Comments on: Joan Harrison: In Hitch’s Shadow

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:38:59 +0000

Hitchcock seemed to have a tough time recognizing his writers as Charles Bennett, who wrote screenplays for several of his English movies expressed some bitterness over his lack of recognition, as did John Michael Hayes, an American writer who adapted several works into screenplays in the fifties.

I think it’s interesting that the very discreet and loyal Harrison, who didn’t seem to mind playing second fiddle to “The Master” maintained the longest relationship to Hitchcock and his family. She, as well as the director’s other collaborators, deserve more credit than the auteur theory would give them. This is a very well done, and needed article, Moira.

By: Joan Harrision Article on TCM’s Movie Morlocks « The Hitchcock Papers

Joan Harrision Article on TCM’s Movie Morlocks « The Hitchcock Papers — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:00:53 +0000

[...] a link to a recent article on Hitchcock writer and TV producer Joan Harrison on TCM Movie Morlocks [...]

By: TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

TCM’s Classic Movie Blog — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:47:59 +0000

[...] Parker (without Campbell, apparently), was asked to spruce up the finished Peter Viertel and Joan Harrison script about the wrongly accused factory worker (Robert Cummings) running for his life from the [...]

By: moirafinnie

moirafinnie — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:23:05 +0000

I'm so glad that others found Joan Harrison to be an interesting influence on Hitchcock and a really fascinating filmmaker apart from him. After I started to look at the shifts in tone and characterization in the films Hitch made after Harrison joined his team, it made his work more complex and interesting to me, as I hoped it might be for others too. I only wish that certain Harrison-produced films such as Phantom Lady and particularly The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry were both commercially available on Region 1 dvds. (I'd be first in line for any dvds of director Robert Siodmak's other less well known films, such as The Suspect (1944), The Dark Mirror (1946) and Cry of the City (1948) too). The movies that Harrison helped to create seem to be compelling and offer a decidedly feminine take on the mystery & film noir genre. Al, I wish that I could have found better photos too. I found Harrison's image to be pretty scarce, though there were plenty of interviews with her stemming from her work as a producer in the '40s and '50s. Joan Harrison, (unlike her inspiring mentor) does not appear to have had the urge to get her face on camera much. Therefore we are left with tantalizing descriptions of an appealing Englishwoman with a highly professional polish, but few photos seem to have captured her on film. Thanks very much to each of you for taking the time to comment on this post.

By: Al Lowe

Al Lowe — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:45:28 +0000

You chose well in featuring Ms. Harrison. I wish we would have had better photos but I’m sure you did the best you could. Good job.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:41:03 +0000

Fascinating and inspiring. Thank you for enlarging my knowledge.

By: medusamorlock

medusamorlock — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:20:41 +0000

As a kid I was always almost thrilled to see Joan Harrison’s name on the credits of “The Alfred Hitchcock Show” — even as a young girl I recognized that there weren’t too many female names in that aspect of the business. She sounds like a grand lady!

Lovely post, Moira!

By: Suzi Doll

Suzi Doll — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:44:24 +0000

I thought I knew a lot about Hitchcock, but I did not know of the enormous contributions of Harrison. Next time I teach Hitchcock, I am going to bring her into the discussion. Nicely done.

I am so glad that you thought of focusing on women for the month of March. I am having a good time finding topics. You rule.