The Thrill of Hitchcock: Secrets of the Master, Part 2

About this course:

In this course, we explore Alfred Hitchcock's brilliant techniques of integrating elements including script, music, cinematography, editing, and production design to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. We also discuss the behind-the-scenes challenges the director faced dealing with his own stars and the Hollywood studios to bring his singular vision to the screen. Our set of five films begins with Hitchcock’s personal favorite—Shadow of a Doubt (1943), the story of how evil comes to an innocent family in small-town America. In Lifeboat (1944), Hitchcock devises a thriller taking place on a single lifeboat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Strangers on a Train (1951) is based on the story by Patricia Highsmith and offers possibly the most ingenious plot and the most original villain in any of his films. Notorious is an intense love story between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman, and features what has been called the most notorious kiss in Hollywood history, one cleverly designed to slip past the censors. Finally, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) serves as a master class in the art of creating unrelenting excitement as it hurtles to a stunning climax with the clash of cymbals at London’s Royal Albert Hall. It is not necessary to have taken part one to enjoy part two.