Starting out his professional career with nothing else than a knowledge of electronics, Alfred Hitchcock began his filming career very unusual. His father, having been dealing with poultry, fruits, and vegetables, sent him to the School of Engineering and Navigation, where Alfred Hitchcock started on a course which would prepare him to become an electrical engineer. Unfortunately, he had to quit his studies in order to support his family at home by working as a technical clerk in a cablemanufacturing company, but soon he rose from the lowly job to the advertising department. There, he was occupied with drawing advertisements. With regard to the further development of his professional expertise, this was the best thing that could have happened to him. Additionally, he attended an art course at the University of London. At the age of approximately 20 years, Alfred Hitchcock dreamed of being part of the film business. Thus, one day, when he heard about the fact that the American Paramount Famous Players-Lasky Company planned to establish a subsidiary in London, Hitchcock decided to develop film title cards for a film which was on the production schedule of this company. It was called ‘The Great Day’ and was screened in 1921. In those days, these films were still silent films with no additional information given, neither spoken nor written. The success of these cards was amazing, for he was employed immediately by the Famous Players-Lasky Company. This was his first step into the filming industry. Hitchcock’s talent to bring in new techniques into this branch revealed itself step by step. Over the years, he not only brought fresh air to the British film industry, but also and more importantly to Hollywood. Hitchcock topped this by finally becoming a citizen of the United States of America in 1955. Furthermore, American actors and actresses were already engaged quite early, and also Hitchcock employed several stars for his films like ‘The 39 Steps’ or ‘Secret Agent’, which had been produced in the 1930’s. These two films as well as ‘The Lady Vanishes’ will be the most focused ones in this essay, because the theme of spy organizations and sexually frustrated relationships between married and unmarried couples are most decisive for Hitchcock’s later thrillers, for whom he is so well known. Thus, this essay intends to reveal Hitchcock’s influence on American and European film-makings. [...]
Table of Contents
1. The product called “Alfred Hitchcock”
2. The Rise of the Movie Era
3. Conclusion
4. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the life and professional evolution of Alfred Hitchcock, exploring his transition from an early technician in the British film industry to a world-renowned master of suspense in Hollywood, while contextualizing his career within the broader cultural shifts of the post-war era.
- The early professional development and technical training of Alfred Hitchcock.
- The rise of European cinema and its subsequent challenges from Hollywood’s mass-market appeal.
- The impact of German Expressionism on Hitchcock’s directing style.
- Hitchcock’s successful transatlantic transition and his influence on modern suspense thrillers.
Excerpt from the Book
1) The product called “Alfred Hitchcock”
Starting out his professional career with nothing else than a knowledge of electronics, Alfred Hitchcock began his filming career very unusual. His father, having been dealing with poultry, fruits, and vegetables, sent him to the School of Engineering and Navigation, where Alfred Hitchcock started on a course which would prepare him to become an electrical engineer. Unfortunately, he had to quit his studies in order to support his family at home by working as a technical clerk in a cable-manufacturing company, but soon he rose from the lowly job to the advertising department. There, he was occupied with drawing advertisements. With regard to the further development of his professional expertise, this was the best thing that could have happened to him.
Additionally, he attended an art course at the University of London. At the age of approximately 20 years, Alfred Hitchcock dreamed of being part of the film business. Thus, one day, when he heard about the fact that the American Paramount Famous Players-Lasky Company planned to establish a subsidiary in London, Hitchcock decided to develop film title cards for a film which was on the production schedule of this company. It was called ‘The Great Day’ and was screened in 1921. In those days, these films were still silent films with no additional information given, neither spoken nor written. The success of these cards was amazing, for he was employed immediately by the Famous Players-Lasky Company. This was his first step into the filming industry.
Summary of Chapters
1. The product called “Alfred Hitchcock”: This chapter outlines Hitchcock’s early life, his vocational training in engineering and art, and his initial entry into the film industry through the creation of title cards.
2. The Rise of the Movie Era: This section provides a historical overview of the development of early cinema in Europe and Germany, detailing the socio-cultural factors that led to the dominance of Hollywood-style entertainment.
3. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes Hitchcock’s unique career trajectory, emphasizing how he successfully transitioned from a technical background to becoming an iconic figure and a master of suspense.
4. Bibliography: This section lists the academic and internet sources used for the research and analysis of Hitchcock’s biography and film history.
Keywords
Alfred Hitchcock, Cinema, Film Industry, Hollywood, Suspense, German Expressionism, Post-War Culture, Silent Films, Directing, Master of Suspense, Transatlantic, Movie Era, Film Technique, Biography, Film History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the professional biography of Alfred Hitchcock and how his early experiences influenced his later career as a world-famous film director.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The themes include the historical development of cinema, the evolution of Hitchcock’s directing style, and the impact of his work on transatlantic film culture.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The goal is to analyze Hitchcock’s journey from a technical clerk to a legendary director and to highlight his influence on American and European film-making.
Which scientific approach is used in this work?
The work utilizes a historical and biographical research method, drawing on secondary literature, film history records, and analysis of early production environments.
What is addressed in the main body of the text?
The main body examines Hitchcock’s initial career steps, the broader context of the "Movie Era" in Europe, and his eventual success in Hollywood through major films like 'The 39 Steps'.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Core keywords include Alfred Hitchcock, Cinema, Hollywood, Suspense, German Expressionism, and Film History.
How did German Expressionism influence Hitchcock’s work?
The author notes that Hitchcock’s time working in the German UFA studios exposed him to the innovative, moody, and expressionistic techniques that later shaped his own signature suspense style.
Why was the transition from British to Hollywood cinema significant?
The transition was significant as it allowed Hitchcock to merge European artistic sensibilities with the scale and production quality of Hollywood, ultimately establishing his reputation as the "master of suspense."
- Quote paper
- Nadja Winter (Author), 2005, The Myth of Alfred Hitchcock, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/56317
