Transatlantic Pictures
Encyclopedia
Transatlantic Pictures was founded by Alfred Hitchcock
and longtime associate Sidney Bernstein at the end of World War II
in preparation for the end of Hitchcock's contract with David O. Selznick
in 1947. In 1945, Hitchcock and Bernstein were involved with a planned 80-minute documentary on Nazi concentration camps which was eventually shown on television in the US and UK as Memory of the Camps (1985). They planned to produce feature films in both Hollywood and London
.
The first two Transatlantic films, Hitchcock's Rope
(1948) and Under Capricorn
(1949), both released in the US by Warner Brothers, had poor boxoffice returns. Rope was banned in several US cities due to the themes of homosexuality
, and Under Capricorn was overshadowed by Ingrid Bergman
's extramarital affair with director Roberto Rossellini
.
A third Hitchcock film, Stage Fright
(1950) filmed on location in London, began as a Transatlantic production, but was taken over by Warner Brothers as a Warners production. After the release of I Confess
in early 1953, Hitchcock and Bernstein planned to film the 1948 David Duncan
novel The Bramble Bush as a Transatlantic release. However, script and budget problems held up the production, Hitchcock and Bernstein decided to dissolve the partnership, with Warners giving Hitchcock permission to go ahead with Dial M for Murder
(1954) instead.
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
and longtime associate Sidney Bernstein at the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in preparation for the end of Hitchcock's contract with David O. Selznick
David O. Selznick
David O. Selznick was an American film producer. He is best known for having produced Gone with the Wind and Rebecca , both of which earned him an Oscar for Best Picture.-Early years:...
in 1947. In 1945, Hitchcock and Bernstein were involved with a planned 80-minute documentary on Nazi concentration camps which was eventually shown on television in the US and UK as Memory of the Camps (1985). They planned to produce feature films in both Hollywood and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
The first two Transatlantic films, Hitchcock's Rope
Rope (film)
Rope is a 1948 American thriller film based on the play Rope by Patrick Hamilton and adapted by Hume Cronyn and Arthur Laurents, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and produced by Sidney Bernstein and Hitchcock as the first of their Transatlantic Pictures productions...
(1948) and Under Capricorn
Under Capricorn
Under Capricorn is an Alfred Hitchcock historical feature film.-Production:The film is based on the novel Under Capricorn by Helen Simpson, with screenplay by James Bridie, and adaptation by Hume Cronyn. The movie was co-produced by Hitchcock and Sidney Bernstein for their short-lived production...
(1949), both released in the US by Warner Brothers, had poor boxoffice returns. Rope was banned in several US cities due to the themes of homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
, and Under Capricorn was overshadowed by Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman was a Swedish actress who starred in a variety of European and American films. She won three Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and the Tony Award for Best Actress. She is ranked as the fourth greatest female star of American cinema of all time by the American Film Institute...
's extramarital affair with director Roberto Rossellini
Roberto Rossellini
Roberto Rossellini was an Italian film director and screenwriter. Rossellini was one of the directors of the Italian neorealist cinema, contributing films such as Roma città aperta to the movement.-Early life:Born in Rome, Roberto Rossellini lived on the Via Ludovisi, where Benito Mussolini had...
.
A third Hitchcock film, Stage Fright
Stage Fright (film)
Stage Fright is a 1950 British crime film directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock starring Jane Wyman, Marlene Dietrich, Michael Wilding and Richard Todd...
(1950) filmed on location in London, began as a Transatlantic production, but was taken over by Warner Brothers as a Warners production. After the release of I Confess
I Confess (film)
I Confess is a drama film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and starring Montgomery Clift as Fr. Michael William Logan, a Catholic priest, Anne Baxter as Ruth Grandfort, and Karl Malden as Inspector Larrue. This was the only film Hitchcock made with these three actors...
in early 1953, Hitchcock and Bernstein planned to film the 1948 David Duncan
David Duncan (writer)
David Duncan, an American screenwriter and novelist, was born February 17, 1913 and died December 27, 1999 in Everett, Washington. He began writing professionally at the age of 33 after about ten years in government. His screenwriting career began in 1953 with the release of his first film and...
novel The Bramble Bush as a Transatlantic release. However, script and budget problems held up the production, Hitchcock and Bernstein decided to dissolve the partnership, with Warners giving Hitchcock permission to go ahead with Dial M for Murder
Dial M for Murder
Dial M for Murder is a 1954 American thriller film adapted from a successful stage play by Frederick Knott, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, and Robert Cummings. The movie was released by the Warner Bros...
(1954) instead.