Hitch: The Life and Times of Alfred Hitchcock

by John Russell Taylor

One of cinema's greatest directors, a virtuoso visual artist, and a genius of the suspense genre, Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980) is universally known for such masterpieces as Strangers on a Train, Rear Window, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho, and The Birds. The author, a distinguished film critic and friend of Hitchcock's, enjoyed his full cooperation. Based on numerous interviews, with photos from the private family albums, and an in-depth study of the making of his last film, this biography of the director is as intriguing, revealing, perverse, and entertaining as any Hitchcock classic.

Genres: Biography, Film, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Media Tie In

342 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

John Russell Taylor was an English critic, author, and historian whose work shaped modern writing on film, theatre, and visual art. Educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, and the Courtauld Institute of Art, he emerged in the early 1960s as one of Britain’s most influential cultural commentators. He wrote on cinema for Sight and Sound and Monthly Film Bulletin, and became film critic of The Times, later serving for decades as its art critic.
Taylor authored landmark studies of British drama and cinema, as well as acclaimed biographies of figures such as Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Ingrid Bergman, Vivien Leigh, and Alec Guinness. His book Strangers in Paradise: The Hollywood Emigres 1933–1950 remains a key work on European artists in American film. After developing a close friendship with Alfred Hitchcock, he became the director’s authorised biographer.
From the early 1970s he also taught film at the University of Southern California, while contributing to major British and American publications. In addition to film and theatre, Taylor wrote extensively on modern and contemporary art, producing numerous monographs and broader studies. He also served on juries at major international film festivals and edited Films and Filming magazine for several years.

Reviews

[TrumanCoyote · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very good indeed when the author sticks to Hitch's life, especially the first 100 pages of it, which have a very nicely smooth and colloquial feel to them. Unfortunately though Taylor is not able to keep his opinions about the movies out of the proceedings, and still worse, he resorts to psychological "insights" which are pretty much like listening to some shrink on a TV show. I can definitely see why they made the name change for the American edition (from "works" to "times"); if only it could've lived up to that amended title a bit more.

His snobbishness definitely shows through when he discusses Robert Bloch and Psycho. Oh yes, and whatever you do, don't read the epilogue (and if you do read it anyway, don't say I didn't warn you). ;)

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting biography about my favorite director.

[Kasper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very very dry, reads like the world's longest wikipedia article; but it did at least inspire me to rewatch a lot of Hitch films.

[Ari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Olipa kova urakka! Jostain syystä aika kuiva teos ja kesti todella pitkään saada päätökseen. Ei myöskään syttynyt innostusta katsoa leffoja uudestaan.

[Tiffany]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/bo...

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! It really was interesting and helped that I have seen almost every Hitchcock movie made. The book goes into details about each film including a little bit about some of Hitchcock's most and least favorite actors including Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant, Doris Day, Gregory Peck, etc. etc. a lot of famous actors ended up in Hitchcock movies. After reading it the first thing I did was watch Rear Window.

[Adam Philips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating so far. Published in 1978, Taylor had access to Hitch's friends and family, including his sister, early collaborators like Charles Bennett and Michael Balcon, and numerous stars. His sister - seven years older than him - insisted that the incident in which 5 or 6 year old Hitchcock was locked in a jail cell actually happened!

[Valerie Hester · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Alfred Hitchcock and thoroughly enjoyed the moments in this book that reveal his methodology, humor and mindset. I love reading about the goings on behind the scenes of films. However, this book is one of the most dry biographies I have ever read, and contains only a smattering of the tales I like to hear.

[Dave Stansbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book but if you haven't seen all the movies, which most people probably did not, the impact is lessened. Reads like a history of movie making, and Hitchcock of course is a strange blend of brash, detail obsessed (hence the historic creativity with lens angles and sets and such), and introspection, and self promotion. Not the speediest read.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough book, with stories from Hitchcock himself, rewritten by Taylor in a very readable manner. It introduces the reader to all aspects of Hitchcock, going beyond the public persona and delving into his very private family life.

[Allan Waterhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

I learned some details I hadn't heard before. This is easily readable and interesting. Another puzzle piece useful in trying to analyze the man and his films. Recommended for fans.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives alot of personal insight into a very private,inscrutable icon...

[Marvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite biography of Alfred Hitchcock. It covers all of the highlights of his life and has good insight on both the man and his movies.

[Jacobsteel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, loads of detail on script revising, storyboarding, casting, and the craft of making film. Liked it.

[Mark Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the earlier Edition, and so can't comment upon later Version, concentrates more upon Hitchcock's Films, speculating about his Psychological motivations.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

read SOMETIME in 2008

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

read some time in 1986

[Teri Temme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!