Product Description
Maps are universal forms of communication, easily understood and appreciated regardless of culture or language. This truly magisterial book introduces readers to the widest range of maps ever considered in one volume: maps from different time periods and a variety of cultures; maps made for divergent purposes and depicting a range of environments; and maps that embody the famous, the important, the beautiful, the groundbreaking, or the amusing. Built around the functions of maps—the kinds of things maps do and have done—Maps confirms the vital role of maps throughout history in commerce, art, literature, and national identity.
The book begins by examining the use of maps for wayfinding, revealing that even maps as common and widely used as these are the product of historical circumstances and cultural differences. The second chapter considers maps whose makers employed the smallest of scales to envision the broadest of human stages—the world, the heavens, even the act of creation itself. The next chapter looks at maps that are, literally, at the opposite end of the scale from cosmological and world maps—maps that represent specific parts of the world and provide a close-up view of areas in which their makers lived, worked, and moved.
Having shown how maps help us get around and make sense of our greater and lesser worlds, Maps then turns to the ways in which certain maps can be linked to particular events in history, exploring how they have helped Americans, for instance, to understand their past, cope with current events, and plan their national future. The fifth chapter considers maps that represent data from scientific instruments, population censuses, and historical records. These maps illustrate, for example, how diseases spread, what the ocean floor looks like, and how the weather is tracked and predicted. Next comes a turn to the imaginary, featuring maps that depict entire fictional worlds, from Hell to Utopia and from Middle Earth to the fantasy game World of Warcraft. The final chapter traces the origins of map consumption throughout history and ponders the impact of cartography on modern society.
A companion volume to the most ambitious exhibition on the history of maps ever mounted in North America, Maps will challenge readers to stretch conventional thought about what constitutes a map and how many different ways we can understand graphically the environment in which we live. Collectors, historians, mapmakers and users, and anyone who has ever “gotten lost” in the lines and symbols of a map will find much to love and learn from in this book.
(12/11/2007)
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"A clear and intelligent description of the development and organization of Maya civilization." —Natural HistoryThe Maya has long been established as the best, most readable introduction to the New World's greatest ancient civilization. In these pages Professor Coe distills a lifetime's scholarship for the general reader and student.
Since the publication of the sixth edition of The Maya, new sites have been uncovered and further excavations in old sites have proceeded at an unprecedented pace. Among the many new discoveries is the chance find of extraordinary murals dating to ca. AD 100 at San Bartolo in the Petén. New epigraphic, archaeological, and osteological research has thrown light on the identity of the "founding fathers" of such great sites as Tikal and Copan, and their close affiliation with Teotihuacan in central Mexico. The previously little known center of Ek' Balam in northeastern Yucatan has turned out to be a regional kingdom of major importance, with extraordinary stucco reliefs and a plethora of painted inscriptions.
It has now become apparent that the birth of Maya civilization lies not in the Classic but during the Preclassic period, above all in the Mirador Basin of northern Guatemala, where the builders of gigantic ancient cities (interconnected by causeways) erected the world's largest pyramid as early as 200 BC. All of these finds suggest that we must rethink what we mean by "Classic."
The seventh edition also presents new evidence for the use of wetlands by the Classic Maya, and fresh perspectives on the catastrophic demise of Classic civilization by the close of the ninth century. 175 illustrations, 17 in color.
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Hike among olive groves clinging to a rugged coastline, go to the source for the world's best pasta or spend the night in a grotto overlooking the Adriatic. Whatever you choose to do, planning a trip to Italy has never been this much fun, or this easy!
LOOK INSIDE FOR AN INNOVATIVE, NEW TRAVEL GUIDE!
Comprehensive, up-to-date, and easy to use, Fodor’s Italy 2008 remains the best resource for organizing your trip to Italia. Our 2008 edition also flaunts exclusive, new features including indispensable, customized tools for planning your trip, in addition to rich photography that illustrates the distinctive culture of the country. Plus, not only will you read the expert advice of our professional travel writers, but you’ll also review recommendations from everyday travelers like yourself, in our new “Word of Mouth” features throughout the book. Fodor's Italy 2008 is designed so that you spend less time researching and more time relishing what lies ahead on your dream vacation.
Plan a perfect vacation, with these new features:
Experience Italy like a local:
Fodor's Italy 2008 now features insights from prominent locals to give you an authentic taste of the country! From one of Florence's most distinguished restaurateurs explaining the elements of a perfect Tuscan meal to the director of the American Academy in Rome identifying her favorite works in the Vatican Museums.
“Word of Mouth” from Fodors.com:
Read what fellow travelers are saying about their favorite places to explore and unwind, featured throughout the book. Then, when you return from your trip, share your opinions onFodors.com and they may get published in our 2009 edition!
Make the most of your trip:
Tip boxes throughout help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls. "Eating Well" boxes in every chapter identify the pleasures of regional Italian cuisine. And the is brand new edition provides cultural background on Palladian villas, Mt. Etna, wine in the Piedmont Region, and even an emperor cheat sheet.
PhotosandMaps:
Photographs, drawings, and interactive maps illustrate Italy's most popular attractions, from Venice's Grand Canal to Rome's Forum. Pullout map and color insert included.
Always Up-to-date:
Fodor’s Italy guide is updated EVERY year–it’s the most accurate book available!
Visit Fodors.com for travel bargains, information on local festivals, maps, vacation planning tips, more reviews and much more!
And, to view more insider secrets, visit “Travel Talk” and “Rants and Raves” at Fodors.com/forums for more recommendations from travelers like yourself.
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A literary exploration of the Beats' encounter with India in the 1960s, a journey that inspired and influenced generations of Americans and Indians alike In 1961, Allen Ginsberg left New York by boat for Bombay, India. He brought with him his troubled lover, Peter Orlovsky, and a plan to meet up with poets Gary Snyder and Joanne Kyger. He left behind not only fellow Beats Jack Kerouac, Gregory Corso, and William Burroughs, but also the relentless notoriety that followed his publication of
Howl, the epic work that branded him the voice of a generation.
Drawing from extensive research in India, undiscovered letters, journals, and memoirs, acclaimed biographer Deborah Baker has woven a many layered literary mystery out of Ginsberg's odyssey.
A Blue Hand follows him and his companions as they travel from the ashrams of the Himalayan foothills to Delhi opium dens and the burning pyres of Benares. They encounter an India of charlatans and saints, a country of spectacular beauty and spiritual promise and of devastating poverty and political unease. In Calcutta, Ginsberg discovers a circle of hungry young writers whose outrageousness and genius are uncannily reminiscent of his own past. Finally, Ginsberg searches for Hope Savage, the mysterious and beautiful girl whose path, before she disappeared, had crossed his own in Greenwich Village, San Francisco, and Paris.
In their restless, comic and oftimes tortured search for meaning, the Beats looked to India for answers while India looked to the West.
A Blue Hand is the story of their search for God, for love, and for peace in the shadow of the atomic bomb. It is also a story of India-its gods and its poets, its politics and its place in the American imagination.
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Walk among the ancients in this fascinating "you are there" series! Meet legendary rulers, visit powerful places and experience the extraordinary customs of ordinary people in ancient times. From the Great Pyramids to the Roman Empire and beyond, you’ll see the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and discover why they were built! Expert commentary and cutting-edge graphics make the distant past come alive—with you at the heart of the action! No other collection brings you this close to the Ancient World. Disc 1: Rome and Pompeii - Imagine being among the bloodthirsty thousands at a gladiator bout in the Colosseum or at the chariot races in Circus Maximus. This program makes it possible through its magnificent reconstructions of Rome and Pompeii. Bonus Program: Faith Unconquered: The Roman Persecution of Early Christians Disc 2: Athens and Ancient Greece - Ancient Greece was a civilization like no other in history—and at last you can see why. Computer graphics, archival film, and classic art combine to recreate places and events never before seen outside the imagination. Bonus Program: Atlantis: In Search of a Lost Continent Disc 3: The Land of the Pharaohs - Ancient Egypt awakes—and this magical program is there to capture it. Through computer reconstructions, this program takes you back 5,000 years to a civilization that could create wondrous structures with the most primitive tools and human hands. Bonus Program: Touring Egypt Disc 4: Fall of the Aztec & Maya Empires - The Aztec and Maya Empires return—for one glorious hour. Reenactments and computer reconstructions recreate Aztec and Mayan cities as they may have looked 1,000 years ago, just before defeat and decay. Bonus Program: The Maya: Temples, Tombs & Time Disc 5: Gladiators: Bloodsport of the Colosseum - "Modern-day reenactors, gladiator movie clips, sumptuous footage, an incredible computer-generated tour, and actor David Hemmings’s eloquent narration are among the ‘to die for’ features of this fabulous production." —Booklist Extra Features: Colosseum, House of Terror • Flamma, Gladiator Superstar Gladiators of Hollywood • Training Killers • Fighting Men of the Arena • Fearful Facts Disc 6: Cleopatra: The First Woman of Power - Narrated by Anjelica Huston, this program offers an Egyptian perspective, showing the legendary ruler as a brilliant strategist and strong leader. Extra Features: Interactive Menus • Biographies • Timeline • Cleopatra Facts
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Dean Martin was the very definition of the word "cool." Handsome, charming, equally at home in heavy dramas or slapstick comedies, founding member of the Rat Pack, half of the hysterical team of Martin & Lewis, and, above all, crooner extraordinaire, Dean Martin was one of the most-popular and most-imitated singers of the twentieth century. This DVD collection is a fabulous compilation of full-length live performances from the early days of television that lets you hear and see why there was nobody quite like Dino. Here he is singing his biggest hits like That's Amore, Memories Are Made of This, Mambo Italiano and much more! DEAN MARTIN: EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY Dean Martin's smooth, seemingly effortless singing style was often imitated but never equaled. "The Colgate Comedy Hour" was the perfect showcase for the madcap antics of Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis in the 1950s, but a highlight of each show was when audiences got the chance to see and hear Dino singing his hits live. In this delightful collection, you too will get to see and hear Dino singing at his best on "The Colgate Comedy Hour" as well as some of his later classics in other rare live performances. Songs include "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On," "King of the Road," "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime" and many more. DEAN MARTIN: MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS Whether you know him as Dino or half of the comedy team of Martin & Lewis, nobody could put a song over quite like Dean Martin. Here's Dino in top form with another swingin' selection of songs culled from vintage live TV appearances. Songs include, "Almost Like Being In Love," "Memories Are Made Of This," "When You're Smilin'" and many more. DEAN MARTIN: ENCORE Features Dino at the top of his form singing many of his greatest, most-enduring songs at the height of his popularity. In this fabulous DVD collection, you'll enjoy Dino at the very top of his form, ample proof of his remarkable versatility. Songs include: "That's Amore", "Mambo Italiano," "Pennies From Heaven," and many more. No fan of pop music - or the Rat Pack - should miss out on this great collection!
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For steadfast and forthright Hank R. Hill ("Not that Hank P. Hill who doesn't pay his Discover Card bill," he clarifies), these are the times that try men's souls: His presidential candidate of choice, George W. Bush, has a limp handshake. His wife, Peggy, and son, Bobby, prefer charcoal grilling to his precious propane. And a new co-worker from Oklahoma is hustling on the side, casting the clueless Hank (voiced by series creator Mike Judge) as her pimp. But the pleasure of
King of the Hill is that we can always count on Hank to do the right thing by his town, his friends, his family, and his country. If he heads for the border to keep niece Luanne (Brittany Murphy) from voting Communist (she likes the candidate's red tie), we know he will turn the car around and make it to the polls with a minute to spare. If he gives Arlen High School's star football player an A so he will be eligible to play in the state tournament, we know he will be moved to stand up for his wife, Peggy (Kathy Najimy), who originally flunked him. And if Alabaster Jones (from Oklahoma City) comes to reclaim his "ho," we can be reassured that Hank will "mack daddy" him down.
King of the Hill's fifth season chronicles another momentous year for Bobby (Pamela Segall), who turns 13, is disgraced, but finds redemption, as the school mascot, and saves the life of a drowning pig at the county fair ("Not this pig, not today!"). Pitiable Bill Dauterive (Stephen Root) continues to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune, as his faithless ex-wife Lenore returns to louse up his budding romance with, yes, former governor Ann Richards (as herself), and he takes in a delinquent who takes advantage of him ("All the books about parenting are by comedians," he laments, "and I never know when they're kidding or when they're serious."). King of the Hill continues to fly under the radar. This three-disc set's only extra is a brief sneak preview of the series' tenth, and final, season. That's seemingly more effort than Fox's cracked marketing team expends on this underappreciated treasure. But check out season 5. When it comes to brilliantly funny character-based comedy, keen social satire, and virtuoso voice work, nobody messes with Texas. --Donald Liebenson
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Another solid season of an excellent show... let's hope the DVDs get better
King of the Hill - The Complete Fifth Season (2000-2001.)
REVIEW:
I was disappointed when Mike Judge stopped doing Beavis and Butt-Head, as were plenty of other people. But, my disappointment was somewhat lifted when I discovered King of the Hill, the new series that he had begun work on. This series combined crew members from The Simpsons and Beavis and Butt-Head, truly creating a series that was the best of both worlds. Like many TV shows, this one is now getting season box set reviews. Read on for my comments on the Fifth Season.
OVERVIEW:
King of the Hill's fifth season consists of the following episodes:
85: The Perils of Polling 10/1/2000
Election time is approaching, and Hank finds himself in a crisis over which candidate to choose.
86: The Buck Stops Here 11/5/2000
Bobby gets work as a golf course caddy and gets fired, but is immediately rehired as Buck Strickland's personal caddy.
87: I Don't Want to Wait 11/12/2000
Bobby's thirteenth birthday fast approaches, and with Joseph hitting puberty, the two of them encounter their own identity crises.
88: Spin the Choice 11/19/2000
Hank's plans for the perfect Thanksgiving are shattered when John Redcorn reveals the true nature of the holiday to Bobby.
89: Peggy Makes the Big Leagues 11/26/2000
Peggy becomes an excellent player for the Strickland Propane softball team, but Hank fails to give her the proper recognition.
90: When Cotton Comes Marching Home 12/3/2000
Cotton moves to Arlen, and gets a job in a restaurant - only to find they won't give him Veteran's Day off.
91: What Makes Bobby Run? 12/10/2000
Bobby wins a position as school mascot, but disgraces everyone he knows by running away instead of taking the ceremonial beating mascots are supposed to.
92: 'Twas the Nut Before Christmas 12/17/2000
Bill converts his house into a playground for children around the holidays, and dresses up as Santa Claus.
93: Chasing Bobby 1/21/2001
Hank's beloved truck is predicted by a mechanic not to last very much longer.
94: Yankee Hankie 2/4/2001
Hank is in a state of shock when he discovers his actual birthplace is NOT in Texas.
95: Hank and the Great Glass Elevator 2/11/2001
Hank's friends take him to a fancy hotel for his birthday, but he gets them thrown out of the hotel by mooning former Texas governor Ann Richards.
96: Now Who's the Dummy? 2/18/2001
Bobby is given a ventriloquist dummy during a visit to a senior citizen living center.
97: Ho Yeah! 2/25/2001
Hank and Peggy take in a girl who works with Hank at Strickland Propane, not knowing the secrets of her past.
98: The Exterminator 3/4/2001
Dale is forced to give up exterminating when the chemicals of the job make him ill.
99: Luanne Virgin 2.0 3/4/2001
Luanne becomes a born-again virgin, and quickly meets a new boyfriend, much to Peggy's dismay.
100: Hank's Choice 4/1/2001
Bobby is discovered to be allergic to Ladybird, so Hank gives her to Bill.
101: It's Not Easy Being Green 4/8/2001
Hank and the guys protest the draining of a local quarry, because it hides a dark secret from their high school days.
102: The Trouble with Gribbles 4/22/2001
Dale comes up with a rather awkward plan to sue a cigarette company to get Nancy the facelift she desires.
103: Hank's Back Story 5/6/2001
Hank's back condition forces him to wear padding on his rear to compensate for his lack of bone there.
104: Kidney Boy and Hamster Girl: A Love Story 5/13/2001
Bobby sneaks into Arlen High School, and becomes friends with many of the students due to a story he made up about himself.
EPISODES REVIEW:
There's really not much to say. Any fan of King of the Hill knows these are great episodes, and any fan of the series would be making a smart move adding them to their collection. Although I probably wouldn't call this my favorite season overall, the fact of the matter is that they are still great episodes, and any viewer should own them.
DVD REVIEW:
After Season Two, the King of the Hill DVDs took a massive downward turn. Seasons Three and Four featured NO EXTRAS AT ALL. One thing I like about the King of the Hill DVDs is that they give a brief summary of the episode and the original air date in the episode selection screen, but the fact of the matter is that this doesn't compensate for the lack of extras. Let's hope FOX gets their act together for this release, and releases a package that is as good as the First or Second Season boxes.
OVERALL:
Overall, King of the Hill is a damn fine animated sitcom, and the fifth season is really no exception to this rule. If you're a fan of the series, I would strongly recommend buying this set when it comes out.
Season 5 Shows
"THE BUCK STOPS HERE"
Episode KH501
Original Airdate: 11/05/00
Bobby is working for Hank's boss!
"WHEN COTTON COMES MARCHING HOME AGAIN"
Episode KH503
Original Airdate: 11/12/00
It's Veterans' Day in Arlen!
"PEGGY MAKES THE BIG LEAGUES"
Episode KH504
Original Airdate: 11/26/00
Peggy "graduates" to subbing at the high school.
"SPIN THE CHOICE"
Episode KH505
Original Airdate: 11/19/00
Bobby hopes one Thanksgiving will make up for all the white man's sins
"YANKEE HANKIE"
Episode KH506
Original Airdate: 02/04/01
If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere...
"WHAT MAKES BOBBY RUN"
Episode KH507
Original Airdate: 12/10/00
Bobby turns yellow when a middle school tradition turns on him!
"Twas the Nut Before Christmas"
Episode KH508
Original Airdate: 12/17/00
Bill's Christmas cheer doesn't stop with the New Year!
"The Exterminator"
Episode KH509
Original Airdate: 03/04/01
Killing bugs is killing Dale!
"Chasing Bobby"
Episode KH510
Original Airdate: 01/21/01
Hank's gone soft!
"Hank's Choice"
Episode KH511
Original Airdate: 04/01/01
When Bobby discovers he's allergic to Ladybird, Hank must choose between the dog or his son - and it's a tough one
"Hank and the Great Glass Elevator"
Episode KH512
Original Airdate: 02/11/01
"It's a marvelous night for a moon dance..."
"Lupe's Revenge"
Episode KH513
Original Airdate: 05/13/01
During a class field trip to Mexico, Peggy unwittingly smuggles an illegal back into Texas. Guest voice: Kathy Bates
"Now who's the Dummy?"
Episode KH514
Original Airdate: 02/18/01
The show must go on!
"Ho Yeah!"
Episode KH515
Original Airdate: 02/25/01
"The only woman I'm pimping is sweet lady propane!" - Hank
"Luanne Virgin 2.0"
Episode KH516
Original Airdate: 03/11/01
Luanne becomes a born-again virgin, which inspires Peggy to confess a sexual secret
"Hank's Back Story"
Episode KH517
Original Airdate: 05/06/01
Hank's unique health condition threatens his ability to compete in the Durndle County Mower Races
"It's Not Easy Being Green"
Episode KH518
Original Airdate: 04/08/01
Bobby becomes an environmental activist and
unearths Hank's long buried secret
"The Trouble with Gribbles"
Episode KH519
Original Airdate: 04/22/01
Dale fights a big tobacco company and becomes a victim of their hardball tactics
"Kidney Boy and Hamster Girl"
Episode KH522
Original Airdate: 05/13/01
Bobby gets caught up in Arlen High School's quest
to get No Doubt to play their prom
Product Description
Adapted from Cormac McCarthy's award-winning novel,
All the Pretty Horses cries for epic length but runs only 112 minutes for theatrical release. Drastically shortened during a lengthy stretch between production and release, this operatic drama feels as if huge chunks are missing, and what remains are fragments of a masterpiece that might have been. Unless a more definitive version is revealed, we must settle for this faint echo of McCarthy's ambitious narrative, in which dispossessed Texas rancher John Grady Cole (Matt Damon) ventures to Mexico in 1949 to revive his fading dreams of cowboy glory. With best friend Lacey Rawlins (Henry Thomas), Cole's odyssey takes him from youthful idealism to rugged, often horrific, and ultimately ennobling tests of integrity.
Much of Cole's ordeal is sparked by his forbidden love for Alejandra (Penelope Cruz), the beautiful daughter of his Mexican employer, whose family honor is threatened by their mutual attraction. A gunslinging teenager (Lucas Black) casts a black cloud over them all, and All the Pretty Horses becomes a test of Cole's ability to navigate a labyrinth of distorted truth, imprisonment, and hard-fought redemption. All of which begs for emotional depth and carefully developed characters, but this truncated film lacks both. Scenes jump from one to the next with obvious gaps between them, lending no opportunity for emotional investment. It's clear that director Billy Bob Thornton is attempting to redefine the Western, and the effort is laudable on many points, notably in its perfect match of visuals and a flavorful musical score. There's much to admire in this film, making its shortcomings all the more lamentable. --Jeff Shannon
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Marvel Comics' first family of superherodom, the Fantastic Four, hits the big screen in a light-hearted and funny adventure. It begins when down-on-his-luck genius Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd,
Horatio Hornblower) has to enlist the financial and intellectual help from former schoolmate and rival Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon,
Nip/Tuck) in order to pursue outer-space research into human DNA. Also on the trip are Reed's best friend, Ben Grimm (Michael Chiklis,
The Shield); his former lover, Sue Storm (Jessica Alba,
Dark Angel,
Sin City), who's now Doom's employee and love interest; and her hotshot-pilot brother, Johnny Storm (Chris Evans,
Cellular). Things don't go as planned, of course, and the quartet becomes blessed--or is it cursed?--with superhuman powers: flexibility, brute strength, invisibility and projecting force fields, and bursting into flame. Meanwhile, Doom himself is undergoing a transformation.
Among the many entries in the comic-book-movie frenzy, Fantastic Four is refreshing because it doesn't take itself too seriously. Characterization isn't too deep, and the action is a bit sparse until the final reel (like most "first" superhero movies, it has to go through the "how did we get these powers and what we will do with them" churn). But it's a good-looking cast, and original comic-book cocreator Stan Lee makes his most significant Marvel-movie cameo yet, in a speaking role as the FF's steadfast postal carrier, Willie Lumpkin. Newcomers to superhero movies might find the idea of a family with flexibility, strength, invisibility, and force fields a retread of The Incredibles, but Pixar's animated film was very much a tribute to the FF and other heroes of the last 40 years. The irony is that while Fantastic Four is an enjoyable B-grade movie, it's the tribute, The Incredibles, that turned out to be a film for the ages. --David Horiuchi
DVD features
The principal extra on the DVD is a spirited commentary track by Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, and Ioan Gruffudd. Self-avowed FF fan Chiklis explains why the Thing doesn't have a craggy brow, Alba recalls which things were "cool," and they all talk about looking forward to the sequel. There are three short deleted scenes (including a goofy Wolverine reference), 20 minutes of barely watchable hand-held video footage from the press tour, music videos, and some short featurettes including an appearance by FF creator Stan Lee. --David Horiuchi
The Fantastic Four at Amazon.com
Comics and Graphic Novels | 
Disney animated series | 
The classic comic book |
Movie tie-in graphic novel | 
The Xbox game | 
Fantastic Four Soundtrack |
The Fantastic Cast
Stills from Fantastic Four (click for larger images)
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Product Description
Repeated viewings can't dispel the shock of the final scene in this classic 1941 romantic mystery--a brief but disorienting confrontation that suddenly inverts the heroine's mounting conviction that she's married a murderer, forcing us to reconsider virtually every scene and line of dialogue that's preceded it. It's a masterful coup de grace for director Alfred Hitchcock, who has built a puzzle around the corrosive power of suspicion, threaded with deft ambiguities that toy with dramatic conventions and character archetypes in nearly every frame.
As embodied by Joan Fontaine, who nabbed an Oscar in this second outing with the director, Lina McLaidlaw is a buttoned-up, bookish heiress whose prim exterior conceals longings for a more engaged emotional life. Her solution materializes in the darkly handsome Johnnie Aysgarth, a gambler, womanizer, and spendthrift who flirts, then pursues, and soon marries her. As Aysgarth, Cary Grant is both irresistible and sinister, capable of deceit and petty theft, as well as grander designs on his bride's impending fortune. Lina's passion for Johnnie is clouded by each new revelation about his apparent dishonesty, from clandestine gambling to real estate development schemes; more troubling are clues implicating him in the death of his best friend, and the prospect that Johnnie may be slowly poisoning Lina herself. By the time we see him ascending a darkened staircase with a suspicious glass of milk, an image made all the more indelible through the spectral glow the director captures in the glass, the evidence seems damning indeed.
In fact, even as Hitchcock stacks the deck against Johnnie, and takes full advantage of Grant's skill at conveying such menace, the director also dots his landscape with visual clues to Lina's own neurotic (and erotic) obsessions. The final scene forces us to reevaluate her behavior while leaving enough of a cloud over Johnnie to rob him, and us, of a complete exoneration. It's a wicked, unsettling payoff to a brilliantly executed thriller. --Sam Sutherland
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