Joan Harrison
Biography
Joan Harrison was an English screenwriter and producer born in Guildford, Surrey, England, United Kingdom, on June 20, 1907, or June 26, 1907, depending on the source. She had a long professional relationship with director Alfred Hitchcock, co-writing the screenplays for the films Foreign Correspondent and Rebecca, both released in 1940. She became the first female screenwriter nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar when that category was introduced in 1940. Additionally, she was the first screenwriter to receive two Academy Award nominations in the same year in separate categories for co-writing those two films, representing original and adapted screenplays respectively. Joan Harrison died on August 14, 1994, at the age of 87. A biography of Harrison titled Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, the Forgotten Woman Behind Hitchcock, written by Christina Lane, was published in 2020.
Career overview
Joan Harrison was an English screenwriter and producer born in Guildford, Surrey, England, UK. Throughout her career, she maintained a long professional relationship with director Alfred Hitchcock. She achieved significant milestones in the film industry, becoming the first female screenwriter to be nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award when the category was introduced in 1940. Additionally, she was the first screenwriter to receive two Academy Award nominations in the same year in separate categories. These nominations were for co-writing the screenplay for the original film Foreign Correspondent in 1940 and the adapted screenplay for the film Rebecca in 1940, both of which were directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Her career and contributions to the film industry later became the subject of a biography titled Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, the Forgotten Woman Behind Hitchcock, written by Christina Lane and published in 2020. During her lifetime, Harrison accumulated known credits in production and is recognized in film archives for her work as both a screenwriter and a producer.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
32 titles- I Am Alfred Hitchcock (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- American Playhouse (1982) Original Film Writer
- Journey to Murder (1971) Executive Producer
- The Most Deadly Game (1970) Producer
- Journey to the Unknown (1969) Executive Producer
- Journey to the Unknown (1968) Producer
- Journey Into Darkness (1968) Executive Producer
- A Talk with Hitchcock (1964) as Self
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) Producer
- The Children of Alda Nuova (1962) Producer
- Escape to Sonoita (1960) Producer
- The Man Who Found the Money (1960) Producer
- Startime (1959) Producer
- Suspicion (1957) Producer
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) Producer
- Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid (1955) Associate Producer
- Circle of Danger (1951) Producer
- Your Witness (1950) Producer
- Your Witness (1950) Screenplay
- Once More, My Darling (1949) Producer
- They Won't Believe Me (1947) Producer
- Ride the Pink Horse (1947) Producer
- Nocturne (1946) Producer
- The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry (1945) Producer
- Phantom Lady (1944) Associate Producer
- Dark Waters (1944) Screenplay
- Saboteur (1942) Screenplay
- Suspicion (1941) Screenplay
- Rebecca (1940) Screenplay
- Foreign Correspondent (1940) Screenplay
- Jamaica Inn (1939) Screenplay
- The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) as Secretary (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Joan Harrison best known for?
Joan Harrison is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including American Playhouse (1982), Chain Reaction (1996), The Eagle Has Landed (1976), The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962).
When and where was Joan Harrison born?
Joan Harrison was born on June 26, 1907 in Guildford, Surrey, England, UK. They passed away on August 14, 1994.
How many credits does Joan Harrison have?
Joan Harrison has accumulated over 32 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1934 to 2021.
What is Joan Harrison's background in cinema and television?
Joan Harrison was an English screenwriter and producer born in Guildford, Surrey, England, United Kingdom, on June 20, 1907, or June 26, 1907, depending on the source. She had a long professional relationship with director Alfred Hitchcock, co-writing the screenplays for the films Foreign Correspondent and Rebecca, bot...