Alfred Hitchcock was known as the man who invented modern horror. He is quite popular for his 1960 film Psycho. Hitchcock also came up with the concept of the overhead shot and the MacGuffin. But did you know that Alfred Hitchcock’s father once imprisoned him when he was 5 years old?
Alfred Hitchcock was five years old when his father sent him to a police station with a note. The officer read the letter and locked him up for a few minutes, saying, “This is what we do to bad boys.” This incident instilled in him a lifelong fear of police officers.
Who is Alfred Hitchcock?
Alfred Hitchcock, the famous director, and filmmaker worked briefly in engineering before entering the film industry in 1920. In 1939, he moved to Hollywood, where his first film, Rebecca, received an Academy Award for Best Picture. More than 50 films were directed by Alfred Hitchcock, including the classics like Rear Window, The 39 Steps, and Psycho. In 1979, Hitchcock earned the American Film Institute’s (AFI) Life Achievement Award, earning the moniker Master of Suspense. (Source: Biography)
Alfred Hitchcock’s Childhood
Hitchcock was born in London, England on August 13, 1899. His parents were strict Catholics. And because of being overweight, he was described as lonely and sheltered throughout his childhood.
He once claimed that his father had sent him to the local police station with a note requesting that the officer lock him up for ten minutes as punishment for misbehaving.
He also mentioned that his mother would make him stand at the foot of the bed for several hours. This was a scene he also included in his film Psycho. Hitchcock’s works will, later on, reflect this theme of being abused and mishandled. (Source: Biography)
The Master of Suspense
Hitchcock attended St. Ignatius College, a Jesuit school, before going to the University of London to study art. He ultimately found work with Henley’s cable business as a draftsman and advertising designer.
He began writing while working at Henley’s, sending small essays for the in-house publication, and used themes of false charges, confused feelings, and twist endings with exceptional skill from the beginning of his career.
Hitchcock began his career in the film industry in 1920, working full-time at the Famous Players-Lasky Company, making title cards for silent films. He was working as an assistant director within a few years.
The Master of Suspense directed his debut film in 1925 and began making the thrillers, for which he became famous. In the 1930s, he directed legendary suspense pictures, including The Man Who Knew Too Much and The 39 Steps, which were considered the first British talkie. (Source: Biography)
The Death of Alfred Hitchcock
Throughout his six-decade career, Hitchcock directed more than 50 feature films. In 1979, he was honored with the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award. Hitchcock died quietly in his sleep in Bel Air, California, a year later, on April 29, 1980. Alma Reville, widely known as Lady Hitchcock, was his lifetime lover, assistant director, and closest collaborator, and she passed away in 1982. (Source: Biography)