Episode 164 - The Birds
From the 1952 short story by Daphne du Maurier, "The Birds" 1963 is a film that centers on surprising and aggressive bird attacks in and around the seacoast town of Bodega Bay, California. The movie also deals with complex family relationships and the growing romance between the wealthy and sophisticated Melanie Daniels played by Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor as the handsome and eligible bachelor Mitch Brenner. Director Alfred Hitchcock uses the characters, location, music and special effects to unfold a tale of drama and terror. Also in the film are Academy Award winner Jessica Tandy as Mitch's mother Lydia Brenner, Suzanne Pleshette as a teacher and Mitch's friend Annie Hayworth, Veronica Cartwright as Mitch's sister Cathy Brenner, Charles McGraw as Sebastian Sholes a fishing boat operator and many other excellent cast members. As the movie progresses we wonder what caused the bird attacks and are they wide spread. The movie is another example of Alfred Hitchcock's creative talent for filmmaking.