Spellbound by Beauty Alfred Hitchcock and His Leading Ladies

"A fascinating look at a flawed and troubled genius whose creative influence still lives on."

"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" "[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 revealingbiography."
--"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."