markm reviewed Hitchcock by François Truffaut
Review of 'Hitchcock' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
A book made from François Truffaut’s famous interviews with Alfred Hitchcock originally published in 1967 and comprising a review of his films and related discussions. It is interesting for occasional Hollywood type stories about celebrities, disussion of the various techniques that Hitchcock invented, Truffaut’s insight into the relationship among Hitchcock’s films and for what it reveals about H. himself. Many excellent still images from his movie sets are included. We are also reminded of the business aspect of film making. Hitchcock relates that it is more difficult for the audience to commiserate with Robert Cummings (whom I watched as a kid in “Love that Bob” episodes. [The magic of You tube reveals that it co-starred Dwayne Hickman!]) than with Jimmy Stewart, since there is suspense only if we feel that we know the protagonist, and he recounts several instances of a film being less than he wanted because of whom …
A book made from François Truffaut’s famous interviews with Alfred Hitchcock originally published in 1967 and comprising a review of his films and related discussions. It is interesting for occasional Hollywood type stories about celebrities, disussion of the various techniques that Hitchcock invented, Truffaut’s insight into the relationship among Hitchcock’s films and for what it reveals about H. himself. Many excellent still images from his movie sets are included. We are also reminded of the business aspect of film making. Hitchcock relates that it is more difficult for the audience to commiserate with Robert Cummings (whom I watched as a kid in “Love that Bob” episodes. [The magic of You tube reveals that it co-starred Dwayne Hickman!]) than with Jimmy Stewart, since there is suspense only if we feel that we know the protagonist, and he recounts several instances of a film being less than he wanted because of whom he was obligated to cast in a key role. Mention is also made of the effect of the disappearance of the star system on his career in the 60s.
You can learn a lot about movies and suspense movies in particular here, e.g. “The better the villain, the better the picture”. Truffaut is always interested and complimentary, but Hitchcock’s understated humor is sometimes difficult to enjoy on the written page.