Leopold and Loeb: How the ‘Crime of the Century’ Inspired Hitchcock’s Suspenseful “Rope”

Two privileged young men cold-bloodedly kill someone close to them, just to prove they can get away with the perfect murder.

This is the premise behind Alfred Hitchcock’s 1948 suspenseful film “Rope.” 

Sadly, it was also the motivation behind the tragic 1924 murder of Bobby Franks by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two college students, in a case so sensational it was referred to as “the crime of the century.” With Clarence Darrow defending the accused murderers, it was also deemed “the trial of the century.”

In this fascinating episode we delve into the true crime behind Hitchcock’s classic movie “Rope.” Not only do we share interesting behind-the-scenes stories about the film and Hitchcock’s groundbreaking use of “long-takes,”  we also walk through the infamous Leopold and Loeb case, analyzing how it inspired elements of the film. 

Whether you’re a fan of the “Master of Suspense” or of true crime, this episode is for you! Listen on your favorite podcatcher or the Scandal Water Podcast YouTube channel, or by clicking the link dropped here. 

 

*Please note that this episode shares details from a true crime murder and may not be suitable for all audiences.

Music Used: (Not Josh Martin) “Magic In the Garden” from FreePd.com

MID-ROLL AD: Send us your 2024 shout-outs to ScandalWaterPodcast@gmail.com

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