Alfred Hitchcock is renowned for his suspenseful films.
Regarded as the master of suspense, Hitchcock was born on Aug. 13, 1899, in Leytonston, England. He began his film career in 1919 when he illustrated title cards for silent films at a Paramount studio in London. During his time there, he learned script writing, editing and art direction and was assistant director by 1922.
He made his first feature film, The Pleasure Garden, in 1925. What is considered his breakthrough film was The Lodger in 1926 that became a prototype for the classic Hitchcock plot — an innocent protagonist that is falsely accused of a crime and becomes tangled in a web of intrigue. Many of his films have twist endings.
After a successful career in Britain, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood. Until the day he died from liver failure and heart problems on April 28, 1980, Hitchcock made more than 50 films. Some of his most notable work includes Vertigo, The Birds, Psycho, The 39 Steps and Rear Window. He began his career making silent films and successfully made the transition into sound films.
Starting today, people have the chance to view some classic Hitchcock films in the Alfred Hitchcock Film Festival at the Mae Wilson Theatre, every night with the doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Today the film is Rebecca,Rope, Thursday is Rear Window, Friday is Vertigo and the closing night is a double bill — The Birds and Psycho. tomorrow is
Hitchcock was one of the first filmmakers to create suspense plots with twist endings. He made a few horror films, but for the most part his focus was not on surprise, but on building tension. Having a chance to view some of his classic films is a great opportunity for fans old and new to relive some suspenseful Hitchcock films or for anyone looking for something to do.
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