In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Vertigo, we answer questions you have about the movie. If you’re curious about plot explanations, meanings, themes, lessons, motifs, symbols, or just confused by something, ask and we’ll do our best to answer.
Cast
- James Stewart – John “Scottie” Ferguson
- Kim Novak – Judy Barton / Madeleine Elster
- Tom Helmore – Gavin Elster
- Barbara Bel Geddes – Marjorie “Midge” Wood
- Henry Jones – the coroner
- Raymond Bailey – Scottie’s doctor
- Ellen Corby – manager of McKittrick Hotel
- Konstantin Shayne – Pop Leibel
- Alec Coppel – Writer
- Samuel Taylor – Writer
- Alfred Hitchcock – Director
Vertigo | Questions and Answers
Why does Judy become Madeleine for Scottie?
Judy becomes Madeleine for Scottie largely out of love and desperation. After the staged death of “Madeleine,” Judy finds herself genuinely falling in love with Scottie. Even though she was initially a part of a manipulative scheme, her feelings for Scottie grow to the point where she’s willing to sacrifice her own identity to be with him. When Scottie discovers Judy and becomes obsessed with turning her into the image of Madeleine, Judy agrees to the transformation, despite the potential dangers and the loss of her own identity, in the hope that they might find happiness together.
Her transformation into Madeleine isn’t only a testament to her love for Scottie but also a reflection of Scottie’s obsession. Scottie’s obsessive need to resurrect Madeleine from the dead, to regain what he has lost, leads him to disregard Judy’s true identity. This echoes the film’s broader theme of obsession and its destructive consequences.
Why does Judy wear Carlotta’s necklace?
Judy wears Carlotta’s necklace, a crucial mistake, as it ultimately leads Scottie to uncover the truth about her real identity and the murder scheme. The necklace is an heirloom that was portrayed in Carlotta Valdes’ painting and was supposedly passed down to Madeleine. When Judy wears it, she unintentionally reveals her connection to the staged Madeleine and, consequently, to the whole plot.
The necklace serves as a physical link between the past (Carlotta/Madeleine) and the present (Judy), reflecting the film’s theme of the past’s cyclical and intrusive nature. By wearing the necklace, Judy is not only linking herself to Madeleine but also to the tragic history of Carlotta.
What happens to Midge?
Midge, Scottie’s ex-fiancée, and longtime friend, provides a grounded, real-world contrast to the illusory, idealized figure of Madeleine. She cares deeply for Scottie and attempts to pull him out of his obsession with Madeleine. However, as Scottie’s fixation deepens, Midge realizes she cannot compete with the enigmatic Madeleine and feels helpless in the face of Scottie’s spiraling obsession.
Her final scene shows her in the hospital with a despondent Scottie, listening to Mozart’s Symphony No. 34 in C Major on the radio—an attempt to lift his spirits. After realizing the depth of Scottie’s despair and his inability to return her feelings, Midge quietly leaves the room, effectively removing herself from Scottie’s life.
What happens to Midge afterwards is left ambiguous, as she does not reappear in the film. Her departure can be interpreted as a painful but necessary decision to distance herself from Scottie’s destructive obsession. Despite her love for Scottie, Midge recognizes the impossibility of their relationship as long as Scottie remains fixated on Madeleine.
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