The formidable force always behind Hitchcock

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Ms. Mirren agreed. "He was creating a brand," she said of the director, "and incidentally Alma recognized that. The success of that brand made them a lot of money and allowed them to enjoy a rather expensive lifestyle."

"Hitchcock," which stars Anthony Hopkins, deals with the lifestyle and the financial risks Hitchcock took on "Psycho." Its director, Sasha Gervasi, said that "the key elements are based in things that actually happened." These include Reville's contributions to the Hitchcock oeuvre, particularly "Psycho."

Hitchcock did not want Bernard Herrmann's music used in that film's famous shower scene, Mr. Gervasi said, but "Alma insisted. And it was only because of his absolute trust in her that it's included." He added, "She played a critical role not just in that scene but in the history of cinema."

Her instinct for the right thing is shot through Hitchcock's work, he said, but she wasn't interested in fame. "She just wanted to make his films a little greater."

The New York Times