"You Ever Operate An Outboard Motor???????????......Of Course!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                           That, girls, is my favorite line in Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic, "The Birds," which David and I attended a 60th Anniversary screening of this past Sunday.  That line teaches the most important lesson from this film--a socialite can always be resourceful.  Of course, in this film, Melanie Daniels ('Tippi' Hedren) is a West Coast socialite, so what does this say for us East Coast socialites?  I will have to ask some of my East Coast socialite friends and find out.

                           I just love the subtextual sexuality of Suzanne Pleshette's performance as Annie Hayworth, the spinster schoolteacher.  Her evenings at home, with coffee and a book, remind me of my own.  If every spinster looked like her, they would not stay that way, for long!!!!!!   I love the "Persona" shots Hitchcock uses whenever they are together.

                            And though Jessica Tandy has a big hysterical scene, it is Veronica Cartwright who upstages her.  Fresh from 1961's "The Children's Hour," this consolidated her as the Queen Of Hysteria, a title that would remain well past her childhood years.  Think of her in Ridley Scott's "Alien!!!!!!!!!!!"

                             Rod Taylor--hubba, hubba!  Girls, we all want to look at him.  No wonder Annie pines for Mitch, but without a socialite background, she does not stand a chance.

                             Here is something I learned--although children are featured prominently in the two set pieces--the birthday party and school attacks--they are spread throughout the film.  In the opening scene, a little girl on the first floor of the bird shop is looking at birds.  When Melanie pulls up on the pretext of renting a room from Annie, children can be heard in the playground.  They are everywhere--a symbol perhaps, of the innocence of Bodega Bay, and that even trouble can be visited upon the innocent?????????????

                                                                           

                              Now, take a look at this shot, imagine it one frame ahead, and listen to what I am about to say.    From his American debut, with "Rebecca," in 1940, Alfred Hitchcock hated David O. Selznick, and it was mutual on Selznick's part.  So, in some of his film's Hitchcock would do things to rub Selznick the wrong way.  For instance, look closely at Raymond Burr, as the killer in 1954's "Rear Window."  Notice how closely he resembles David O. Selznick.   As for "The Birds,". recall what I said about moving the shot one frame.  If done, what you get is a replicatory shot of the fleeing from Atlanta scene in "Gone With The Wind," where Vivien Leigh is leading the way with a lantern, and Clark Gable is behind, carrying Olivia DeHavilland as Melanie, in his arms.  Think about the two images. They are virtually identical, and, as Selznick was still alive in 1963, it was Hitchcock's way of sticking it to him. Think about it next time viewing this film.

                               But, honestly, girls, "The Birds" is so much fun.  The city, vs. the country, Melanie's two-piece green outfit, heels, fur coat and hair, which we all want, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                And all the wonderful character actors in this film.  I am telling you, "The Birds" is so much fun.  If you have never seen it, you owe it to yourselves, darlings.  Who knows what lessons it may teach you??????????????

                                  Tweet, tweet, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!