Who could forget the cool Modernist house on top of Mount Rushmore in the classic Hitchcock thriller North by Northwest?
I get a lot of questions about the Vandamm House from readers, so let’s take a closer look at it and the movie’s other famous sets!
The Sets from “North by Northwest”
Old Westbury Gardens
Cary Grant is a successful Madison Avenue ad man named Roger Thornhill, whose life gets turned upside down when he gets mistaken for an undercover CIA agent. He’s first taken to this large estate on Long Island.
The estate where they filmed the exteriors for those scenes is Old Westbury Gardens, which is on the North Shore of Long Island in New York.
The interiors shown in the movie were sets built on a separate soundstage.
When Thornhill gets locked in the library, he quips:
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll catch up on my reading.”
Screenwriter Ernest Lehman says Grant was a perfectionist who often complained about various parts of the script or the way things were being filmed and lobbied to get them changed.
North by Northwest turned out to be Grant’s biggest box-office success.
Scenes at the U.N.
Hitchcock wasn’t allowed to film outside the U.N. so they “stole” a shot of Cary Grant walking in.
The people walking around in the shot didn’t know they were being filmed.
The interior of the U.N. was just a matte painting:
The backdrop was on display in Grand Central Terminal a few years ago, as part of a Turner Classic Movies exhibit on movies set in NYC.
A reader sent me this photo of the matte painting:
Mount Rushmore
The screenplay was written by Ernest Lehman.
Hitchcock told him, “I always wanted to do a chase scene across the faces of Mt. Rushmore,” and that was the starting point for the movie.
Lehman recalled, “I wanted to write the Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures. I wanted something that had wit, sophistication, glamour, action, and lots of changes of locale.”
After word got out that there would be a fight scene and a couple of deaths on the monument, government officials barred them from filming there.
The crew flew back to Hollywood, where Mount Rushmore had to be recreated at MGM.
In the scene where Eve shoots Roger (below), can you spot the goof in the background?
In the screenshot above, you can see the boy at the table behind Eva Marie Saint plugged his ears, knowing the gun was about to go off. 🙂
The Vandamm House on Mount Rushmore
They needed to come up with a reason why all of the characters would be congregating at Mount Rushmore, so Lehman decided that the bad guys would have their headquarters nearby.
It’s known as “The Vandamm House” after James Mason’s character, Phillip Vandamm.
A lot of people have asked me whether it’s a real house, and if it’s really on top of Mount Rushmore.
I hate to disappoint you, but the exterior was a matte painting (a pre-digital effect when a real set or location was combined with a painting), and the interior rooms were built on a soundstage.
Nothing could be built on top of the monument, even temporarily.
The MGM researchers had to get special permits and Park Service escorts just to visit the area in order to photograph and measure it.
Hitchcock knew he wanted it to be a Modernist house.
In the late ’50s, Frank Lloyd Wright was the most famous Modernist architect in the world.
Any house he designed for the film would have been instantly recognizable to audiences.
The problem: they couldn’t afford Wright’s fee.
So Hitchcock decided they’d just build a house that looked like one Wright would have designed.
According to Sandy McLendon:
The house would be created entirely in Culver City, where MGM was located.
It would consist of a few sections built at full-scale, as movie sets.
The exterior shots would depend on special effects. Certain shots would blend the sets together with the special effects, to create the illusion that the house was real.
The final design was of a hilltop house of limestone dressed and laid in the manner made famous by Wright, along with a concrete cantilever under the living room area.
The set designers for the film were Robert Boyle, William A. Horning, Merrill Pye, Henry Grace, and Frank McKelvey.
McLendon explains how the set was designed:
Certain areas like the outside of the bedroom wing had their exteriors finished, so that they could be shot from inside looking out, or outside looking in.
The interiors were masterpieces of deception: nearly nothing was what it appeared.
The limestone walls were mostly plaster, real limestone was used in a few places where the camera would be very close.
The expanses of window were mostly without glass; glass reflects camera crews and lights.
All of the scenes of the house were shot at night so that the effects would look more realistic.
Fun Facts About “North by Northwest:”
- North by Northwest was the working title, but they never came up with anything they liked better. One they considered: The Man in Lincoln’s Nose. (Seriously.)
- Jimmy Stewart was originally considered for the role of Thornhill, but Hitchcock decided he looked “too old.” Cary Grant was 55 when he filmed it (4 years older than Stewart).
- Jessie Royce Landis, who played Grant’s mother, was only 8 years older than he was.
- MGM designed an entire wardrobe for Saint’s character, but Hitchcock threw out almost everything. She says he took her to Bergdorf-Goodman and selected clothes for her “right off the models.”
- Hitchcock gave Saint three basic directions: 1) Lower your voice. 2) Don’t use your hands. 3) Always look directly into Cary Grant’s eyes.
- North by Northwest was nominated for 5 Oscars but lost in every category.
Visit my Houses Onscreen page to see the others I’ve featured, listed from A-Z.
Annie@A View on Design says
def a cool house – love the floorboards
funny that his mother character is only 8yrs older!
I’d love to see the boy cover his ears too!!!
aren’t nostalgic movies ace!
.-= Annie@A View on Design´s last blog ..Lavender Bay Historic Landmark Residence =-.
Pam @ Design Fanatic says
Great post. That house/set is awesome. It would have been a cool house then & now.
.-= Pam @ Design Fanatic´s last blog ..MASTER BATH REVEAL =-.
Stephanie@geezees says
great info Julie! Love old movies …. my fav Hitchcock film was The Birds …. used to watch it with my mother.
.-= Stephanie@geezees´s last blog ..Canvas Unwrapped , Karen and Tom’s story behind their Bus Roll and 37 Year Marriage =-.
Nichole says
I’ve never seen this movie. I’m definitely going to have to add it to the list.
.-= Nichole´s last blog ..Help For My Guest Bath From Paula Grace! =-.
Pat says
That was a great movie, but anything with Cary Grant was great!
This was a great post, lots of interesting facts!
As for Hitchcock movies? I think “The Birds” is one of my favorites.
.-= Pat´s last blog ..SUNDAY SCRIPTURE =-.
Deidra says
I was raised on Alfred Hitchcock movies, and this one was one of my favorites. Thanks so much for the trivia! I always like the fact that Hitchcock often made a cameo appearance in his movies!
.-= Deidra´s last blog ..Playing Up =-.
Richella at Imparting Grace says
I love, love, love North by Northwest. One of my very favorite Hitchcock films–right up there with To Catch a Thief and Rear Window. 🙂 If you’ve got a Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant or Jimmy Stewart, you can’t go wrong.
We were in Southern California last week on a college search trip and took an afternoon to go to Universal Studios. Seeing the Bates Motel and house from Psycho was the highlight of the tour for me.
.-= Richella at Imparting Grace´s last blog ..DIY flower arranging =-.
Janell Beals says
Oh, I learned a few facts here! Fun, I am forwarding this post to my husband, this is his favorite movie. So much so his business name is inspired by it. Funny fact about the age difference between Cary and the woman Jessie, who played his mother. Go figure!!
Janell
.-= Janell Beals´s last blog ..My Chair Challenge =-.
Cori Heffernan says
I live in Long Island and have been to Westbury Gardens many times. The grounds have been used for many films including Love Story. There is a beautiful walled “secret garden”. In the summer they have great concerts on the lawn. I haven’t been there in several years. We went there alot BK(before kids). I think I am going to make a date to take them to the gardens just as soon as it stops RAINING.
Christi at A Southern Life says
Great post. I love this movie and just about any movie with Cary Grant. My fav. Hitchcock movie is another with Cary Grant – To Catch A Thief.
.-= Christi at A Southern Life´s last blog ..Southern Spring Fluff =-.
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Great post, Julia…you do such a good job of telling us about the film without telling us the entire plot! I’ve actually never seen “North by Northwest,” but I am adding it to my to-see list! 🙂
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Dressing Up My Window =-.
Laurie @ My Domicile Style says
That is so funny that people wondered if the house was really on Mt. Rushmore. I guess I never considered that. We went to Rushmore last year, and it was fun. There were all these mountains goats on the road by the monument, and we jumped out of the car to take pictures of them. A whole goat family!
I love that house! But of course, you know that I j’adore anything mid-century. Great post!
.-= Laurie @ My Domicile Style´s last blog ..Friday Finds: Great Design Under $100, Easy Wrap, Before/After & Every Room Needs… =-.
Kate at Centsational Girl says
My goodness Julia I always marvel at the work you put into these posts ! I’m delighted to see one of my favorite Hitchcock’s featured – I loved the pair of Eva and Cary in this film ! Can’t wait for ‘Rebecca’ – another all time favorite of mine !
? Kate
.-= Kate at Centsational Girl´s last blog ..Favorite Greens, Rhoda Style =-.
Patricia Connell says
If you like houses and Hitchcock, check out “Shadow of a Doubt”. It’s my favorite Hitchcock movie and is set on McDonald Avenue in Santa Rosa, CA, just down the street from the “Pollyanna” house (used for the Disney movie). It’s a charming street filled with lovely homes, which is why I think they used this area for “Shadow of a Doubt”–the loveliness of the neighborhood contrasts with the sinister undertones of the movie.
Thomas Gessner says
Thanks for the cool info. I will have to watch this movie again now that I know some of the insights you gave us. I also enjoy THE BIRDS and VERTIGO. I just visited northern california and saw the schoolhouse used in THE BIRDS. It is now a privite home.
Etta says
You know… I’m hooked on houses and movies… and your blog is the perfect combination of the two! You make me dream!! 🙂
kisses
Etta
Susan says
What a fabulous post!! Love that mid century modern style. Another one of my favorite Hitchcock movies is “Marnie”. There are some scenes in the movie filmed in Middleburg, Virginia. My husband and I lived in Middleburg in the early 90’s. Our house was a restored Civil War farmhouse with beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was heaven living in Northern Virginia horse farm country! Thank you for a terrific post today. I will be showing it to my hubby tonight! Now if we could just win the lottery to have enough money to several different style homes to express our love of different architectural styles!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Vintage Tray From Tired to Fab! =-.
the 7msn ranch says
I can’t believe I’ve never seen this movie…but it’s in my Netflix queue now! I think you’re probably the only movie reviewer in history who would say something like this –
“Hitchcock loved using overhead shots like these. I appreciate them because we get a good look at the rugs.” And that’s why I love your blog!
.-= the 7msn ranch´s last blog ..An almost-zero-calorie, delicious, nutritious, snack food recipe…seriously! =-.
Tracy @ Comfort&Luxury says
I haven’t seen this movie in forever. I think I was so caught up in the Cary Grant-ness of it all, that I neglected to notice the interiors! Will arrange a screening asap. Thanks Julia!
.-= Tracy @ Comfort&Luxury´s last blog ..Sunday at the Rose Bowl with Eddie =-.
Nita says
Definitely my favorite Hitchcock move is Rear Window and have to watch it every time it comes on, which is a lot! I love the apartment courtyard, which looks into the other little apartments and you see the other peoples’ lives playing out before your eyes.
Nita says
Oh wait, my FAV IS Shadow of a Doubt!!!! It is just the best ever Hitchcock movie!! Love the house and the cute little town in it. Watch it every time too!
Rachel says
I have never seen an Alfred Hitchcock movie….I guess I need to get caught up. 🙂
.-= Rachel´s last blog .. =-.
Carmen says
I just watched Rear Window not that long ago (gotta love the library for old movies). I remember watching The Birds when I was a kid and thought it was so freaky. I haven’t ever seen North by Northwest. I think I’ll have to check it out.
.-= Carmen´s last blog ..My living room isn’t ready yet… =-.
Tricia Rose says
Well, there is going to be a run on Netflix! No, wait – I already have it here! Would it be too decadent to watch it in the afternoon?
.-= Tricia Rose´s last blog ..Ice Rafting =-.
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints says
I need to check this one out. I’ve never even heard of it. Not much of a Hitchcock fan myself.
.-= Becky @ Farmgirl Paints´s last blog ..Tom =-.
CashmereLibrarian says
I can’t wait to hear about Manderley. I’m obsessed with both the book and the movie of Rebecca. Actually, I’m kind of obsessed with the character of Rebecca!
.-= CashmereLibrarian´s last blog ..Liberty of London =-.
Sandy says
This is one of my favorite all time movie! But I must say that the furniture designed as Frank L. Wright for the Vandamm house for this movie looks too comfortable. I have toured Wright’s house in PA on the Falls and other Wright buildings and I can say that his furniture is NOT comfortable at all. He designed his furniture to go with his buildings but I wouldn’t want to have to spend anytime sitting on them. We ate in a building in WI where Wright designed the furniture and the chairs at the tables were so low to the ground that I was uncomfortable and I’m SHORT! My two other most favorite Hitchcock movies are Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak in “Vertigo” and “Bell, Book and Candle” (not sure if this last one is a Hitchcock movie but I loved it anyway). Back to “North By Northwest” – that famous corn field and airplane scene – sorry but it’s too dry in the field to be Indiana. My hubby and I laugh at one scene every time we watch Stephen King’s TV movie “The Stand”. They show some oil tanks labeling the scene as being in Indiana and there are mountains in the background. Trust me there are no mountains in Indiana. This was a very enjoyable post and interesting to learn what was real and what wasn’t on this fantastic movie. Wasn’t Cary Grant just wonderful!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Shamrocks =-.
Kim says
It seems like every movie I have seen Cary Grant in, he never seems to age much.
I have never seen this movie, I might have to rent it sometime. I loved the sets of both houses. They each have their own character.
I love the hard work and heart that went into making old films. You can tell they made them as perfect as they could. You just don’t see that much in today’s movies. That’s why I love watching old films.
Kim says
I forgot to mention my favorite Hitchhock movie. My favorite hitchhock movie was probably The Birds.
angela | the painted house says
I love that fake-pieced-together home!
You really do your homework on these posts–it’s cheesy but I mean it: you get an A+. Must be the homeschool teacher in me. 🙂
Thank you so much for the mention on FB today, thank you! 🙂
.-= angela | the painted house´s last blog ..Eight =-.
Robin says
Julia,
Great house and set decoration on this movie. Very slick. My husband and I were lucky enough to stay at The Plaza and dine in the Oak Room for dinner. We also have had lunch at The Oak Bar several times. Great old hotel with lots of movie star history!
Also, a side note on Jessie Royce Landis. She played Grace Kelly’s mother in To Catch a Thief with Cary Grant.
Great post, Julia. 🙂
Robin
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Magazine Treasures =-.
DesignTies says
What an interesting post!! I never saw the movie, but it was still fun to read about how it was made. Interesting about the set house not having any glass in the windows — totally makes sense.
Thanks for checking out my kitchen makeover 🙂 Yes, I’m BEYOND thrilled that it’s done!!
Kelly
.-= DesignTies´s last blog ..The real & official kitchen makeover post =-.
David says
I lived in Keystone SD at the base of Mt. Rushmore for most of the 90’s and visited the 1957 concession building for breakfast many Sunday mornings with family and friends. No better place to spend an early morning after a fresh snowfall with no one to bother you except park rangers with shovels and a wandering Mountain Goat.
The park concession building was just as these photos of the sets show, brilliant mid century park-atechture. From the viewing terrace everything about this building was earthy and natural in a smart atomic way. Seemingly sprung from the earth, the asymmetry of the decorative brick the building exterior and column supports were clad, was comforting and grounded against the background of surprise checkerboard plywood panels.
In 1996 when it was finally deemed to costly to maintain the concession building and its companion interpretive center, a new more monumental design was developed more in the vein of Washington DC. The contents and furnishings of the 39 year old facility were auctioned off in preparation of demolition and reconstruction, Movie buffs and rock hounds from all over the western US showed up to chisel bricks and pull panels from the walls of a very American dining room made famous by the Royal Subject named Hitchcock.
Julie F says
Thanks for the update on the concession building. I visited Rushmore as a child in the 1960s, but can’t remember what the buildings looked like. Sad that it had to be demolished. Very cool design. You are lucky to have been able to eat there so often.
Lesley @ TheDesignFile says
Love it. So fascinating. Thanks for writing another fantastic post.
.-= Lesley @ TheDesignFile´s last blog ..Inspiration from a modern Barcelona hotel =-.
Karena says
One of my favorite of all time! Hitchcock s genius the classic actors and wardrobes that are still perfect today!
Karena
Art by Karena
.-= Karena´s last blog ..DIFFA Dining by Design Kansas City =-.
E. George says
Hi Julia you must have been up all night and then some thank you for this great post. I know I’ve seen this movie but it was a long time ago love Cary Grant. I remember Alfred Hitchcock had a TV show many many moons ago. I loved The Birds but I’ve never looked at birds the same way they gather in one of the street trees and at about 6pm they have a bird screeching party we can’t hear the TV thank god its not an allnighter. Till next time Regards Esther from Sydney…
Julie M. says
Mmm…I’m not sure. I just watched Rear Window and To Catch a Thief again. In fact, I just love, love Cary Grant. I always wanted to name a cat John Robie, after his cat burglar character in To Catch a Thief. My favorite movie, however, is Charade. Grant’s costar was Audrey Hepburn and Stanley Donen directed.
What excellent movies. Thank you for another fine post, Julia!
: )
Julie M.
.-= Julie M.´s last blog ..Sweet Dreams ~ The Little Red Shop’s 100th Post Giveaway! =-.
Carol M says
My favorite Hitchcock movie is “Suspicion” with Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine. Every time it’s on, I can’t walk away from it. Love the little village and homes in that one. I only wish it was in color!
Kelly, Arte Styling says
Thank you for this wonderful post! I am a lifelong fan of Hitchock’s work. The trivia was too cool – especially that bit about Wright. Never knew that! Such a fun post. It was like watching the movie all over again.
Cathy Rust says
Wow Julia,
Fantastic and detailed post, as usual! I’ve always loved the house on top of Mt Rushmore in this movie. So sad to hear it’s not real! Still, the interior shots, even of the cafeteria, are gorgeous.
I have three favourite Hitchcock movies: North by Northwest, To Catch a Thief and Rear Window. I think To Catch a Thief is my all-time favourite Hitchcock movie.
.-= Cathy Rust´s last blog ..Ontario Hydro bills set to increase 25% by 2011. Believe it or not, it’s a good thing =-.
Susan says
A little late but I have to chime in. I LOVE HITCHCOCK!! I grew up on him…i’m 38…love old movies. My favorites…I have 2. To Catch a Thief and Rear Window. Third favorite…though it’s not a Hitchcock is Charade. Just had to comment.
Love your blog…always wanted still shots of fabulous movie houses!!! Keep it up.
Lance says
This is a fabulous website, both in terms of content and design. I just came across it tonight after searching on a whim about the house in the original Parent Trap movie — then found you had pages about Hitchcock films too! North by Northwest is my favorite of all films. I knew the house on top of Mt. Rushmore doesn’t exist, because many years ago my family visited the monument and there was a helicopter there offering quick 5-minute fly-bys over the top. The movie was on my mind at the time, and of course I searched high and low for the house while we flew over. After we gained altitude, it was clear that there was n-o-t-h-i-n-g up there at all. I was mighty bummed.
I also love the Rebecca post. Have you considered doing something about the home in Hitchcock’s “Notorious”? Haven’t watched it in a few years. I imagine that was all built on a sound stage, as Hitch seemed to prefer the high degree of control that he could get there.
premiere reviews says
This is probably my favorite Cary Grant movie. I knew some of this trivia but not all of it. Thanks!
Upstaged By Design says
How have I only just discovered your blog?! Great article for a great movie. I’ll be reading your blog from now on!
Whitney
Gina says
I just re-watched this movie on the big screen today. Such fun! I had read your post last year about this house and had forgotten that the ‘modern’ house on the monument mountain was entirely photos and models. Still very impressive for it’s time.
Meg Brookman says
“Hitchcock loved using overhead shots like these. I appreciate them because we get a good look at the rugs.” Julia, this not only made me laugh out loud but I instantly saw the truth in it–and agree with you wholeheartedly!