In the old days villains had moustaches and kicked the dog. Audiences are smarter today. They don't want their villain to be thrown at them with green limelight on his face. They want an ordinary human being with failings.

Mystery is an intellectual process... But suspense is essentially an emotional process.

I would almost say that the best screen actor is the man who can do nothing extremely well.

I enjoy playing the audience like a piano.

[When accepting the American Film Institute Life Achievement award] I beg permission to mention by name only four people who have given me the most affection, appreciation, and encouragement, and constant collaboration. The first of the four is a film editor, the second is a scriptwriter, the third is the mother of my daughter Pat (Patricia Hitchcock), and the fourth is as fine a cook as ever performed miracles in a domestic kitchen. And their names are Alma Reville.

The only way to get rid of my fears is to make films about them.

Television has brought back murder into the home - where it belongs.