Alfred Hitchcock: Filming Our Fears (Oxford Portraits)
Grade 7-10-This concise biography looks at Hitchcock's early life as well as his legendary career, which spanned five decades and produced some of the most famous and critically acclaimed movies made. The book begins with the filmmaker's childhood in London's working-class East End and goes on to discuss his apprenticeship during the silent-film era; early directorial efforts; transition from English film to American; fame as a visionary, artistic filmmaker; and amiable personality. Adair examines significant relationships in his subject's life, as well as career trademarks such as his use of doubles and his tendency to combine suspense with humor. These trademarks are discussed in connection with movies such as Strangers on a Train, Vertigo, and North by Northwest, creating an overview of Hitchcock's films as a unified body of work. Black-and-white photographs from his life and movies are included. The brief nature of this book does not allow for in-depth analysis of individual films, but the accessibility of the writing and inclusion of valuable information make it a good introduction for its intended audience.Alison Ching, North Garland High School, Garland, TXCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.