A sharp eye for continuity flaws and a keen ear for dialogue allowed Alma Reville to refine motion pictures long before she became a household name. Born in 1899, she broke barriers in early film production, moving from tea girl to professional cutter and scriptwriter during an era when few women held technical roles.
Early Career in London
Reville began her professional journey at Twickenham Film Studios, where her father worked. By age 16, she attained the position of cutter, assisting directors with the assembly of motion pictures. Following the studio's closure in 1919, she joined Paramount's Famous Players–Lasky. There, she met Alfred Hitchcock while working on the 1923 film Woman to Woman. Her early industry involvement spanned various technical disciplines, including writing and assistant directing, roles largely inaccessible to most women at the time.
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Marriage in 1926 at Brompton Oratory solidified a lifelong partnership that defined much of 20th-century cinema. Although she frequently collaborated with her husband on projects like The Ring, The Lady Vanishes, and Shadow of a Doubt, Reville maintained an independent career. She worked with directors such as Henrik Galeen, Maurice Elvey, and Berthold Viertel, and co-wrote adaptations including The Constant Nymph in 1928. In later years, she focused on scripting and polishing her husband's projects, including Rebecca and Suspicion.
Technical Precision and Legacy
Known for her meticulous nature, Reville functioned as a crucial sounding board and editor. Her ability to identify minute errors, such as a character swallowing in Psycho, saved many scenes from continuity failures. In 1979, Alfred Hitchcock publicly acknowledged her role as his primary collaborator. After surviving breast cancer, Reville passed away on 6 July 1982 in Bel Air, at the age of 82. Her contributions are commemorated by a British Film Institute plaque in Nottingham, marking her 1999 centenary.
Fast facts
- Born: 1899, Nottingham
- Died: 6 July 1982, Bel Air
- Spouse: Alfred Hitchcock
- Daughter: Patricia Alma Hitchcock
- Citizenship: United Kingdom; United States
- First screenplay credit: The Ring (1927)
Questions readers ask
What specific contributions did Alma Reville make to Hitchcock's films?
She served as an editor, scriptwriter, and assistant director, known for her sharp eye for continuity and ability to refine dialogue.
Did Alma Reville work with directors other than her husband?
Yes, she worked with directors including Henrik Galeen, Maurice Elvey, Berthold Viertel, and Adrian Brunel.
Achievements
- Worked as screenwriter, film editor and writer
