Name: Alfred Joseph Hitchcock
Born: August 13th 1899, Leytonstone
Occupation: Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Master of Suspense
Sir Alfred was known to his audiences as the 'Master of Suspense'. He mastered not only the art of making films but also the task of taming his own raging imagination.
The director of such works as Vertigo, Psycho, North By Northwest and The 39 Steps, Hitchcock told his stories through intelligent plots, witty dialogue and a spoonful of mystery and murder. In doing so, he inspired a new generation of filmmakers and revolutionised the thriller genre, making him a legend around the world.
Many of his films broke new ground in technical camerawork and storytelling techniques. Many of these camera moves (such as the reverse contra zoom) are still used by modern filmmakers. When he passed away in 1980, he left behind a body of work that remains unrivalled by many other directors to date.
On the shoot for Stiletto, a lot of mishaps occurred. As the production went on, the filmmakers started to think that perhaps the Ghost of Hitchcock himself was watching, and having a bit of fun at our expense... read on and decide for yourself.
THE GHOST OF HITCHCOCK
- The First Assistant Director was hit by a car the night before filming started.
- Lead actress Beth Winslet was struck down with full blown Flu just before the start of shooting. To her credit, she still turned up for the shoot when most mere mortals would have phoned in sick.
- Halfway through shooting on the first day, the local council decided to start power cleaning the pavement right outside the filming location... rendering the on location sound unusable.
- The main prop in the film was a bright red leather handbag. This handbag was stolen at the end of the second day by a random passer by, from right under the nose of the unwitting Tom Harper. A black leather replacement was sourced, and spraypainted red by our costume designer. Whoever the thief was, he would have been disappointed with the wadded tissue paper he eventually found inside the bag.
- And finally - the producer was attacked by a bird outside her flat...
Still not sure who Alfred Hitchcock is? Why not check out this gallery of his best known films, recast with the leading actors of today and jog your memory...?
