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Leonard J. Leff

Hitchcock and Selznick: The Rich and Strange Collaboration of Alfred Hitchcock and David O. Selznick in Hollywood Paperback – March 2, 1999

by Leonard J. Leff (Author)

4.6 15 ratings

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Hitchcock and Selznick is the story of one of the oddest partnerships in Hollywood history, the union of a reticent, overweight Englishman with a flair for striking detail and a penchant for the perverse, and a dynamic movie mogul with a keen eye for successful entertainment on the grand scale. It began in 1938, when producer David O. Selznick agreed to bring director Alfred Hitchcock from England, where he was already gaining widespread acclaim for his "little thrillers," and the collaboration resulted in the making of such masterpieces as Rebecca, Spellbound, and Notorious.

Hitchcock was soft-spoken and meticulous; Selznick was confrontational and chronically disorganized. They were, moreover, two geniuses with wholly different approaches to filmmaking. The sparks that flew between them over the next eight years ignited into some of Hitchcock's most memorable achievements, but they made collaboration impossible in the end. Drawing on unpublished documents, early drafts of script treatments, and humorous production anecdotes―and including a wealth of previously unseen photographs―Leonard Leff has written a book for specialist and layman alike, a fascinating behind-the-scenes portrait not only of two great Hollywood figures but of the film industry itself.

Print length

398 pages
Language

English
Publisher

University of California Press
Publication date

March 2, 1999
Dimensions

6 x 1 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0520217810
ISBN-13

978-0520217812
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Eddie Muller
161
Paperback
$14.99
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The careers of Alfred Hitchcock and producer David O. Selznick are intensely entwined, but the story of their work together is one of the cinema's best-kept secrets. Hitchcock is probably best known for the work he did in the 1950s and '60s, hosting his legendary television show and directing the films Rear Window, Vertigo, Psycho, and The Birds. Selznick's many films have been eclipsed by his most popular achievement, Gone with the Wind. But it was Selznick who coaxed Hitchcock into emigrating from England to America, and it was Hitchcock who directed three opulent masterpieces for the producer's studio: Rebecca, Spellbound, and Notorious.

Leonard J. Leff's richly detailed and entertaining book documents this collaboration, describing how two men of opposite temperaments were able to complement one another artistically. He gives a behind-the-scenes perspective on the creation of their movie masterpieces, also investigating their fourth and final production, the unsuccessful The Paradine Case. "Hitchcock spent nearly a decade with Selznick, beginning in 1938," Leff writes. "More than either acknowledged, they joined forces primarily to extend their independence as filmmakers. A director of 'little British thrillers,' Hitchcock lacked the wherewithal to attain international status. Selznick not only brought Hitchcock to Hollywood but offered him stories and actors commensurate with his profound talent. Their collaboration bore fruit: Hitchcock added bite to Selznick's style, Selznick added American gloss to Hitchcock's." Leff's account of this dynamic duo in action is as thrilling as the films they created together. --Raphael Shargel

From The New Yorker

"A fine study of an association that began with Rebecca and ended with The Paradine Case."

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of California Press; First Edition (March 2, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 398 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0520217810
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0520217812
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,585,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,338 in Video Direction & Production (Books)
- #1,521 in Movie Direction & Production
- #3,528 in Movie History & Criticism

Customer Reviews:
4.6 15 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

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ANDE

A wonderful behind the scenes glimpse...

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2013

Verified Purchase

This book is a true treasure and a pleasure to read from beginning to end. The title says it all. Both David O. Selznick and Alfred Hitchcock deserve their place in history and their unusual and combative relationship certainly deserved a serious book chronicling their creative wars. Their collaboration spawned four (technically three) films, but their relationship could have been made into a fifth. We learn a great deal about both men and never feel like the author is favoring one over the other.

The book is terrific in nearly every respect and fans of either one of the two giants should savor each and every page.

2 people found this helpful

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Lee from NY

Great information on Hitchcock's working methods

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2019

Verified Purchase

Although I have read most of the Hitch bios this one talks more about his working method, how he operated on set, than any other that I have read. Worth it!

One person found this helpful

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T. Hayes

Excellent for those folks who enjoy stories of classic Hollywood

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2016

Verified Purchase

Phenomenal read. Excellent for those folks who enjoy stories of classic Hollywood. It is all here: the business details, personality tratis of Hitchcock and Selznick, history of their best films. Get this now.

4 people found this helpful

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ddc

very good purchase

Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2011

Verified Purchase

This book is just what I needed for some research about this period in Hollywood. it's precise and informative. A perfect complement to some other books about the same subject.

One person found this helpful

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