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The Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred Hitchcock

donald spoto

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This is the definitive life story of Alfred Hitchcock, the enigmatic and intensely private director of Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, The Birds , and more than forty other films. While setting forth every stage of Hitchcock's long life and brilliant career, Donald Spoto also explores the roots of the director's obsessions with blondes, food, murder, and idealized love—and he traces the incomparable, bizarre genius from Hitchcock's English childhood through the golden years of his career in America as one of the greatest directors in the history of filmmaking.

508 pages, Paperback

First published March 1,1983
Literary awards
edgar award, 

This edition

Format
508 pages, Paperback
Published
August 30, 1999 by Da Capo Press
ISBN
9780306809323
ASIN
030680932X
Language
English
Characters More characters
  • Alfred Hitchcock

    Alfred Hitchcock

    Sir Alfred Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English film director and producer. He is one of the most influential and extensively studied filmmakers in the history of cinema....

  • William Hitchcock

    William Hitchcock

    ...

  • Emma Jane Hitchcock

    Emma Jane Hitchcock

    ...

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About the author

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donald spoto

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A prolific and respected biographer and theologian, Donald Spoto is the author of twenty published books, among them bestselling biographies of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Alfred Hitchcock, Tennessee Williams, and Ingrid Bergman. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages. Donald Spoto earned his Ph.D. in theology at Fordham University. After years as a theology professor, he turned to fulltime writing. The Hidden Jesus: A New Life, published in 1999, was hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "offering a mature faith fit for the new millennium." His successful biography of Saint Francis was published in 2002.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
41(41%)
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100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Aingard
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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What a complex mind the Master of Suspense possessed!

Alfred Hitchcock was truly a remarkable figure. His ability to create tension and keep audiences on the edge of their seats was unparalleled. Spoto, in his efforts, does his best to make sense of Hitchcock as a man and the greatest auteur filmmaker of all time.

Hitchcock's films were not just entertainment; they were works of art that delved into the human psyche. He had a unique vision and a distinct style that set him apart from other filmmakers. His use of camera angles, lighting, and sound added to the overall atmosphere of his movies.

Understanding Hitchcock as a person is also crucial in understanding his films. He had his own idiosyncrasies and quirks that influenced his work. Spoto's research and analysis provide valuable insights into the mind of this great filmmaker, allowing us to appreciate his work even more.
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
Account_Name
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Part film history and part film theory, this book offers an intriguing exploration not just of Hitchcock's films but also of his motivations, inner turmoil, and relationships.

Some might find the author's digressions into the history of silent film and such a bit distracting. However, cinephiles will relish the synopsis.

The author makes assumptions and analyses that at times seem a bit far-fetched. Nevertheless, they warrant discussion.

He sometimes neatly links Hitchcock's films with his real-life relationships without solid evidence. Still, the possibilities are captivating.

It's a substantial read but progresses at a brisk pace, not fixating on the useless details that many biographers like to include to pad the pages.

After finishing the book, I truly felt I had a new understanding of Hitchcock and his films. I would definitely recommend it to any serious film or Hitchcock enthusiasts.

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PavIixx
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A really well-balanced look at Hitch is presented here. It never leans towards hagiography, yet it shows an authentic appreciation for a truly unique personality. Hitchcock's barely-concealed psyche, along with his one-of-a-kind attention to detail and craft, combined to create visual statements of many of the 20th century's fears and fantasies. People like Hitch are significant as they visualize such things. It is up to us to determine how they make us feel and how we relate to them. Spoto doesn't engage in overly in-depth analysis, although he has clearly analyzed Hitch's films at a high level. He maintains an even keel, with a wealth of biographical data that is never dull. He paints what I envision to be an accurate picture of the curious Englishman. This is good stuff, especially as a companion to Hitchcock/Truffaut.

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bnyace
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This long biography is divided into sections by years of activity, which makes it extremely easy to follow the progression of Hitchcock's cinematic growth based on what was happening in his life at that time.

Just my personal opinion, but I don't believe this book needed to be as lengthy as it is. The author seems overly eager to make his point about Alfred Hitchcock's dark side, to the extent that he might overdo it. Truly, it doesn't require a great deal of effort to understand that the director had a dark side; all one needs to do is watch his movies.

That being said, this is an exhaustive account of Hitchcock's methods. It details how he discovered good stories, superb screenwriters, the perfect cast, a talented crew, and producers who could obtain whatever he needed to achieve his creative vision. It also confirms the stories of how poorly Hitchcock treated all these people.

I was aware from documentaries that Hitchcock storyboarded his movies with such meticulous detail that, once he completed that process, in his mind there wasn't much left for him to do. What I didn't know was that he actually fell fast asleep in his director's chair during filming, because by that point everyone knew precisely what he expected of them. I knew that Hitchcock enjoyed being risqué. I didn't know that he attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, to make his movies more sexually sadistic.

After listening to this book on Audible, my recommendation is that you read the print version. It truly is an excellent biography. However, the audiobook narrator has some idiosyncrasies that I found both annoying and distracting. For instance, there are awkward pauses between sentences and mispronunciations of ordinary words.
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Pinkbismuth
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Hitchcock Was A Technical Genius But Not A People Person


This book delved deep into the numerous repressed desires of Hitchcock and how he integrated them into his films. His mistreatment of many of his Blonde Leading Ladies, particularly Tipi Hendron, was truly appalling. I had once relished his TV Series, “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.” However, I was astounded to discover that he did practically nothing more than lend his name to the program. Even his hosting was merely presenting dialogue that was scripted for him. As I was reading the book, I watched some of his films on Telecine Cult (the Brazilian Movie Channel) and on YouTube, and I found myself enjoying them all over again. It is a great book that I would highly recommend to those who have a penchant for reading about the behind-the-scenes details regarding the actors, writers, and technical personnel involved in his films. I especially took great pleasure in the psychological aspects of Hitchcock’s personality that were intricately embedded within his films. It offered a fascinating insight into the mind of a cinematic master.
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Eclio413
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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If you consider Steve Jobs as a somewhat peculiar genius, then you definitely must read this detailed account of Hitchcock.

Hitchcock was yet another extremely talented, yet complex and strange individual. He had the ability to be disarming with his charm, winning over those around him. However, at the same time, his actions and manners could be shockingly odd, leaving people bewildered.

His films were a reflection of his unique vision and creative mind, often filled with suspense and psychological depth.

Reading about Hitchcock will give you a deeper understanding of his genius and the enigma that he was.

You will not be disappointed as you explore the life and works of this remarkable filmmaker.

Prepare to be intrigued and amazed by the story of Hitchcock.
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ACunit
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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While reading, I couldn't help but call this "the never ending book".

It was extremely long, and Mr. Hitchcock had specific habits and procedures that he adhered to for every picture he made. As a result, it seemed highly repetitive.

Donald Spoto's biographies are typically very interesting and full of spirit. However, in this case, it had to be the subject matter that slowed this book down.

Perhaps the detailed exploration of Hitchcock's working methods and the repetition within them made it a bit of a slog to get through.

Nevertheless, Spoto's writing style still managed to hold my attention to some extent.

Despite the drawbacks, there were still some valuable insights and anecdotes about Hitchcock's life and career that made the reading experience somewhat worthwhile.

Overall, while it may not have been the most engaging biography I've ever read, it did offer a comprehensive look at the man behind the movies.

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rainbowedtri
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This was an interesting listen of a biography of one of my favorite movie makers. Narrated by Jeff Riggerbach, it was a remarkable 23 hours and 26 minutes long.

It provided a fascinating glimpse into what made "Hitch" tick. I own DVD's of almost all of his movies and several of the TV shows as well. Some of my absolute favorite movies are the ones he created, such as REAR WINDOW, FAMILY PLOT, SPELLBOUND, NOTORIOUS, PSYCHO, and THE BIRDS. There are so many that I can't even name them all here.

It was a great peek into the mind of a person who crafted the moments that scared you to death and some that made you laugh until your sides ached.

However, my only complaint is that the downloaded copy of this book from DOWNPOUR was defective. I missed almost 2 whole chapters that were corrupted somehow. I have notified their customer service department, and they supposedly will be looking into it. I find this event to be extremely annoying. It's like paying for a print copy only to find that someone forgot to print part of the book!

Despite this setback, I still highly recommend this biography to anyone interested in the life and work of this iconic movie maker.
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