There is a hidden artwork in an alley in Nottingham that marks the city's connection to a famous filmmaker. Alma Reville was a talented filmmaker, editor, scriptwriter and director working in the film industry before she married her famous husband, Alfred Hitchcock, in 1926.
The mural, which was painted as part of the Surface Gallery Street Art Exhibition in 2021 by artist Mr Dak, is due to be re-painted next week to mark this year's festival which takes place on July 23. The alley is changed every year during the exhibition with new work from local artists.
Jez Kirby, exhibition co-ordinator at Surface Gallery, said: "Artist Mr Dak created an enormous image of Sir Alfred Hitchcock, an image that also credits Psycho, one of this director's more famous creations. One surprising thing to emerge, and only in the last month, is Alfred's connection to Nottingham."
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"When I was told that Hitchock's wife, Alma Lucy Reville, was born in Nottingham, in St Ann's, I was little sceptical. But I've confirmed that Alma was indeed a native of Nottingham and, having mentioned this to a number of people, this really seems to be an obscure and virtually unknown part of Nottingham's history."
Alma was born at no.69 Caroline Street in St Ann's on August 14 1899. She didn't stay in Nottingham for very long as her father took a job at Twickenham Film Studio so her family relocated to London when she was young. Alma had already been working in the film industry before she met her husband and together they created some of the best-loved classic horror films such as Psycho.
Alma co-wrote the 1943 psychological thriller classic Shadow of a Doubt, which was described by the New York Times as ‘a graphic and affectionate outline of a small-town American family’.
Hitchcock often spoke of his admiration for Alma and said that she was inspired his work. He also claimed that she aided him in becoming one of the most influential filmmakers of all time.
He wrote: "Alma is most extraordinary in that she's normal. She has a consistency of presence, a lively personality and a never-clouded expression."
There is also a plaque dedicated to Alma in St Ann's Library on the wall in the centre to commemorate 100 years. Her daughter, Patricia Hitchcock O' Connell, travelled to Nottingham to unveil the tribute on August 14, 1999. Sadly, a lot of St Ann's that existed in Alma's time no longer exist due to the changes to the area that took place in the 1960s and 1970s.
The plaque was a collaboration between Nottingham Trent University and Broadway to get something in the city to mark her contribution. Alma passed away in 1982 aged 82 and her ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. She was played by Helen Mirren in the 2012 film Hitchcock while Sir Anthony Hopkins played her husband.
Hilary Silvester, of the East Midlands Association of Civic and Historical Societies, spoke of the importance of the plaques in the city. She said: "It's important that people and events connect to commemorate in this way to remind people of the interesting people who lived here and events that occurred.
"It's interesting for people from outside and indeed the people who live where who may not be are that something makes the building or area more special."
Jez highlights that it would be great to see more mentions of Alma in the city. "Alma was herself a screenwriter and editor and needs to be much better known. In an era of statues coming down and representatives of previously marginalised groups going up, the perfect scenario would be for Alma to replace her more famous husband in the alley.
"Regrettably, we don't have the money at Surface to commission an artist to take this on; the alleyway is always offered as an opportunity and the artists are given the freedom to create and curate as they please. But it would certainly be nice to have a tribute to Alma, a positive role model to all aspiring female creatives, and an influential figure in her husband's life and work. Behind every great man there may be a woman, but perhaps it's time for Alma to step forward and have her day in the spotlight."
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