A DOCUMENTARY film is to be screened in Walthamstow celebrating the life of film director Alfred Hitchcock.
The early east London life of the world famous film director, who grew up in Leytonstone, is explored in a film to be premiered as part of the Mayor's Story of London Festival.
The legendary "Master of Suspense" was born above his father's grocery store in Leytonstone during 1899 and went on to produce some of the most influential films of all time including ‘North by Northwest’, ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much’, 'Psycho' and ‘The 39 Steps’.
The 70-minute documentary film 'Alfred Hitchcock in East London' uncovers the lesser known facts about his early life and pinpoints the key local sites from his formative years which still exist today.
Writer and director Bill Hodgson of the McGuffin Film Society, which produced the film, said: “Hitchcock is one of the most important figures in cinema history but most people are ignorant of his associations with east London.
“The documentary examines how his background profoundly influenced his later success and why his legacy is still valuable to the area.
"Hitchcock has been the subject of more books than any other director yet his early years are often overlooked or, at best, misunderstood."
The film retraces his steps around Leytonstone and identifies the old cinema buildings where as a young boy he was first exposed to motion pictures.
The young Hitchcock was also very familiar with Epping Forest as he often accompanied his father as he delivered groceries in the vicinity.
His favourite childhood treat was attending the fairgrounds and circuses which regularly pitched up at Wanstead Flats.
In addition, the documentary examines Hitchcock's associations with the long forgotten Walthamstow film industry.
It features contributions from Roy Ward Baker, Hitchcock's assistant director on 'The Lady Vanishes'; Charles Barr, author of the seminal 'English Hitchcock', and veteran actor Murray Melvin.
It was produced to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Britain's first talking picture and is the culmination of a year's research and filming, developed with the assistance of the Museum of London and British Film Institute.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Alfred Hitchcock is one of the great filmmakers and an important part of the Story of London.
"His work at the Gainsborough Studios, where Islington meets Hackney, help put the capital on the film map but much less is known about his early life in east London.
"I'm delighted the McGuffin Film Society has produced this new documentary. It will provide a fascinating insight into his early life in a part of London that continues to be at the forefront of London's creative scene".
'Alfred Hitchcock in East London' will be screened at 8pm on Saturday, June 27, at the Heathcote Music Venue, 344 Grove Green Road, Leytonstone.
Tickets are available now and advance booking is advised. For further details visit mcguffin.info The Story of London Festival runs throughout June and features hundreds of events across the capital.
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