Spellbound by Beauty: Alfred Hitchcock and His Leading Ladies - Hardcover

Spoto, Donald

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0307351300 ISBN 13: 9780307351302

Publisher: Harmony Books, 2008

Synopsis

The third volume in a trilogy exploring the life and work of the legendary director examines Hitchcock's life in terms of his relationships with the actresses in his films, including Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Kim Novak, and Tippi Hedren, in a study of his films, rise to fame and power, artistic legacy, unconventional marriage, and obsessions. 80,000 first printing.

About this title

Review:

"Mr. Spoto has enjoyed extraordinary access to Hitchcock's players over a long period of time, and he has assembled a cavalcade of chatty firsthand impressions."
--The New York Times

"What was behind [Hitchcock's] talent for turning perverse thematic elements such as voyeurism, bondage and murder fantasies into mainstream entertainment? According to Spellbound by Beauty...it was partly derived from a sexually repressed outcast's Svengali-like compulsion to manipulate and mistreat a long line of unattainable icy blondes."
--USA Today

"Fascinating . . . probes an even darker side of Hitchcock."
--Newsday

"[Spoto] informs Spellbound by Beauty with his profound knowledge of his subject, years of sound reporting, highly polished prose, and sensible analysis."
--Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Expert insights into Hitchcock's films."
--Oregonian (Portland)

"You will never look at a Hitchcock movie the same."
--Tampa Tribune

"[F]ocuses on Hitchcock's sometimes troubled, sometimes perverse, always manipulative relationships with his leading ladies....The chapters on his behavior during the filming of The Birds and Marnie are riveting and deeply troubling, revealing an artist at once losing his touch and losing touch with reality."
--Booklist, starred review

Praise for Donald Spoto
THE ART OF ALFRED HITCHCOCK
"I am gratified by what Donald Spoto says about my work, and I am impressed by the wit and grace of his writing."
--Alfred Hitchcock

"Exceptionally thoughtful. Spoto's total familiarity with the films is manifest throughout. He ably demonstrates that Hitchcock was not only a master of
suspense but an artist of the first rank as well."
--Library Journal

"Combines engaging analysis with wit and scholarship."
--Chicago Sun-Times

THE DARK SIDE OF GENIUS: THE LIFE OF ALFRED HITCHCOCK
"Absolutely compulsory reading. A serious and intelligent account, both credible and reasonable."
--New York Times

"A vivid and perceptive portrait. Hitchcock has been well served by
a knowledgeable and revealing biography."
--Time

"With unblinking objectivity and insight, Spoto gives a balanced account of a man who shaped his fears and repressions into a powerful and popular art."
--Newsweek

"Sensational in its revelations--but at the same time, a biography of unassailable integrity. I could not put it down."
--Gregory Peck

From the Hardcover edition.

Book Description:

The inspiration behind BBC2’s The Girl starring Toby Jones and Sienna Miller, Spellbound by Beauty examines Hitchcock’s relationship with his leading ladies including Tippi Hendren and Grace Kelly. Hitchcock is also the subject of an upcoming film, Hitchcock, starring Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren, due for release in 2013

About this edition

• Publisher: Harmony Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0307351300
• ISBN 13: 9780307351302
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 324