Alfred Hitchcock and Singer Island

Alfred Hitchcock, one of the most iconic filmmakers of all time, has a forgotten history with Singer Island. 

Hitchcock's glory was revealed in the 1950s and 60s with his staple mystery movies like "Psycho," "Rear Window," "The Birds" and "Strangers on a Train." He also rapidly became a television star from his comedic introductions on the series "Alfred Hitchcock Presents."

It was rumored at the time that the celebrity had visits to Singer Island, which brought many of his fans and paparazzi to the area for a chance to see him and get his autograph. But Hitchcock only visited Palm Beach County one time in his life- and it was before his fame in 1939 with his wife Alma. So the question arises: Where did the story come from that Hitchcock could be found on Singer Island? 

A man named Richard E. Decker decided to develop a business based off the famous director's stardom- a magazine he called "Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine." He used the name in exchange for a licensing fee, and from 1956 into the 70s, the fiction mystery journal became an award-winning publication and sold thousands of copies in dozens of countries. Can you guess the uncanny location for the main headquarters? The little town of Palm Beach Shores on Singer Island. 

Decker never advertised the name of the company on the door because he knew people would come knocking all day trying to meet Mr. Hitchcock. Even with his "secret location," every week Decker had people tracking down his office looking for the filmmaker. Many thought they might be lucky enough to stop by on a day when Hitchcock would be there, however he never once went to the HQ of the magazine. Still for years, fan detectives traveled to Palm Beach Shores only to find that their Oz was Richard E. Decker.

In a 1960s interview, the Palm Beach Post asked Decker why he chose the quiet little island to run an international business, and his answer was nothing short of the usual "sunshine full-time," as he put it. He and his wife were snowbirds who got tired of the northern winters. 

In 1975 the Deckers sold the magazine to new owners in New York, where it is still printed to this day.

You can check it out here.

Plus: In honor of Alfred Hitchcock's work, a special 60th anniversary screening of "Vertigo" will be shown in the following theaters around Palm Beach County this Wednesday, March 21st, where you can see the film at either 2 or 7 p.m.:

Regal Royal Palm

Cinemark Boynton Beach

Shadowood Boca Raton