He was a true visionary of his time.
By Isabella Ong — Written on Mar 31, 2019
The best suspense films keep you on the edge of your seat. You’re always guessing who the murderer is or who will die next. It's why we watch them.
Alfred Hitchcock, an English producer and director, was known for his suspenseful movies that portray a dark side to reality. The man was a genius when it came to gluing his viewers' eyes to the screen.
Even if you haven’t seen it, everyone has heard of "Psycho." This is a classic horror film is known for its daunting soundtrack and excellent story-telling.
Hitchcock was a man who used fears to create art. He had his own qualms and worries but didn’t allow that to stop him from making some of the best films in history.
Below are 25 of the best Alfred Hitchcock quotes about life, how to always keep yourself on your toes, and embracing your fears.
1. He knew to change your perspective.
“Luck is everything... My good luck in life was to be a really frightened person. I'm fortunate to be a coward, to have a low threshold of fear, because a hero couldn't make a good suspense film.” — Alfred Hitchcock
2. What was the last good film you saw?
“A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theater admission and the babysitter were worth it.”— Alfred Hitchcock
3. We’re all familiar with this feeling.
“Give them pleasure — the same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare.” — Alfred Hitchcock
4. Revenge is a dish best served cold... like ice cream.
“Revenge is sweet and not fattening.” — Alfred Hitchcock
5. The villain makes the film.
“The more successful the villain, the more successful the picture.” — Alfred Hitchcock
6. He understood that waiting is the best part.
“There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.” — Alfred Hitchcock
7. He wasn't afraid of a lengthy movie.
“The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder.” — Alfred Hitchcock
8. Be inspired to torture your viewers.
“Always make the audience suffer as much as possible.” — Alfred Hitchcock
9. Few movies can pull this off.
“If it's a good movie, the sound could go off and the audience would still have a perfectly clear idea of what was going on.”— Alfred Hitchcock
10. Do what you're good at.
“I am a typed director. If I made Cinderella, the audience would immediately be looking for a body in the coach.” — Alfred Hitchcock
11. Confront your fears through art.
“The only way to get rid of my fears is to make films about them.” — Alfred Hitchcock
12. Drama is inevitable.
“Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.” — Alfred Hitchcock
13. He knew that money talks.
“When an actor comes to me and wants to discuss his character, I say, 'It's in the script.' If he says, 'But what's my motivation?, ' I say, 'Your salary.'” — Alfred Hitchcock
14. Still true in 2019.
“I'm not against the police; I'm just afraid of them.” — Alfred Hitchcock
15. Hitchcock murders are poetic.
“In films murders are always very clean. I show how difficult it is and what a messy thing it is to kill a man.” — Alfred Hitchcock
16. There’s intimacy in the murder.
“Some of our most exquisite murders have been domestic, performed with tenderness in simple, homey places like the kitchen table.” — Alfred Hitchcock
17. His priorities were in order.
“This paperback is very interesting, but I find it will never replace a hardcover book — it makes a very poor doorstop.” — Alfred Hitchcock
18. Know your fears.
“I am scared easily, here is a list of my adrenaline production: 1: small children, 2: policemen, 3: high places, 4: that my next movie will not be as good as the last one. ” — Alfred Hitchcock
19. Fear is always around us.
“Fear isn't so difficult to understand. After all, weren't we all frightened as children? Nothing has changed since Little Red Riding Hood faced the big bad wolf. What frightens us today is exactly the same sort of thing that frightened us yesterday. It's just a different wolf. This fright complex is rooted in every individual.” — Alfred Hitchcock
20. Always be you, no matter what.
“If I won't be myself, who will?” — Alfred Hitchcock
21. Don’t be defined by your pain.
“When we think we have been hurt by someone in the past, we build up defenses to protect ourselves from being hurt in the future. So the fearful past causes a fearful future and the past and future become one.” — Alfred Hitchcock
22. Love everyone.
“Love those wrongdoers, they need it more than you.” — Alfred Hitchcock
23. Know the worth of your work.
“Some films are slices of life, mine are slices of cake.” — Alfred Hitchcock
24. Read a book every now and then.
“I don't want to appear disloyal to television, but I think reading will be good for you.” — Alfred Hitchcock
25. Discover yourself each and every day.
“I have a feeling that inside you somewhere there's somebody nobody knows about.” ― Alfred Hitchcock
If you're searching for the best quotes and memes to share with the people you love (or just want to feel inspired yourself) ... look no further! From the sweetest love quotes, inspirational sayings, and hilarious friendship truths, we've got you covered.
Isabella Ong is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.
