Written by Sason Bishope Parry
Ah, Halloween season, one of my favorite times of year and arguably the spookiest. A moment when the veil between worlds feels thin, when ghosts, ghouls, and mischievous spirits roam free, and when you can transform into anyone, or anything, you wish. What better way to welcome the witching hour than with Alfred Hitchcock’s haunting psychological masterpiece Vertigo, paired with the chillingly beautiful sounds of the San Francisco Symphony?
Davies Symphony Hall was buzzing on Thursday, October 30th. The energy was electric, the anticipation palpable. Halloween was just hours away, and fans arrived dressed in full costume glory —witches, vampires, film buffs, and thrill-seekers, ready for a cinematic séance. The hall itself embraced the spirit of the season, adorned with stunning Día de los Muertos art, vibrant skulls, colorful altars, and sculptures glowing under warm lights. Laughter and camera flashes filled the air as concertgoers posed for selfies before taking their seats.
Then, the lights dimmed. The bells tolled. Conductor Conner Gray Covington stepped onto the podium with quiet authority. As the first notes of Bernard Herrmann’s iconic score filled the hall, the atmosphere shifted, suspense thickened, hearts quickened. When Hitchcock’s credits began to swirl on the massive screen, that unmistakable sense of eerie wonder took hold. For a moment, I could almost feel Hitchcock’s shadow lingering in the rafters, watching us, pleased.
Vertigo, released in 1958, remains one of Hitchcock’s most celebrated psychological thrillers, a dreamlike descent into obsession and illusion. The film follows retired detective John “Scottie” Ferguson (played by the incomparable James Stewart), who is hired to tail his friend’s wife, Madeleine (the enigmatic Kim Novak). As Scottie falls helplessly in love, tragedy strikes when Madeleine appears to leap to her death from a bell tower. Consumed by guilt and haunted by her image, Scottie spirals into obsession until he meets Judy, a woman who eerily resembles the lost Madeleine. What unfolds is a masterclass in suspense, identity, and the dark depths of human desire.
And what a perfect partner to such a story, Herrmann’s score, resurrected live by the SF Symphony, was pure cinematic magic. The orchestra breathed new life into Herrmann’s haunting melodies and swirling motifs, amplifying the film’s psychological tension with exquisite precision. The music didn’t just accompany the movie; it possessed it. Every note shimmered with unease; every crescendo echoed the vertigo of Scottie’s unraveling mind.
Herrmann, of course, was no stranger to Hitchcock’s world. His collaborations on Psycho, North by Northwest, and Vertigo helped define the sound of suspense itself. Known for his bold harmonies and emotional depth, Herrmann transformed the landscape of film scoring. Hearing his music live, delivered by one of the world’s premier orchestras, was nothing short of breathtaking.
Adding an extra layer of thrill, Vertigo was filmed right here in San Francisco. Watching its iconic landmarks, such as the Palace of the Legion of Honor, Fort Point, Mission Dolores, and the Brocklebank Apartments, on the big screen while sitting just miles away gave the night a surreal hometown magic. It was as if the city itself had come alive to watch its cinematic reflection.
After intermission, Covington led the orchestra through the film’s stormy second half with masterful control. The tension built and broke like ocean waves, each cue drawing gasps and sighs from the audience. By the final scene, the hall sat in near silence, collectively spellbound. As the credits rolled and the lights rose, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause. The spell had been cast and broken all at once. It was a night of cinematic chills, musical brilliance, and Halloween spirit in perfect harmony.
Hitchcock was born for nights like this, dark, mysterious, and thrillingly human. Vertigo with the San Francisco Symphony wasn’t just a screening; it was an experience, a reminder that great art never dies, it just waits for the right conductor to bring it back to life. As we stepped into the cool October night, the witching hour drawing near, one thing was certain: San Francisco had just experienced a Halloween masterpiece. It was another unforgettable night with the Symphony.
For more info on the SF Symphony go to: www.sfsymphony.org
