History Creator / AlfredHitchcock

* PoliceAreUseless: A traumatic childhood incident when his father used the local police to teach him a lesson worthy of [[Series/ArrestedDevelopment J. Walter Wetherman]] caused him to enact revenge in all his films. Though ''Film/DialMForMurder'' and ''Film/{{Frenzy}}'' are notable exceptions as are ''Film/{{Psycho}}'' and ''Film/{{Marnie}}'' where the protagonists who run away from the police ''are'' guilty. More or less, he liked making police useless to ratchet the suspense for his leads, since if they are innocent men wrongly accused, then that makes them vulnerable and makes their fears more believable and relatable to the audience.

* SerialKiller: His first thriller, ''Film/TheLodger'', was about one, as were three of his later films--''Film/ShadowOfADoubt'', ''Film/{{Psycho}}'' and ''Film/{{Frenzy}}''. They all helped codify cinema portrayals of murderers ''and'' depictions of murders.

* WronglyAccused: ''Film/TheWrongMan''. Also ''Film/TheLodger'', ''Film/{{The 39 Steps|1935}}'', ''Film/StrangersOnATrain'', ''Film/IConfess'', ''Film/DialMForMurder'', ''Film/ToCatchAThief'', ''Film/NorthByNorthwest'', and ''Film/{{Frenzy}}''. Subverted in ''Film/StageFright1950'' and averted in ''Film/ShadowOfADoubt''.

* ''Film/{{Topaz}}'' (1969) – Hitchcock's second consecutive attempt at "a realistic Film/JamesBond film," based on a best-selling, RippedFromTheHeadlines novel by Leon Uris. A high-ranking Soviet official's defection to the West sets off a series of events that lead to the UsefulNotes/CubanMissileCrisis and the discovery of a secret ring of [[DoubleAgent Double Agents]]. ''Three'' different endings were filmed, and several different cuts have been released over the years.
* ''Film/{{Frenzy}}'' (1972) – London is terrorized by a sexually-deviant SerialKiller. The FauxAffablyEvil killer successfully frames an acquaintance for the crimes, forcing him to go on the run and attempt to [[ClearMyName clear his name]]. Hitch's first British movie since ''Stage Fright'' saw him take advantage of the freedom of modern cinema, with graphic depictions of violence and nudity, as well as profanity. A WinBackTheCrowd effort that proved to be successful with critics and audiences.

Hitchcock was also infamous for being somewhat of a prankster, who would frequently keep his film crews and actors, and even personal friends, on their toes with practical jokes, often very elaborate and well-planned ones. While some of Hitchcock's pranks could be considered pretty funny by most standards (such as one where he gifted his crew with expensive furniture at the wrap party, only for said crew members to come home with their presents and discover that said furniture was just a little too bit to big to fit through their front doors; Hitchcock had, of course, been visiting their residences in secret and carefully written down measurements of their doors to make sure that this would happen), others definitely crossed the line into DudeNotFunny and PrankGoneTooFar territory (during the filming of ''Film/{{Frenzy}}'', after discovering that actress Creator/ElsieRandolph was deathly afraid of fire, Hitchcock "accidentally" locked her in a telephone box one day on set and started pumping smoke into the box), and revealed Hitchcock to be less of a merry prankster than someone with a latent sadistic streak.

The acknowledged master of cinematic suspense, [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever Sir]] Alfred Joseph Hitchcock KBE (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) is also one of the most famous film directors of all time, if not ''the'' most famous. Most people will have at some time or another seen at least one of his classic {{thriller}} films, many of which were adaptations of novels or short stories.

* ViewersAreMorons: When he moved to Hollywood, the PsychologicalThriller was still a fairly new genre for film, and with the UsefulNotes/TheHaysCode and [[ExecutiveMeddling nervous bottom-line minded]] studio execs as ongoing concerns, MrExposition and the InfoDump became recurring elements in his American films, lest the audience get confused, which sometimes comes across as this trope. Compare the UK and US versions of ''Film/TheManWhoKnewTooMuch'' to get a good example of how his British and American films differed in this regard. Even after the Hays Code waned he often devoted scenes to explaining everything for the audience, most infamously having a psychiatrist in ''Film/{{Psycho}}'' whose only reason to exist is to give a long monologue explaining the various problems of Norman Bates. On the other hand, ''Film/{{Vertigo}}'' is notable for leaving the characters' motivations vague and ambiguous.

[[caption-width-right:320:[[CatchPhrase "Good evening. I'm Alfred Hitchcock."]]]]

** Hitch ''did'' work out and exercise when he wasn't working, causing his weight to fluctuate between projects. His CreatorCameo ''Film/{{Lifeboat}}'' used photos of himself when slimmer and at his normal, heavier weight as a Before/After photo in a newspaper as a way to prove that he ''could'' slim down when he felt like it.

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!!Works featuring fictional portrayals of Alfred Hitchcock

Although "Hitch" is now considered to be one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, for much of his life he was dismissed as a [[UnderestimatingBadassery mere entertainer]] rather than a serious artist. The UsefulNotes/FrenchNewWave critics, led by Creator/FrancoisTruffaut, played a big role in correcting this by propounding the [[UsefulNotes/TheAuteurTheory auteur theory]], which holds up the director (rather than the screenwriter, the actors, etc.) as the primary creative artist on a film. Hitchcock was regarded as the major exemplar of this. It didn't hurt that he started producing his own films beginning in the late 1940s, thereby allowing him complete creative control.

Although "Hitch" is now considered to be one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, for much of his life he was dismissed as a [[UnderestimatingBadassery mere entertainer]] rather than a serious artist. The UsefulNotes/FrenchNewWave critics, led by Creator/FrancoisTruffaut, played a big role in correcting this by propounding the "auteur theory", which holds up the director (rather than the screenwriter, the actors, etc.) as the primary creative artist on a film. Hitchcock was regarded as the major exemplar of this. It didn't hurt that he started producing his own films beginning in the late 1940s, thereby allowing him complete creative control.

* Played by Creator/TobyJones in ''Film/TheGirl'', about Hitchcock's relationship with Creator/TippiHedren. Led to accusations of doing a HistoricalVillainUpgrade of Hitchcock.

Most people consider either ''Film/{{Vertigo}}'' or ''Film/{{Psycho}}'' to be his masterpiece, although Hitchcock himself was partial to ''Film/{{Shadow of a Doubt}}'' among his own films. ''Film/RearWindow'', ''Film/{{North by Northwest}}'', ''Film/{{Strangers on a Train}}'', and ''Film/TheBirds'' are also frequently cited as favorites among fans, with ''Rear Window'' in particular often used as a [[RearWindowHomage plot template]] in other media. Meanwhile, his first Hollywood production--''Film/{{Rebecca}}''--was his sole film to win the UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for Best Picture, while Hitchcock himself was nominated five times for Best Director without ever taking home the prize.

Most people consider either ''Film/{{Vertigo}}'' or ''Film/{{Psycho}}'' to be his masterpiece, although Hitchcock himself was partial to ''Film/{{Shadow of a Doubt}}'' among his own films. ''Film/RearWindow'', ''Film/{{North by Northwest}}'', ''Film/{{Strangers on a Train}}'', and ''Film/TheBirds'' are also frequently cited as favorites among fans, with ''Rear Window'' in particular often used as a [[RearWindowHomage plot template]] in other media.

* AuteurLicense: Hitchcock was one of the few who achieved this in UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood, although he had to struggle for it in his early years. Even in England, ''Film/TheLodger'' had its ending changed because of its dark story. In America, ''Suspicion''--where he hoped to cast Creator/CaryGrant in an unconventional role--resulted in ExecutiveMeddling. But from ''Notorious'' onwards, Hitchcock served as his own producer even if he never actually took credit as such, always favoring ''Directed by Alfred Hitchcock'' as his mantle.

* AuteurLicense: Hitchcock was one of the few who achieved this in UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood, although he had to struggle for it in his early years. Even in England, ''Film/TheLodger'' had its ending changed because of its dark story. In America, ''Suspicion''--where he hoped to cast Creator/CaryGrant in an unconventional role--resulted in ExecutiveMeddling. But from ''Notorious'' onwards, Hitchcock served as his own producer even if he never actually took credit as producer, always favoring ''Directed by Alfred Hitchcock'' as his mantle.

* AuteurLicense: Hitchcock was one of the few who achieved this in UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfHollywood, though he had to struggle for it in his early years. Even in England, ''Film/TheLodger'' had its ending change because of its dark story. In America, ''Suspicion'' where he hoped to cast Cary Grant in an unconventional role resulted in ExecutiveMeddling. From ''Notorious'' onwards, Hitchcock served as his own producer even if he never actually took credit as producer, always favoring ''Directed by Alfred Hitchcock'' as his mantle.

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

* Played by Creator/TobyJones in ''Film/TheGirl'', about Hitchcock's relationship with Tippi Hedren. Led to accusations of doing a HistoricalVillainUpgrade of Hitchcock.

The Hitchcock style went on to typify a certain kind of screen thriller, one which was copied by others over time. The Stanley Donen-directed ''Film/{{Charade}}'', for instance, was referred to by one reviewer as "the best Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never made". Also, the Italian {{Giallo}} film movement was essentially derived from the Hitchcockian style. Hitchcock was also known for his frequent use of the 'MacGuffin' (a term he popularized) in his films.

Although "Hitch" is now considered to be one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, for much of his life he was dismissed as a [[UnderestimatingBadassery mere entertainer]] rather than a serious artist. The UsefulNotes/FrenchNewWave critics, led by Creator/FrancoisTruffaut, played a big role in correcting this by propounding the "auteur theory", which holds up the director (rather than the screenwriter, the actors, etc.) as the primary creative artist on a film. Hitchcock was regarded as the major exemplar as this.

Although "Hitch" is now considered to be one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, for much of his life he was dismissed as a [[UnderestimatingBadassery mere entertainer]] rather than a serious artist. The UsefulNotes/FrenchNewWave critics, led by Creator/FrancoisTruffaut, played a major role in correcting this by propounding the "auteur theory", which holds up the director (rather than the producer, screenwriter, actors, etc.) as the primary creative artist on a film. Hitchcock was regarded as the major exemplar as this.

-->--'''Alfred Hitchcock'''

You can now vote for your Hitchcock movie by heading over to the [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/crowner.php/Sandbox/BestFilmAlfredHitchcock Best Film Crowner!]]

* AuthorAppeal: Particularly in his late '50s and early '60s films, Hitchcock liked to cast an "icy blonde" for his female lead. Examples include Creator/GraceKelly, Creator/KimNovak, Creator/EvaMarieSaint, and Creator/TippiHedren. According to Hedren, [[https://the-take.com/read/what-is-a-hitchcock-blonde-how-did-the-term-develop Hitchcock's obsession wasn't wholesome]], and that Hitchcock's insistence that blondes made for better unexpected {{Femme Fatale}}s, "those were all excuses covering for someone who was a sexual predator, a man with a 'very weird attitude towards women,' whose fantasy eventually made way into his real life. She considered his behavior towards his leading ladies emotionally devastating, textbook harassment."

* BrieferThanTheyThink: [[invoked]] The "Hitchcock blonde" unleashes [[SmallReferencePools a perennial groan]] from many Hitchcock scholars for this reason. Hitchcock had a career from TheRoaringTwenties to TheSeventies. Before TheFifties, the only real major blonde female leads were Anny Ondra in ''Film/{{Blackmail|1929}}'' and Madeleine Carroll in ''Film/{{The 39 Steps|1935}}'' and ''Film/{{Secret Agent|1936}}''. In the early years, most of Hitchcock's leading ladies were black-haired or brunettes (Sylvia Sidney, Creator/JoanFontaine, Creator/IngridBergman, Teresa Wright). It is only in TheFifties that you see prominently blonde actresses (Creator/GraceKelly, Creator/KimNovak, Tippi Hedren, Eva Marie Saint, Creator/VeraMiles, Janet Leigh) and as Hitchcock explained this was [[EveryoneLovesBlondes because blondes were popular]] in TheFifties, and as [[FollowTheLeader a mainstream film-maker]], he more or less did reflect popular ongoing trends in his movies. Film scholars and at one point, Hitchcock himself, also pointed out all his blonde characters are subversions of the DumbBlonde stereotype, in that they were cool, sophisticated, elegant ''and'' smart.
** The common perception of Hitchcock as a purveyor of {{Horror}} is based on just two films (''Film/{{Psycho}}'', ''Film/TheBirds'') made in a three-year period. Of course, those two practically invented certain {{Horror}} subgenres and busted taboos over what could be depicted in a movie, so he still has a major role in the history of {{Horror}} films.

** From the 50s onwards, Hitchcock's films featured blondes as heroines (Creator/GraceKelly, Eva Marie Saint, Kim Novak, Janet Leigh or Tippi Hedren). The movies he made in the 30s and 40s generally featured brunettes and dark-haired actresses (Joan Fontaine, Creator/IngridBergman, Theresa Wright, Sylvia Sidney among others). In general, Hitchcock's heroines tend to be either cold, elegant and shrewd (Grace Kelly, Eva Marie Saint), or otherwise deeply troubled, neurotic, suffering from {{Angst}} or DarkAndTroubledPast (Ingrid Bergman, Joan Fontaine, Tippi Hedren in ''Marnie'').

%%* TheOner: ''Film/{{Notorious|1946}}'', ''Theatre/{{Rope}}'', ''Young and Innocent''.
%%* ThePeepingTom: ''Film/TheLodger'', ''Film/{{Notorious|1946}}'', ''Film/RearWindow'', ''Film/{{Vertigo}}'', ''Film/{{Psycho}}''.
* PigeonholedDirector: Perhaps the most famous tone, even today he is associated with the suspense thriller genre and all its tropes. This was a problem on some of the few films which departed on the formula. ''Under Capricorn'' was a 19th Century romance set in Australia (albeit filled with dark passion and emotional trauma), starring Creator/IngridBergman, ''The Wrong Man'' was a RippedFromTheHeadlines story about a real case and was more a working-class drama, while ''The Trouble With Harry'' was a genuine comedy (with some macabre and grotesque touches). All these films were box-office failures.
-->''"I'm a typed director. If I made Cinderella, the audience would immediately be [[JustHereForGodzilla looking for a body]] in the coach."''

Hitchcock also produced and hosted the television anthology series ''Series/AlfredHitchcockPresents'' from 1955 to 1965, although he actually only directed 17 of its 361 episodes.

Hitchcock also produced and hosted the television anthology series ''Series/AlfredHitchcockPresents'' from 1955 to 1965, although he actually only directed 17 of its episodes.

* {{Claustrophobia}}: ''Lifeboat'', ''Theatre/{{Rope}}''.

* TheOner: ''Film/{{Notorious}}'', ''Theatre/{{Rope}}'', ''Young and Innocent''.
* ThePeepingTom: ''Film/TheLodger'', ''Film/{{Notorious}}'', ''Film/RearWindow'', ''Film/{{Vertigo}}'', ''Film/{{Psycho}}''.