In the focus assignment below, there are quotes from It's only a movie Alfred Hitchcock, by Charlotte Chandler
Para 1
Quote is said by Alma on p.118 of book
Para 2
Quote is said by Hitch on p. 183 of book
Para 3
Quote is said by Baker (a coworker of Hitch) on p.259 of book
Para 4
Quote is said by Patricia Hitchcock on p.235
Monday, December 17, 2007
Focus Assignment
Alfred Hitchcock is a legendary symbol born to make horror films. As a kid he spent most of his time in art museums, drawing, reading books and watching movies. He idolized 20th century artists Klee, Utrillo and Rodin and authors like Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. Since he found movie directing fascinating, Hitch became a writer and designer of titles at Famous Players-Lasky. Working here he gained a honourable reputation and met the love of his life, Alma. After a few years of dating, Hitch proposed to Alma while sailing back from Germany. The proposal was a comedic scene due to Alma’s motion sickness problem, causing her to reply by burping. 'I was too weak to say yes, or I would have said it.'-Alma. In 1926 Hitch and Alma were married and two years later they had a child named Patricia.
The reason why Alfred was particularly interested in creating suspense, mystery and fear in movies was because he was inspired by a childhood experience. Hitch revealed a story when he was small baby lying in the cradle. His aunt bent over to reach him in the crib and Alfred experienced a horrifying moment at the sight of her aunt’s face getting closer and bigger. He quoted 'Suddenly, this huge face was making horrible sounds, ‘B-bibble, B-bibble, B-bibble,’ as she ran her fingers over her lips.'Alfred brought this personal experience to the camera, giving every film a genuine sense of horror. It was a different kind of cold, sweaty, thrilling effect that Hitch intended to recreate in movies for his audience to share. He became a prominent figure of horror who was able to spark terrifying memories we all seem to have.
Alfred Hitchcock had unique style of directing. Some actors felt he didn’t give clear directions, other actors felt it a great experience and a challenge. Many admirers worked for Hitch just to observe his phenomenal skills. ‘I have this image of Alfred Hitchcock putting together a gigantic jigsaw puzzle and knowing where each piece goes. There wasn’t anything he didn’t understand about making a film.’ Regardless of whether or not his employees liked him, Hitch became an inspiration for fans around the world. In May 1964, Alfred was invited to the University in Belgrade. There he had a speech on filmmaking and was interviewed by students who shared a passion for directing.
Alfred Hitchcock reluctantly retired in 1979 due to his ill health. Hitch’s life wasn’t as fun without making movies, but because he had more time with his family Hitch remained happy. He found great pleasure having his daughter Patricia and her family visit. 'My father was a wonderful father, so dear and funny.' Hitch died in 1980, was cremated and had his ashes scattered off the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Despite his demise, Alfred lingers in the hearts of many and will never be forgotten. There is so much to admire and learn from Alfred Hitchcock –“the man behind the camera.”
The reason why Alfred was particularly interested in creating suspense, mystery and fear in movies was because he was inspired by a childhood experience. Hitch revealed a story when he was small baby lying in the cradle. His aunt bent over to reach him in the crib and Alfred experienced a horrifying moment at the sight of her aunt’s face getting closer and bigger. He quoted 'Suddenly, this huge face was making horrible sounds, ‘B-bibble, B-bibble, B-bibble,’ as she ran her fingers over her lips.'Alfred brought this personal experience to the camera, giving every film a genuine sense of horror. It was a different kind of cold, sweaty, thrilling effect that Hitch intended to recreate in movies for his audience to share. He became a prominent figure of horror who was able to spark terrifying memories we all seem to have.
Alfred Hitchcock had unique style of directing. Some actors felt he didn’t give clear directions, other actors felt it a great experience and a challenge. Many admirers worked for Hitch just to observe his phenomenal skills. ‘I have this image of Alfred Hitchcock putting together a gigantic jigsaw puzzle and knowing where each piece goes. There wasn’t anything he didn’t understand about making a film.’ Regardless of whether or not his employees liked him, Hitch became an inspiration for fans around the world. In May 1964, Alfred was invited to the University in Belgrade. There he had a speech on filmmaking and was interviewed by students who shared a passion for directing.
Alfred Hitchcock reluctantly retired in 1979 due to his ill health. Hitch’s life wasn’t as fun without making movies, but because he had more time with his family Hitch remained happy. He found great pleasure having his daughter Patricia and her family visit. 'My father was a wonderful father, so dear and funny.' Hitch died in 1980, was cremated and had his ashes scattered off the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Despite his demise, Alfred lingers in the hearts of many and will never be forgotten. There is so much to admire and learn from Alfred Hitchcock –“the man behind the camera.”
Sunday, December 9, 2007
100%
-On May 8, 1979, Hitch closed his office at the Universal Film Company.
-When Hitch left, Lew ordered a painting to be done on the building that represented Hitch.
-Stopping his career was a devastating moment of Hitch’s life. He wanted to convince himself that he still had the health and energy to continue but it soon became obvious that Hitch a reached the end of the road. ‘I can’t retire. I have no hobbies. What would I do?’
-When the Alma and Hitch were living in the old age, many interests faded. Alma stopped working in the garden. It didn’t seem to mean that much to her anymore.
-Chasens, their favourite restaurant had taken the liberty of delivering meals to Hitch’s home, in appreciation for their interest in their restaurant.
-Hitch never won an Oscar for directing but in 1968 he received the Irving Thalberg Award as a producer. At the academy awards ceremony, Hitch stepped up to the microphone. His speech was ‘Thank you”
-1980, the British-American Chamber of Commerce announced Hitch as Man of the year. Ronald Neame presented this award to Hitch in Los Angeles.
-Alfred Hitchcock died on April 29, 1980 in the morning. His funeral was at the Church of the Good Shepard in Beverly Hills. He was cremated as wished. His ashes were scattered off the coast in the Pacific Ocean.
-Alma Hitchcock lived 2 years longer than her husband. Her life was boring with Hitch’s company but she enjoyed some warm moments when Pat and her family came to visit. She died July 6, 1982. Her funeral was at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westwood. Like her husband, she was cremated and had her ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
-Pat had 3 daughters and a granddaughter Melissa who died at the age of 24. She was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis before she reached the age of 2. Pat’s family and grandchildren opened up a cystic fibrosis charity in memory of Melissa.
-Hitch and Alma agreed that they felt old when they couldn’t travel anymore. They wanted to go to St. Moritz during Christmas, but they both felt that it was a bad idea after all. As Hitch described it “The worst thing, you know, is when you can’t go back to a place where you have always been happy because you are afraid that if you go back, you wont’ be happy—not because the place has changed, but because you have changed.’p. 421
‘Personally I have preferred to live an ordinary, uncluttered life, doing my chores, which was making moves. The Chinese have proverb to the effect that an interesting life is better not lived. I like to make films about the man-on-the-spot, not to be him.’
-When Hitch left, Lew ordered a painting to be done on the building that represented Hitch.
-Stopping his career was a devastating moment of Hitch’s life. He wanted to convince himself that he still had the health and energy to continue but it soon became obvious that Hitch a reached the end of the road. ‘I can’t retire. I have no hobbies. What would I do?’
-When the Alma and Hitch were living in the old age, many interests faded. Alma stopped working in the garden. It didn’t seem to mean that much to her anymore.
-Chasens, their favourite restaurant had taken the liberty of delivering meals to Hitch’s home, in appreciation for their interest in their restaurant.
-Hitch never won an Oscar for directing but in 1968 he received the Irving Thalberg Award as a producer. At the academy awards ceremony, Hitch stepped up to the microphone. His speech was ‘Thank you”
-1980, the British-American Chamber of Commerce announced Hitch as Man of the year. Ronald Neame presented this award to Hitch in Los Angeles.
-Alfred Hitchcock died on April 29, 1980 in the morning. His funeral was at the Church of the Good Shepard in Beverly Hills. He was cremated as wished. His ashes were scattered off the coast in the Pacific Ocean.
-Alma Hitchcock lived 2 years longer than her husband. Her life was boring with Hitch’s company but she enjoyed some warm moments when Pat and her family came to visit. She died July 6, 1982. Her funeral was at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westwood. Like her husband, she was cremated and had her ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
-Pat had 3 daughters and a granddaughter Melissa who died at the age of 24. She was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis before she reached the age of 2. Pat’s family and grandchildren opened up a cystic fibrosis charity in memory of Melissa.
-Hitch and Alma agreed that they felt old when they couldn’t travel anymore. They wanted to go to St. Moritz during Christmas, but they both felt that it was a bad idea after all. As Hitch described it “The worst thing, you know, is when you can’t go back to a place where you have always been happy because you are afraid that if you go back, you wont’ be happy—not because the place has changed, but because you have changed.’p. 421
‘Personally I have preferred to live an ordinary, uncluttered life, doing my chores, which was making moves. The Chinese have proverb to the effect that an interesting life is better not lived. I like to make films about the man-on-the-spot, not to be him.’
90%
Pat’s Ferris wheel blast -When Hitch took his daughter Patricia to an amusement park, he made a deal of paying $100 if Pat would ride the Ferris wheel. While Pat was on the ride, the lights turned off and the operators ‘walked away’. It turns out that this whole scene was a prank by her father. -‘I would describe Hitchcock as the ideal English Gentleman. Every day he came to the set in a suit and a tie. I never once saw him take his jacket off or loosen his tie. -‘I have this image in my mind of Alfred Hitchcock putting together a gigantic jigsaw puzzle and knowing where each piece goes. There wasn’t anything he didn’t understand about making film. His camera was always exactly where it should be. He was an intuitive genius.' -‘Someday there will be three dimensional wall video screens, and Dial M for Murder will come into its own. But at the time I was making that picture, I worried that 3-D might be a fad that would fade an the Dial M would go out as a ‘flattie.' -Actors didn’t always like Hitch. Some said he didn’t give enough directions, let alone what he wanted on screen. On the other hand, actors felt it a great experience and challenge for their acting skills; it enhances their performance.
-Hitch describes himself as a very luck man. “I’m a very lucky man. I began very early doing the thing I wanted to do. And I was able to continue doing it. I met the perfect companion for my life. WE had the perfect child, out daughter, Pat. I wouldn’t change anything about my life, except that it has to end.”
-The movie titled The Short Night is a film Hitch wanted to make for almost ten years. With the help of Universal Company, Alfred was able to do this as his last film for the company.
-Hitch describes himself as a very luck man. “I’m a very lucky man. I began very early doing the thing I wanted to do. And I was able to continue doing it. I met the perfect companion for my life. WE had the perfect child, out daughter, Pat. I wouldn’t change anything about my life, except that it has to end.”
-The movie titled The Short Night is a film Hitch wanted to make for almost ten years. With the help of Universal Company, Alfred was able to do this as his last film for the company.
80%
At the premier for the film Catch that Thief starring Cary Grant, Alfred and Alma were presented to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Tenth Royal Film Performance at the Odeon Theatre in Leicester Square. Alma and Hitch didn’t have the same sense of humour. ‘I had to curb his sense of humour.’-Alma ‘Romantic obsession has always obsessed me,’ ‘Obsessions of all kinds are interesting, but for me, romantic obsessions is the most fascinating.’ ‘Beginning when I was twelve or thirteen, my father took me shopping for my clothes, usually without my mother and his leading ladies. I can’t say I agreed with all of his selections for me. His taste for me was conservative. He had a tailored point of view, which I wasn’t too mad about at the time. Skirts, blouses, and sweaters. He liked slacks, too, very much. I wasn’t totally thrilled, but I wish I had all of those clothes now,. He had a wonderful sense of what would look best on me, of what was appropriate to my personality and comfortable.’
Lew Wasserman was a long time friend of Hitch. He was his long-time agent and head of MCA. He made a deal with Hitch; giving him a major share of the company Universal in exchange for Hitch’s television series and his movie psycho.
-His first project at Universal was a film titled Birds.
-April 29, 1974-Film society of Lincoln centre honoured Alfred Hitchcock.
-Alfred loved smoking cigars. ‘Mr. Hitchcock loved to smoke those handsome Monte Cristos. They looked like torpedoes. Beautiful. He knew I like cigars then, and he gave me six boxes of the.’
Lew Wasserman was a long time friend of Hitch. He was his long-time agent and head of MCA. He made a deal with Hitch; giving him a major share of the company Universal in exchange for Hitch’s television series and his movie psycho.
-His first project at Universal was a film titled Birds.
-April 29, 1974-Film society of Lincoln centre honoured Alfred Hitchcock.
-Alfred loved smoking cigars. ‘Mr. Hitchcock loved to smoke those handsome Monte Cristos. They looked like torpedoes. Beautiful. He knew I like cigars then, and he gave me six boxes of the.’
Saturday, December 8, 2007
70%
May 1964, Alfred was invited to the University in Belgrade. There he had a speech his filmmaking carer and was interview by students who were passionate about this topic.
-One of the question was ‘you are fascinated by mystery and suspense, you treat fear. How did you become so interested in these themes?’ -Petric,
Reply- ‘that’s a very interesting question. I’ve never told this to anyone before, but I don know exactly. It happened when I was in my cradle. p.183 ‘I was lying there, too small to move, and over me was the huge face of one of my father’s sisters. My aunt was bent over the cradle, and her big face was moving closer and closer, getting bigger and bigger as it came towards me. Suddenly, this huge face was making horrible sounds, ‘B-bibble, B-bibble, B-bibble,’ as she ran her fingers over her lips’
Hitchcock did use the close up effect to create intense emotion. From then on, whenever Petric saw this type of shot, he pictured his interview with Hitch.
-Because Alfred had been alive during the time of World War 2, he wanted to contribute to the war effort. He shot the movie bon voyage reminding people of the sacrifices and violence of war.
Hitch said he would have been a criminal lawyer if he didn’t take directing as his career. ‘I have always been interested in the law as well as in food, you might say, torts and tortes.’ He added, ‘I would like to have been a hangin’judge.’p. 205
-One of the question was ‘you are fascinated by mystery and suspense, you treat fear. How did you become so interested in these themes?’ -Petric,
Reply- ‘that’s a very interesting question. I’ve never told this to anyone before, but I don know exactly. It happened when I was in my cradle. p.183 ‘I was lying there, too small to move, and over me was the huge face of one of my father’s sisters. My aunt was bent over the cradle, and her big face was moving closer and closer, getting bigger and bigger as it came towards me. Suddenly, this huge face was making horrible sounds, ‘B-bibble, B-bibble, B-bibble,’ as she ran her fingers over her lips’
Hitchcock did use the close up effect to create intense emotion. From then on, whenever Petric saw this type of shot, he pictured his interview with Hitch.
-Because Alfred had been alive during the time of World War 2, he wanted to contribute to the war effort. He shot the movie bon voyage reminding people of the sacrifices and violence of war.
Hitch said he would have been a criminal lawyer if he didn’t take directing as his career. ‘I have always been interested in the law as well as in food, you might say, torts and tortes.’ He added, ‘I would like to have been a hangin’judge.’p. 205
Friday, December 7, 2007
60%
One of Hitch’s movie regrets was the ending of Suspicion because it was too simple. The story of a young couple (Joan Fontaine and Cary Grant), the wife suspects his husband is a murderer. The film ended off with Cary Grant carrying a glass of milt to his wife, the mile was harmless. Hitch wanted the wife to drink the poisoned milk knowing she’s going to die: suicide. Before the wife drinks it, she tells her husband to mail a letter for her; a suicide letter to her mother, telling her how she knows she’ll die but is willing to accept because she does not want to live without Grant.
Pat
Wanted to start an acting career after Suspicion was released.
She wanted to live permanently in California, so the Hitches looked as house together and found the perfect one. Pat lived most of her childhood, (occasionally going to northern California weekend house), until she married.
Hitch
Hitch had a license but didn’t like driving. Alma loved it. Sometimes Hitch would taxi to places when Alma was available.
He was art director in 1941’s Saboteur.
Memorable films
Saboteur
The scene of Norman Lloyd hanging from the top of the Statue of Liberty was very famous.
-Set: the hand, torch, crown and balcony was built to scale. Most of the scene was a close up shot on Lloyd: him lying on his stomach on the stage floor, which was supposedly the crotch of the forefinger and thumb. The forefinger and thumb was also built on a six feet high platform. This platform had a hole in it so the camera could shoot though, and towards the set pieces below it. The falling illusion was made with use of the Camera in the hole elevating upwards, Lloyd is simply sitting on a saddle like seat below the camera.
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