Donald Spoto

Movies

Shipwrecked in a Studio: The Making of Alfred Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn
A short documentary featuring Donald Spoto about the making of Alfred Hitchcock's 'Jamaica Inn'.
The Girl
Book
Director Alfred Hitchcock is revered as one of the greatest creative minds in the history of cinema. Known for his psychological thrillers, Hitchcock’s leading ladies were cool, beautiful and preferably blonde. One such actress was Tippi Hedren, an unknown fashion model given her big break when Hitchcock’s wife saw her on a TV commercial. Brought to Universal Studios, Hedren was shocked when the director, at the peak of his career, quickly cast her to star in his next feature, 1963’s The Birds. Little did Hedren know that as ambitious and terrifying as the production would be to shoot, the most daunting aspect of the film ended up coming from behind the camera.
Bernard Herrmann: Hitchcock's Maestro
Self
No director-composer collaboration has been more seminal to motion pictures than the partnership of Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann. In this documentary we examine the long and sometimes painful partnership that produced unforgettable musical scores for such films as Vertigo, Psycho, and The Man Who Knew Too Much.
Edith Head: Dressing the Master's Movies
Self
For over five decades, Edith Head's costumes helped define not only the style of Hollywood movies, but fashion itself. This documentary examines this celebrated costume designer's long and productive collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock on such films as Vertigo, Rear Window and The Birds.
In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy
Self
Films beget films. Filmmakers influence other filmmakers constantly. But the most influential filmmaker of all time is Alfred Hitchcock.
A history of violence
Himself
Set to a bebop jazz beat, this documentary brings to life the extraordinary work of graphic designer Saul Bass, whose groundbreaking title sequences for Hitchcock's films transformed the art of movie titles. Through interviews with directors such as Martin Scorsese and Guillermo del Toro, this film reveals why Bass is still considered the medium's greatest artist.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Playing Cat and Mouse
Self - Tennessee Williams Biographer
The Making of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Donald Spoto and Drew Casper.
Mrs. Stone: Looking for the Light in All the Dark Corners
Self
The making of the film with Donald Spoto.
Huston's Gamble
Himself
Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
Archbishop Cushing
Told in flashbacks as Jackie reflects on her life, mini is divided in two parts: Life as a Kennedy and life after Camelot.
Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
Executive Producer
Told in flashbacks as Jackie reflects on her life, mini is divided in two parts: Life as a Kennedy and life after Camelot.
Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
Book
Told in flashbacks as Jackie reflects on her life, mini is divided in two parts: Life as a Kennedy and life after Camelot.
Marilyn in Manhattan
Self