Whenever one delves into the background of someone famous, one runs the risk of finding out things that one might not wish to know. The question becomes, does one want to know the potentially tarnished portions of the individual’s past or stick with the unsullied image? Obviously, if you are going to stick with the unsullied version, you probably do not want to read a biography which has the phrase “dark side” in it.

The Dark Side of Genius: The Art of Alfred Hitchcock is a fascinating exploration of the master director. The author does a fine job of walking the line between writing a biography of the man and exploring his long, amazing career. The films and their major motifs are put into the context of what was happening in Hitch’s life. A healthy dose of armchair psychology accompanies this examination, providing a very full, if at times incredibly sad, picture of the artist.

The result is a study of a man who was a brilliant director and producer, someone who was able to manipulate audiences using a variety of images and visual (as well as audio) techniques. We also see Hitchcock as someone who spent a good deal of his life manipulating people off set as well, someone who spent a major portion of his time searching for or trying to create an idealized feminine reality despite his long marriage.

The Dark Side of Genius gives us a glance at the many psychological issues which Hitchcock dealt with. The result, like one of Hitch’s best films, both repels the readers with its unpleasant imagery while drawing them in, making them feel and even sympathize with the main character.

Donald Spoto does an excellent job of laying out the life, history, psychology, and career of Alfred Hitchcock. He hold nothing back, which may be difficult for some readers. On a personal note, I found some of the early material fairly mind blowing. It never crossed my mind that Hitchcock started his career as a young man when the cinema was first forming, that he might have actually worked in Germany as some of the great masterpieces of early film were being created. It did not dawn on my that he was a contemporary of H. G. Welles and others.

A note on the audiobook. Unfortunately, the audio transfer leaves something to be desired. The audio version is riddled with unnecessary pauses which can only be the turning of script pages. They appear with alarming frequency throughout the biography. I found this very distracting. There are also a few gaps where there is missing narration. Granted, it is only a few words, at most a sentence, but still a problem. Towards the end of the audiobook there is a mention of which tape and take they are on. All of these problems should have been addressed during the editing process.

This is an extremely interesting and in-depth look into Hitchcock as well as his films.

However, the challenge lies in the fact that the author really relied a great deal on lists. There are lists of actors, lists of film titles, lists of locations, lists of directors, and even lists of lists.

At a certain point, this overuse of lists really detracted from the overall content. It made the reading experience somewhat disjointed and less engaging.

Perhaps the author could have found a more creative way to present the information, rather than simply relying on a series of lists. This would have allowed for a more seamless flow and a greater emphasis on the analysis and discussion of Hitchcock and his works.

Despite this flaw, the article still contains a wealth of interesting and valuable information about Hitchcock and his films, and is well worth reading for anyone interested in the subject.

If you are interested in Alfred Hitchcock, this is a very informative book!

Alfred Hitchcock is a renowned figure in the world of cinema, and this book delves deep into his life, career, and the unique style that made him a legend.

It explores his early beginnings, the challenges he faced, and how he overcame them to create some of the most iconic and influential films of all time.

The author provides detailed analysis of his movies, highlighting the innovative techniques, psychological themes, and masterful storytelling that characterized Hitchcock's work.

Whether you are a die-hard Hitchcock fan or simply curious about his contributions to the film industry, this book offers a wealth of knowledge and insights.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of filmmaking and the life of one of its most fascinating and talented practitioners.

So, if you want to learn more about Alfred Hitchcock and his remarkable body of work, pick up this informative book today!

I had an absolutely wonderful time revisiting this book after more than 30 years. It is truly essential reading for fans of Hitchcock or movies in general. The detailed accounts and insights it provides offer a unique perspective into the world of Hitchcock's filmmaking.

Moreover, I also highly recommend the Attaboy Clarence podcast. This podcast features an excellent 3-part series titled The Adventures of Alfred Hitchcock. The series delves deep into the life and career of the master filmmaker, uncovering many interesting and lesser-known aspects.

Whether you are a die-hard Hitchcock fan or simply someone who enjoys a good movie, both the book and the podcast are sure to provide you with hours of entertainment and valuable knowledge. So, don't miss out on this opportunity to explore the fascinating world of Alfred Hitchcock.

“Excellent book seeing inside of a movie genius life” is truly an engaging and captivating title. This book offers a unique opportunity to peek into the inner workings of a movie genius. It delves deep into their thoughts, creative processes, and the experiences that have shaped their remarkable careers.

By reading this book, one can gain valuable insights into the world of filmmaking. Discover how the movie genius conceives of ideas, develops scripts, and brings their vision to life on the big screen. Learn about the challenges they face along the way and how they overcome them.

This book is not only for movie enthusiasts but also for anyone interested in the creative mind. It provides a fascinating look at the life and work of a true visionary. Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker or simply someone who appreciates great movies, this book is sure to inspire and educate.

Audiobook version.

This book was truly disappointing, not only in terms of the subject matter but also in the choice of narrator.

I had very limited knowledge about Hitchcock, both as a person and as a director. So, when this book came my way, I was intrigued and eager to learn more about him. He was a Hollywood legend, and I believed it would be fascinating to discover the details of his life and work. However, to find out that this book was accurately titled and that the man was a deeply disturbed individual, imposing his nasty obsessions on his actresses and that there were numerous hidden meanings behind his movies was highly disappointing.

The audiobook was over 26 hours long. The author delved very deeply into the creation of his scripts, the intentions behind major scenes, and even read reviews by different critics. At times, the book felt more like a textbook for a college course on Hitchcock, and perhaps even at times an appropriate textbook for a psychology class.

I did enjoy the parts where the author focused more on his personal life, especially at the beginning of his life and the early years of his career. But the psychoanalytic breakdown of his actual career became a bit tedious.

The narrator read the book in a very monotonous voice, with very little inflection. As a result, I frequently had to turn the book off because my attention would wander.

Needless to say, I probably will never watch another Hitchcock movie, and the admiration I once felt for this man has clearly been extremely misplaced.

Interesting. I listened to the Audible version and didn't truly engage with the book until around chapter 9 or 10. At first, the details of his childhood struck me as a bit dull. I do possess a paperback copy of the book and utilized it to verify a couple of things. For example, there is a flaw in the audio corresponding to page 562 of the book. It's nothing significant. For some reason, the word "deception" was truncated right in the middle of the narration, and the next paragraph commences. I thought I might have missed a section, but it was just part of the word. So, if you're listening to the audiobook, don't fret. There is another section towards the end that perhaps should have been edited out, which is just where you're informed that you've reached the end of a cassette side. Again, nothing major.

A beneficial aspect of having the physical book is that it contains photos. Overall, the book was good. The torture that Tippi Hedren endured during the filming of "The Birds" is described in detail. That was quite interesting and harrowing for her. The author mentions that a more seasoned actor wouldn't have endured all that she did. This was her first film, and she thought she had to accept it all.

Also, Hitchcock's obsession with her, as it had been with previous actresses, was rather creepy. By this point, the obsession was intensified and magnified. By the time "Marnie" was being filmed, Hedren was terrified to be left alone with Hitchcock. The movie that emerged several years ago, which emphasized Hitchcock's obsession with his leading ladies, especially blondes, I thought had been a bit exaggerated or that liberties had been taken. Apparently not! There are instances in the book where the author makes a few comments and seems to stretch a little too far with perceived insights into Hitch's psyche. Not a great deal, but some. Are these speculations of someone not trained, as far as I know, in psychological therapy?

The book is good. If you're really into Hitchcock and desire to know more about the man's life, I recommend reading or listening to this book. I could potentially go back and listen to the first part again with a bit more appreciation and attention. Maybe eventually I'll listen to it once more.

This is a truly in-depth book.

It contains an abundance of details that far exceeded my initial expectations. However, for those individuals who are seeking a comprehensive and in-depth biography of Alfred Hitchcock, this book is an absolute must-read.

The author has done an outstanding job of achieving a delicate balance between presenting historical facts, conducting in-depth film analysis, and incorporating Hitchcock's personal experiences.

This seamless integration allows readers to gain a multifaceted understanding of the renowned director, not only in terms of his cinematic achievements but also in the context of his life and the historical period in which he lived.

Overall, this book is a valuable resource for both film enthusiasts and scholars alike, offering a wealth of information and insights into the life and work of Alfred Hitchcock.

The original text seems a bit repetitive and lengthy.

It might be beneficial to rephrase and condense certain parts to make it more concise and engaging.

For example, instead of using the same words or phrases multiple times, we could vary the language to add more interest.

Additionally, we could consider removing any unnecessary details that don't contribute to the overall message.

By doing this, the article will be more likely to hold the reader's attention and convey its ideas more effectively.

This will also make it easier for the reader to understand and remember the key points.

Overall, a little bit of editing and refinement can go a long way in improving the quality of the article.

Wow. This is truly a heavy book.

In terms of length, it is indeed substantial. It could serve as a great doorstop. However, in my case, I chose to listen to the audiobook.

Not only is it heavy in terms of its size, but also in the minutiae of Hitchcock's filmmaking and the pseudo psychoanalysis of his films and life.

I rate it 4 stars. It excels in presenting the details of Hitchcock's filmmaking, but it falls a bit short under the burden of amateur psychology.

I own Spoto's The Art of Alfred Hitchcock, which is another hefty volume. It seems that Spoto has adopted a negative view of Hitch since that book, as seen in The Dark Side. This negative view appears to be well-deserved, as the depiction of Hitchcock in this book is supported by interviews and correspondence with others.

The psychobabble, on the other hand, is not attributed to any authority and becomes tiresome after a while. It is particularly overwhelming during the accounts of Vertigo, Psycho, and Frenzy - three of Hitchcock's darker films - and to a lesser extent, in The Birds. I could only listen for about an hour at a time without getting bored.

Despite its flaws, the book left me with a desire to watch Hitchcock's films again, to learn more about Alma Reville and Pat Hitchcock, and to see the biopic, Hitchcock. It is definitely a book that will remain in my memory.

Exhaustively researched and thoroughly written, this piece perhaps even borders on the verge of being over-written.

However, it is truly fantastic to get a glimpse inside the mind of such an iconic real-life character.

The entire narrative is illuminating, especially during the period of Hitchcock's sad devolution and demise.

We are taken on a journey that explores the inner workings of his thoughts, emotions, and the events that led to his downfall.

The detailed research is evident in every sentence, painting a vivid picture of this complex individual.

It allows us to understand the man behind the legend and the factors that contributed to his tragic end.

Overall, this article provides a fascinating and in-depth look at Hitchcock's life and career, leaving the reader with a newfound appreciation for his work and a sense of sadness for his ultimate fate.

This is truly one of the best books I have ever read regarding Hitchcock, his life, and his works.

The scholarship within this book is excellent, providing a wealth of detailed and accurate information. It offers great insights into the man himself, delving deep into his character, his motives, and his creative process.

What makes this book even more remarkable is how it shows how the man is reflected in his work. We can see the various aspects of Hitchcock's personality, his fears, his obsessions, and his unique vision, all manifested in his films.

It is a fascinating exploration that not only enriches our understanding of Hitchcock as an artist but also gives us a deeper appreciation for the complexity and genius of his body of work.

Whether you are a die-hard Hitchcock fan or simply interested in the history of cinema and the creative minds behind it, this book is a must-read.