TalkingHitchPress!
A Quarterly Publication Printed with the Ink of Fresh Suspense!
ISSUE 3-AUTUMN 2024
Curtain Up…
Welcome to the Autumn 2024 edition of TalkingHitchPress! As we transition out of another season and head towards the end of the year, I’ve tried to find some rare moments of quiet and calm to reflect on the last 12 months-and what a whirlwind time I have had! It’s been vibrant, varied and full of lots of amazing Hitchcock experiences!
Since writing my last newsletter in Summer, Talking Hitchcock has continued its tour with a round of very exciting events and I’ve also had some wonderful in-depth conversations with incredible guests on the podcast. My love of Hitchcock continues to grow, expand and deepen and I’m forever thankful to everyone around me who contributes to keeping this enthusiasm going and for supporting my work. As I always say, I am a student of Hitchcock and there’s nothing I enjoy more than learning from my study of his films as well as from others.
ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS on the big screen!
I was absolutely delighted that Talking Hitchcock was invited to be part of the Square Eyes TV Festival this year in partnership with the incredible Mockingbird Cinema! I had such an amazing afternoon hosting the event at the beginning of November. It was really such an honour to curate/introduce a selection of episodes from the ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS series and bring this to the big screen!
Thank you so much to those who supported the event & huge thanks to the stellar team at Mockingbird Cinema who are so welcoming, make sure everything runs smoothly and always take great care of me. This was my third event here this year so this wonderful cinema is beginning to feel like a 2nd home!
Bringing THE BIRDS to Mockingbird Cinema!
In October, I hosted a Talking Hitchcock event in collaboration once again with Mockingbird Cinema Birmingham.
This was such a fun and fantastic evening! I loved sharing thoughts/theories on the film in my introductory talk & a big thank you to Liz Bishop for doing such a superb job of hosting the post film Q and A! Also, hugest thank you’s to Lee and the team at Mockingbird Cinema for partnering with me and making sure the event ran smoothly-you are the nicest bunch of people and work so damn hard!
It was such a joy to talk some Hitchcock in person as well as having the opportunity to meet listeners! I was feeling quite overwhelmed at all the lovely comments and feedback I received from people and all the amazing conversations I had on the night.
TO CATCH A THIEF at Widescreen Weekend Festival!
I was absolutely honoured to be contacted by the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford who invited me to take part in their incredible programme for Widescreen Weekend Festival! I was delighted to introduce TO CATCH A THIEF (unfortunately I was in Spain at the time so couldn’t attend in person) but I offered my thoughts and perspective in a prerecorded talk. The work done to bring this festival together is truly outstanding, big thank you to Programme Manager Bex Hill for being amazing and also for taking this snap on the day!
Interview with HITCHCOCK’S BLONDE!
It was so wonderful to be interviewed by an author, journalist & fellow Hitchcock enthusiast, Paula Apanowicz for her blog Hitchcock's Blonde! Read my thoughts on the women of Hitchcock, innovative forms of expression & why VERTIGO is my favourite film! Also, make sure you check out the rest of Paula’s Hitchcock Blog too!
Rebecca McCallum-Hitchcock Interview-Hitchcock's Blonde
Latest episodes of Talking Hitchcock Podcast:
THE LODGER (1927) with Adam Robinson
In the latest ep of the pod I am joined by special guest , award-winning writer, performer, theatre-maker and workshop leader Adam Robinson for a deep dive episode into what is often referred to as the first true Hitchcock film.
We carry out our own wet off the press investigations, discussing the film in detail as well as exploring new readings of the McGuffin, Gothicism, bringing danger into the domestic and the beauty of Ivor Novello …
Thank you so much to Adam for a wonderful conversation!
Listen here-THE LODGER (1927) with Adam Robinson
NOTORIOUS (1946) with Ali Taylor
Make sure you step carefully, quietly and unseen into the wine cellar for this feature length episode where amongst other things, my special guest and I discuss modes of identification, daddy issues and that kiss! Keep tight hold of that key as you are invited to join us for a deep dive of what might be best described as 'a film of faces.'
In this epic episode which lasts almost FIVE HOURS (!!!) I am joined by Assistant Professor, film lecturer and author of multiple books-Ali Taylor! There was so much to be said about NOTORIOUS that we had to meet three times and I could not have wished for a more wonderful guest-thank you for bringing me literally hours of joy!
Listen here- NOTORIOUS (1946) with Ali Taylor
Supporting the Podcast:
If you listen to Talking Hitchcock and enjoy what you hear, I’d be incredibly grateful if you would consider helping to spread the word about the pod by telling a friend and by leaving a positive review on your podcast platform of choice.
Sharing my voice and having the opportunity to exchange thoughts with others on Hitchcock is a constant joy for me but a lot of time, hours, passion, thought and energy goes into this podcast, into my writing and events so thank you to everyone who listens to the podcast, who reads my essays and articles and for supporting me-it means so much to me to connect with and to hear from you and to know that my work in the Hitchcock filed is being enjoyed.
If you’d like to help support me in continuing to make this content, you can buy me a coffee or make a donation here.
Guest Spots & New Work!
The Boxing Movie Podcast with Steve Hunt
It was such a pleasure to be invited to guest on the amazing The Boxing Movie Podcast, created and hosted by Steve Hunt! Steve’s been a great supporter of Talking Hitchcock from the beginning so it was really good fun to record with him and bring our love of Hitch and Boxing together in one episode! We discussed 1927’s THE RING -this was a great chat and I particularly appreciated getting to talk about a lesser known Hitchcock film. You can listen to our episode here: The Boxing Movie Podcast-THE RING (1927). If you are interested in boxing, you can also pre-order Steve’s upcoming book Heavyweight Title Fights Of The 1980s, from Amazon or via McFarland here: Heavyweight Title Fights of the 1980s - McFarland (mcfarlandbooks.com)
THE 39 STEPS for Hemlock Books
I was thrilled to be back in print again with Hemlock Books for The Age of Thrills series writing about Hostility, Hospitality and Finding a Home in THE 39 STEPS (1935)!
The work Hemlock do is incredible and all their publications are so beautiful! I am always honored to be featured and to be given the opportunity to share my perspective on Hitchcock. You can pick up your copy of the issue now by visiting Hemlock Books.
Mothers, Men and Memories-Revisiting MARNIE at 60!
Listeners of the pod will know that MARNIE is a firm Hitchcock favourite of mine and I was delighted to write this commission for Fangoria to celebrate its 60th anniversary! Read my essay here: Mothers, Men And Memories: Revisiting Hitchcock's MARNIE At 60 (fangoria.com)
Star Billings
Here are the stars who have twinkled brightly in my Hitchcock world this quarter, thank you to you both!
Liz Bishop-Just thinking of Liz makes me feel warm and fuzzy! We have been friends for a few years and she is one of the sweetest and smartest women working in horror that I know! This year, I’ve also shared the stage with her as she has so kindly hosted the Q and A segments for Talking Hitchcock screenings of REAR WINDOW and THE BIRDS. I was lucky enough to be sat next to her for her first experience of REAR WINDOW and it was such a pleasure to see all her reactions! She has been outstanding as a Q and A host and has given my Hitchcock brain so much to think about with all her amazing insights and perspectives. Liz-you are my glitterball forever! Thank you so much for all your love, support and friendship.
Where to find Liz
X/: @kill_lizt / Instagram: @kill_lizt
Liz is also the co-host of Yammityville Horror Podcast which you can listen to here: Yammityville Horror Pod.
Mike Snoonian-Big overdue thank you’s to my good pal Mike, although there are many miles between us, he continues to be a such a great support and source of encouragement to me! He is the host and creator of The Pod and the Pendulum Podcast podcast which looks at horror franchises and he is also the co-host of Off the Hook Podcast (along with myself) where we discuss the legendary horror film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Recording with Mike is such a joy and his knowledge knows no bounds! Thanks so much Mike for all the support you show me, you are totally and utterly swell!
Where to find Mike
X: @mike_snoonian / Instagram: @mike_snoonian
Where to find The Pod and the Pendulum Podcast
X: Instagram: pod_and_the_pendulum
Where to find Off the Hook Podcast
X: @offthehookpod74 / Instagram: @offthehookpodcast74
Seeing Double
Psycho (1960) / Alien (1979)
Still Itching for more Hitch…?!
Pop on a bit of Bernard Herrmann, pour yourself a nice cup of tea and dig into some of my work! Here you’ll find Hitchcock essays and podcasts galore Talking Hitchcock -Rebecca McCallum-Linktree.
A lot of hard work, time and passion goes into all my projects so if you enjoy my work and would like to make a gift of thanks. you can buy me a coffee or make a donation here Buy Rebecca McCallum a Coffee.