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snommers's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting and detailed biography of Joan Harrison, who I'd heard of due to my interest in Film Noir, but never knew she was such a strong collaborator with Alfred Hitchcock. The book starts with Joan's life in Guildford, through college, and almost a happenstance interview that gets her a job as his secretary, but she quickly becomes Hitchcock's assistance. We get a solid look at her influence on Hitchcock, strong roles for women in his and her own films, as well as being influential in the film and TV industries.
abuck_2426's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
While Christina Lane is a good writer, I felt sometimes too disconnected from the events she described. Lane's prose is not quite academic, not too simple, just somewhat dry, with some passages coming across as forced to maintain the length of the book. Despite these shortcomings(my subjective opinion), I feel that i have learned about Joan Harrison and the fascinating life she led. I had never heard of her before I bought this biography. It seems she most often got a passing mention in Hitchcock's many biographies and within Documentaries if the filmmakers even managed to remember her name. That omission, I hope, has been rectified by this book and Television programs such as Noir Alley, hosted by the TCM channel.
caseykoester39's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely recommend this one. Christina Rice builds Joan Harrison's world with great care and detail, even without a lot of source material from Joan herself. The research required to accomplish this alone is staggering and my hat is off to her.
Each of the films she worked on is covered in a slow, purposeful way that makes the reader feel like we are really there with Joan, living it at the same time.
I also appreciated the handling of the personal life choice conversations (sex life, romantic partners, etc). Ms. Rice touches on rumors and known events with tenderness and is sure to note when a story is just an unverified rumor. It's all done with immense class and dignity, worthy of Joan Harrison's legacy.
Each of the films she worked on is covered in a slow, purposeful way that makes the reader feel like we are really there with Joan, living it at the same time.
I also appreciated the handling of the personal life choice conversations (sex life, romantic partners, etc). Ms. Rice touches on rumors and known events with tenderness and is sure to note when a story is just an unverified rumor. It's all done with immense class and dignity, worthy of Joan Harrison's legacy.
coffeecatreads's review against another edition
5.0
Phantom Lady is an excellent biography written by Christina Lane. It is about the woman named Joan Harrison. She was Alfred Hitchcock's right hand. He would not have been Alfred Hitchcock without her and her screenwriting. She wrote the movie Rebecca (by Daphne Du Maurier) and many others. She eventually ventured out on her own away from Hitchcock and struggled to make a big name for herself; the recognition and credit she deserved. Although, there were many projects she was involved in she was not credited for many of them. However, throughout her career she succeeded and became the first powerful female producer in Hollywood.
I grew up watching many of the movies mentioned in this book. I am so glad to have learned the facts that were behind the scenes. I enjoyed this book. I recommend it.
Thank you Books Forward for this ARC.
I grew up watching many of the movies mentioned in this book. I am so glad to have learned the facts that were behind the scenes. I enjoyed this book. I recommend it.
Thank you Books Forward for this ARC.
raquelstecher's review against another edition
5.0
A truly enlightening and empowering read. Highly recommended!
My full review: https://www.outofthepastblog.com/2020/07/joan-harrison.html
My full review: https://www.outofthepastblog.com/2020/07/joan-harrison.html
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