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Hitchcock Also Created Terror On Set

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By K. SUE COLLINS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2008

"Spellbound by Beauty: Alfred Hitchcock and His Leading Ladies," by Donald Spoto (Harmony Books, $26)

His silhouette is synonymous with mystery and macabre, but what is known about his relationships with his actresses? In his third Alfred Hitchcock biography, "Spellbound by Beauty," Donald Spoto exposes the genius's sometimes volatile interactions with his performers.

Hitchcock's "actors are cattle" metaphor is well-known. What is not is his behind the scenes behavior. From his directorial debut in 1926 to his final feature 50 years later, Hitch blossoms from an innocent novice to the Svengali of the cinema, as does his management of female stars.

His practical jokes and vulgarity on the sets provoked myriad reactions: Some laughed, others cringed and many felt humiliated.

Throughout his distinguished career, Hitchcock seemed bewitched by three of his stars. His unreturned love of Ingrid Bergman, followed by Grace Kelly, turned to betrayal as both abandoned their careers for marriage.

The next target of his obsession was unknown Tippi Hedren. He subjected her to unrelenting humiliation.

Spoto separates the man from his mythological footprint left on cinema. You will never look at a Hitchcock movie the same.

K. Sue Collins of Tampa is a crime novelist.

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