The First True Hitchcock: The Making of a Filmmaker

The Lodger is a 1926 British film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The First True Hitchcock focuses on the twelve-month period that encompassed its production and release, presenting a new picture of this pivotal year in Hitchcock's life and in the wider film world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 11 January 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Alfred Hitchcock referred to "The Lodger" as the first true Hitchcock movie, the one that anticipated all the others. However, the story of how "The Lodger" came to be made is shrouded in myth, often repeated and much embellished, even by Hitchcock himself. "The First True Hitchcock" focuses on the twelve-month period that encompassed the production and release of "The Lodger" in 1926 and 1927, presenting a new picture of this pivotal year in Hitchcock's life and in the wider film world. Using fresh archival discoveries, Henry K. Miller situates Hitchcock's formation as a director against the backdrop of a continent shattered by war and confronted with the looming presence of a new superpower, the United States, and its most visible export—film.

The previously untold story of "The Lodger's" making in the London fog—and attempted remaking in the Los Angeles sun—is the story of how Hitchcock became Hitchcock. It explores the challenges Hitchcock faced in adapting the novel to the screen, the influence of the British film industry on his work, and the creative decisions he made to create the iconic film that would define his career.

The book also delves into the personal and professional relationships that shaped Hitchcock's career, including his collaborations with actors such as James Stewart and Grace Kelly, and his relationships with producers and studio executives. It sheds light on the struggles Hitchcock faced throughout his career, including his battles with censorship, his financial difficulties, and his struggles with his own mental health.

Overall, "The First True Hitchcock" is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the life and work of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. It provides a new perspective on Hitchcock's early years and his development as a director, and offers a wealth of information and analysis that will appeal to fans of Hitchcock and film enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 732g
Dimension: 152 x 341 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520343566