Alma Reville
Actor
About Alma Reville
Alma Lucy Reville was a pioneering figure in early British cinema who began her career as a film cutter and scriptwriter at the London Film Company in 1916. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the few women in technical positions during the silent era, working as an editor, assistant director, and scriptwriter. Her collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock began at Gainsborough Pictures in the early 1920s, where she worked as his assistant on films like 'The Farmer's Wife' and 'The Man Who Knew Too Much.' The two married in 1926, beginning one of cinema's most famous creative partnerships. While she had brief acting appearances in her early career, including a minor role in 'The Lodger' (1927), her true talent lay in script development and editing. She contributed to nearly all of Hitchcock's films, often rewriting dialogue, spotting continuity errors, and suggesting crucial plot improvements. Her keen eye for detail and storytelling sense earned her the nickname 'the most important person in his life' from Hitchcock himself. She continued working as Hitchcock's closest collaborator through their Hollywood years, co-writing 'Suspicion' and contributing to classics like 'Psycho' and 'The Birds.'
The Craft
On Screen
Though she had very limited acting experience, her early performances in silent films were characterized by the naturalistic style emerging in British cinema of the 1920s. Her brief appearances were typically minor roles that demonstrated her understanding of film technique rather than dramatic performance.
Milestones
- Became one of the first women film editors in British cinema
- Met and married Alfred Hitchcock in 1926
- Co-wrote 'Suspicion' (1941) earning an Academy Award nomination
- Served as Hitchcock's closest creative collaborator for over 50 years
- Received an Honorary Academy Award in 1968 with Hitchcock
- Made significant contributions to over 30 Hitchcock films
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Academy Honorary Award (1968) - shared with Alfred Hitchcock
- New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay (1941) - for 'Suspicion'
Nominated
- Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, Original Screenplay (1942) - for 'Suspicion'
Special Recognition
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (shared with Alfred Hitchcock)
- BAFTA Fellowship (1979) - posthumous recognition of her contributions to British cinema
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Alma Reville broke barriers for women in the film industry during an era when technical and creative positions were dominated by men. Her role as Hitchcock's closest collaborator challenged traditional gender roles in Hollywood and British cinema, demonstrating that women could excel in behind-the-camera creative leadership. She was instrumental in developing many of the suspense techniques that defined Hitchcock's signature style, contributing to the evolution of the thriller genre. Her work helped establish the importance of script development and continuity in filmmaking, practices now considered fundamental to quality cinema production. The success of their partnership also influenced how creative collaborations in film were perceived, showing that marriage and professional partnership could coexist productively.
Lasting Legacy
Alma Reville's legacy is that of cinema's most influential but often uncredited creative partner. While Hitchcock became a household name, Reville's contributions to his masterpieces have been increasingly recognized by film historians and scholars as essential to their success. She paved the way for women in film editing and screenwriting, demonstrating that creative vision transcended gender barriers in the industry. Her meticulous approach to storytelling and technical perfection set standards that continue to influence filmmakers today. The enduring popularity of Hitchcock films she helped shape ensures her artistic legacy lives on, even when her name doesn't appear in the credits. Recent scholarship and documentaries have worked to restore her proper place in film history as an equal creative force rather than merely 'Hitchcock's wife.'
Who They Inspired
Reville influenced generations of filmmakers through her work on Hitchcock's classics, which served as masterclasses in suspense and narrative construction. Her attention to detail and narrative economy became hallmarks of quality filmmaking that directors still study today. Women in film editing and screenwriting have drawn inspiration from her pioneering role in a male-dominated industry. Her collaborative approach to filmmaking demonstrated the value of creative partnerships, influencing how directors and writers work together. The technical precision and narrative clarity she brought to Hitchcock's films continue to serve as benchmarks for thriller and suspense filmmaking.
Off Screen
Alma Reville met Alfred Hitchcock at Gainsborough Pictures in the early 1920s, where their professional relationship blossomed into romance. They married on December 2, 1926, at Brompton Oratory in London, beginning a partnership that would span 54 years until Hitchcock's death in 1980. They had one daughter, Patricia Hitchcock, who became an actress. The family moved to Hollywood in 1939 when Hitchcock signed with David O. Selznick. Despite Hitchcock's notorious reputation for psychological manipulation with others, Alma was his trusted confidante and creative equal throughout their marriage. She was known for her sharp wit, diplomatic nature, and unwavering support of her husband's career while maintaining her own professional identity.
Education
Attended St. Mary's Convent School in Nottingham; largely self-taught in film technique through hands-on experience in the early British film industry
Family
- Alfred Hitchcock (1926-1980)
Did You Know?
- She was only 16 when she began working in the film industry
- She was credited on only a handful of Hitchcock films despite contributing to most of them
- Hitchcock once said 'You are really the most important person in my life' about Alma
- She discovered the famous continuity error in 'Psycho' where Janet Leigh appears to breathe after being dead
- She was a practicing Catholic who converted Hitchcock to Catholicism before their marriage
- She appeared in more than 20 films as an actress in the early 1920s
- She was known on set as 'Lady Hitchcock' after her husband was knighted in 1980
- She received a higher salary than most female screenwriters of her era
- She spoke fluent French and German, which helped during their European film productions
- She was instrumental in convincing Hitchcock to adapt 'Psycho' when other studios rejected it
In Their Own Words
I'm the only person who knows exactly what he's thinking at any given moment
The only person who ever really understood Alfred's work was me
I'm the one who has to live with him, so I have to understand him
Alfred always said that I was the only person who ever criticized him constructively
I've been in films for fifty years and I still don't know what it's all about, but I'm still learning
A film is like a marriage - it needs constant attention and care to survive
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Alma Reville?
Alma Reville was a pioneering British film editor, screenwriter, and assistant director who was best known as Alfred Hitchcock's wife and closest creative collaborator. She worked on nearly all of Hitchcock's films from the 1920s through the 1960s, contributing crucial script revisions, editing insights, and creative suggestions that shaped his signature suspense style.
What films is Alma Reville best known for?
While she worked on dozens of Hitchcock films, she's particularly associated with 'The Lodger' (1927), 'Suspicion' (1941), which earned her an Oscar nomination, 'Psycho' (1960), 'The Birds' (1963), 'Vertigo' (1958), and 'North by Northwest' (1959). Her early acting role in 'The Lodger' is also notable, though her primary contributions were behind the camera.
When was Alma Reville born and when did she die?
Alma Lucy Reville was born on August 14, 1899, in Nottingham, England, and died on July 6, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 82. She outlived her husband Alfred Hitchcock by two years.
What awards did Alma Reville win?
Alma Reville received an Academy Honorary Award in 1968 (shared with Alfred Hitchcock) and was nominated for Best Original Screenplay for 'Suspicion' in 1942. She also won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay for 'Suspicion' and received a posthumous BAFTA Fellowship in 1979.
What was Alma Reville's creative style?
Reville's creative approach was characterized by meticulous attention to detail, particularly in continuity, pacing, and narrative structure. Her background in editing gave her a unique perspective on visual storytelling, and she was known for spotting technical errors and suggesting crucial plot improvements. She had an exceptional eye for what worked on screen and wasn't afraid to challenge Hitchcock's ideas when necessary.
How did Alma Reville influence Hitchcock's films?
Reville was instrumental in developing Hitchcock's signature suspense techniques, often suggesting key plot points, improving dialogue, and ensuring narrative coherence. She discovered major continuity errors, convinced him to make crucial changes, and was his most trusted creative advisor. Her contributions were so significant that Hitchcock often said she was the only person who truly understood his work.
Was Alma Reville only an actor?
No, while she had brief acting roles in her early career including a minor part in 'The Lodger,' Reville was primarily known as a film editor, screenwriter, and assistant director. Her acting was limited to the early 1920s before she focused on behind-the-camera work, where she made her most significant contributions to cinema.
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Films
1 film
