and kidnapping sequences, while abrupt comedic stops and brass accents heighten the film's chase scenes and lighthearted moments. Leitmotifs distinguish key characters: Blanche's whimsical psychic persona is evoked through airy harpsichord lines and wordless female chorus in cues like "The First Séance," creating a mystical aura; Arthur Adamson's menacing presence is highlighted by ominous ARP synthesizer timbres in motifs for the antagonists. This approach emphasizes the film's comedic tone over unrelenting dread, differing from the stark horror of Herrmann's Psycho score.^[27]^[28] Notable tracks include "Blanche's Challenge" (serving as Blanche's theme, 2:09), "The Mystery Woman" (exploring the plot's intrigue, 3:27), and "The Search" (capturing investigative tension). The complete score runs approximately 40 minutes in the film, with the 2010 release expanding to 63:27 by incorporating alternates. Prior to this, only the "End Credits" cue had been commercially available, featured on a 1985 compilation of Hitchcock film music.^[29]^[28] The original 1976 soundtrack remained unreleased for over three decades due to the film's modest reception, until Varèse Sarabande issued a limited collector's edition of 5,000 copies in 2010 (VCL 1110 1115). This edition presents the full score in film sequence order, including unused alternate cues and integrated sound effects from the production, allowing listeners to appreciate Williams' nuanced layering of music and diegetic audio.^[30]

Release

Premiere and Marketing

Family Plot had its world premiere on March 21, 1976, at the American Film Institute's Filmex festival in Los Angeles, California, followed by a gala tribute to director Alfred Hitchcock at the Century Plaza Hotel. The event proceeded as a significant industry gathering honoring the filmmaker's career. The film then opened in New York City on April 9, 1976, at the National Theatre, marking its initial theatrical rollout in major U.S. markets. Distributed by Universal Pictures, the production wrapped principal photography in February 1976, allowing time for post-production refinements before these events.^[31] The marketing campaign for Family Plot emphasized Hitchcock's signature blend of suspense and humor, positioning it as a lighthearted return to his earlier comedy-thriller style after more serious works like Frenzy. Trailers prominently featured Hitchcock's name and voiceover narration, highlighting the film's quirky plot involving psychic frauds and jewel thieves, while underscoring the ensemble cast's chemistry. Posters showcased actors Karen Black, Bruce Dern, Barbara Harris, and William Devane in enigmatic poses, accompanied by taglines such as "From the devious mind of Alfred Hitchcock, a diabolically entertaining motion picture" to evoke intrigue and entertainment. Promotional efforts also included a themed press luncheon hosted by Hitchcock on May 29, 1975, at Universal's backlot, complete with cemetery decorations, a hearse, and novelty drinks like Bloody Marys to tie into the film's macabre elements. Additionally, the source novel, Victor Canning's The Rainbird Pattern, was republished in a tie-in edition retitled Family Plot to capitalize on the film's buzz.^[31]^[32]^[33] Due to Hitchcock's declining health at age 76—including heart issues that had affected production—his personal involvement in publicity was limited, though he participated in a press conference discussing the film and his craft. The premiere events were attended by the principal cast, providing key promotional moments, but Hitchcock's appearance at the Los Angeles gala marked one of his final major public outings. Internationally, the rollout began in Europe during the summer of 1976, with an out-of-competition screening at the Cannes Film Festival on May 28, followed by releases in countries like France and Australia in the ensuing months. To align with the era's standards, the film underwent minor edits for scenes of violence to secure a PG rating from the Motion Picture Association of America, avoiding any significant controversies.^[12]^[31]^[34]^[35]

Box Office Performance

Family Plot was produced on a budget of $3 million. The film grossed $13.2 million worldwide, with all earnings reported as domestic, marking it as profitable with returns exceeding the production costs by more than four times.^[36] In the United States, it earned $6.8 million in box office rentals, securing the 25th position among the year's top-grossing films according to industry reports.^[37] Relative to Alfred Hitchcock's earlier successes, such as Psycho (1960), which achieved a domestic gross of $32 million, Family Plot underperformed in terms of scale but still demonstrated the enduring commercial appeal of the director's name.^[38] The picture benefited from a strong initial opening in major urban markets, leveraging Hitchcock's brand recognition, though its theatrical run was somewhat curtailed by competition from high-profile releases like Rocky and Network. Positive word-of-mouth regarding its comedic elements contributed to sustained interest in later screenings.^[39]

Reception

Critical Response

Upon its release in 1976, Family Plot received a mixed but generally positive response from critics, who appreciated its lighthearted tone and ensemble performances while noting a departure from Hitchcock's signature suspense. The film holds an approval rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 40 reviews, reflecting this consensus.^[1] Vincent Canby of The New York Times praised it as a "witty, relaxed lark," highlighting Hitchcock's benign good humor and the engaging interplay among the cast, likening it to earlier works like To Catch a Thief.^[40] Roger Ebert awarded the film three out of four stars, commending its comedic elements and Hitchcock's effortless direction, describing it as a "delight" that balanced humor with thriller tropes despite lacking intense tension.^[4] In contrast, Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune offered a negative assessment, calling it disappointing and criticizing Hitchcock's "old mastery" as running cold, with underdeveloped characters and insufficient thriller drive.^[41] Critics frequently highlighted Barbara Harris's performance as the fraudulent psychic Blanche Tyler, with Canby describing her as providing "extremely good company" through her spirited portrayal.^[40] John Williams's score was commended for its playful orchestration, enhancing the film's whimsical energy without overpowering the action.^[28] Some reviewers viewed Family Plot as a fitting swan song for Hitchcock, capturing his mature wit in a career-capping effort that prioritized charm over shocks.^[4] Internationally, French critics appreciated the film's lighter Hitchcock style, seeing it as a demob-happy valediction with clever tonal shifts.^[42] The film earned no major Academy Award nominations but received a Golden Globe nod for Harris in Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.^[43]

Modern Reassessment

In the decades following its release, Family Plot has garnered increased appreciation among critics and scholars as one of Alfred Hitchcock's more underrated works, often praised for its lighthearted blend of suspense and comedy that serves as a fitting, playful capstone to his career.^[44]^[45] A 2012 article on RogerEbert.com by Jim Emerson highlighted the film's enduring charm, referencing its clever twists and Hitchcock's craftsmanship.^[46] Similarly, a 2014 analysis positioned it as a maligned gem worth revisiting for its inventive character dynamics and thematic depth.^[47] Updated aggregate scores reflect this shift in perception, with Rotten Tomatoes designating the film Certified Fresh at 90% based on 40 critic reviews as of November 2025, accompanied by a consensus stating: "The Master of Suspense's swan song finds him aiming for pulpy thrills and hitting the target, delivering a twisty crime story with pleasurable bite."^[1] Metacritic assigns a score of 79/100 from 8 critics, while user ratings average 7.6/10 from 20 submissions, indicating generally favorable modern reception.^[48] A 2020 review in the Financial Times further underscored this reevaluation, describing the film as ending Hitchcock's oeuvre on a "confident and inventive note."^[49] Continued appreciation in 2025 includes a review praising its "lightness" and thematic subtlety as emblematic of Hitchcock's late style.^[50] Home video releases, including Universal's editions with the 48-minute documentary Plotting Family Plot featuring interviews with cast and crew like Bruce Dern and screenwriter Ernest Lehman, have contributed to renewed interest by illuminating Hitchcock's comedic risks and directorial choices.^[51]^[52] Academic analyses of Hitchcock's late style have also spotlighted Family Plot, with studies exploring its themes of doubleness, performance, and textual disjuncture as emblematic of his evolving approach to identity and humor in his final years.^[53]^[54]

Legacy

Themes and Analysis

Family Plot explores themes of greed and deception set against the backdrop of American suburbia, where ordinary domestic spaces become sites of moral ambiguity and criminal intrigue. The film's central MacGuffin, a massive diamond demanded as ransom for the kidnapped bishop, symbolizes false values and the corrupting influence of wealth, driving the characters' actions without deeper ideological significance.^[55] This motif underscores the protagonists' pursuit of easy riches, as the fake psychic Blanche and her cab-driving partner George navigate a web of lies to locate a missing heir, paralleling the jewelers Adamson and Fran's more ruthless kidnappings. Scholar Michael Walker notes that Adamson's greed as a jeweler propels the narrative, linking personal ambition to broader chaos and suffering in suburban settings.^[55] The blend of comedy and thriller elements highlights Hitchcock's interest in human folly, with the dual plots of the heir search and the kidnappings converging through misdirection and improbable coincidences. Suspense builds via visual motifs, such as shadows in domestic spaces like the nursery, evoking unease in everyday environments, while the title's pun on "plot"—referring both to the narrative scheme and a cemetery burial site—reinforces themes of hidden family secrets and mortality. Gender roles are contrasted through Blanche's empowered, improvisational deceptions, which allow her to outwit the villains, versus Fran's submissiveness as the silent accomplice, with the latter's blonde wig briefly inverting the archetypal Hitchcock blonde. Walker interprets these dynamics as emblematic of female agency amid moral duality, where Blanche's manic antics provide comedic relief.^[55] Stylistically, Family Plot marks a shift in Hitchcock's late career toward vibrant color and humor, using editing for comedic timing in scenes like Blanche's feigned trance and the chandelier-hidden diamond's sparkling reveal. Catholic undertones emerge subtly through the bishop's kidnapping during Mass, ironizing religious authority and suggesting redemption amid deception, as seen in the film's ironic Christian elements like a priest's clandestine meetings. In Hitchcock's Motifs, Walker analyzes these as part of Hitchcock's recurring irony toward faith, tying into the film's playful resolution. Bill Krohn, in Hitchcock at Work, discusses the improvisational comedy in production, noting how on-set adjustments enhanced the film's light-hearted tone and Blanche's performative fakery.^[55]^[56]

Hitchcock's Final Film

Family Plot was released on April 9, 1976, just four months prior to Alfred Hitchcock's 77th birthday on August 13.^[3]^[57] At this stage in his life, Hitchcock was grappling with significant health challenges, including the implantation of a pacemaker in early 1975 following heart issues, alongside complications from colitis and kidney stones that necessitated further medical interventions. These ailments contributed to his overall declining condition, ultimately prompting his retirement from directing after completing the film, as subsequent projects like the planned thriller The Short Night were abandoned due to his frailty.^[31] The production of Family Plot reflected these personal circumstances through practical adjustments, such as a condensed shooting schedule that prioritized studio work at Universal over extensive location filming originally envisioned for settings like San Francisco.^[52] Hitchcock's on-set presence was limited by his health, requiring accommodations like directing from a modified vehicle and a chair, which streamlined the 58-day principal photography from May to August 1975.^[52] In a 1976 press conference promoting the film, Hitchcock reflected on its lighter, comedic tone as a deliberate choice, aligning with his career's evolution toward more playful narratives in his later years.^[58] As Hitchcock's 53rd feature film, Family Plot marked a capstone to his illustrious career, offering a whimsical contrast to the intense psychological suspense of earlier masterpieces like Vertigo (1958) and the grim violence of his recent Frenzy (1972).^[31]^[59] This final work provided a buoyant, entertaining exit, emphasizing clever cons and chases over darker themes.^[40] Following its release, Hitchcock passed away on April 29, 1980, from kidney failure at his Bel-Air home, after which Family Plot appeared in various reissues and collections honoring his legacy.^[57]^[60]

Cultural Impact and Home Media

Family Plot, Alfred Hitchcock's final film, has exerted a subtle influence on subsequent quirky thrillers, with some critics noting its lighthearted blend of comedy and suspense resembles the style of the Coen brothers' early works.^[61] The film's playful tone and eccentric characters have made it a frequent inclusion in Hitchcock retrospectives, serving as an accessible entry point for audiences exploring the director's oeuvre beyond his more famous suspense classics.^[47] Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has featured it in programming, highlighting its role in discussions of Hitchcock's late-career evolution.^[62] The film has not inspired direct adaptations, sequels, or spin-offs, though it remains tied to its source material, Victor Canning's 1972 novel The Rainbird Pattern. No novel tie-ins or stage productions based on the movie have emerged.^[3] Home media releases of Family Plot began with VHS tapes distributed by MCA/Universal in 1986 as part of early Hitchcock collections.^[63] DVD editions followed, including a 2001 Universal release and a 2008 version featuring audio commentary by director William Friedkin, who analyzes Hitchcock's techniques and the film's production.^[64] The 2012 Blu-ray, part of Universal's Alfred Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection, offered improved visuals and additional supplements like storyboards and a making-of documentary.^[65] A 4K UHD restoration arrived in 2022, providing enhanced detail from the original negative while retaining the mono audio track.^[66] As of November 2025, the film is available for streaming on Netflix (added in June 2025 as part of an Alfred Hitchcock collection), with rental and purchase options on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.^[67]^[68] The John Williams soundtrack received its first commercial CD release in 2010 via Varèse Sarabande, a limited edition of 5,000 copies compiling the complete score recorded in 1976.^[30] Merchandise includes inclusion in Hitchcock-themed box sets, such as the 2012 Masterpiece Collection and various Universal compilations.^[69] TCM has aired the film in dedicated Hitchcock marathons, contributing to its ongoing visibility in classic cinema events, though specific festival screenings remain occasional.^[70] In academic contexts, Family Plot appears in film studies courses examining Hitchcock's shift toward comedy in his later years.^[71]

References

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Family Plot | Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 90% (40) A less than reputable psychic, and her equally shady boyfriend, George (Bruce Dern), are hired by an elderly lady to find her nephew Arthur (William Devane).
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Hitchcock's 'Family Plot' Bubbles Over - The New York Times
Apr 10, 1976 · Ernest Lehman's screenplay, based on a novel by Victor Canning, is about the efforts of Blanche and her boyfriend, Lumley (Bruce Dern), a good- ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Family Plot (1976) - IMDb
Rating 6.8/10 (26,513) Family Plot: Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. With Karen Black, Bruce Dern, Barbara Harris, William Devane. Two frauds seeking a woman's heir cross paths with ...Plot · Full cast & crew · Barbara Harris(1935-2018) · Trivia
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Family Plot movie review & film summary (1976) | Roger Ebert
Rating 3/4 · Review by Roger Ebert“Family Plot” is, incredibly, Hitchcock's 53d film in a career that reaches back almost 50 years. And it's a delight for two contradictory reasons: because it's ...
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Feb 9, 2024 · Family Plot was adapted for the screen by Ernest Lehman, based on Victor Canning's 1972 novel “The Rainbird Pattern.”
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Feb 14, 2019 · Based on the novel The Rainbird Pattern by Victor Canning, Family Plot stars the late Barbara Harris, Bruce Dern, Karen Black, William Devane, Cathleen Nesbitt ...
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Aug 28, 2023 · Concluding this sunny tale of sex, money, and death with her wink at the camera, Hitchcock cheerfully acknowledges his full hand ad his trump ...
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Cast · Elisabeth Brooks in The Howling (1981). Elisabeth Brooks · Elisabeth Brooks · Carl Byrd · Carl Byrd · Dee Carroll · Dick Cherney · Dick Cherney · Alan Fudge.
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Cast & Crew ; Alfred Hitchcock ; Bruce Dern · George Lumley ; Karen Black · Fran ; Barbara Harris · Blanche Tyler ; William Devane · Arthur Adamson.Missing: principal | Show results with:principal
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Oct 21, 1973 · Hitchcock reported from Hollywood. The script will be “vaguely based,” he said, on “The Rainbird Pattern,” a novel by Victor Canning published ...Missing: acquires rights
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In 1973, Lehman began working with Alfred Hitchcock again on the screenplay for Family Plot (1976), a comedy/thriller based on the novel The Rainbird Pattern ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
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Jun 27, 2022 · Beautifully scripted by Ernest Lehman from Victor Canning's novel, The Rainbird Pattern, the film again taps that steady thematic vein that ...
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May 26, 2025 · In May 1975, Alfred Hitchcock started filming his 53rd film, Family Plot ... Hitchcock was kept unaware of it due to failing health. 5 mos.Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
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Mar 30, 2011 · The two couples are Madame Blanche, a low-rent psychic played by Barbara Harris; her boyfriend, George, an actor and cab driver, played by Bruce ...
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Sep 19, 2012 · How did Hitchcock cast you as the nemesis in his last film, 1976's “Family Plot”? He saw me in “The Longest Yard.” Burt Reynolds wanted a part ...Missing: alternatives | Show results with:alternatives
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Filming locations: Angeles Crest Highway, Angeles National Forest, California, USA (runaway car downhill sequence)
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Apr 25, 2011 · Credits. Produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Screenplay: Ernst Lehman, from the novel “The Rainbird Pattern” by Victor Canning. Camera ...Missing: development | Show results with:development
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... in television, but he rejoined Hitchcock in 1975 for “Family Plot.” By then, Hitchcock, who was 76 and in rapidly failing health, had become increasingly ...
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Film locations for Alfred Hitchcock's final film, Family Plot (1976), not just around San Francisco but in Los Angeles too.
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Alfred Hitchcock strangles a bust of himself on the Universal Studios ...
Feb 13, 2018 · However Alfred Hitchcock saw it differently, it was here that he filmed climatic scenes of his very last film Family Plot (1976). It may ...
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Poorly rendered rear screen projection is used for all interior car scenes, especially during the downhill runaway car sequence, where the actors' actions ...Missing: health | Show results with:health
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Jan 17, 2006 · South teamed with Hitchcock again as cinematographer for the legendary director's final film, the 1976 comedy-thriller “Family Plot.” By ...
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Henry Bumstead, 91; Veteran Film Production Designer
May 27, 2006 · In addition to “Vertigo,” Bumstead also worked on Hitchcock's 1969 film “Topaz” and his 1976 film “Family Plot,” the director's final movie.
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the overall tone was breezy, ...
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Dec 27, 2010 · Includes reviews, audio clips, track listings, pictures, and other notes about the soundtrack for Family Plot by John Williams.Missing: composition history
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Movies by Genre, Movies by Subject, All. Family Plot (1976). PG | 120 mins | Comedy | 9 April 1976. Cast: Karen Black, Bruce Dern, Barbara Harris [ More ] ...
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Family Plot · You must see it twice! · From the devious mind of Alfred Hitchcock, a diabolically entertaining motion picture. · There's no body in the family plot.Missing: marketing campaign posters
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Jan 9, 2012 · ... Family Plot Trailer - Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Bruce Dern, William Devane, Ed Lauter, Warren J. Kemmerling, William Prince ...
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Release info - Family Plot (1976) - IMDb
Release date · United States. March 21, 1976(Filmex) · United States. April 9, 1976 · France. May 28, 1976(Cannes Film Festival) · Australia. July 8, 1976 · France.Missing: wide Universal Pictures December 20 delayed edits
[36]
Parents guide - Family Plot (1976) - IMDb
Content rating · Sex & Nudity: None · Violence & Gore: Mild · Profanity: Mild · Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking: Mild · Frightening & Intense Scenes: Mild ...Missing: cuts | Show results with:cuts
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Family Plot (1976) - Box Office and Financial Information
Domestic Share: 100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide) ; Production Budget: $3,000,000 (worldwide box office is 4.4 times production budget) ...
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The U.S. box office of 1976: The receipts of all the hit films, released ...
Dec 31, 2016 · Family Plot (March; Alfred Hitchcock) CAST Karen Black, Bruce Dern, Barbara Harris, William Devane $6,825,000; Missouri Breaks (May; Arthur ...
[39]
Horror by the numbers: Janet Leigh's 'Psycho' pay compared to ...
Oct 13, 2017 · $32 million. Estimated domestic gross of “Psycho,” Hitchcock's most profitable film. $2500. What Stephen King was paid for the rights to ...
[40]
1976 Top Grossing Movies | Ultimate Movie Rankings
Jun 30, 2025 · Family Plot ... Every year the rental to box office gross percentage changed…in 1976 this meant you had to triple the rentals to get the gross….
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Family Plot - Wikipedia
The film stars Karen Black, Bruce Dern, Barbara Harris and William Devane; it was screened at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival but was not entered into the main ...Missing: descriptions | Show results with:descriptions
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Screen: Hitchcock's 'Family Plot' Bubbles Over - The New York Times
Apr 10, 1976 · "Family Plot," which opened at theaters all over town yesterday, is a witty, relaxed lark. It's a movie to raise your spirits even as it dabbles in phony ones.
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Gene Siskel Movie Review—FAMILY PLOT (04-13-76)
Apr 13, 1976 · Hitchcock's old mastery runs cold in 'Family Plot' wants. It's disappointing then, logical thriller- the film form nificant, unreal characters.
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Family Plot Reviews - Metacritic
Rating 4.0 (8) Family Plot is a dazzling achievement for Alfred Hitchcock masterfully ... Release Date Apr 9, 1976. Duration 2 h. Rating PG. Genres. Comedy · Crime · Drama.Missing: delay | Show results with:delay
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Family Plot (1976) - Alfred Hitchcock - film review and synopsis
Rating 3.0 · Review by James TraversAlfred Hitchcock's last film has an obvious demob happy feel to it, almost as if the director had planned that this was to be his swansong.
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Family Plot - Golden Globes
Golden Globe Awards. 1977 Nominee. Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. Family Plot · Barbara Harris · Golden Globes ...Missing: 1976 | Show results with:1976
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The Criticwire Survey: Underrated Hitchcock - IndieWire
Nov 19, 2012 · ' His last film, 'Family Plot,' is underrated too, but 'Frenzy' may be Hitchcock's last truly great movie, and I find that most people haven't ...
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Top 11 Underrated Hitchcock Films - Blueprint: Review
Mar 16, 2022 · FAMILY PLOT. One of the more famous films on my list, largely due to it being Hitchcock's final film, Family Plot is a terrifically fun ...<|separator|>
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Hitchcock's Family Plot Photo Album | Scanners - Roger Ebert
Dec 14, 2012 · A review of Alfred Hitchcock's 53rd and final feature, "Family Plot," which I hadn't seen since the 1970s. Boy, did I enjoy the re-visit.
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“Family Plot” Points: The Best Reasons to See a Maligned Hitchcock ...
May 18, 2014 · Hitchcock had told California stories before, but unlike Vertigo, Family Plot was produced after The Long Goodbye (1973) and Chinatown (1974) ...
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Family Plot | Reviews - Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten score. This is overlong and plodding, about as clever as a mediocre sitcom, looking like a parody/knockoff of one of Hitchcock's better efforts. Full ...
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DVD Review: Alfred Hitchcock's Family Plot on Universal Home Video
Rating 2.5 · Review by Dan CallahanFeb 14, 2006 · The image is rather dark and grainy and could use more detail, but the sound is good, with John Williams's score bouncing along nicely.Missing: 2009 | Show results with:2009
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Blu-ray Review: Family Plot - Alfred Hitchcock Master - WordPress.com
Jul 10, 2015 · The script was adapted from Victor Canning's “The Rainbird Pattern,” but the differences between the novel and Alfred Hitchcock's film go far ...
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(DOC) DOUBLENESS IN HITCHCOCK: SEEING THE FAMILY PLOT
This paper explores the theme of mother figures and the dynamics of guilt and duality in Alfred Hitchcock's films, particularly focusing on 'Family Plot'.
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ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S FAMILY PLOT.pdf - Academia.edu
Most crucially, the performance analysis of Family Plot also suggests that Hitchcock was acutely aware of the impact of his cast's “B-film” personae, their ...Missing: late | Show results with:late
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Hitchcock's Motifs on JSTOR
This book examines Alfred Hitchcockʹs work through his recurring motifs. Motifs in general are a neglected area of Film Studies.
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Hitchcock: monster or moralist? - The Times
Sep 5, 2008 · ... Family Plot (1976) he was very excited about the bit where a bishop was kidnapped in the middle of Mass. This appealed to his sense of ...
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Alfred Hitchcock Dies; A Master of Suspense ... - The New York Times
Apr 30, 1980 · April 30, 1980, Section A, Page 1Buy Reprints. New York Times ... Hitchcock of relying on slick tricks, illogical story lines and wild ...<|separator|>
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Masterclass Interview: Alfred Hitchcock on Filmmaking
On both films, the writer and director collaborated closely, but on Family Plot Lehman recorded their story conferences, providing unprecedented insight into ...
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The Pattern is Complete - shadowplay | david cairns
Dec 30, 2009 · A lot of facts conspired to make FAMILY PLOT an unlikely film to actually happen. Hitch was unwell. He had arthritis in his knees, which made ...Missing: issues | Show results with:issues
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Behind the Scenes: The Great 1980s Hitchcock Revival
Oct 7, 2024 · After Hitchcock's death in 1980, Universal bought up the Paramount package and in 1983 reissued four of them plus Warner Brothers' Rope (1948) ...Missing: Family Plot dedication
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Hitchcock in Reverse - <i>Family Plot</i> (1976) - The Movie Waffler
It plays more like a made for TV Coen brothers film than a work of the master of suspense. ... Hitchcock was the primary influence on the makers of Italian ...
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Family Plot (1976) -- (Movie Clip) Never Liked Them Multiple Funerals
Apr 17, 2017 · Bent San Francisco cabbie George (Bruce Dern), now posing as a lawyer investigating a case, comes to a cemetery, where he discovers the man ...
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Family Plot/Home media | Moviepedia
August 3, 1999, Universal Studios Home Video, The Alfred Hitchcock Collection. DVD. Family Plot (DVD). March 6, 2001. Family Plot (DVD Reissue).Timeline · Supplements · 1999 VHS - The Alfred...Missing: history | Show results with:history
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Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection Limited Edition Blu-ray ...
Nov 12, 2012 · Feature Commentary by William Friedkin (FROM THE 2008 DVD) – Friedkin sits down for a scene-specific commentary that has some information ...
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Alfred Hitchcock: Masterpiece Collection - Family Plot - Blu-Ray
Nov 19, 2012 · 'Family Plot' is a fun little romp through classic Hitchcock. This isn't a nail-biting thriller like 'Rear Window' or a historical cinematic ...
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Family Plot - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review - High Def Digest
May 30, 2022 · Ranking: Very loosely based on Victor Canning's mystery thriller The Rainbird Pattern, Family Plot follows a pair of con artists whose ...
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Family Plot streaming: where to watch movie online? - JustWatch
Rating 75% (237) You can buy "Family Plot" on Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, Apple TV as download or rent it on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand ...
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Family Plot Blu-ray
Rating 5/10 · Review by Kenneth BrownNov 12, 2012 · Family Plot Blu-ray features awful video and great audio in this mediocre Blu-ray release. When a wealthy woman unwittingly hires a con man ...Missing: reevaluation | Show results with:reevaluation
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Alfred Hitchcock - Turner Classic Movies - TCM
Hitchcock died on April 29, 1980 from kidney failure in his Bel Air home. ... Family Plot - (Original Trailer) A phony psychic takes on a pair of kidnappers in ...
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Week 13: Family Plot (1976), Endings, and Star Wars Marathons
Apr 2, 2016 · A big question around Family Plot is whether Hitchcock knew this was his last film. The easy answer is no, of course not. Hitchcock remained in ...