A shot by shot analysis of a major scene in Hitchcocks Notorious

The 3rd Major Scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious

1. The scene begins by fading in on the back of the silent man’s head (Cary Grant) in Alicia’s bungalow. Then the camera zooms out while sweeping right to give the first full shot and view of both of the main characters. They are shown seated at a table, with many empty bottles of liquor and glasses.

2. Then a tight reverse over the shoulder shot of Devlin’s face (Cary Grant) is next. Devlin then proclaims: “There's one more drink left apiece. Shame about the ice.”

3. Next the shot reverses again to another tight over the shoulder shot but of Alicia’s face this time. Where she asks a question about what Devlin says. Devlin then answers her question about the ice when the shot is still on Alicia.

4. Now the shot reverses again to a tight shot of Devlin’s face over Alicia’s shoulder. He then asks Alicia a question: “Why do you like that song?”

5. Then the shot reveres again to an over Devlin’s shoulder shot tight on Alicia’s face. She begins to smile and laugh. Then Alicia gets suddenly serious and says: “There’s nothing like a good love song to give you a good laugh.”

6. The shot reverses again to a tight over the shoulder shot of Devlin’s face where he answers Alicia’s question.

7. Immediately reverses again to a tight over the shoulder shot of Alicia’s face, where she is shown yawning with her hand over her mouth. Then Alicia asks: “It’s too stuffy in here isn’t it?” Devlin answers while the shot remains the same. Alicia leans in towards Devlin and asks him another question: “What about … we have a picnic?”

8. The shot then reverses again to another tight over the shoulder shot of Devlin’s face. He then answers her question with a question.

9. The shot reveres again to a tight but brief over the shoulder shot of Alicia’s face where she begins to stand up.

10. Next the shot changes to a full shot of Devlin and Alicia where she continues to stand. The camera follows them up as they now both fully rise, thus revealing more than just there faces in over 9 shots. Alicia states that they should go outside, while Devlin has a drink in hand. She then asks if Devlin is going to finish his drink. Devlin says that he is and takes down the rest of the drink leaving only a few drops, as Alicia gazes into his eyes.