Alfred Hitchcock

A tribute to the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.

Five films united not only by the usual themes of guilt, submission, and the attempt at redemption, typical of the great English director, but also by the aesthetic choice of black and white, a highly expressive form that highlights the lights and shadows of the complex human soul.

The Films

• *Psycho* is a 1960 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins, John Gavin, and Vera Miles.
• *Spellbound* is a 1945 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman.
• *Rebecca* is a 1940 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on the novel *Rebecca* by Daphne du Maurier, winner of two Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
• *Notorious* is a 1946 film. In 2001, the American Film Institute ranked it 38th on its list of the 100 greatest thrillers and horror films of all time.
• In 2002, it was ranked 86th on their list of the 100 greatest romantic films of all time.
• *Shadow of a Doubt* is a 1943 film. In 1991, it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

Here are some interesting facts about him:

1. Cameos in his films: Hitchcock made cameo appearances in nearly every film he directed. These appearances became so popular that audiences began actively looking for them, so he started placing them at the beginning of his films to avoid distracting from the plot.
2. Fear of eggs: Hitchcock had an irrational fear of eggs, called ovophobia. He once stated: “I’m frightened of eggs. That white round thing without any holes… Have you ever seen anything more revolting than an egg yolk breaking and spilling its yellow liquid?”
3. Innovative filming techniques: Hitchcock was a pioneer in the use of creative filmmaking techniques. In *Vertigo*, he invented the “dolly zoom” (also known as the Vertigo effect) to visually represent the sensation of vertigo, a technique that has become iconic.
4. Never won an Oscar for Best Director: Despite being regarded as one of the greatest directors in history, Hitchcock never won an Oscar for Best Director. He was nominated five times but only received the honorary Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1968.
5. Control over audience emotions: Hitchcock believed that films should play on the emotions of the audience and was famous for creating tension. One of his famous quotes is: “There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.” This approach is central to his films, where suspense builds before any actual shock occurs.
6. Fear of police officers: Hitchcock had a deep fear of police officers, a phobia said to have stemmed from an incident in his childhood when his father had him locked in a cell for a few minutes as a form of punishment.
7. Pranks on set: Hitchcock was known for his elaborate pranks on set. During the filming of The Birds, he sent Tippi Hedren a doll in a miniature coffin as a macabre joke. His dark sense of humor often reflected in his directing style.
8. The impact of *Psycho*: When *Psycho* was released in 1960, Hitchcock insisted that no one be admitted to the theater after the film had started, an unusual request at the time. This strategy heightened tension and mystery, particularly for the famous shower scene.
9. Preference for blonde actresses: Hitchcock had a preference for blonde actresses in leading roles, which became a signature trait of his. Among his blonde muses were Grace Kelly, Tippi Hedren, Janet Leigh, and Kim Novak.
10. Pioneer of the suspense genre: Hitchcock is often considered the master of the thriller and suspense genre. Films like *Rear Window*, *North by Northwest*, *Vertigo*, and *Psycho* continue to influence contemporary directors and are regarded as masterpieces of the genre.