Hitchcock Chronology: 1920

Overview

During the summer, Hitchcock, who was keen to work for Famous Players-Lasky British Producers Limited, submits a portfolio of title cards for The Sorrows of Satan and The Great Day and is eventually hired by the studio's Supervising Art Director, Norman Gregory Arnold. He initially begins working for the studio on a freelance part-time basis.^[1]^[2]

The February 1920 issue of The Henley Telegraph contains a contribution from Hitchcock entitled "Sordid".^[3]
25th - The company John Hitchcock Ltd, established by Hitchcock's uncle John Silvester Hitchcock, is registered with Companies House in London.

12th - Hitchcock's nephew, Clifford John Lee, is born to parents Ellen Kathleen and Harry Lee at 1 Rupert Street, Whitechapel, London.

22nd - J.M. Barrie's melancholic play Mary Rose debuts at the Haymarket Theatre in London. According to some sources, Hitchcock saw the play on the first night.
23rd - The Times carries a review of the first night of J.M. Barrie's play Mary Rose at the Haymarket Theatre, "It is like nothing you have ever seen and yet full of everything you have seen from a child up. Its ghosts are almost more human than its creatures of flesh and blood, so that you subdue your shiver to love them."^[4]

6th - Famous Players-Lasky's new Islington Studios is officially opened. It is regarded as being the most technically advanced studio in the country.^[5]
18th - The Times newspaper carries an article about Famous Players-Lasky's new Islington Studios, describing the large water tank (used for underwater filming) and detailing the ingenious method by which the studios can overcome the notorious London fog, should it enter the building.^[6]

The September 1920 issue of The Henley Telegraph contains a contribution from Hitchcock entitled "And There Was No Rainbow".^[7]

The December 1920 issue of The Henley Telegraph contains contributions from Hitchcock entitled "What's Who?" and "The History of Pea Eating".^[8]