Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE (August 13, 1899 – April 29, 1980), was an English director and producer. Labeled as the "Master of Suspense", he became known for thrillers, often combined with a dark sense of humor. After a successful career in his native country, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood in 1939. Over a career spanning more than half a century, Hitchcock fashioned for himself a distinctive and recognizable directorial style. He pioneered the use of a camera made to move in a way that mimics a person's gaze, forcing viewers to engage in a form of voyeurism. He framed shots to maximize anxiety, fear, or empathy, and used innovative film editing. His stories frequently feature fugitives on the run from the law alongside icy blonde female characters. Many of Hitchcock's films have twist endings and thrilling plots featuring depictions of violence, murder, and crime, although many of the mysteries function as decoys —or MacGuffins— meant only to serve thematic elements in the film and the extremely complex psychological examinations of the characters. Hitchcock's films also borrow many themes from psychoanalysis and feature strong sexual undertones. Through his cameo appearances in his own films, interviews, film trailers, and the television program Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955-1965), he became a cultural icon. Hitchcock is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In 2002, Hitchcock was ranked 2nd behind Orson Welles in the critics' top ten poll in the list of The Greatest Directors of All Time compiled by the Sight & Sound magazine. Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929–1968 included him in the "pantheon" of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States. Hitchcock's critically most acclaimed film is the psychological thriller film Vertigo (1958). Although being a mild failure upon its release, it has risen in popularity over the decades. In 2012 it even replaced Orson Welles' Citizen Kane as the greatest film ever made in the Sight & Sound critics' poll. Regarding visual style, Vertigo is often declared as Hitchcock's most perfect film. The use of color symbolism, meticulously composed shots, and the famous "Vertigo effect" (dolly zoom) continue to be studied and admired. Hitchcock's most commercially successful and most famous film is Psycho (1960), which had a significant impact on the horror genre, especially the slasher film. Hitchcock was able to prove his skills with the mystery thriller film Rear Window (1954), to create suspense within a confined setting - primarily the protagonist's apartment. In this film, voyeurism, one of Hitchcock's favorite subjects, is an essential aspect. Many of Hitchcock's spy films, most notably North by Northwest (1959) and Notorious (1946), had a major impact on the Mission: Impossible and James Bond series.
Known For
Credits
- 2024 · Becoming Hitchcock: The Legacy of Blackmail as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · Hitchcock's Pro-Nazi Film? as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock as Self (archive footage)
- 2023 · Kim Novak: Hollywood's Golden Age Rebel as Self (archive footage)
- 2022 · Grace Kelly – Hollywoods tragische Prinzessin as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 · Normandie ne partira pas ce soir as
- 2021 · I Am Alfred Hitchcock as Self
- 2021 · Her Name Was Grace Kelly as Self (archive footage)
- 2020 · Tales of the Uncanny as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · When Hitchcock Met O'Casey as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · Hitchcock Confidential as Self (archive footage)
- 2019 · When Hitchcock met O'Casey as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Hitch x 4 as Himself
- 2018 · Mais qui a tué Alfred Hitchcock? as Himself
- 2017 · 78/52 as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · Dark Glamour: The Blood and Guts of Hammer Productions as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
- 2017 · Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · German Concentration Camps Factual Survey as Self (archive footage)
- 2015 · Hitchcock/Truffaut as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2015 · Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words as Self (archive footage)
- 2014 · Night Will Fall as Self (archive footage)
- 2014 · Documenting John Grierson as
- 2013 · What Is Cinema? as Self
- 2013 · Talking Pictures as Self (archive footage)
- 2010 · The Psycho Legacy as Self (archive footage)
- 2009 · The Master's Touch: Hitchcock's Signature Style as Self (archive footage)
- 2009 · Once Upon a Time... 'Notorious' as Self (archive footage)
- 2008 · Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of Hitchcock as Self (archive footage)
- 2008 · In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy as Self (archive footage)
- 2008 · Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock as Self (archive footage)
- 2008 · Hitchcock in the News as Self (archive footage)
- 2006 · The Pervert's Guide to Cinema as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
- 2006 · Grace Kelly: Destiny of a Princess as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
- 2005 · The Making of 'Psycho' as Self (archive footage)
- 2004 · Alfred Hitchcock: The Early Years as Self (audio archival footage)
- 2004 · Hitchcock and Dial M as Self (archive footage)
- 2002 · Writing And Casting To Catch A Thief as Self (archive footage)
- 2002 · Alfred Hitchcock And To Catch A Thief: An Appreciation as Self (archive footage)
- 2001 · 'Rear Window' Ethics: Remembering and Restoring a Hitchcock Classic as Self (archive footage)
- 2001 · Topaz: An Appreciation by Film Critic/Historian Leonard Maltin as Self (archive footage)
- 2001 · 'The Trouble with Harry' Isn't Over as Self (archive footage)
- 2001 · Plotting 'Family Plot' as Self (archive footage)
- 2001 · The Story of 'Frenzy' as Self (archive footage)
- 2000 · Destination Hitchcock: The Making of 'North by Northwest' as Self (archive footage)
- 2000 · The Trouble with 'Marnie' as Self (archive footage)
- 2000 · All About 'The Birds' as Self (archive footage)
- 2000 · The Making of 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' as Self (archive footage)
- 1999 · Hitchcock: The Early Years as Self (archive footage)
- 1999 · Monsieur Truffaut Meets Mr. Hitchcock as Self (archive footage)
- 1999 · Hitchcock, Selznick and the End of Hollywood as Self (archive footage)
- 1996 · Shirley Maclaine: Kicking Up Her Heels as Self (archive footage)
- 1996 · The Universal Story as Self (archive footage)
- 1996 · Ingrid Bergman Remembered as Self (archive footage)
- 1994 · Hitchcock: Alfred the Great as Himself (Archival Footage)
- 1990 · Star Life as Self (archive footage)
- 1989 · Tales from the Crypt as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1988 · Cary Grant: A Celebration of a Leading Man as Self (archive footage)
- 1988 · Gregory Peck: His Own Man as Self (archive footage)
- 1985 · The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents as
- 1985 · The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Self - Host (archive footage)
- 1985 · Memory of the Camps as Self (uncredited archive footage)
- 1985 · The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Self (archive footage)
- 1984 · Terror in the Aisles as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1976 · Family Plot as Silhouette at Office of Vital Statistics (uncredited)
- 1974 · Spécial cinéma as Self (archive footage)
- 1973 · The Men Who Made the Movies as Self
- 1973 · The Men Who Made the Movies: Alfred Hitchcock as Himself
- 1972 · Masters Of Cinema - Alfred Hitchcock as Self
- 1972 · The Illustrated Hitchcock as Self
- 1972 · Frenzy as Spectator at Opening Rally
- 1972 · Midi trente as Self (archive footage)
- 1971 · V.I.P. Schaukel as Self
- 1971 · Samedi soir as Self
- 1969 · Hitchcock at the N.F.T. as Self
- 1969 · Topaz as Man in Wheelchair (uncredited)
- 1968 · The Dick Cavett Show as Self - Guest
- 1968 · The Movie Orgy as Self (archive footage)
- 1967 · Mondo Hollywood as
- 1966 · Torn Curtain as Man in Hotel Lobby with Baby (uncredited)
- 1966 · Cinema: Alfred Hitchcock as Himself
- 1964 · Marnie as Man Leaving Hotel Room (uncredited)
- 1964 · A Talk with Hitchcock as Self
- 1963 · The Birds as Pet Store Customer (uncredited)
- 1962 · The Alfred Hitchcock Hour as Self - Host
- 1962 · The Children of Alda Nuova as self - host
- 1961 · Hollywood: The Selznick Years as Self (uncredited)
- 1960 · Psycho as Man Outside Office (uncredited)
- 1959 · North by Northwest as Man Who Misses Bus (uncredited)
- 1958 · Vertigo as Man Walking Past Elster's Office (uncredited)
- 1956 · The Wrong Man as Prologue Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- 1956 · The Man Who Knew Too Much as Man in Marrakesh Marketplace (uncredited)
- 1956 · Cinépanorama as Self
- 1955 · The Trouble with Harry as Passer-by (uncredited)
- 1955 · Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Self - Host
- 1955 · Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Self - Interviewee
- 1955 · Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Self (archive footage)
- 1955 · Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1955 · To Catch a Thief as Man Sitting Next to John Robie on Bus (uncredited)
- 1954 · Rear Window as Clock-Winder in Songwriter's Apartment (uncredited)
- 1954 · Dial M for Murder as Banquet Member (uncredited)
- 1954 · Reflets de Cannes as Self
- 1953 · The Oscars as Self
- 1953 · I Confess as Man Crossing the Top of Long Staircase (uncredited)
- 1951 · Strangers on a Train as Man Boarding Train Carrying a Double Bass (uncredited)
- 1950 · Lux Video Theatre as Self
- 1950 · Stage Fright as Man Staring at Eve on Street (uncredited)
- 1950 · What's My Line? as Self - Mystery Guest
- 1949 · Under Capricorn as Man at Governor's Reception (uncredited)
- 1948 · Rope as Man Walking in Street After Opening Credits (uncredited)
- 1946 · Notorious as Man Drinking Champagne at Party (uncredited)
- 1945 · Spellbound as Man Leaving Elevator (uncredited)
- 1943 · Show-Business at War as Self
- 1943 · Shadow of a Doubt as Man on Train Playing Cards (uncredited)
- 1942 · Saboteur as Man in Front of New York Drugstore (uncredited)
- 1941 · Suspicion as Man Mailing Letter (uncredited)
- 1941 · Mr. & Mrs. Smith as Man Passing David Smith on Street (uncredited)
- 1940 · Foreign Correspondent as Man with Newspaper on Street (uncredited)
- 1940 · Rebecca as Man Outside Phone Booth (uncredited)
- 1938 · The Lady Vanishes as Man in London Railway Station (uncredited)
- 1937 · Young and Innocent as Photographer Outside Courthouse (uncredited)
- 1937 · Sabotage as Man Walking Past the Cinema as the Light Is Renewed
- 1935 · The 39 Steps as Man Walking Past Bus (uncredited)
- 1934 · The Man Who Knew Too Much as Man in Raincoat Passing Bus (uncredited)
- 1930 · Murder! as Man on Street (uncredited)
- 1929 · Blackmail as Man on Subway (uncredited)
- 1929 · Sound Test for Blackmail as Self (uncredited)
- 1927 · The Ring as Man-Dipping Attraction Worker (uncredited)
- Future · Hitchcock on Grierson as Self
- 1960 · The Man Who Found the Money as self (host)
- 1959 · Human Interest Story as host (self)
- 1928 · Easy Virtue as Man with Stick Near Tennis Court (uncredited)
- 1927 · The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog as Man in Newspaper Office (uncredited)