Alfred Hitchcock

1. Alfred Hitchcock Author, Filmmaker, Director, and sometimes Actor

2. Biography • 1899-1980 • Born in England, but died a US citizen in Los Angeles, CA • Roman Catholic • His parents were greengrocers • He is the youngest of three children

3. Naughty Boy • As a five-year-old boy, he was sent to the local police station by his father with a note in hand about young Alfred participating in mischief-making • The sergeant read the note that the father wrote and put the five-year-old into a prison cell • “This is what we do to naughty boys” • Hitchcock’s childhood inspired him to write about terror being inflicted upon the unknowing and sometimes, innocent • Main themes of his works are guilt, fear, and redemption

4. Education / Career • High interest in numbers and technology • Studied at Jesuits’ St. Ignatius College until the age of 16 • From JSIC, he went to the University of London to study engineering and navigation • At 19, he started work as an estimator at Henley Telegraph Company. From estimator, he went to advertising. • From HTC, he got a job with Paramount Studios in London as a silent film title designer. By the age of 22, he was an assistant director.

5. Love on Set • His first job assistant director was working on a film titled, “No. 13” • “No. 13” never finished production, but he met Alma Reville during production and they married in December 1926. • Alfred and Alma produced several projects together • Their daughter even worked as an actress in some of his projects

6. His Works • Shadow of a Doubt – Hitchcock’s favorite of his works • 1925’s The Pleasure Garden – directorial debut • 1926’s The Lodger – launched his career in England, making him the most successful and highest paid director in that country • 1940’s Rebecca – AH emigrated to America to film and won an Oscar

7. The Classics and the Masterpieces • 1950-1960 was Hitchcock’s most productive decade • Dial “M” for Murder • To Catch a Thief • Strangers on a Train • The Masterpieces • Rear Window • Vertigo • North by Northwest • Psycho

8. 1955 was a good year • Hitchcock became a US citizen • Launched Alfred Hitchcock Presents • Due to the popularity of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, he became a celebrity in the US • Hitchcock drew his profile in nine strokes and became the symbol of his celebrity

9. Up until the day he died (almost)… • He wrote, produced, and directed films up until 1979. • His late works The Birds, Marnie, and Family Plot were well-known among Americans • He died in his sleep, which is ironic, because of his penchant for murder, mayhem, and shock. • What is even more ironic, is that he and his family lead a quiet and unostentatious life.

10. Up until this day… • Hitchcock’s legacy is vast: books, tributes, film festivals, and imitators abound. • Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, a monthly magazine, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents are still going strong.

11. Did You Know? • Alfred Hitchcock was once stopped at the French border by a suspicious customs official. Eyeing the space where Hitchcock listed his profession as "producer," the official demanded, "And what do you produce?" "Gooseflesh," Hitchcock coolly replied. • Hitchcock never sat among an audience to watch his films. • Amazingly enough, Hitchcock never won a best director Oscar in competition, although he was awarded the Irving Thalberg Memorial Award at the 1967 Oscars. He did receive the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award in 1979 and his homeland made sure he was properly acknowledged: In the New Year's Honors list of 1980, he was named a Knight Commander of the British Empire. • He went by the nickname, “Hitch”.

12. Quiz Time • What is the name of the author we study today? • How old was he when he died? • Where did his dad send him for mischief-making? • What was his occupation at the age of 22? • What was his wife’s name? Did they meet on set? • What was the favorite of his works? • Name one of his masterpieces? • How did he die? Why is that ironic? • What did the British Empire do for him in 1980? • What was his nickname?