An eye for Hitchcock

The legendary director-producer's death anniversary deserves our curated list of movies, reads and podcasts for you to dig into and celebrate the Master of Suspense

Before passing away on April 29 in 1980, Alfred Hitchcock created a legacy that ensured his name isn’t alien to even those who detest cinema. In the six decades he spent in the industry, the British filmmaker, who earned the title ‘Master of Suspense’, directed over 50 feature films; Psycho, made in 1960, grossed 50 million dollars at the box office. But surprisingly, Hitch, as he was called, never won an Academy Award. If you’re keen to get insight into his fine body of work, in light of his 41st death anniversary, here’s what you need to check out.

WATCH

Dial H For Hitchcock
The documentary made in 1999 covers Hitchcock’s early British works as well as his more famous American stints including Vertigo, Psycho and The Birds. Plus, you get a window into his work for television as well as the classic devices he employed in his films — be it the MacGuffin or his self-cameo.
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Rebecca
Remade as a Netflix production starring Armie Hammer and Lily James last year, the film based on the Daphne du Maurier classic was adapted brilliantly by Hitchcock in 1940. Now, you get to stream the mystery-thriller for free. With Laurence Oliver and Joan Fontaine, what’s not to like?
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READ

Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light 
Irish American biographer Patrick McGilligan has profiled some of the best names in cinema — from George Cukor to Jack Nicholson. His book on Hitchcock explores the filmmaker’s relationships with actors like Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, while also offering a peek into his 54-year marriage to editor-screenwriter Alma Reville.
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Alfred Hitchcock in a still from his movie The Birds. Pic/AFP

The Alfred Hitchcock Comic Strips
Collated from over 18 leading newspapers, these comics are made by noted cartoonists such as Darrin Bell and Mike Peters. For a hearty laugh, we’d suggest watching some Hitchcock films so you get the references.
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Attend

Rear Window
While you may not be able to make it to their spaces in London and Hong Kong, leading contemporary art gallery White Cube has crafted a virtual exhibition called Rear Window, inspired by Hitchcock’s film of the same name. Featuring paintings and photographs, it delves into the idea of “the gaze.”
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LISTEN

Inside Psycho
Listening to this podcast in the shower is said to be a bad idea because well, just like the film, it’s supposed to be terrifying. The six-part series created by Mark Ramsey regales the listener with scary tales of peculiar happenings that occurred on set.
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