1997 Hitchcock Season (BBC2)

During April and May 1997, BBC Television broadcast a series of programmes evaluating the career and legacy of Alfred Hitchcock, including screenings of his films, on BBC2. The season was timed to coincide with the cinema release of the restored version of Vertigo (1958).

The season began on Saturday 26th April with Barry Norman's "Film 97", in which Katie Derham reported "on the enduring appeal of Alfred Hitchcock's work", and was followed by a screening of The Lady Vanishes (1938). The season concluded on Sunday 11th May.

A short interview with director Robert Rodriguez, which had originally been recorded for the BBC2 "Close-Up" series and was first broadcast in April 1996, was also repeated although the exact date and time is not listed in the BBC Genome Project.

Schedule

Programme descriptions are taken from the BBC's Genome Project: http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk

Saturday 26th April

• 12:15 — Film 97 with Barry Norman
  In the week that Vertigo is re-released, Katie Derham reports on the enduring appeal of Alfred Hitchcock's work and a season of his films begins at 12.45pm.
• 12:45 — The Lady Vanishes (1938)
  Beginning a season of films directed by Alfred Hitchcock to coincide with the cinema re-release of Vertigo, a classic mystery starring Margaret Lockwood , Michael Redgrave One moment Miss Froy was sitting there, on the London-bound train from the Tyrol. The next she had vanished. Some passengers claimed she was never there, but Iris is convinced that she saw her. (1938, U) Black and white
• 14:20 — Rear Window (1954)
  Thriller starring James Stewart , Grace Kelly Confined to a wheelchair following an accident, photographer Jeff Jeffries passes the time by observing his neighbours. When he sees a salesman suspiciously leaving his flat, Jeff and his girlfriend Lisa decide to investigate. Director Alfred Hitchcock (1954, PG) The Hitchcock season of films continues tonight with Rope at 12.10am.
• 16:10 — Writing for Hitchcock
  Ernest Lehman describes how he wrote the screenplay for North by Northwest, which is on tomorrow at 9.20pm.

Sunday 27th April

• 00:00 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  First of a week-long series of programmes evaluating the career and legacy of the great film director Alfred Hitchcock , accompanying a season of his films on BBC2 and coinciding with the cinema release of a restored version of Vertigo. Throughout the week actors, directors and producers will pay tribute to his work. Tonight novelist Philip Kerr talks about Bernard Herrmann's brooding score for North by Northwest, which can be seen tomorrow at 9.20pm. Producer Nick Freand Jones
• 00:10 — Rope (1948)
  Thriller, continuing the Alfred Hitchcock season, and starring James Stewart, John Dall , Farley Granger. After committing a cold-blooded murder and hiding the corpse, two young killers host a party for the dead man's family and friends. (1948. PG) The Hitchcock season continues with North by Northwest tomorrow at 9.20pm.
• 21:10 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  Famous people discuss favourite moments from the films of Alfred Hitchcock. Tonight, actress Kim Novak talks about working on the thriller Vertigo.
• 21:20 — North by Northwest (1959)
  Spy thriller, continuing the Alfred Hitchcock season of films, starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason. When advertising executive Roger Thornhill is mistaken for the mysterious "Mr Kaplan" by ruthless espionage organisation, he finds his life in deadly peril. Showing in widescreen format. (1959 PG) The season continues next Saturday with The Thirty Nine Steps.

Monday 28th April

• 23:30 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  Director Robert Altman discusses a favourite moment from Rear Window.

Thursday 1st May

• 00:10 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  Artist Douglas Gordon talks about Dial M for Murder, and novelist A.L. Kennedy discusses a scene from Rear Window

Friday 2nd May

• 02:35 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  Producer Demetra MacBride discusses Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy.

Saturday 3th May

• 12:45 — The 39 Steps (1935)
  Thriller, continuing the Alfred Hitchcock season and opening today's Saturday Matinee double bill. Starring Robert Donat , Madeleine Carroll. An innocent man accused of murder is pursued by both the police and an international spy ring. (1935, U) Black and white Subtitled
• 14:10 — Hitchcock on Hitchcock
  Another chance to see Huw Weldon's Monitor interview with Alfred Hitchcock, originally broadcast in 1962, in which the director talks about himself, his career and the techniques that made him famous. Repeat.
• 14:30 — The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
  Thriller, continuing the Alfred Hitchcock season and concluding today's Saturday Matinee. Starring James Stewart, Doris Day. Dr and Mrs Ben McKenna's touring holiday of North Africa is rudely interrupted when a passing acquaintance dies in their arms - stabbed in the back. (1956, PG) The Hitchcock season of films continues tonight with Marnie at 10.50pm
• 22:40 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  Sean Connery talks about working with the great director Alfred Hitchcock on the film Marnie, which follows.
• 22:50 — Marnie (1964)
  Freudian thriller, continuing the Alfred Hitchcock season, and starring Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery. Marnie Edgar is beautiful, clever, and an expert thief. Her crimes and her hatred of men are the result of a deep-rooted neurosis, which Mark Rutland, a wealthy publisher, is determined to unravel. Discovering her criminal activities, he forces her into a loveless marriage and sets about investigating her mysterious past. (1964,15) Subtitled. The Hitchcock season of films continues tomorrow with To Catch a Thief at 10.30pm

Sunday 4th May

• 22:30 — To Catch a Thief (1955)
  Romantic mystery, first of tonight's double bill in the Alfred Hitchcock season. Starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Retired jewel thief John Robie is leading a luxurious life on the French Riviera. But he comes under suspicion after a series of jewel thefts in the area — using exactly the same methods he used to employ. Robie's only choice is to prove his innocence by catching the copycat burglar himself. (1955 PG) The Hitchcock season of films continues with Secret Agent at 12.25am

Monday 5th May

• 00:15 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  Continuing the series in which famous people discuss favourite moments from the films of Alfred Hitchcock. In tonight's programme, the director Hal Hartley talks about the thriller Notorious
• 00:25 — Secret Agent (1936)
  Spy thriller, concluding tonight's double bill in the Alfred Hitchcock season. Starring John Gielgud and Madeleine Carroll. 1916: war hero and famed novelist Edgar Brodie changes his name to Richard Ashenden and becomes an espionage agent to locate and terminate an enemy spy in Switzerland. (1936. U) Black and white. The Hitchcock season continues with Young and Innocent tomorrow at 10.45am
• 10:45 — Young and Innocent (1937)
  Continuing the season of films directed by Alfred Hitchcock with a double bill, this murder mystery stars Derrick de Marney and Nova Pilbeam. When Robert Tisdall finds the body of a murdered young girl washed up on the beach, he immediately runs off for help. But when two girls witness his flight, a murder inquiry ensues. (1937, U) Black and white
• 12:05 — Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
  Thriller, second in today's films by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright. When Uncle Charlie arrives in the small Californian town of Santa Rosa, he is welcomed with open arms by his family. However, his niece soon begins to harbour doubts about her favourite uncle. (1943. PG) Black and white. The Hitchcock season of films continues on Friday with Mr and Mrs Smith at 12.55am
• 18:50 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  Director Stephen Frears talks about his favourite moments from Notorious.

Tuesday 6th May

• 22:15 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  Directors Gillies Mackinnon and Mike Leigh discuss favourite scenes from The Birds and Rear Window.

Saturday 10th May

• 00:45 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  Novelist Jonathan Coe discusses Alfred Hitchcock's Sabotage.
• 00:55 — Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)
  Romantic comedy, continuing the season of Hitchcock films. Ann and David Smith are a charming and wealthy couple, until a state boundary change renders their marriage void. (1941) Black and white
• 12:55 — Under Capricorn (1949)
  Historical melodrama, concluding the season of Alfred Hitchcock films, starring Ingrid Bergman. In 1830s Australia, the Irish-born wife of a wealthy ex-convict fails to settle in her new homeland. When she is visited by her cousin, her scheming maid stirs up trouble. (1949 PG)
• 14:50 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  Alfred Hitchcock's biographer, Donald Spoto , talks about the director's film Notorious.
• 19:55 — Scene by Scene with Sean Connery
  With a career spanning nearly 40 years, Scottish actor Sean Connery is one of the world's most popular movie stars. In this programme, while watching clips from his films, he relates anecdotes to Mark Cousins about his life in cinema. Rims discussed include Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie and The Hill, which follows at 9.45pm.

Sunday 11th May

• 00:45 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  The series in which famous people discuss their favourite moments from the films of Alfred Hitchcock. Tonight, actress Teresa Wright talks about working on Shadow of a Doubt.
• 21:15 — Close-Up on Hitchcock
  Pat Hitchcock talks about working with her father on the film Strangers on a Train. Last in the series.