Alfred HITCHCOCK
Master of Suspense
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- $29.99
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- $29.99
Publisher Description
“Psycho” traumatized viewers around the world. Never before had the angst or the suspense been so well presented in cinema. But where does the talent of this Alfred Hitchcock come from, the one nicknamed the "Master of Suspense"? To find out, we must first go back to his youth, in England, during the first half of the 20th century. Having grown up in a Catholic family - a religious originality that will be felt in a large part of his cinema - “Hitch” is an atypical Englishman who, very early on, has a taste for telling chilling stories. The temptation to work for the cinema will not be long in coming, first as a graphic designer where his visual talent will lead him to make his debut behind the camera, as an assistant and then as a full director. It is also here that he will meet Alma Reville, his assistant and wife who will accompany him throughout his storied career, including the jump to the big time in Hollywood.Discover the life of undoubtedly one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, the in-depth story film by film, with plenty of juicy anecdotes and amazing insights from interviews with Francois Truffaut and others, of a colorful and quite simply extraordinary artist.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
While this meticulous if fictionalized graphic biography of Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980) is as attentive to minutiae as one of its subject's seminal films, it loses its momentum amid a storm of trivial elements. Cinema scholar Simsolo (Doctor Radar) provides a fond and forgiving enough portrayal of the great filmmaker, capturing his public voice and dry humor, his lifelong obsession with fear and fright, and his love of cinema as both escapism and inspiration. His films from 1922's unfinished Number Thirteen to his final, Family Plot, are detailed, with classics such as Psycho and The Birds given ample attention. But his relationship with his wife, Alma, forms the heart of the personal story, as well as illuminates his faults, such as when his self-obsession during the birth of their first child overwhelms his concern for Alma. Peppered throughout are splendid anecdotes, such as "Hitch" giving Peter Lorre a replacement for a ruined suit, but in a child's size because of Lorre's tantrum. The narrative suffers, however, from a grinding pace, and art by Hé, while serviceable caricature, presents too often as a series of talking heads in company meetings and table talk (though the detailed architecture and period dress are nice touches). Diehard Hitchcock followers should find the tidbits fascinating, but anyone less passionate need not apply.
