Dr. Jack Sullivan

Dr. Jack Sullivan of New York City, professor of English and director of the American Studies Program at Rider University, has launched a tour for his newly released book, “Hitchcock’s Music” (Yale University Press, 2006).

Widely known in literary circles for his books on musical culture and the ghost story as a literary form, Sullivan offers new insight into Alfred Hitchcock, whom many regard as the master of the suspense film. Sullivan’s book fully explores the essential role music played in Hitchcock’s movies.

“For half a century, Alfred Hitchcock created films of gripping and memorable music,” said Sullivan. “Over his long career, Hitchcock presided over more musical styles than any other director, and ultimately he changed how we think about film music.

“The terrifying string music for ‘Psycho’ and the electronic score for ‘The Birds’ are widely celebrated, but Hitchcock’s music also encompasses comedy, romance, melodrama, operetta and many other genres. He used everything from Cole Porter to Wagner to capture emotions that could not be invoked by words or camera angles,” continued Sullivan. “Many assume he needed music less than other directors, but he actually needed it more.”

Sullivan’s book tour kicked off November 15 at Rider’s Westminster Choir College on the Princeton campus. Other book tour engagements include Barnes and Noble at Broadway and 83rd Street and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and the Art Gallery on the Rider’s Lawrenceville campus. He will also appear on the National Public Radio show, “Soundcheck.” (See below for a complete list of engagements.)

Based on extensive interviews with composers, writers and actors, and research in rare archives, Sullivan examines how Hitchcock used music to influence the atmosphere, characterization and storylines of his films. Sullivan explores the director’s relationships with various composers, especially Bernard Herrmann, and tells the stories behind Hitchcock’s musical decisions. He covers the director’s career, from early British works up to his final film, “Family Plot” (1976), in which he enlisted John Williams as his composer.

Sullivan’s most notable recent books are “New World Symphonies: How American Culture Changed European Music” (Yale University Press, 1999) and “Words on Music” (Ohio University Press, 1990). His earlier works include “The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural” (Viking/Penguin, 1986), which he edited, and his critically acclaimed “Elegant Nightmares: The English Ghoul Story from Le Fanu to Blackwood” (Ohio University Press, 1978), in which he examines the works of several recognized masters of the ghost tale. He later released a companion volume, “Lost Souls: A Collection of English Ghost Stories” (Ohio University Press, 1983), which includes stories from practitioners of supernatural fiction.

Jack Sullivan’s Book Tour for “Hitchcock’s Music”

November 30: Borders in the Time Warner Building, New York. Lecture and book signing. 7 p.m.

December 1: National Public Radio show: “Soundcheck”, WNYC New York, live interview, 2 p.m.

December 5: Barnes and Noble, Broadway and 83rd St. Lecture and book signing with an appearance by Hitchcock star, Farley Granger, featured in “Rope” and “Strangers on a Train,” 7 p.m.

December 7: Salon Talks, CUNY Lecture Series, Hunter College, New York, Lexington Ave. and 68th St. in The West Building, 8th Floor, Faculty Lounge, 6:30 p.m.

December 31: Museum of Modern Art New York., Titus II Theater, West 53rd St., “Screening of ‘Rebecca,’” with an introduction by Jack Sullivan, 2 p.m.

January 25: Barnes and Noble, Princeton, Route 1, 7 p.m.
February 19: Rider University, as part of the “Movies in America,” series at the Art Gallery, 4:30 p.m.

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