 Three years later, Woolrich sold the movie rights to a production company, and agreed by contract to renew those rights when the 28-year copyright (then in force) expired.In 1953 the movie rights were bought for $10,000 by Patron Inc., a production company formed by actor James Stewart and director Alfred Hitchcock.The short story was then made into the acclaimed movie "Rear Window" (1954), directed by Hitchcock and starring Stewart.