Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did Alfred Hitchcock begin working in the film industry?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Master of suspense — Alfred Hitchcock Alfred Hitchcock's talent as both filmmaker and storyteller is abundantly evident in a film catalog that includes *Dial M for Murder*, *Vertigo*, *Psycho*, and *The Birds*.

Alfred Hitchcock’s entry into the film industry was rooted in his artistic background. While working in the advertising department of W.T. Henley’s Telegraph Works Company, he pursued his interest in drawing and design at the University of London.1

His proficiency in these fields helped him secure a position in 1920 with the British branch of the American film company Famous Players–Lasky, where he was hired to design title cards for silent films. When the studio closed its British operations in 1922, Hitchcock remained at the Islington facility. He gradually took on broader responsibilities, working as an art director, production designer, editor, assistant director, and writer for various independent producers. He eventually transitioned into directing, beginning with the unfinished comedy Number 13 (1922) and his first released work, Always Tell Your Wife (1923).12