About this item
In 1933, Joan Harrison was a twenty-six-year-old former salesgirl with a dream of escaping both her stodgy London suburb and the dreadful prospect of settling down with one of the local boys. A few short years later, she was Alfred Hitchcock's confidante and one of the Oscar-nominated screenwriters of his first American film, Rebecca. Harrison had quickly grown from being the worst secretary Hitchcock ever had to one of his closest collaborators, critically shaping his brand as the "Master of Suspense." Forging her own public persona as the female Hitchcock, Harrison went on to produce numerous Hollywood features before becoming a television pioneer as the producer of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. A respected powerhouse, she acquired a singular reputation for running amazingly smooth productions - and defying anyone who posed an obstacle.
About the Author
Christina Lane is is the author of Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, the Forgotten Woman Behind Hitchcock (Chicago Review Press) . She has written several books, including Feminist Hollywood: From Born in Flames to Point Break and Magnolia, as well as articles on classical Hollywood stars, film history, and contemporary women directors.An associate professor of film studies and chair of the cinematic arts department at the University of Miami, she makes frequent speaking appearances and has provided commentary to such media outlets as NPR, the AirMail, and the Daily Mail. She is a member of the Women Film Critics Circle.Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, the Forgotten Woman Behind Hitchcock is the first biography of one of the most influential women of Hollywood's golden era, the woman who, working behind the scenes, shaped the screen style of Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense. More can be found at authorchristinalane.com.
