"With the complete cooperation of the Hitchcock estate and unprecedented access to the director's notes, files, and archives, Dan Auiler takes you from the very beginnings of story creation to the master's final touches during post-production. Actual production notes from Hitchcock's masterpieces join detailed interviews with key production personnel, including writers, actors and actresses, and his personal assistant of more than thirty years.".

"Mirroring the director's working methods to give you the actual feel of his process, the book explores the production files of Shadow of a Doubt, Strangers on a Train, North by Northwest, and others, as well as the legendary lost works: The Mountain Eagle and the unfinished film Kaleidoscope.

Highlighted by nearly one hundred photographs and illustrations, chapters focus on finding and constructing the right story (featuring interviews with such renowned screenwriters as Charles Bennett, Samuel Taylor, and Ernest Lehman); envisioning the film (from storyboards to set design); the filming (spotlighting Hitchcock's innovations and trick shots); music; and much more."--BOOK JACKET.