‘The Directors’ celebrates the lives of three legendary filmmakers

“The Directors,” a series that details the lives of three iconic filmmakers, comes to Arizona PBS on Thursdays at 8 p.m. starting Oct. 31. These directors had to survive war and poverty before getting their chance in Hollywood. Each episode is brought to life with moments from each subject’s film career, supported by insights from noted film critics, writers, and broadcasters.

Oct. 31: “Alfred Hitchcock”

He is one of the most influential directors of all time. Born in London in 1899, Hitchcock narrowly avoided being selected for military service in World War I, after which he would begin his film career. By 1939 he moved to Hollywood, where he became the “Master of Suspense,” directing classic thrillers such as “North by Northwest,” “Psycho,” and “Rear Window.”

Nov. 7: “Billy Wilder”

Billy Wilder didn’t even speak English when he moved to Hollywood. He spent his early career writing scripts for German movies in the ’20s, but quickly emigrated to Paris, then eventually the United States after Hitler rose to power. Despite not knowing the language at first, Wilder quickly broke onto the scene, and created legendary films such as “Double Indemnity” and “The Apartment.”

Nov. 14: “Howard Hawks”

Howard Hawks had more than 45 films to his credit. After his own time in the service during World War I, Hawks went on to direct pioneering films across many genres, from westerns to musical comedies. Throughout his career, he worked with superstars of the era, including Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Lauren Bacall and John Wayne.