When They Were Making It

When Alfred Hitchcock's first bid for independence failed, he pivoted — and began a career-defining decade that would bring some of his most celebrated films, transform him into a household name, and lead him toward a gamble that would change Hollywood forever.

Continuing our October Halloween series, this is Part 2 of our three-part look at the life of Alfred Hitchcock.

After Rope and Under Capricorn brought his first attempt at independence to an end, Hitchcock returned to Warner Bros. and began rebuilding. Stage Fright, Strangers on a Train, and I Confess followed — along with new collaborators, including cinematographer Robert Burks, and the beginning of his partnership with Grace Kelly in Dial M for Murder.

Then came Paramount. A landmark deal negotiated by Lew Wasserman gave Hitchcock greater freedom, a share of his films' profits, and eventually ownership of some of his greatest work. With Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, The Trouble with Harry, and The Man Who Knew Too Much, he entered the extraordinary run that would make him one of Hollywood's most successful directors.

At the same time, Alfred Hitchcock Presents made him a household name. But success brought its own complications: the end of key creative partnerships, Grace Kelly's departure from Hollywood, Hitchcock's plans for Vera Miles, and the difficult production of Vertigo with Kim Novak — a film that initially disappointed, despite eventually becoming one of his most celebrated.

This episode follows Hitchcock from the collapse of Transatlantic Pictures to North by Northwest, the spectacular hit that left him with more control than ever before. And then, after the biggest production of his career, he began looking for something smaller, darker, and far more dangerous: Psycho.

Part 3 of our Alfred Hitchcock series — covering Psycho, The Birds, Marnie and Tippi Hedren, Hitchcock's struggle to keep pace with a changing Hollywood, Frenzy, and his final years — releases next Tuesday, October 27.

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When They Were Making It is written, produced, and hosted by Patrick Rankin. Original artwork by Simone Beech and original music by Lionel Ziblat.

Join WTWMI: The Backlot — our Patreon — for exclusive extras including mini and full-length bonus episodes, episode companion pieces, and behind-the-scenes materials at https://www.patreon.com/WhenTheyWereMakingIt.

For episode information, show notes, upcoming episodes, and more, visit whentheyweremakingit.com.

Follow WTWMI on Instagram and TikTok: @whentheyweremakingit. On Instagram, we share visual companion pieces for every episode, bringing the images, people, places, and atmosphere behind the story to life.

New episodes of When They Were Making It drop every Tuesday. Follow now wherever you get your podcasts.
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Creators and Guests

Host
Patrick Rankin
Creator and host of When They Were Making It, a narrative documentary podcast exploring classic Hollywood — from the silent era through the early 1960s.

What is When They Were Making It?

The real human stories behind classic Hollywood's greatest films and legends.

Marilyn Monroe. Casablanca. Audrey Hepburn. The Wizard of Oz. Charlie Chaplin. Breakfast at Tiffany's. Alfred Hitchcock. Sunset Boulevard.

What do they all have in common?

They had to make it first.

Each week, we go beyond the legend to explore classic Hollywood's biggest icons and most beloved films.

Not the myths. Not the takedowns. The whole human story.

From the silent era to the early 1960s — the people, the films, and the impossible work of becoming a legend.

WTWMI is written, produced, and hosted by Patrick Rankin. Original artwork by Simone Beech and original music by Lionel Ziblat.

A new chapter every Tuesday. Follow wherever you get your podcasts.