George Tomasini

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George Tomasini (born April 20, 1909, died November 22, 1964) was the genius American film editor who often worked with very closely with film director Alfred Hitchcock. Tomasini edited Hitchcock's most well-known works, such as Marnie, the horror film classics The Birds and Psycho, North by Northwest, Hitchcock's masterpieces Vertigo and Rear Window, as well as other memorable films such as the original Cape Fear.

George Tomasini was known for his innovative film editing which, together with Hitchcock's stunning techniques, redefined cinematic language. Tomasini's cutting was always stylish and experimental, all the while pursuing the focus of the story and the characters. His dialogue overlapping and use of jump cuts for exclamation points was dynamic and innovative (such as in the scene in The Birds where the car blows up at the gas station and Tippi Hedren's character watches from a window; as well as the infamous "shower scene" in Psycho). George Tomasini's techniques would be groundbreaking and would influence many film editors and filmmakers many years into the future, although few have matched his excellence.

[edit] Trivia

George Tomasini was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was married to silent film actress Mary Brian.

Like Alfred Hitchcock, George Tomasini never was awarded an Academy Award for best editing but he was nominated once for North by Northwest; he lost out that year to Ben-Hur's editors.