Image of Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock

Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE (August 13, 1899 – April 29, 1980), was an English director and producer. Labeled as the "Master of Suspense", he became known for thrillers, often combined with a dark sense of humor. After a successful career in his native country, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood in 1939. Over a career spanning more than half a century, Hitchcock fashioned for himself a distinctive and recognizable directorial style. He pioneered the use of a camera made to move in a way that mimics a person's gaze, forcing viewers to engage in a form of voyeurism. He framed shots to maximize anxiety, fear, or empathy, and used innovative film editing. His stories frequently feature fugitives on the run from the law alongside icy blonde female characters. Many of Hitchcock's films have twist endings and thrilling plots featuring depictions of violence, murder, and crime, although many of the mysteries function as decoys —or MacGuffins— meant only to serve thematic elements in the film and the extremely complex psychological examinations of the characters. Hitchcock's films also borrow many themes from psychoanalysis and feature strong sexual undertones. Through his cameo appearances in his own films, interviews, film trailers, and the television program Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955-1965), he became a cultural icon. Hitchcock is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In 2002, Hitchcock was ranked 2nd behind Orson Welles in the critics' top ten poll in the list of The Greatest Directors of All Time compiled by the Sight & Sound magazine. Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929–1968 included him in the "pantheon" of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States. Hitchcock's critically most acclaimed film is the psychological thriller film Vertigo (1958). Although being a mild failure upon its release, it has risen in popularity over the decades. In 2012 it even replaced Orson Welles' Citizen Kane as the greatest film ever made in the Sight & Sound critics' poll. Regarding visual style, Vertigo is often declared as Hitchcock's most perfect film. The use of color symbolism, meticulously composed shots, and the famous "Vertigo effect" (dolly zoom) continue to be studied and admired. Hitchcock's most commercially successful and most famous film is Psycho (1960), which had a significant impact on the horror genre, especially the slasher film. Hitchcock was able to prove his skills with the mystery thriller film Rear Window (1954), to create suspense within a confined setting - primarily the protagonist's apartment. In this film, voyeurism, one of Hitchcock's favorite subjects, is an essential aspect. Many of Hitchcock's spy films, most notably North by Northwest (1959) and Notorious (1946), had a major impact on the Mission: Impossible and James Bond series.


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Born:
Aug 13, 1899 In Leytonstone, London, England, UK
Movie/TV Credits:
122
First Appeared:
In the movie The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog 1927-02-14
Latest Project:
Movie Hitchcock on Grierson 2025
Known For
Poster of Hitchcock on Grierson
Poster of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Poster of Psycho
Poster of The Oscars
Filmography
Movie Hitchcock on Grierson Self 2025
Movie Kim Novak: Hollywood's Golden Age Rebel Self (archive footage) 2023-03-05
Movie My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock Self (archive footage) 2023-07-21
Movie Hitchcock’s Pro-Nazi Film Self (archive footage) 2023-09-08
Movie Grace Kelly – Hollywoods tragische Prinzessin Self (archive footage) 2022-09-17
Movie Her Name Was Grace Kelly Self (archive footage) 2021-03-20
Movie Normandie ne partira pas ce soir Unknown 2021-09-01
Movie I Am Alfred Hitchcock Self 2021-05-02
Movie Tales of the Uncanny Self (archive footage) 2020-10-31
Movie When Hitchcock met O'Casey Self (archive footage) 2019-02-21
Movie Hitchcock Confidential Self (archive footage) 2019-06-24
Movie When Hitchcock Met O'Casey Self (archive footage) 2019-02-21
Movie Mais qui a tué Alfred Hitchcock? Himself 2018-01-01
Movie Hitch x 4 Himself 2018-01-01
Movie German Concentration Camps Factual Survey Self (archive footage) 2017-01-06
Movie Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story Self (archive footage) 2017-02-01
Movie 78/52 Self (archive footage) 2017-10-13
Movie Dark Glamour: The Blood and Guts of Hammer Productions Self - Filmmaker (archive footage) 2017-08-06
Movie Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words Self (archive footage) 2015-08-27
Movie Hitchcock/Truffaut Self (archive footage) (uncredited) 2015-09-04
Movie Documenting John Grierson 2014-02-28
Movie Night Will Fall Self (archive footage) 2014-06-07
Series Talking Pictures Self (archive footage) 2013-01-05
Movie What Is Cinema? Self 2013-09-06
Movie The Psycho Legacy Self (archive footage) 2010-10-19
Movie The Master's Touch: Hitchcock's Signature Style Self (archive footage) 2009-11-03
Movie Once Upon a Time... 'Notorious' Self (archive footage) 2009-06-29
Movie In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy Self (archive footage) 2008-10-07
Movie Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock Self (archive footage) 2008-10-07
Movie Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of Hitchcock Self (archive footage) 2008-10-07
Movie Grace Kelly: Destiny of a Princess Self - Filmmaker (archive footage) 2006-09-16
Movie The Pervert's Guide to Cinema Self - Filmmaker (archive footage) 2006-10-06
Movie The Making of 'Psycho' Self (archive footage) 2005-10-26
Movie Alfred Hitchcock: The Early Years Self (audio archival footage) 2004-11-24
Movie Hitchcock and Dial M Self (archive footage) 2004-10-31
Movie Writing And Casting To Catch A Thief Self (archive footage) 2002-11-05
Movie Alfred Hitchcock And To Catch A Thief: An Appreciation Self - Archival Footage 2002-11-05
Movie 'The Trouble with Harry' Isn't Over Self (archive footage) 2001-03-06
Movie The Story of 'Frenzy' Self (archive footage) 2001-03-06
Movie 'Rear Window' Ethics: Remembering and Restoring a Hitchcock Classic Self (archive footage) 2001-03-06
Movie Plotting 'Family Plot' Self (archive footage) 2001-03-06
Movie Topaz: An Appreciation by Film Critic/Historian Leonard Maltin Self (archive footage) 2001-03-06
Movie The Making of 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' Self (archive footage) 2000-04-01
Movie All About 'The Birds' Self (archive footage) 2000-05-28
Movie The Trouble with 'Marnie' Self (archive footage) 2000-05-30
Movie Destination Hitchcock: The Making of 'North by Northwest' Self (archive footage) 2000-09-10
Movie Hitchcock, Selznick and the End of Hollywood Self (archive footage) 1999-01-23
Movie Hitchcock: The Early Years Self (archive footage) 1999-10-07
Movie Monsieur Truffaut Meets Mr. Hitchcock Self (archive footage) 1999-08-05
Movie The Universal Story Self (archive footage) 1996-04-21
Movie Ingrid Bergman Remembered Self (archive footage) 1996-04-06
Movie Shirley Maclaine: Kicking Up Her Heels Self (archive footage) 1996-05-19
Series Star Life Self (archive footage) 1990-08-04
Series Tales from the Crypt Self (archive footage) (uncredited) 1989-06-10
Movie Gregory Peck: His Own Man Self (archive footage) 1988-03-08
Movie Cary Grant: A Celebration of a Leading Man Self (archive footage) 1988-06-05
Movie Memory of the Camps Self (uncredited archive footage) 1985-05-07
Series The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents Self - Host (archive footage) 1985-09-29
Movie Terror in the Aisles Self (archive footage) (uncredited) 1984-10-26
Movie Family Plot Silhouette at Office of Vital Statistics (uncredited) 1976-04-09
Series Spécial cinéma Self (archive footage) 1974-09-25
Series The Men Who Made the Movies Self 1973-11-04
Movie The Men Who Made the Movies: Alfred Hitchcock Himself 1973-01-01
Series Midi trente Self (archive footage) 1972-03-06
Movie Frenzy Spectator at Opening Rally 1972-05-25
Movie Masters Of Cinema - Alfred Hitchcock Self 1972-07-15
Movie The Illustrated Hitchcock Self 1972-07-15
Series Samedi soir Self 1971-01-09
Series V.I.P. Schaukel Self 1971-05-09
Movie Topaz Man in Wheelchair (uncredited) 1969-12-17
Movie Hitchcock at the N.F.T. Self 1969-12-30
Movie The Movie Orgy Self (archive footage) 1968-01-01
Series The Dick Cavett Show Self - Guest 1968-06-06
Movie Mondo Hollywood 1967-06-30
Movie Cinema: Alfred Hitchcock Himself 1966-05-20
Movie Torn Curtain Man in Hotel Lobby with Baby (uncredited) 1966-07-15
Movie A Talk with Hitchcock Self 1964-02-21
Movie Marnie Man Leaving Hotel Room (uncredited) 1964-07-17
Movie The Birds Pet Store Customer (uncredited) 1963-03-28
Movie The Children of Alda Nuova self - host 1962-06-05
Series The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Self - Host 1962-09-20
Movie Hollywood: The Selznick Years Self (uncredited) 1961-12-31
Movie Psycho Man Outside Office (uncredited) 1960-06-22
Movie North by Northwest Man Who Misses Bus (uncredited) 1959-07-08
Movie Vertigo Man Walking Past Elster's Office (uncredited) 1958-05-28
Movie The Wrong Man Prologue Narrator (voice) (uncredited) 1956-12-22
Series Cinépanorama Self 1956-02-04
Movie The Man Who Knew Too Much Man in Marrakesh Marketplace (uncredited) 1956-05-16
Movie To Catch a Thief Man Sitting Next to John Robie on Bus (uncredited) 1955-08-03
Movie The Trouble with Harry Passer-by (uncredited) 1955-10-03
Series Alfred Hitchcock Presents Self (archive footage) (uncredited) 1955-10-02
Series Reflets de Cannes Self 1954-03-25
Movie Rear Window Clock-Winder in Songwriter's Apartment (uncredited) 1954-08-01
Movie Dial M for Murder Banquet Member (uncredited) 1954-05-29
Movie I Confess Man Crossing the Top of Long Staircase (uncredited) 1953-02-13
Series The Oscars Self 1953-03-19
Movie Strangers on a Train Man Boarding Train Carrying a Double Bass (uncredited) 1951-06-27
Series What's My Line? Self - Mystery Guest 1950-02-02
Movie Stage Fright Man Staring at Eve on Street (uncredited) 1950-02-23
Series Lux Video Theatre Self 1950-10-02
Movie Under Capricorn Man at Governor's Reception (uncredited) 1949-09-08
Movie Rope Man Walking in Street After Opening Credits (uncredited) 1948-03-11
Movie Notorious Man Drinking Champagne at Party (uncredited) 1946-08-21
Movie Spellbound Man Leaving Elevator (uncredited) 1945-11-08
Movie Shadow of a Doubt Man on Train Playing Cards (uncredited) 1943-01-15
Movie Show-Business at War Self 1943-05-21
Movie Saboteur Man in Front of New York Drugstore (uncredited) 1942-04-24
Movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith Man Passing David Smith on Street (uncredited) 1941-01-31
Movie Suspicion Man Mailing Letter (uncredited) 1941-11-14
Movie Rebecca Man Outside Phone Booth (uncredited) 1940-03-23
Movie Foreign Correspondent Man with Newspaper on Street (uncredited) 1940-08-16
Movie The Lady Vanishes Man in London Railway Station (uncredited) 1938-10-07
Movie Young and Innocent Photographer Outside Courthouse (uncredited) 1937-11-01
Movie Sabotage Man Walking Past the Cinema as the Light Is Renewed 1937-01-08
Movie The 39 Steps Man Walking Past Bus (uncredited) 1935-06-06
Movie The Man Who Knew Too Much Man in Raincoat Passing Bus (uncredited) 1934-12-01
Movie Murder! Man on Street (uncredited) 1930-07-31
Movie Sound Test for Blackmail Self (uncredited) 1929-01-01
Movie Blackmail Man on Subway (uncredited) 1929-07-28
Movie Easy Virtue Man with Stick Near Tennis Court (uncredited) 1928-03-05
Movie The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog Man in Newspaper Office (uncredited) 1927-02-14
Movie The Ring Man-Dipping Attraction Worker (uncredited) 1927-10-01