The Hitchcocks That Never Were

Back in Episode 21, we did a Top 6 Movies We'll Never Be Able To See list, which discussed movies that were lost or never completed. When I made my list, I hadn't seen this list of 13 aborted Alfred Hitchcock projects, or I'd probably have picked some of them. The list is interesting not so much for the plot synopses (which say little to nothing about how the finished film would have been) but Hitchcock's stated reasons for why they didn't get made.

Learning about stuff like this, especially from a director I love so much, is always interesting and a little sad -- because, wow, some of those projects look great and might have turned into masterpieces. Ultimately, though, it's hard to have any regrets. If Hitchcock had made No Bail For the Judge with Audrey Hepburn (a fascinating prospect), we wouldn't have had Psycho. On the other hand, I'd have taken Mary Rose for Topaz in a heartbeat.