Possibly Alfred Hitchcock's most popular and elaborate film, North by Northwest follows advertising executive Roger Thornhill's frantic cross-country race to free himself from a false murder charge and a mistaken identity pursuit by foreign spies. In a series of lively, self-contained chapters geared to both film buffs and casual viewers, the book explores all of the structural and thematic elements that combine to make this one of the master of suspense's most remarkable achievements. Hitchcock, Cary Grant, Hitchcock's favorite production team and a perfect cast including James Mason and Eva...

This comprehensive, deftly written book examines the visual and thematic connections between the four most famous American films to deal with the movie industry and the making of a star. Beginning with 1932's What Price Hollywood? and moving through the 1937, 1954 and 1976 versions of A Star Is Born, author James Stratton considers the style, structure, performers, production team and historical context that distinguish each film. Close analysis appraises the contributions of David Selznick, George Cukor, William Wellman, Constance Bennett, Janet Gaynor, Judy Garland, James Mason, Barbra...