I was the son of East End greengrocer William Hitchcock and his wife Emma. Raised as a strict Catholic and attending Saint Ignatius College, a school run by Jesuits, I had a regular upbringing. My first job outside of the family business was in 1915 as an estimator for the Henley Telegraph and Cable Company. My interest in movies began at around this time, frequently visiting the cinema and reading US trade journals.
In 1920, I learned that Lasky were to open a studio in London and I managed to secure a job as a title designer. I designed the titles for all the movies made at the studio for the next two years.
In 1923, I got my first chance at directing when the director of "Always Tell Your Wife" fell ill and I completed the movie. The studio chiefs gave me my first directing assignment on "Number 13." However, before it could be finished, the studio closed its British operation. I was then hired by Michael Balcon to work as an assistant director for the company later to be known as Gainsborough Pictures. In reality, I did more than this - working as a writer, title designer, and art director.
After several films for the company, I was given the chance to direct a British/German co-production called "The Pleasure Garden." My career as a director finally began. I went on to become the most widely-known and influential director in the history of world cinema, with a significant body of work produced over 50 years.
Many thanks go to Jim McDermott for this gorgeous illustration of yours truly!
