American actor Farley Granger had a career that spanned several decades. However, he will be forever known for the two films he did with Alfred Hitchcock. “Rope” and “Strangers on a Train” not only showcase the talents of both Hitchcock and the actors, but focus on the reoccurring themes and ideology that Hitchcock did so wonderfully.

Farley Granger was born in San Jose, California in 1925. At the time his family lived well off with a successful auto dealership. However the stock market crash of 1929 hit the family hard and they escaped in the middle of the night to Los Angles. Here is where Farley discovered the arts. Early on he enrolled in a dance and drama studio where actors like Judy Garland and Shirley Temple cut their teeth. After a few theatrical productions and a brief film career, Farley enrolled in the Navy. While stationed in Honolulu, Farley had his sexual awakening with both sexes that would change his life forever.

Back in the real world, Farley once again pursued his acting career and was a Goldwyn player with a weekly salary of $200. He quickly became part of the Hollywood circle that included Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and was cast in director Nicholas Ray’s film noir “Thieves Like Us.” Although it sat on the shelf for two years, it had multiple screens including one sat in by Hitchcock himself. Hitchcock who was preparing to cast “Rope” instantly recognized Farley being perfect for the film.

“Rope” is based loosely on a play about the famous Leopold and Loeb murder case. The story is about two friends who conceive to commit the “perfect murder.” “Rope” was Hitchcock’s first color film. It was also an experiment in filmmaking. The film is unique in that it takes place in real time and is edited to look like it is one continuous shot. Farley plays one of the two friends who plots and commits what they think is the crime of perfection and it is their arrogance that eventually does them in. After strangling their friend, they place him in a wooden chest and host a dinner party. A party that includes not just their friends, but the poor victim as well as he lies showcased in the center of the room. One of the guests includes their prep-school housemaster, publisher Rupert Cadell, played by Jimmy Stewart. He turns out to be the one person that can ultimately see through the charade.

“Rope” showcased the talent of Farley who proved he could hold his own with the likes of a Jimmy Stewart. However it would be another three years until his next big break that would again bring him back working with Hitchcock. "Strangers on a Train” was the project and the film is a wonderful tale of a chance meeting between two men on a train that changes their lives forever. It’s a deliciously dark film that once again showcases Farley’s leading man status. In the film, Guy Haines (Farley Granger) accidentally becomes involved in a deal with a new acquaintance named Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker), to commit each other’s murder. The idea is Bruno will kill Guy’s unfaithful wife and in turn Guy will kill Bruno’s unbarring father. “Criss-cross” is the fool proof plan where the murders are done by the one who has no motive to do so.

Much like “Rope,” “Strangers on a Train” was not initially received to much critical acclaim. However, time has eradicated this perception and film critics like Roger Ebert now considers it as one of Hitchcock’s Top Five Best Films.

Farley continued a successful career on the screen and on the stage. However, he never really hit the degree of stardom that he achieved with the two films he did with Hitchcock. In some ways his life off the screen is much more interesting. From his gay relationship with the screenwriter of “Rope” to many affairs with Hollywood’s elite including Shelly Winters and Ava Gardner, Farley continued to live a life that is often only written for on the big screen.

Farley in 1995, would appear in the documentary entitled The Celluloid Closet where he discussed openly about his sexuality. In 2007, he published his memoir entitled “Include Me Out” that is co-written by his long time domestic partner Robert Calhoun. Farley lost Calhoun to lung cancer in 2008. At the age of 85, the world lost one of Hollywood’s greats. However, Farley Granger will live forever in film and with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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