1:11:00
(Hilton Green) After Family Plot, there
was a discussion on his next project.
1:11:03
He'd always have one in the wings,
1:11:05
and there was a book that he liked
called The Short Night and...
1:11:11
I got involved in that much more than
I had in the last few pictures of his.
1:11:16
He was all set to go on the project,
and it was going to be a great project.
1:11:21
But I was very disappointed
that he couldn't go on.
1:11:30
I remember the day very vividly
in my mind.
1:11:34
I was up in my office
and got a call from Sue, his secretary,
1:11:38
saying that Mr Hitchcock
wanted to see me right away
1:11:40
and it was very important.
1:11:43
Well, of course, I dropped everything
and went down to his office
1:11:47
and went into his office,
and it was just the two of us.
1:11:50
And he was behind his desk,
and he almost had tears in his eyes.
1:11:55
And he said, "I can't go on."
I said, "What are you talking about?"
1:11:58
He said, "I can't make this picture, and I
would like you to do a favour for me."
1:12:04
And I said, W ell, of course,
I'll do a favour, but why -"
1:12:07
He says, "I'm just not up to it, and I'm
not strong enough to go on location."
1:12:13
I said, "But we'll do it for you."
1:12:16
"You're there. You tell us
what to do, and we'll do it."
1:12:18
He said, "I'm never going to make
a movie again. I want you to call
1:12:23
Mr Wasserman and let him know I can't
face him." And I'll never forget that.
1:12:28
I called Mr Wasserman and went up
and told him that Mr Hitchcock was retiring.
1:12:35
And it was a... It was a horrible,
horrible moment for me.
1:12:39
And it was really tough
on Mr Wasserman too.
1:12:47
I think with most of his pictures
1:12:49
toward the end of his career,
1:12:51
I believe your first reaction,
"Gee, is he slipping?"
1:12:56
Or "Is this not as good
as his previous pictures?"