Alfred Hitchcock, master of the psychological thriller, was one of Britain's greatest filmmakers. He was born August 13, 1899. Here, Hitchcock is on the set of 1963's "The Birds." The filmmaker wanted Grace Kelly for the lead role, but on her retirement from acting, Tippi Hedren was chosen instead.
Alfred Hitchcock, master of the psychological thriller, was one of Britain's greatest filmmakers. He was born August 13, 1899. Here, Hitchcock is on the set of 1963's "The Birds." The filmmaker wanted Grace Kelly for the lead role, but on her retirement from acting, Tippi Hedren was chosen instead.
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His first American project was the 1940 Gothic tale "Rebecca," starring Joan Fontaine as a young woman caught up in a nightmare after marrying Laurence Olivier's wealthy Maxim de Winter.
His first American project was the 1940 Gothic tale "Rebecca," starring Joan Fontaine as a young woman caught up in a nightmare after marrying Laurence Olivier's wealthy Maxim de Winter.
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Hitchcock speaks with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman on the set of 1946's "Notorious," one of six of his films to be preserved in the National Film Registry.
Hitchcock speaks with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman on the set of 1946's "Notorious," one of six of his films to be preserved in the National Film Registry.
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The 1948 film "Rope" starred Farley Granger and John Dall as young men attempting to commit the perfect murder. It was also the first of four collaborations between Hitchcock and legendary actor James Stewart.
The 1948 film "Rope" starred Farley Granger and John Dall as young men attempting to commit the perfect murder. It was also the first of four collaborations between Hitchcock and legendary actor James Stewart.
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One of Hitchcock's best-known movies, 1951's "Strangers on a Train," co-starred his daughter, Patricia.
One of Hitchcock's best-known movies, 1951's "Strangers on a Train," co-starred his daughter, Patricia.
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Hitchcock observes Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings on the set of 1954's "Dial M for Murder." The filmmaker made cameo appearances in most of his films; in this one, he appeared in a photo.
Hitchcock observes Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings on the set of 1954's "Dial M for Murder." The filmmaker made cameo appearances in most of his films; in this one, he appeared in a photo.
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Critics call 1954's "Rear Window" a masterpiece of slow-burn suspense. James Stewart stars as a photographer who is recuperating from a broken leg and believes he has witnessed a neighbor's murder.
Critics call 1954's "Rear Window" a masterpiece of slow-burn suspense. James Stewart stars as a photographer who is recuperating from a broken leg and believes he has witnessed a neighbor's murder.
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"To Catch a Thief," in 1955, was the last of Grace Kelly's three films with Hitchcock before she retired from Hollywood to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
"To Catch a Thief," in 1955, was the last of Grace Kelly's three films with Hitchcock before she retired from Hollywood to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
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In 1956, Hitchcock made an adaptation of his own 1934 film "The Man Who Knew Too Much" starring James Stewart.
In 1956, Hitchcock made an adaptation of his own 1934 film "The Man Who Knew Too Much" starring James Stewart.
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1958's "Vertigo," with Kim Novak, was named the best film of all time in the British Film Institute's 2012 Sight and Sound poll.
1958's "Vertigo," with Kim Novak, was named the best film of all time in the British Film Institute's 2012 Sight and Sound poll.
Paramount/MPTV
Hitchcock speaks with Eva Marie Saint during filming of 1959's "North by Northwest." The movie was best known for a scene in which a crop-duster plane menaces Cary Grant in a Midwestern field.
Hitchcock speaks with Eva Marie Saint during filming of 1959's "North by Northwest." The movie was best known for a scene in which a crop-duster plane menaces Cary Grant in a Midwestern field.
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Another of Hitchcock's most influential works was the 1960 horror film "Psycho," featuring John Gavin and Janet Leigh. Leigh's character famously meets her demise in the shower, a gory scene that inspired a generation of horror filmmakers.
Another of Hitchcock's most influential works was the 1960 horror film "Psycho," featuring John Gavin and Janet Leigh. Leigh's character famously meets her demise in the shower, a gory scene that inspired a generation of horror filmmakers.
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Hitchcock takes a call during filming of the 1966 spy thriller "Torn Curtain," his 50th film. It received mixed reviews but was a minor box office hit. His health began to fail, and the maestro would make only three more movies before his death in 1980.
Hitchcock takes a call during filming of the 1966 spy thriller "Torn Curtain," his 50th film. It received mixed reviews but was a minor box office hit. His health began to fail, and the maestro would make only three more movies before his death in 1980.
Universal/mptvimages.com