Can you name some of the best actors to appear in a single Alfred Hitchcock movie (not counting cameos)?
There have been some memorable performances by actors in Alfred Hitchcock’s films. Some have only appeared in one of Hitch’s films. Most had proven themselves in other films before their work in Hitch’s film, many were known stars and a few had their debuts in his films. Others displayed some of their finest work or played roles outside of what they were known for and impressed.
I will list some of my favorites:
Joel McCrae did superb work starring as reporter Johnny Jones (John Smith) in Hitchcock's 1940 espionage thriller Foreign Correspondent. It earned six Oscar nominations including Best Picture (not for Joel though).
Eva Marie Saint couldn’t have been better in the one movie she made with Hitch 1959’s classic North by Northwest, where she played the femme fatale Eve Kendall opposite Cary Grant.
James Mason’s only Hitchcock film was also in North by Northwest and I can’t imagine anyone else playing the part of Phillip Vandamm..
Let’s not forget also in N by N was Martin Landau as Leonard in his very first film and the only time he worked with Hitchcock. Hitch saw him in the play, Middle of the Night was impressed and cast him in the role.
There is of course the remarkable performance of Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates in 1960s Psycho. He only worked once with Hitch, was pretty much typecast because of it (and he played the character again in several films NOT directed by Hitch).
Janet Leigh became nearly immortal the one-time she worked with Hitch in Psycho, playing the ill-fated Marion Crane, and redefining horror history with that shower scene.
Character actor Martin Balsam also was in Psycho – playing private investigator Milton Arbogast who unfortunately meets Norman’s mom on those stairs.
Another find by Hitchcock was casting Shirley MacLaine in her first role in the 1955 dark comedy The Trouble with Harry (1955) where she played Jennifer Rogers, the young wife of the deceased man. It was the only time she worked with Hitchcock.
John Forsythe (two years before Bachelor Father TV fame and way before Dynasty) was cast in his very first major role as the romantic male interest in 1955’s The Trouble with Harry. He began a studio bit player appearing a few times though often uncredited in other films.
Henry Fonda – Starred in The Wrong Man (1956) playing real-life musician Manny Balestrero, marking his only feature film with Hitchcock.
Kim Novak – Starred in Vertigo (1958) as Madeleine Elster / Judy Barton opposite James Stewart, in her sole Hitchcock film.
Sean Connery –in Marnie (1964) as Mark Rutland opposite Tippi Hedren, his sole filme film with the director.
The great Laurence Olivier in Hitch’s first American-made film, Rebecca, (1940) — receiving Oscar Nomination for his portrayal as Maxim de Winter in this gothic, Best Picture-winner. (Hitch was nominated 5 time for a directing Oscar without winning until getting a special Oscar in 1968).
Montgomery Clift internally conflicted as Father Michael Logan in 1953’s I Confess, Clifts only Hitchcock film.
Doris Day in a non-comedic role as a mom tracking down her kidnapped child in 1956’s The Man Who Knew Too Much (and signing hit song: Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be).
Marlene Dietrich was memorable playing a purposefully theatrical role in Stage Fright, from 1950.
Robert Walker wasn’t his usual boy next door guy as he played the likeable psychopath Bruno Anthony in 1951’s Strangers on a Train later remade by Danny Devito as the dark comedy Throw Mama From the Train.
Ray Milland calculating in the 3D Hitchcock from 1954 Dial M for Murder.
Gregory Peck owned his role as Dr. Anthony Edwardes in Spellbound (1945).
Robert Cummings likable as the wrongly accused Saboteur (1942).
Robert Donat charming and on the run as Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps (1935).
There’s John Gielgud in Secret Agent (1936).
Jon Finch played Richard Blaney in Hitchcock's late shot in Britain thriller Frenzy in 1972.
And in his final completed film 1976’s Family Plot there’s Barbara Harris as Blanche Taylor …Brue Dern showed up as sailor in Marnie but he’s got a lot more to do in this one.