From Publishers Weekly
Though biographies and academic studies of Alfred Hitchcock abound, film buff Maxford (David Lean; The George Lucas Companion) found an opening for one more useful book about the renowned director when he "fixed upon the idea of an all-encompassing encyclopedia" about the master's works. Organized alphabetically from "Academy Awards" to "Ziegler, William," Maxford's encyclopedia includes entries for every film, television episode, actor and actress Hitchcock worked with, as well as entries for Hitchcock homages and remakes and all the key cinematographers, technicians, composers and special effects people who contributed to his films. (Ziegler was the editor who cut the film for Spellbound, Rope, Strangers on a Train and Topaz.) Readers may disagree with some of Maxford's evaluations-The Birds, he says, leaves him "curiously cold"-but his exhaustive, well-designed compilation of Hitchcock facts is sure to prove useful to any serious Hitchcock fan. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
For the legion of Alfred Hitchcock's fans: a totally new reference book on the career of one of finest and best loved directors in history. This unique compendium covers his entire career in a user-friendly, easy-reference, A-to-Z format for the first time. Each entry includes a complete film synopsis with a detailed critique; cast and credit listings; video, laserdisc and DVD availability; and soundtrack availability. Plus, there's inside info on Hitchcock's trademark appearance in each film, all his television work, and unrealized and unfinished films, as well as biographies for all Hitchcock's lead actors, key cinematographers, technicians, composers, and special effects people. Illustrated throughout.
The A-Z of Hitchcock: The Ultimate Reference Guide FROM THE PUBLISHER
For the legion of Alfred Hitchcock's fans: a totally new reference book on the career of one of finest and best loved directors in history. This unique compendium covers his entire career in a user-friendly, easy-reference, A-to-Z format for the first time. Each entry includes a complete film synopsis with a detailed critique; cast and credit listings; video, laserdisc and DVD availability; and soundtrack availability. Plus, there's inside info on Hitchcock's trademark appearance in each film, all his television work, and unrealized and unfinished films, as well as biographies for all Hitchcock's lead actors, key cinematographers, technicians, composers, and special effects people. Illustrated throughout.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Though biographies and academic studies of Alfred Hitchcock abound, film buff Maxford (David Lean; The George Lucas Companion) found an opening for one more useful book about the renowned director when he "fixed upon the idea of an all-encompassing encyclopedia" about the master's works. Organized alphabetically from "Academy Awards" to "Ziegler, William," Maxford's encyclopedia includes entries for every film, television episode, actor and actress Hitchcock worked with, as well as entries for Hitchcock homages and remakes and all the key cinematographers, technicians, composers and special effects people who contributed to his films. (Ziegler was the editor who cut the film for Spellbound, Rope, Strangers on a Train and Topaz.) Readers may disagree with some of Maxford's evaluations-The Birds, he says, leaves him "curiously cold"-but his exhaustive, well-designed compilation of Hitchcock facts is sure to prove useful to any serious Hitchcock fan. (Sept.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
Alfred Hitchcock's extraordinary career in radio, television, and film truly merits any number of monographs and reference guides, and Maxford's new encyclopedia is a well-designed port of entry for beginners and researchers alike. Hundreds of entries ranging in length from a brief paragraph to two pages (for specific films) cover every aspect of Hitchcockiana, including all of the films, television and radio work, and unrealized projects as well as biographies of all the lead actors, key cinematographers, technicians, composers, and special effects people who worked with the director. Entries also include brief "Hitchographies" of specific film credits and significant non-Hitchcock films. Each film entry also includes a complete film synopsis, production information, an informative critique, cast and credit listings, Hitchcock cameos, and format (DVD, VHS) and soundtrack availability. Some 65 black-and-white illustrations and a brief secondary bibliography complete the volume. The sole negative here is the absence of subject and critic entries (there are no entries on Truffaut, blonds, or sexuality, for example), which would perhaps enhance the understanding of Hitchcock's contribution to cinema. However, Maxford's work is recommended for all film libraries, along with Gene Phillips and Thomas Leitch's more comprehensive Encyclopedia of Alfred Hitchcock.-Anthony J. Adam, Prairie View A&M Univ. Lib., TX Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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