[Morticia]

OK, let's give this a try....

The theme (if I'm using the term correctly) of making one person over into another.

***SPOILER ALERT*** (gotta have that....)

Here the theme is explored three ways...First, with "Madeline's" obsession with Carlotta from the past....her husband is concerned she's being taken over. While that's part of the setup, it's not explained until later, and the viewer is convinced this is some sort of a ghost/possession story. Everything is so convincing, from Gavin's story about her 'going away' and not knowing where she is physically during the day (as well as mentally), to Scotty's tailing her and ultimately rescuing her from her 'suicide' attempt -- her behavior is what one would expect from someone obsessed with a dark past.

Next, with the creation of "Madeline" herself....the hiring of Judy to play "Madeline" and set it all up for Scotty's 'benefit' for him to be the 'witness' to her death. This is revealed to the viewer just after Scotty finds Judy....a rather succint re-telling of Scotty's last moments with "Madeline." No extraneous narration here! Everything is explained in one simple scene.

Finally, Scotty's transformation of Judy back to "Madeline." First, the clothes, then her appearance. A chilling line by Scotty....(to paraphrase), "Your hair. You need to change the color, the cut...Oh, it can't matter to you...."

Judy allows herself to be changed again to be Madeline because she's in love with him and can't tell him the truth, or he may cease to love her! She is the ultimate puppet, first at the hands of Gavin, then Scotty. But she thinks that by submitting to his wishes, he will end up loving her for herself, not the dream.

Almost forgot...there is a small scene where Midge paints her own face on the Carlotta portrait. Midge is still smitten with Scotty (they were engaged for three weeks) and while I'm not sure really if she was trying to 'win' him back by doing this, (or simply poke fun at the situation) it most certainly backfired!

This movie has been described as Hitchcock's masterpiece, as well as his least accessible work. I think this lack of connection with the audience is because of the 'puppet' theme...it is uncomfortable to watch one person subordinate themselves to another. It brings up the loss of individuality, of "self"...and if there's one (or two) things that humans value, it's freedom and individuality.