Farley Granger

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Farley Granger, born on July 1, 1925, in San Jose, California, was a distinguished American actor whose career spanned film, stage, and television.

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Discovered by Samuel Goldwyn, he made his mark with early roles in The North Star (1943) and The Purple Heart (1944). His burgeoning career was briefly paused due to his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

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Granger’s is best remembered for his collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock in Rope (1948) and Strangers on a Train (1951), the latter he described as his "happiest filmmaking experience". These roles displayed his skill and versatility, earning him critical acclaim.

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Beyond Hitchcock, he delivered memorable performances in They Live by Night (1948) and Senso (1954), showcasing his range across various genres.

 

Openly bisexual, Granger candidly discussed his relationships in his autobiography, Include Me Out: My Life from Goldwyn to Broadway (2007). He outlived his long-term partner, producer Robert Calhoun, and passed away on March 27, 2011, in New York City, aged 85.

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Robert Walker

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Robert Hudson Walker (1918-1951) was an American actor best known for his chilling portrayal of the antagonist in Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train (1951).

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Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Walker’s early life was marked by his parents’ divorce, which deeply affected him. His maternal aunt, Hortense McQuarrie Odlum, recognized his interest in acting and funded his studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

 

Walker’s career began with minor roles in films like Winter Carnival (1939) and These Glamour Girls (1939). His breakout role came in See Here, Private Hargrove (1944) which was followed by with Since You Went Away (1944), where he starred alongside his first wife, Jennifer Jones.

 

His boyish charm and acting prowess quickly made him a Hollywood favorite, leading to notable roles in The Clock (1945) and Till the Clouds Roll By (1946).

Despite his success on screen, Walker’s personal life was fraught with difficulties. He battled alcoholism and mental health issues, struggles that were intensified by his divorce from Jones.

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Tragically, Walker’s life ended prematurely at age 32, several months after the release of Strangers on a Train, due to an adverse reaction to prescription drugs administered by his physiatrist. His road to stardom was brief but it still left its mark on Hollywood.

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Alfred Hitchcock

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Alfred Hitchcock, born on August 13, 1899, in Leytonstone, London, was a pioneering British film director and producer. Known as the 'Master of Suspense', Hitchcock’s career spanned over six decades, during which he directed more than 50 feature films.

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His innovative techniques in the thriller genre, such as the use of camera movement to mimic a person’s gaze, have left an indelible mark on the film industry

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Hitchcock’s most notable works during his peak period include classics like Rear Window (1954), Vertigo (1958) and  Psycho (1960). His films often explored themes of voyeurism, identity, and the macabre, and he was known for his meticulous storyboarding and unique narrative style.

 

Hitchcock’s ability to build tension and create suspenseful atmospheres, along with his distinctive profile and dry wit, made him a household name and earned him numerous accolades, including the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1979. Despite his immense success, Hitchcock never won an Academy Award for Best Director, though he was nominated five times.

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He passed away on April 29, 1980, in Los Angeles, California. Hitchcock’s legacy endures through his influential body of work, which remains a testament to the power of cinema to captivate, intrigue, and provoke thought.