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Charlotte Chandler
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It's Only a Movie: Alfred Hitchcock: A Personal Biography (Applause Books) Paperback – March 1, 2006

by Charlotte Chandler (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

“It's Only a Movie is the best book ever written about my father. It really is amazing.” –Patricia Hitchcock

North by Northwest. Psycho. Rear Window. The Birds. Vertigo. When it comes to murder and mayhem, shock and suspense, the films of Alfred Hitchcock can not be surpassed. For this book, Charlotte Chandler interviewed Hitchcock, his wife, daughter, film crew members, and many of the stars who appeared in his films, including Kim Novak, Janet Leigh, Cary Grant, Tippi Hedren and James Stewart.

Throughout the book, Chandler shares Hitchcock's wit and wisdom. When actors took themselves too seriously, he would remind them, “it's only a movie.” Chandler introduces us to the real Hitchcock, a devoted family man and notorious practical joker, who made suspenseful thrillers mixed with subtle humor and tacit eroticism.

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  1. Print length
    382 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Applause
  4. Publication date
    March 1, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.79 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1557836922
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1557836922
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The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A wonderful book full of recollections by Hitchcock, his family, his friends, and those who worked with him. I was touched by the quiet love story between Hitch and Alma."

-- Frank Oz

About the Author

Charlotte Chandler's first book, Hello, I Must Be Going, was a national bestseller about Groucho Marx. She lives in New York City.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Applause
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 1, 2006
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 382 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1557836922
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1557836922
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.79 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

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Charlotte Chandler

Charlotte Chandler

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4.3 out of 5 stars
37 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Knowledgeable
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  • Wayne Zinkand
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2008
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A wonderful and well-written book about the Master of Suspense. The author's access to the subject makes for a lot of interesting stories. Highly recommended.
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  • John Terence Jensen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Alfred Hitchcock
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The usual biography of the great director. It was interesting, but I learned nothing new and I've read better biographies.
    One person found this helpful
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  • G. N. Stainforth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, warm and understanding.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2010
    Format: Paperback
    Frankly I think this book is a delight. As someone who used to work in the film industry, I don't ever recall reading anything that gets all the best things about the movie world so right - the love and enthusiasm for the work - with precious little of the bitchiness. The sheer magic and humanity of it all is captured perfectly. As a result, I find this book strangely moving.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mariel
    5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved This Book
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2008
    Format: Paperback
    I thought this book was excellent. I love Hitchcock movies, and this is the first biography I have read. I thought it contained wonderful anecdotes and interviews with some of the most famous movie stars of the time. I loved the little summaries of each movie provided. Even though I have seen nearly all his movies--and watched them over and over again--I still found the summaries interesting. Some movies, for example, Topaz, have complicated plots and I liked being able to refresh my memory through the summaries.

    I loved that Chandler wrote from first-hand experience--it made me feel like I had the inside scoop. Now, when I watch his movies I think of the little stories I read in the book and it makes it that much more enjoyable. I devoured this book in about two days--I just couldn't put it down! My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • I Am Woman
    2.0 out of 5 stars So-so
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Quick delivery. Book looks like it was read in a pool and then stored in a basement for 50 years.
    One person found this helpful
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  • David M. Ballew
    3.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasant Read, Strong on Anecdotes
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2008
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    If you're looking for a meaty, substantial overview of the Master's technique and filmography, look elsewhere. As the title styles it, this is a "personal biography," which is another way of saying it is comprised mainly of anecdotes, and those mainly from people who loved Alfred Hitchcock. Granted, these well-chosen stories from actors, writers, and others privileged to know the man shine a few illuminating rays on his character, but they're not meant to give more than a broad overview of the trajectory of his career, and they don't.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • M. Del Carpio
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good one
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2013
    Format: Paperback
    Before I purchased this book, I read some of the reviews on how this bio falls short because we don't really get a good in depth look at the man who was Mr Hitchcock.
    With that said, I always enjoyed Charlotte Chandler's other bios particularly the one on Fellini which I feel is more insightful than this one. But It's Only A Movie holds its own nonetheless. Yes, it is true that the book focuses more on Hitchcock's movies rather than the man himself but it's still a worthwhile book to look into.
    For me starting to have dived into his filmography, I felt the behind the scenes stories for the films were very useful and made me look back at some of them such as Frenzy, The Man Who Knew Too Much with Peter Lorre, North By Northwest and Rope with a more open heart and watchful eye. I also got the chance to discover some of his other lesser known works like for example Marnie which was one of his more psychological films that I was able to truly appreciate and wouldn't have otherwise if I didn't read this book.
    Hitchcock himself has said many times that it's only a movie! But to just believe that would be a huge discredit to the man who actually made some of the most amazing movies ever in film history! There was and will always be one Hitch, hold the cock!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Blake&Mortimer
    2.0 out of 5 stars One-sided version of Hitch
    Reviewed in Canada on October 13, 2008
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Don't be fooled by Pat Hitchcock' blurb; this is far from the best book about her father. But it's no surprise she would say such a thing, considering the author's approach.

    Since Chandler's research consisted of interviewing mostly Hitchcock and his family, with a handful of friends and relations to round things up, of course what comes out in the end is the carefully crafted image Hitch and his circle wanted to put forward. You therefore get to read once again all the usual anecdotes and bons mots, so often recounted by now that they are delivered as flawlessly as scripted movie dialogue.

    No real new insights into the character of the man or into his career and artistic accomplishments can be found in this book.

    If you are looking for a truly useful biography of the director, showing both his good sides and his less stellar ones, you are much better to take a look at McGilligan's book or even Donald Spoto's, despite the latter's tendency to resort to yellow journalism gossip at times.
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  • jess
    5.0 out of 5 stars je recommande!
    Reviewed in France on October 14, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    personellement, j'ai adoré ce livre, à recommandé à tout les fans de Hitchcock! A ce prix ça vaut le detour.
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  • Malcolm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Ideal book for Hitch fans
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  • Robert Temple
    5.0 out of 5 stars All I wanted to know and more.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I was intreigued about Hitch from an early age and wanted to know more, this book allowed me that insight. Far more than the recent bio pics of the man have done. A good read
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  • lisa
    4.0 out of 5 stars great
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    One of our best we ha e ever had in the world & with such talant it really is a great read
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