My concern here is with Hitchcock's representation of middle-aged mothers and mother figures. His young mothers are presented sympathetically: Kate in THE MANXMAN, Jill and Jo in each version of THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, Jennifer IN THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY, Rose in THE WRONG MAN. But his older maternal figures are a much more mixed bunch. The general consensus is that such figures in Hitchcock's films are usually viewed negatively, but that this is restricted to the American period. ‘Throughout his British films, Hitchcock's maternal figures are loving, sympathetic and attractive, even when they are slightly ridiculous’ (Leitch 1991: 133). Even Robin Wood writes that the fussy, bossy Aunt Margaret in YOUNG AND INNOCENT is ‘the closest figure in the British films to the monstrous mothers of the American period’ (Wood 1989: 284). Not so. Hitchcock's malevolent mothers go back TO EASY VIRTUE. As soon as we see Mrs Whittaker at the top of the stairs, about to descend to meet her son's bride, Larita, we recognise her instantly as the prototype of Mrs Danvers (REBECCA) and Mme Sebastian (NOTORIOUS): her whole demeanour signals hostility and repressiveness. At the end of Larita's first day in the Whittaker mansion, an inter-title informs us ‘During the days that followed, Mrs Whittaker made Larita's life a burden to her – in private. But she was all smiles and sweetness with her – in public.’

Mrs Whittaker's hostility stems from her conviction that the woman her son has married is unsuitable, even though it is not until later that she uncovers any evidence that Larita has a ‘scandalous’ past. What galls her is Larita's air of sophisticated irony, which is focused in the latter's retrospectively unfortunate habit of smoking incessantly. THE MANXMAN has a similar figure in Philip's repressive aunt, who has brought him up and who informs him that Kate, a pub landlord's daughter, is not suitable for a man who is destined to become Deemster (judge). It is the aunt's opposition which is crucial in rendering the love affair furtive and so prompting the consequent disaster. IN THE SKIN GAME, Jill's mother Mrs Hillcrist is the main source of the trouble between the two families.