The Birds is one of my all time favorite movies. If I happen to come across it while changing channels, I'll watch it, not matter where it is in the movie. I own the DVD, but I love the movie that much.
My sister, Pam, told me that a local theater was going to show The Birds on the big screen for one night only!
We hurried and bought tickets. My other sister, Linda, wanted to go, too.
Before the movie started, Alfred Hitchcock trivia questions like this one flashed on the screen. (Yes, I had my camera with me!)
(The answer is B. Notorious. Hitchcock thought the FBI had him under surveillance for three months because the film dealt with uranium.)
Before the movie began, which was sponsored by TCM (Turner Classic Movies, a GREAT TV station in the States that runs old movies non-stop), one of the hosts from that station did an interview with Tippi Hedren, who played Melanie in the movie. There is a scene in the movie where Melanie goes upstairs by herself because she hears something. She opens the door.....(this is the part where you are yelling - DON'T OPEN THE DOOR!) and a gazillion birds attack her!
Hitchcock told her that there would only be mechanical birds in the room. HE LIED! There were both REAL birds and FAKE birds! So the TERROR is real that you see in her eyes! She had somewhat of a nervous breakdown after that scene!
Here is the trailer for the movie. It has a little bit of the scene I am talking about.
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| taken in the theater |
Hitchcock did several cameo's in his movies and you can read about them here.
He is leaving when Tippi Hedren enters the pet store.
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| Those are his actual pets, too! |
One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Melanie is driving out to Bodega Bay in her fancy convertible to deliver the love birds and the winding roads cause the birds to sway back and forth.
At this point the young man behind me (about mid-30's) leaned forward and said quietly to me, "Are you about done?"
I said, "Why is this bothering you?"
"Yes"
"I am SO sorry!" I immediately put my camera away. I was very embarrassed. I really didn't think I was bothering anyone since I didn't use the flash, it was my small point and shoot camera, and I was taking the photos right from my seat. But I guess the "brightness" from the screen of the camera bothered him. I am always of the mind that my camera gives me a pass to do ANYTHING! I am bolder, AND, ANYTHING for the sake of my blog, right?
I wanted to apologize to the guy again when the show was over, but he was gone by the time we stood up to leave.
I soon forgot about the guy and got engrossed in to movie. Linda, had never seen it before, so Pam and I really got a kick out of her as she had her face covered through most of the movie and had to squelch several screams!
It was great to see this classic on the big screen. You should check your local theaters because TCM is sponsoring several of showings in the coming months of old favorites.
Speaking of birds, could you imagine coming across these? Watch this fantastic video!
13 comments:
I love The Birds and have seen it several times. It would be fun to see it on the big screen. Even after seeing it so many times there are still parts that make me jump.
The last time we were in Bodega Bay just after I had seen the movie, I kept looking over my shoulder for birds. You never know!
oh what a treat...it is a great movie...they just dont make them like he did...need to drop that in the suggestion box at the local dollar theatre.....perfect for the season as well...
It is years since I saw that film. I remember bragging that I wasn't scared... bet I would be if I saw it now though.
The flight of birds in the video was amazing. I'm glad there was a note at the end about the starlings.
Hitchcock was a genius. I never look at huge numbers of birds without getting freaked out since watching that masterpiece!
I remember that one was scary movie!
I loved Hitchcock and The Twilight Zone as a child. That delicious finger of fear tickling my spine. Nothing compares, nothing.
I saw that movie about 35 yrs ago...and EVERY time i see a flock of birds I think about it....that is crazy!
When I was a little girl, The Birds scared me too death!
I love The Birds but my favorite is Rear Window. Hubby and I saw it on the big screen a couple of weeks ago. Loved it. Enjoyed your post.
I love The Birds but my favorite is Rear Window. Hubby and I saw it on the big screen a couple of weeks ago. Loved it. Enjoyed your post.
That movie scarred me to death when I was young. To this day I can't see a flock of birds, usually crows or vultures that doesn't have me thinking of that movie.
Love this post and the walk down memory lane. I remember the theatre that I first watched it at.
Sharon
fitandhealthybabyboomers@blogspot.com
Hitchcock was surely a master! I always loved his movies and The Birds was no disappointment!
As you are looking for books to read you should check out Daphne Du Maurier (who wrote the book The Birds was made from). She is a very good writer. I have read most of her books. She writes love stories and some sci-fi.
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