SynopsisSynopsis

Born in London on August 13, 1899, Alfred Born in London on August 13, 1899, Alfred Hitchcock worked for a short time in Hitchcock worked for a short time in engineering before entering the film industry in engineering before entering the film industry in 1920. He left for Hollywood in 1939, where his 1920. He left for Hollywood in 1939, where his first American film, first American film, RebeccaRebecca, won an Academy , won an Academy Award for best picture. Hitchcock created more Award for best picture. Hitchcock created more than 50 films, including the classics than 50 films, including the classics Rear WindowRear Window, , The 39 StepsThe 39 Steps and and PsychoPsycho. Nicknamed the "Master . Nicknamed the "Master of Suspense," Hitchcock received the AFI's Life of Suspense," Hitchcock received the AFI's Life Achievement Award in 1979. He died in 1980. Achievement Award in 1979. He died in 1980.

Early LifeEarly Life

Hitchcock was raised by strict, Catholic parents. He Hitchcock was raised by strict, Catholic parents. He described his childhood as lonely and sheltered, partly described his childhood as lonely and sheltered, partly due to his obesity. He once said that he was sent by his due to his obesity. He once said that he was sent by his father to the local police station with a note asking the father to the local police station with a note asking the officer to lock him away for 10 minutes as punishment officer to lock him away for 10 minutes as punishment for behaving badly. He also remarked that his mother for behaving badly. He also remarked that his mother would force him to stand at the foot of her bed for would force him to stand at the foot of her bed for several hours as punishment (a scene alluded to in his several hours as punishment (a scene alluded to in his film film PsychoPsycho). This idea of being harshly treated or ). This idea of being harshly treated or wrongfully accused would later be reflected in wrongfully accused would later be reflected in Hitchcock's films.Hitchcock's films.

The Hollywood YearsThe Hollywood Years

The first film he made there, The first film he made there, RebeccaRebecca (1940), won an (1940), won an Academy Award for best picture. Some of his most Academy Award for best picture. Some of his most famous films include famous films include PsychoPsycho (1960), (1960), The BirdsThe Birds (1963) and (1963) and MarnieMarnie (1964). His works became renowned for their (1964). His works became renowned for their depictions of violence, although many of his plots depictions of violence, although many of his plots merely function as decoys meant to serve as a tool for merely function as decoys meant to serve as a tool for understanding complex psychological characters. His understanding complex psychological characters. His cameo appearances in his own films, as well as his cameo appearances in his own films, as well as his interviews, film trailers and the television program interviews, film trailers and the television program Alfred Hitchcock PresentsAlfred Hitchcock Presents (1962-65), made him a cultural (1962-65), made him a cultural icon. icon.

Death and LegacyDeath and Legacy

Hitchcock directed more than 50 feature films in Hitchcock directed more than 50 feature films in a career spanning six decades. He received the a career spanning six decades. He received the American Film Institute's Life Achievement American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in 1979. One year later, on April 29, Award in 1979. One year later, on April 29, 1980, Hitchcock died peacefully in his sleep in 1980, Hitchcock died peacefully in his sleep in Bel Air, California.Bel Air, California.

Notable Movies by HitchcockNotable Movies by Hitchcock

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