Sid: Rear Window

You know I like Hitchcock (and my parents don't; when I want to torture them I organize a marathon of Hitchcock movies). How about making a parody for Rear Window? E.g. Sid broke his leg and is confined to a wheelchair. He can't do anything but watch the neighbors' backyards. As paranoid as he is, he of course imagines that he has caught some clues that a crime was committed. Rhonda comes by to bring him his home work, and he tries to convince her that his neighbor is a criminal. After some time Rhonda gets adventurous and decides to go into the monster's den.

Oh! lol like the movie Disturbia, except he's crippled right? xD

Yeah this sounds like a good idea! But who could he be spying on?

I have not heard about Disturbia, but it looks like it's based on the classical movie by Hitchcock. There are to problems: to think up the mystery, and to decide what the difference between the movie and our comics could be, otherwise it will be plagiarism, not a parody.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Disturbia is based on Rear Window. It seems like Rear Window has had a million remakes and parodies (but that's probably true for all Hitchcock films).

What about Vertigo or The Birds? Psycho is probably way too popular (i.e. over-parodied)...and Rope is probably way too weird. hmm...I love Hitchcock movies

Yeah, I saw a Psycho-inspired HA! fanart, and I thought that it would be cool to have other Hitchcockian episodes.

There was an interesting idea proposed on a Russian forum. The reason why the neighbor acts so suspiciously is because he's as paranoid as Sid, and thinks Sid is the criminal.

Yet one little idea: Rhonda learns what's going on. But she plays along with Sid, and sets up a prank for him, making him believe that the neighbor is going to assail him.

This is just an idea I was thinking about because there are so many ideas out there about Sid overreacting to something or being delusional about something (because it's so much in character for him).

But what if it were someone who was normally very level-headed who became very paranoid, like maybe Gerald?

funnybones021 wrote:But what if it were someone who was normally very level-headed who became very paranoid, like maybe Gerald?

I really like this. As much in-character it is for Sid to be paranoid and over-dramatic about things, it might be a bit overdone. I think it would be nice to step out of the box a bit and have someone else be the paranoid one. I rather like the concept of Gerald being that one actually. Even the most level-headed might crack if they think their life is in danger.

A couple little off-topic comments: I love Rear Window by the way. Brilliant movie. And Psycho is brilliant as well.

Well, Gerald could be the central character too, I guess.

But I think we need a Grace Kelly. Rhonda seems perfect for this role, and I somehow can't imagine her visiting Gerald.

Well, I could see her visiting Gerald, but it's been a long long time since the last time I saw Rear Window. So, whatever you think works best is fine with me.

I'll try to come up with a different Gerald-centric episode (I think we could use one of those this season).

Grace Kelly's character sleeps in what could be a fancy party dress (http://www.cstone.net/~lbrannon/Stuff/REAR_WINDOW-62.jpg). I would really to see Rhonda as classy and posh as Grace is, and even though she does not seem to like-like Sid, and think she would enjoy "impressing" him.

Oh, ok. I can see how that would be awkward to write with Gerald as the main character...especially when everyone pretty much already knows about a Gerald-Phoebe relationship.

If Gerald wouldn't work, what about Harold? He would definitely be paranoid and jump to conclusions about things too like Sid. Also, making Harold a central character would definitely add a comedic element to this because what can I say, Harold's hilarious. I do agree that Rhonda being the Grace Kelly character would be perfect. Do you guys think Rhonda would go visit Harold on her own free will?

Yeah, Harold stuck in his room could be fun

I'm not sure whether we need his nosy parents in the picture though.

Yeah, that would definitely work; and didn't Rhonda used to have a little thing for Harold?

I actually think she did but she didn't want to admit it, lol. They rode the Tunnel of Love together in the episode "Operation Ruthless" and I think in "Egg Story" Harold was like "you know you like me..." and Rhonda was like "what gave you that idea?" and he then started to mention what happened at the Cheese Festival. She lastly tried to shut him up and went "I told you to never mention that night." XD That's why I wasn't sure if she would go on her own free will. Maybe she could sneak in to check on him at night...that way no one would see her? XD She always seemed rather embarrassed about any thing she had for Harold.

I don't know about involving Harold's parents either. Maybe they could make an appearance near the end as part of the way to explain that the neighbor wasn't up to no good after all and he was just overreacting about everything.

We don't have to involve Harold's parents if we don't want to. HA! is kind of like Charlie Brown, in that the kids are a lot more mature and a lot more independent from their parents/guardians than actual 9 or 10 year olds.

Hellerick wrote:Rhonda learns what's going on. But she plays along with Sid, and sets up a prank for him, making him believe that the neighbor is going to assail him.

How about having Rhonda tricking Harold at first, but then they both actually meet the neighbor together; and that meeting convinces Rhonda and reaffirms Harold's belief that he actually is a murderer (even though he's not).
We could even write some funny things for the neighbor to say that makes Harold and Rhonda suspicious every time they hear him speak...something like, "I'd kill to have a car like that", or "this cheesecake is to die for."

Harold's a good candidate.

One question though: Would this be like an odd couple episode (like the Helga/Harold ep Buses, Bikes and Subways) or would this reaffirm the whole "Rhonda kinda liking Harold" theme? Where does that leave Big Patty then?

I was thinking it would be more of an odd couple episode. I wouldn't want to end an episode leaving Harold, Patty, and Rhonda in a messy love triangle.

I was thinking that Rhonda kinda liking Harold would be the reason why she would come to visit him to begin with but I don't think her feelings are strong enough to interfere with Harold and Patty. She's just too embarrassed about liking Harold, haha. Maybe this could the episode where her liking him officially ends, if that makes sense. Not the focus of the episode, ofcourse, but there could be a small amount of dialogue between Rhonda and Harold hinting at it. Doesn't Harold have a picture of Patty in a frame in his living-room or something? Perhaps Rhonda could nonchalantly ask about the picture and Harold could start talking a bit about when he had fun with Patty. She could realize that Harold likes Patty and just get over whatever tiny crush she has on him.

Edit: I love the "this cheesecake is to die for" and "I would kill for that car" lines. XD And another one: "If that guy double-crosses me again, I'll strangle him." XD

Or how about: "That's a killer song."
lol, I guess he's a surfer dude murderer.

It's a shame though. I've always liked the thing between Harold and Rhonda. It has always shown me that even a rich, popular girl can fall for a fat slob. Ah well. Life goes on.

Or how about: "Yep! I'm a real lady killer." lol