The films of Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock's name immediately conjures up an unmistakable pear-shaped profile and a lugubrious British voice. Hitchcock is probably the best known director in the world, not only because of his flair for self-publicization but also because of his cameo appearances in his own films. Hitchcock said he 'brought murder back into the home - where it belongs.' He also made it into an art form. His thrillers are the most widely imitated in films, because of their ingenious plots and understanding of violent passion. He revelled in his tide of 'Master of Suspense' but he was master of much more than that. Hitchcock made a scintillating string of thrillers in England, including me first British talkie Blackmail (1929) and the perennially popular The Thirty Nine Steps (1935) and The Lady Vanishes (1938). He came to Hollywood in 1939 and his first American film Rebecca won the Oscar for Best Picture. His first decade in America was a period of technical experiment and refinement of techniques. He worked with some of Hollywood's biggest stars and attracted serious critical acclaim as well as a huge popular following with films like Notorious (1946), Rear Window (1954), Psycho (1960),and The Birds (1963). This book shows both sides of Hitchcock - the entertainer and the artist. His films reveal a master storyteller, a technical wizard and a joker of genius. Hitchcock reconciled complexity with commercialism, giving his films a universal and enduring appeal. Illustrated with over 250 black-and-white and color photographs The Films of Alfred Hitchcock is a fascinating insight into both the 'Master of Suspense' and his films.