Sun Sep 15 14:45:42 UTC 2024: ## Hitchcock’s Shame: Master of Suspense Refused to Meet Spielberg, Feeling Like a “Whore”
A tale of missed cinematic connections and a legendary director’s surprising self-consciousness has emerged, revealing a near-meeting between the titans of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg.
According to Bruce Dern, who worked with Hitchcock on his final film, “Family Plot”, a young Spielberg regularly visited the set, hoping to meet his idol. However, Hitchcock, despite being aware of Spielberg’s rising star after “Jaws”, repeatedly refused, declaring he felt like a “whore” in the presence of the “fish movie” director.
This bizarre confession stemmed from Hitchcock’s guilt over voicing a promotional piece for the Universal Studios “Jaws” ride, a move he considered selling out. This self-loathing made him too ashamed to engage with Spielberg, even though he had never actually seen “Jaws”.
Dern recounted the hilarious exchange, highlighting the clash of generations and the surprising humility of the master of suspense. The story illustrates Hitchcock’s complex feelings towards his own legacy, fearing the influence of a younger generation who he believed had taken his techniques and adapted them for a new era of blockbuster filmmaking.
This missed opportunity, despite its comedic undertones, highlights a fascinating parallel between these two filmmakers. Both Hitchcock and Spielberg mastered the art of suspense, utilizing the power of the unseen to create chilling tension. It’s a shame their paths never fully crossed, as a conversation between these cinematic giants could have been truly illuminating.
First Piper 