Question 1

True or false: Hitchcock made the audience feel Jefferies's confinement by never showing the street from his apartment's window.

Accepted Answer

True. The film severely restricts the view to the courtyard opposite Jefferies's rear window; the street is never visible from that vantage point, reinforcing his immobility.

Question 2

True or false: The film was originally meant to star Cary Grant, but he turned it down because the character was too passive.

Accepted Answer

False. Grant was never officially offered the role. Hitchcock always wanted James Stewart, who was perfect for the everyman stuck in a chair.

Question 3

True or false: Grace Kelly designed her own costumes for the film because she was a trained fashion designer.

Accepted Answer

False. Her iconic wardrobe was designed by Edith Head. Though Kelly had an interest in fashion, she didn't design her costumes for this film.

Question 4

True or false: The film's famous kiss between Stewart and Kelly was interrupted by a train noise because the set was near real railroad tracks.

Accepted Answer

False. The train sound was deliberately added in post-production for dramatic effect. The set was soundproofed and nowhere near actual tracks.

Question 5

True or false: Rear Window was shot entirely on a single apartment set on a soundstage, not on a real street.

Accepted Answer

True. Hitchcock built a massive indoor set with working apartments and a full courtyard. No exterior location was used—the view of Greenwich Village was entirely constructed.

Question 6

True or false: The broken leg in the film was actually a plaster cast on James Stewart's real leg, which he wore for the entire shoot.

Accepted Answer

True. Stewart had a real leg cast for authenticity, but it wasn't broken—he wore a plaster cast for the whole 8-week shoot, even sitting in a wheelchair between takes.

Question 7

True or false: The woman with the dog in the courtyard was actually a man in drag, because Hitchcock couldn't find a female actor willing to play the part.

Accepted Answer

False. The role was played by actress Sara Berner. The rumor likely stems from her deep voice, but she was a woman and no drag casting occurred.

Question 8

True or false: The entire set of Rear Window, including the courtyard and apartment buildings, was constructed indoors on a soundstage.

Accepted Answer

True. Director Alfred Hitchcock built a massive, fully functioning set at Paramount Studios, creating a realistic courtyard with apartments and even functioning plumbing.

Rear Window Trivia Questions