Grab some suspenseful popcorn and settle in as we unveil 20 thrilling Alfred Hitchcock facts that will keep you at the edge of your seat! This article takes you behind the scenes of the ‘Master of Suspense’s’ cinematic world, where every frame is a carefully woven web of intrigue. From his signature cameos to the secrets behind those iconic suspense techniques, we’re about to unlock a treasure trove of information that would make even Hitchcock himself raise an eyebrow. So, prepare for a suspenseful ride through the life, art, and legacy of the man who taught us that even the mundane can be mesmerizing.
1-5 Shocking Facts About Alfred Hitchcock
1. You might envision Alfred Hitchcock’s upbringing as a tale of brooding darkness in a chilling English countryside manor. Surprisingly, reality paints a different picture for the Master of Suspense. Born in 1899, Hitchcock hailed from a lineage of…grocers.
2. When it came to discipline, his father’s method was simple and direct—the belt. Yet, it’s his mother’s intricate psychological punishments that could be deemed even more unsettling. Each night, she would command him to stand at the foot of his bed and meticulously recount every perceived misdeed of the day. Then, with an almost forensic precision, she would proceed to dissect and lecture him on each supposed transgression.
3. In a peculiar twist from his childhood, when Hitchcock was merely five years old, his father dispatched him to a local police station armed with a note. Curiously, upon reading the note, the policeman playfully locked young Hitchcock in a cell for a brief moment, teasingly stating, “this is what we do to naughty boys.” Strangely, this seemingly harmless escapade etched a lasting fear of law enforcement officers into Hitchcock’s psyche.
4. At the age of 11, his parents sent him off to the infamous St. Ignatius College. If he believed his home environment was stringent, the harsh reality of the institution hit him like a rude awakening. The priests who presided over the institution were cloaked in a fearsome reputation. Their form of discipline took the shape of physical beatings inflicted upon him and his fellow students for any missteps. What’s worse, these lashings were strategically deferred until the end of the day, forcing the boys to endure hours of class with impending dread hanging over them.
5. During his teenage years, his aspirations took a turn towards engineering.
6-10 Interesting Facts About Alfred Hitchcock
6. In the midst of his work on the film “Woman to Woman,” destiny intertwined Hitchcock’s path with that of Alma Reville, the studio’s new editor and script girl. Their recognition of each other’s innate genius forged an unbreakable bond. Soon, their connection deepened beyond collaboration, resulting in a whirlwind romance and eventual marriage in 1926. Their partnership endured throughout their lives.
7. While he might be the mastermind behind his cinematic creations, Hitchcock’s personal relationship with his own movies was quite intriguing. He once confessed, “I’m frightened of my own movies. I never go to see them. I don’t know how people can bear to watch my movies,” revealing a curious vulnerability during a 1963 interview.
8. Alfred Hitchcock was so afraid of Psycho being spoiled ahead of time that he embarked on a mission to purchase as many copies of the original novel as he could lay his hands on.
9. Hitchcock’s dedication to his craft extended even to the audience’s experience. For the film “Psycho,” he demanded theater managers enforce a “no late admission” policy. This ingenious move ensured that viewers either embarked on the cinematic journey from the from the very beginning or not at all.
10. Alfred Hitchcock was frightened by eggs and was particularly revolted by egg yolks and how they broke and spilled. He never did eat one.
11-15 Surprising Facts About Alfred Hitchcock
11. Despite Spielberg’s admiration for Hitchcock, the legendary director declined a meeting. The reason behind this odd refusal, according to Bruce Dern, was that Hitchcock had lent his voice to the Jaws ride at Universal Studios. Oddly, Spielberg’s presence seemed to stir a sense of discomfort in Hitchcock, leaving him feeling, in his own words, “like a whore.”
12. Infamous for his elaborate pranks, Hitchcock took amusement to the next level with his cast and crew. His sense of humor sometimes veered into the absurd, such as orchestrating a banquet where every dish was mysteriously dyed blue. On another occasion, he arranged for a massive horse to grace an actor’s dressing room, leaving everyone bewildered.
13. In a rather unconventional bet, Hitchcock once wagered a prop man’s week’s salary on an overnight escapade in a chained movie studio. However, the supposedly comforting beaker of brandy turned out to be laced with potent laxatives. The next morning, the film crew saw the poor man sobbing in a pool of his own waste.
14. Among the plethora of films that graced his illustrious career, Hitchcock held a special love for ‘Destiny’ (1921), directed by Fritz Lang.
15. However, if he were to pinpoint one of his own directorial ventures as a favorite, it would undoubtedly be ‘Shadow of a Doubt’ (1943).
16-20 Fun Facts About Alfred Hitchcock
16. The master of suspense, also showcased a knack for humor. In a quaint historical note, he is credited with delivering the first recorded “That’s what she said” joke as far back as 1929.
17. Hitchcock’s reputation for being demanding with actors is the stuff of Hollywood legend. He once remarked, “Actors are cattle,” a remark that generated significant controversy. In response, he clarified, “I have been misquoted. What I actually meant is that ‘Actors should be treated as cattle.'”
18. Proclaiming his unique take on cinematic timing, Hitchcock famously quipped, “The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder.”
19. In a surprising turn of events, Walt Disney withheld access to Disneyland from Hitchcock in the early 1960s. The reasoning? Hitchcock’s association with the “disgusting” Psycho(1960).
20. In a somewhat morbid yet characteristic jest, Hitchcock quipped to friends upon receiving his Lifetime Achievement award in 1979 that he must be on the brink of departing this world. True to his words, he passed away a year later, leaving behind a legacy that continues to captivate and thrill audiences to this day.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading about 20 Facts About Alfred Hitchcock.
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