Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light (2003) by Patrick McGilligan
 | |
| Patrick McGilligan | |
| John Wiley and Sons Ltd (2003) | |
| ISBN 0470869739 | |
| ISBN 0060988274 | |
| Amazon Online Reader | |
| LibraryThing | |
Product Links
- Amazon (USA)
- Amazon (UK)
- Amazon (France)
- Amazon (Germany)
- Open Library - available to borrow as an eBook
Synopsis
A fresh and definitive portrait of the Master of Suspense by acclaimed biographer Patrick McGilligan. Full of fresh revelations, dark humour and cliff hanging suspense, this new biography of Alfred Hitchcock follows his life from its humble beginnings, as the son of an East End greengrocer, through an extraordinary career in which his films set new standards for cinematic invention, to his death as a Hollywood legend in Beverley Hills.
- Gives a uniquely comprehensive and balanced view of Hitchcock's life, uncovering details not just of his work but also his personal life, and with an insight into how they interacted and sometimes clashed
- Covers Hitchcock's relationships with Hollywood screen legends such as Cary Grant, James Stewart, Ingrid Bergman and Grace Kelly.
- Challenges the interpretations of Hitchcock as 'the macabre Englishman' and a sexual obsessive
- Describes the enduring love story behind his 54 year marriage to Alma Reville
- The first complete biography of his life in 25 years
Reviews
- Hitchcock Annual (2003) - McGilligan's Hitchcock and the Limits of Biography
- Film Quarterly (2004) - Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light
- Cineaste (2004) - Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light
Director Hitchcock is in a class by himself. His legendary films, including "Rear Window", "The 39 Steps" and "Notorious", coupled with his TV show, "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", aired his singular brand of evil and salvation. In this enthralling, scholarly and candid appraisal of the artist, McGilligan, a biographer of James Cagney and Jack Nicholson, neatly reveals the man behind the camera. A quiet Catholic boy from London's East End, Hitchcock (1899-1980) began as a production designer on silent films and eventually became Britain's premier movie director. David O Selznick tapped him for Hollywood, and although their relationship was stormy, it spelled success. Hitchcock, who claimed, "I'm not interested in logic, I'm interested in effect," quickly redefined the medium. He told his stories visually, invented innovative camera angles and reveled in suspense tales. Always, he was aided by his wife, Alma, an invaluable partner on every project. A Hitchcock film "characteristically mingled light with darkness," possibly because its creator was so conflicted. Hitchcock adored gossip, dirty jokes and icy blondes, though, sexually impotent, he could not consummate his desire; his voyeurism instead played out on screen. He relished the occasional cruelty, but it did not obscure his genius or his generosity. He worked tirelessly for the British war effort, though America was committed to neutrality until Pearl Harbor, and was deeply loyal to old friends. McGilligan has crafted an inside look at this unique director and the studio machinations that sustained him. Film buffs will relish how power and creativity play out in Hollywood. The rest will learn how obsession can produce art.
— Publishers Weekly, (c) 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Image Gallery
Images from the Hitchcock Gallery (click to view larger versions or search for all relevant images)...
