Helen G. Scott, Francois Truffaut

Any book-length interview with Alfred Hitchcock is valuable, but considering that this volume's
interlocutor is Francois Truffaut, the conversation is remarkable indeed. Here is a rare opportunity
to eavesdrop on two cinematic masters from very different backgrounds as they cover each of Hitch's
films in succession. Though this book was initially published in 1967 when Hitchcock was still
active, Truffaut later prepared a revised edition that covered the final stages of his career.
It's difficult to think of a more informative or entertaining introduction to Hitchcock's art,
interests, and peculiar sense of humor. The book is a storehouse of insight and witticism, including
the master's impressions of a classic like Rear Window ("I was feeling very creative at the time,
the batteries were well charged"), his technical insight into Psycho's shower scene ("the knife
never touched the body; it was all done in the editing"), and his ruminations on flops such as
Under Capricorn ("If I were to make another picture in Australia today, I'd have a policeman hop
into the pocket of a kangaroo and yell 'Follow that car!'"). This is one of the most delightful
film books in print. --Raphael Shargel

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