Life and achievements
Early life
Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was born on August 13, 1899, in Leytonstone, Essex, England. He was the last of three children of a rather strict Roman Catholic family. His father, William Hitchcock, was a greengrocer, while his mother, Emma Jane, had her roots in Ireland. The Hitchcock family resided in the upper part of their grocery store, which gave young Alfred a rather interesting view of the world and people. Hitchcock's early years in school were quite strict, and he was also taught religious lessons. He went to St. Ignatius College, a Jesuit school in Stamford Hill, London. The school environment was rigorous, later reflected in his working style in the film industry.
Hitchcock had a passion for telling stories and cinema since his childhood. He was interested in the new form of art of the movie and used to attend the cinema hall frequently. His passion for telling stories was also seen in his childhood interests, such as reading and drawing. Hitchcock then went to school, and upon completion, he got a job at an advertising agency as a technical clerk and later as a copywriter. He entered the film industry in 1919 when he joined the London office of the Famous Players-Lasky company to work as a title writer for silent films. This first experience gave him a good background in the technical side of the filmmaking process.
In his early years, Hitchcock experienced speedy growth and a learning curve. He transitioned from title sequences to screenplays and then to directing. His first work as a director was the British-German silent film The Pleasure Garden, which was made in 1925. The knowledge he acquired from his initial work in the film industry would help him when he moved to sound movies and the creation of his unique style of suspense and psychological horror. Thus, the early life and career of Alfred Hitchcock can be considered the foundation of his later achievements and contributions to the film industry.
Legacy
Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most famous directors in cinema history. He is famously known as the 'Master of Suspense' and changed the course of the thriller genre. Hitchcock's camera movement to represent the look of a character and his style of creating suspense has inspired many directors and films. His work has remained relevant and is analyzed in film institutions all over the world to this date. Hitchcock made films that were both artistic and, at the same time, earned good revenues, which is a scarce combination in the filmmaking business. He was very particular with the details and was able to create very engaging stories that paved the way for future filmmakers.
Hitchcock's work is not limited to his films; he has influenced many directors and films. His television series, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, saw him take suspense to the masses and make him a household name. His unique look and somewhat dark humour made him one of the best storytellers in the business. Hitchcock never won an Academy Award for Best Director, but he was recognized and awarded in other ways. He was knighted in 1980, before his death due to illness, for his contributions to the arts. Hitchcock's movies, Psycho, Vertigo, and Rear Window, are some of the director's most famous and critically discussed films.
Hitchcock also left behind a significant influence on the next generation of directors. Many filmmakers of the present time, including Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Christopher Nolan, state that Hitchcock has inspired them. His approaches and techniques in narrative are also seen in many contemporary films, thus proving his contribution to the world of cinema. Hitchcock's skill in making the audience feel and building suspense is still unrivalled to this day, making him a legendary figure in cinema. Not only did he leave behind several films, but he also influenced many artists, and the works he created remain popular today.
Milestone moments
Aug 5, 1927
The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog Premieres
Alfred Hitchcock's first major success, The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog, was released in August 1927. This silent black-and-white movie is a classic thriller that developed the genre and created Hitchcock's image as the king of suspense.
The film is visually stimulating, and the plot is engaging, which has hooked the audience and critics.
The Lodger also contains elements in most of Hitchcock's movies, such as the innocent man on the run and the shadowy stranger.
The Lodger was Hitchcock's first major film, which was the start of Hitchcock's career in cinema.
This film is the starting point of his subsequent films and the transition from European cinema to Hollywood.
Apr 5, 1939
Move to Hollywood
Alfred Hitchcock arrived in Hollywood in April 1939, which can be considered a shift in the director's career. The famous producer David O. Selznick invited him to work in America, which presented new possibilities and difficulties.
His first American film was Rebecca, released in 1940, and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
This move to Hollywood provided Hitchcock with better resources and technology to make suspenseful and visually appealing movies.
His move to Hollywood also allowed him to work with some of the biggest stars of the time, such as Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, and James Stewart.
Hollywood gave Hitchcock the world stage he needed to cement his place as one of the best filmmakers of his time.
Oct 5, 1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Debut
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, a television series of single dramas, first aired in October 1955. The show transferred Hitchcock's style of suspense to the television screen, thus expanding the audience.
Hitchcock was the host of the show, and he became famous and a cultural symbol.
The series contained short stories of the thriller genre, usually with a plot twist at the end, thus demonstrating Hitchcock's talent as a storyteller.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents was on air for ten years, impacting the television industry and the anthology series.
The show's success proved that Hitchcock could quickly adapt to the new medium and create a successful show.
Sep 5, 1960
Psycho Released
Psycho, one of Hitchcock's most recognized movies, was released in September 1960. The psychological horror-thriller became a cult movie and the new reference point for the genre.
The shower scene and the plot twist also became memorable in cinema history.
Psycho also demonstrated Hitchcock's ability to generate suspense and his creativity in the camera and sound to build suspense.
The movie became a hit and cemented Hitchcock's status as a master filmmaker. His films shaped the horror genre for many years.
Psycho is one of Hitchcock's most analyzed movies, again proving the director's skill in producing psychological horror films.