ant part of Vertigo. At the beginning we are subjected to a barrage of colors in swirls and designs which foreshadow the importance of color in the film to follow. Throughout the film flashes of color are used to indicate anger and confusion. The color of Vertigo may be analyzed to reveal themes, which are associated with different color. A stop light analogy can be used here with red indicating Scottie’s reluctance to have a relationship with a woman, green his full speed fall for Madeleine and yellow his cautious, mediocre relationship with Midge. It is safe to say that nobody orchestrates colors anymore quite like Hitchcock did.What is most recognizable about Vertigo is the color green. For the color green is associated with Scotties vertigo and, particularly, it’s underlying cause: the dizzying fear of falling, and of falling deliriously in love. Madeleine’s dress is green which she appears so statuesque in, in the blood red restaurant. Madeleine’s car is green. The waters of San Francisco bay are given a blue-green tinge. And Scottie’s sweater is changed to blue-green after he takes a dive for Madeleine, in more ways then one. It is also interesting to recognize that when the two green cars pass in a circle and confuse Scottie this is foreshadowing to Madeleine’s alter personality, Judy. These all tie in to the fact that Scottie sees green whenever his vertigo surfaces. The color green seems to suggest, everywhere it appears, Scottie’s nave, unusual and confused obsession with Madeleine which parallels the unusual feeling and confusion which is caused by his vertigo.The opposite of green is red. Red is used in many ways as well in Vertigo. The color of the restaurant where Scottie’s obsession with Madeleine is born is blood red. The color red seems to indicate Scotties reluctance to get involved with women. Scottie’s front door is red which serves as a big stop si...
