Alfred Hitchcock the “Master of Suspense” was born on this day in 1899
Today we look back at the top 5 films by the “Master of Suspense” Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock the “Master of Suspense” was born on this day in 1899
Born in London on August 13, 1899, Alfred Hitchcock worked for a short time in engineering before entering the film industry in 1919. He left for Hollywood in 1939, where his first American film, Rebecca, won an Academy Award for best picture. Hitchcock created more than 50 films, including the classics Rear Window, The 39 Steps and Psycho. Nicknamed the “Master of Suspense,” Hitchcock received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1979 and was knighted in December that year, four months before he died. His fifty-three films garnered a total of 46 Oscar nominations and 6 wins. By 2016 seven of his films had been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, including his personal favorite, Shadow of a Doubt (1943). Here are the top 5 films by the “Master of Suspense”.
Alfred Hitchcock was born on August 13, 1899, in Leytonstone, London, England, to a working-class family. His father, William Hitchcock, was a greengrocer, and his mother, Emma Jane Hitchcock, was a homemaker. Hitchcock was raised as a Roman Catholic, and his strict upbringing, including being sent to a police station with a note from his father as punishment for misbehaving, had a lasting impact on his personality and work. As a child, Hitchcock was shy and introverted, often finding solace in books and movies.
Hitchcock studied engineering and navigation at the London County Council School of Engineering and Navigation, and later attended art school, where he developed an interest in drawing and design. His early fascination with storytelling and visuals would eventually lead him to the film industry.
Hitchcock’s film career began in the early 1920s when he joined the London branch of the American film company Famous Players-Lasky as a title card designer for silent films. He quickly rose through the ranks, working as an assistant director, screenwriter, and art director. His first opportunity to direct a film came in 1925 with the British-German silent film The Pleasure Garden. However, it was his 1927 film The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog that marked his emergence as a director with a distinct style. The film, a suspenseful thriller about a serial killer, introduced many of the themes and techniques that would become hallmarks of Hitchcock’s work.
Throughout the late 1920s and 1930s, Hitchcock directed a series of successful British films, including Blackmail (1929), which was the first British talkie, The 39 Steps (1935), and The Lady Vanishes (1938). His ability to blend suspense, humor, and intricate plots made him one of Britain’s leading filmmakers.
In 1939, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood, where he signed a contract with producer David O. Selznick. His first American film, Rebecca (1940), won the Academy Award for Best Picture and established Hitchcock as a major force in Hollywood. Over the next three decades, he directed a series of iconic films that would cement his reputation as the “Master of Suspense.”
Some of Hitchcock’s most famous films include Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Notorious (1946), Rear Window (1954), Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959), Psycho (1960), and The Birds (1963). These films are known for their suspenseful plots, innovative camera techniques, and exploration of themes such as voyeurism, guilt, and the darker aspects of human nature. Psycho, in particular, is considered one of the most influential horror films of all time, with its famous shower scene becoming a cultural touchstone.
Hitchcock was known for his meticulous attention to detail, his ability to manipulate audience emotions, and his innovative use of visual storytelling. He frequently collaborated with top actors and actresses of the time, such as Cary Grant, James Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Ingrid Bergman. Hitchcock also made cameo appearances in most of his films, a signature that delighted audiences.
Alfred Hitchcock married Alma Reville, a screenwriter and editor, in 1926. Alma was Hitchcock’s closest collaborator, and her influence on his work was significant. The couple had one daughter, Patricia, who appeared in several of Hitchcock’s films. Despite his public persona as a charming and witty filmmaker, Hitchcock’s personal life was often marked by his complex and obsessive nature. He was known for his strict control over his films and his actors, and he harbored a deep fear of police and authority, a theme that frequently appeared in his work.
Alfred Hitchcock passed away on April 29, 1980, at the age of 80, in Los Angeles, California, from kidney failure. His death marked the end of a remarkable career that spanned over five decades and included more than 50 feature films. Hitchcock’s influence on cinema is immeasurable; he is often credited with pioneering techniques in suspense and psychological thriller genres, and his films continue to be studied and revered by filmmakers and audiences alike.
Hitchcock received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award at the Oscars in 1968. Despite never winning a competitive Oscar for Best Director, his contributions to film earned him the status of one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema.
Alfred Hitchcock’s legacy endures not only through his films but also through his profound impact on the art of storytelling in cinema. His ability to blend fear, tension, and entertainment has left an everlasting mark on the world of film, and he remains a towering figure in the history of motion pictures.
By Ken Warren
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