Ken Mogg’s The Alfred Hitchcock Story is one of the most exemplary and concise books about the Master of Suspense available today.
Originally published in 1999, this book will finally hit American shelves for the first time and comes in a wonderful hardcover binding. Mogg’s book may well be the authoritative word on all things Hitch. He is painstakingly thorough in his arrangement of the facts and facets of Hitchcock’s life and career and his attention to detail is infectious.
The Alfred Hitchcock Story is a gorgeous book to look at, with a wealth of old-school film posters, production stills, and lobby cards filling each vibrant page. The international film posters are especially enthralling, as they display a different side to marketing Hitchcock’s most adored films and really showcase him as an internationally-recognized talent.
Mogg’s book is divided into segments: The Early Years (1899-1933), Classic British Movies (1934-1939), Hollywood (1940-1950), The Golden Years (1951-1964), and Languishing (1965-1980).
Mogg draws on a lifetime of interest and contributions from fellow Hitchcock scholars to flesh out the details, coming up with a bundle of information rarely seen on his much-loved theme. Particular topics are given special treatment, with segments highlighting Hitchcock’s choice leading actors or describing his technical process with convincing insight.
From the new note from the author, we learn of Ken Mogg’s love for his subject. He describes Hitchcock with zeal, respectfully describing the Nietzschean attitude behind the filmmaker and discussing Hitch’s perseverance for creating “pure cinema” as a way of combating the numbing morality he saw everywhere.
The foreword for the book is by the unmatched Janet Leigh, whose adoration for Alfred Hitchcock comes through in every beautiful word. “His genius will live forever,” she affectionately concludes.
Lovers of Hitchcock’s films will find this resource invaluable.
Beginning with an essay by Dan Auiler describing with thoughtful concision Hitchcock’s background and his path to picture-making, Mogg’s book goes on to describe each film directed by Hitchcock.
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