Positive Reception

Biographies

Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980)

He was an English film producer and director who pioneered the early techniques of horror and thriller movies. After being thought of as England’s best director, he moved to Hollywood in 1939. Hitchcock developed his own filming style that soon became recognizable. He was the first to use a camera style that mimicked voyeurism, and used innovative film editing. Most of his movies included a fugitive on the run from being falsely accused by the law, with a beautiful blond right beside him. Hitchcock was known for surprising twists and a thrilling plot. He directed more than 50 films during his 60-year career, the most famous of which being Rear Window (1954), Psycho (1960), North by Northwest (1959), Vertigo (1958), and Shadow of a Doubt (1945).

Anthony Perkins (1932-1992)

Best known for his role as Norman Bates in Psycho, he was also nominated for best supporting actor for his second film Friendly Persuasion. He participated in theater as well as movies. He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in the Broadway Look Homeward, Angel. Not only was he a decorated actor, but also in 1957 and 1958 Perkins released two pop albums with both RCA and Epic studios. Perkins played the role of Norman Bates again in the three sequels to Psycho. He died September 12, 1992 from battling AIDS for years. His widow, Berry Berenson died on Flight 11 on September 11, 2001.

Janet Leigh (1927-2004)

Janet’s real name was Janet Morrison. Norma Shearer discovered her while Janet was visiting her parents at a ski resort in Northern California where they worked. Her first appearance was in the film The Romance of Rosy Ridge (1947). She starred over 50 movies that included comedies, dramas, western films, and musicals. Leigh was by far best known for her 45-minute appearance in Psycho. She won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress. She had two children with her third husband Tony Curtis. The youngest daughter, Jamie Lee, continued on to become an actress; her first appearance was in Halloween (1978).

Vera Miles (1930-present)

Born Vera June Ralston in Boise City, Oklahoma. She worked closely with the directors Alfred Hitchcock and John Ford for years. She first briefly appeared in small roles for movies and television series. Ford starred her in the western classic The Searchers (1956) and then she played in The Wrong Man (1956) alongside Henry Ford. She began a five-year contract with Hitchcock and was publicized as Grace Kelly’s successor. Hitchcock had Miles in mind for the leading female role in Vertigo, but because of production delays and her pregnancy she lost the role. After her pregnancy, Hitchcock lost interest. But despite their differences, he gave her the role of the sister of Marion Crane in Psycho (1960); which is arguably her most famous role. She currently lives in California and refuses interviews or make public appearances.

John Gavin (1931-present)

Gavin first appeared in Behind the High Wall (1956), but in 1960 he appeared in Sam Loomis in Psycho and Julius Caesar in Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus. Both of these roles turned into classics and cemented his name in Hollywood forever. After about 1961 the momentum of his acting career faded and he proceed to be appointed the special adviser to the secretary general of the Organization of American States until 1973, and was appointed U.S. ambassador to Mexico in 1981. Since then he has become a successful businessman and civic leader.