Book review - "Alma Hitchcock: the Man Behind the Woman" by Pat Hitchcock

Really sweet look at life with Alma and Alf Hitchcock but their daughter Pat. They seem to have been a loving family, with holidays and lots of times together, even after only child Pat married. The title is a bit misleading - while the book purports to be a bio of Alma, and the first few chapters are devoted solely too her, it is really about growing up with the Hitchcocks. It's not entirely Pat H's fault - Alma was such an integral part of Hitch that the two became one, really - to get a better appreciation of her specific contribution you'd have to go through all her particular notes, etc (supposing their were any). Alma and Alfred were two nerds who found each other. Pat is understandably a bit touchy about dad's reputation as a bit of a kink - he obviously was, you only need to look at his movies, but we all have that side to our nature, he just channelled it into his art for the world to see. Incidentally, Pat H turned in a number of fine comic relief performances in dad's films, she was never a passenger (specialising as the less attractive side kick to the heroine) - I was unaware she had a few decent Hitchcock-less stage credits before her film role. She mostly gave up acting after her marriage (to a chubby man - just like dad) - I don't think this was a major tragedy but she could have had a decent career as a character actor. A stronger picture of Alma does emerge than in most bios of Hitch - formal but with a twinkling sense of humour, loved cooking more than eating. A million dollar question is not answered (namely, what was it liked being married to such a fat man?) But this is lovely and moving and a real feel-good book.