I thought, not another programme about Alfred Hitchcock, this time on Sky Documentaries. But this production by Network Entertainment of Canada goes right back to the beginning of his career with things I I did not know. Like his first three films in the UK were turned down for release. But the third called Lodger was shown to a band of film critics who demanded it be shown. It was so successful that the first two were eventually released as well.
All through the early 1930's Hitchcock made a film every year until in 1934 with The Man Who Knew Too Much and 1935 with The 39 Steps these successes showed the director that thrillers were the way to go. We also heard about his relationship and marriage to Alma Reville who was a great help o his films, and about Joan Harrison who became his assistant and was a great help with his female characters.
I was surprised as most people when Hitchcock committed himself to a seven year deal with David O Selznick as his first foray into the Hollywood. he found that the studio always wanted the final cut and this caused huge arguments. That is until Hitch found a clever way to edit his films that no-one could change. The programme reached the release of Rebecca in 1940 and the rest was familiar history. But we do get some interesting anecdotes which kept me watching.
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