Albert William Ingram (b. 1928)
Albert William Ingram, better known as Bill Ingram, was the nephew of Alfred Hitchcock and worked within the British film industry.
Biography
He was born outside of marriage to Albert Edward Ingram and Hitchcock's widowed sister, Ellen Kathleen Lee in April 1928 at St. Margaret's Nursing Home, Surrey Square, London. According to divorce papers lodged in early 1928, Albert Edward — who was married to Elizabeth "Bessie" McParlin at the time — had begun an affair with Ellen Kathleen in 1927.
Likely due to his illegitimacy, Bill Ingram's birth was not registered until 1932 and he grew up with foster parents, occasionally visiting his mother.
He married Elizabeth Lock in 1960 and they had at least two children.
An article published in Variety stated that Ingram began working for a British film distribution company aged 14.[1] He later became involved in film production and editing, before returning to film distribution.
By September 1971, Ingram had become VP in charge of operations for the UK subsidiary of Technicolor.
According to biographer John Russell Taylor, as Technicolor processed the rushes for Frenzy (1972), Ingram took the opportunity to introduce himself to his uncle:
Finally on one occasion they were alone together in the viewing theatre for a few minutes and he took the opportunity to mention their relationship to Hitch. According to him Hitch, who had up to then been very amiable, immediately clammed up, and from then on Technicolor could do no right, and further tête-à-têtes were avoided like the plague.[2]
Towards the end of 1978, he resigned from Technicolor to set up Simba Film Ltd, "to buy and sell theatrical and television product".[3]
In March 1980, Variety reported that Ingram would become president of Harword's Introvision, a manufacturer of projection systems.[4]
By the mid-1980s, Ingram was the managing director of the Filmbond Services group, from which he stepped down in August 1985 in order to become the MD of Bonded Services International Limited.[5][6]
Albert William Ingram died in 2011 in Norfolk, England, aged 83.
Influence on Alma and Alfred Hitchcock
Although some aspects of Albert William Ingram's birth remain uncertain — particularly the decision for him to be raised by foster parents, rather than by his biological parents, and the decision to unlawfully not register his birth — it is worth noting that the events may well have influenced Alma Reville (who was pregnant with daughter Patricia at the time) and Alfred Hitchcock:[7]
- Following Bill's birth, Hitchcock's next project was an adaptation of The Manxman, which includes the theme of a married woman giving birth to an illegitimate child by another man.
- Alma Reville's next project was writing the scenario for The First Born (1928), directed by Miles Mander. The plot involves the adoption of an illegitimate child and the subsequent repercussions.[8][9]
- Following the incident when Bill introduced himself to Hitchcock during the production of Frenzy, the director chose to adapt Victor Canning's The Rainbird Pattern — one of the main strands of the plot revolves around an elderly relative who feels guilt over the circumstances of the birth of a nephew who was then given up for adoption.
See Also...
Image Gallery
Images from the Hitchcock Gallery (click to view larger versions or search for all relevant images)...
Genealogy
- son of Albert Edward Ingram (b. 1902) and Ellen Kathleen Lee (b. 1892) née Hitchcock
- nephew of director Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (b. 1899)
- also known as Bill Ingram
Birth
- born 09/Apr/1928 at 30 Surrey Square, London, SE17[10]
Siblings
From his mother's previous marriage to Harry Lee (b. 1892):
Marriages
- married 1960 to Elizabeth Mary Ethel Lock[11]
Children
- William Paul Ingram (b. ~1965)
- Robert Michael Ingram (b. ~1968)
Death
- died 26/Dec/2011 in Norfolk[12]
Documents
Birth Certificate (1928)
Notes & References
- ↑ It is implied he began his career in the booking department of Warners UK in a later article published in Screen International.
- ↑ New introduction in Hitch: The Life and Times of Alfred Hitchcock (2013) by John Russell Taylor
- ↑ Variety (04/Oct/1978)
- ↑ Variety (26/Mar/1980)
- ↑ Variety (21/Aug/1985)
- ↑ Filmbond Services is currently known as Filmbond Video Services Limited.
- ↑ I'm particularly grateful to Nathalie Morris for her comments about these likely influences.
- ↑ BFI Screenonline: The First Born
- ↑ Wikipedia: The First Born
- ↑ Birth registered 18/Apr/1932 Southwark. 28-30 Surrey Square was St. Margaret's Nursing Home, which appears to have been a private property used for training midwives. This was located a short walk from a property at 239 Old Kent Road owned by Ellen Kathleen's uncle, John Sylvester Hitchcock.
- ↑ Marriage registered Q1 1960 Chelsea, Middlesex.
- ↑ Source: http://trees.ancestry.co.uk/tree/20671472/person/18025865743 and UK Probate Office.
