HITCHCOCK Press Conference for 'Family Plot'

I recall reading excerpts from this press conference when Family Plot came out in 1976, and some excerpts turned up in later bios on Hitchcock.

But to actually SEE and hear it is a revelation, a reminder that there always seems to be some "Hitchcock archival material" out there that has not been fully unearthed yet; thanks to the miracle of the Internet(and YouTube)...here it is.

I haven't watched all of it, but I would say it is notable for showing that the "old and ill Hitchcock" -- about four years out from his death -- was still an alert and thoughtful man, especially if he could sit in a chair and not have to move about.

On the other hand, it is interesting to see Hitchcock invariably steer an answer to his "standard stuff", as when, early on, he indicates that Family Plot took two years to do(One for writing, one for production and post; that's interesting info) to (here's his standard stuff): "Avoid the cliche."

I'm afraid Hitchcock always talking about "avoiding the cliche" BECAME a cliche in his interviews, but it was his way of dealing with the same old questions.

Once cliche that "Family Plot" avoids, maybe to its detriment:

When Joe Maloney's drives past Blanche and Lumley and over the cliff, we expect the "cliche" of the shot of the car flying off the cliff and exploding. Hitchcock doesn't give us that -- and the shot seems odd: just a ground level view of the car disappearing over the edge out of sight. It feels cheap, slight, "a cheat."

But it sure does avoid the cliche!