I just googled Tippi Hedren. Today is her 94th birthday. She is Melanie Griffith’s mother and Dakota Johnson’s grandmother. Alfred Hitchcock was a genius in his presentation of a plot. He likes to take one variable, and stretch it to the nth degree. You are so right about the calm parts of the movie. It added to both the mystery and the realism. By the way, your mole is cute. You also have a beautiful singing voice.
I know it might not be top of people's list, but my fav Hitchcock is Family Plot, Bruce Dern absolutely nailed it! Oh and this (and Vertigo) were wonderful reaction, thanks Miranda! Next stop - your Psycho reaction!
Alfred Hitchcock often gives himself cameos in his own films. In Psycho, he is seen walking past Marion's workplace when she returns from lunch. In this film, he is the gent walking his two dogs out of the pet shop as Melanie is walking in. He hosted his own TV show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, so he was a familiar face to most Americans.
I had a pet bird as a kid, a youngling crow, Crowley, a wild orphaned bird. He got used to hanging around our cottage and we fed him insects and water. He was a very well-behaved specimen and rested on our shoulders when we were in a hammock. After the summer he still could not fly yet, and we did not have the heart to leave Crowley to his fate. So we packed him in a cardboard box and he got a ride to our city home. I learned that crows are some of the smartest birds there are and very curious too. He took up the habit of watching tv with us, and always recognized his favorite tune. Hearing it he hobbled to the living room and learned to fly on top of a dresser to watch. Next summer he learned to find his own food and even fly. Eventually he joined some flock and still visited us now and then to scrounge for edibles.
My mom raised birds as a hobby. Crows will eat almost anything if they get hungry enough and can pull it apart. - They start with the soft bits: Ears, eyes, nose, tongue, fingers and genitals. ONE of them is enough to do some real damage, but the amount in this movie? ... Have you ever read the book? :)
Mysterious forces were at work making you get into the mood to watch "The Birds" and upload it on Tippi Hedren's 94th birthday. Happy 🎂 Birtheday Ms. Tippi Hedren, and wonderful accidental tribute Miranda .
You saw a classic! Jessica Tandy (Lydia) is a national treasure, along with her husband Hume Cronyn. Check out their careers. The little girl is played by the wonderful Veronica Cartwright- she played Lambert in ALIEN. Thank you for reacting to this. BTW I visited Bodega and the schoolhouse is still there.
Tandy and Cronyn are international treasures. Jessica Tandy is English and Hume Cronyn is Canadian. He is in Lifeboat and Shadow of a Doubt and worked with Hitchcock on developing the story for Rope.
The male actor at the start is Rod Taylor, he's an Australian. He's been in many movies over the years, two which come to mind are The Time Machine and Welcome to Whoop Whoop.
I laughed each time you said "I can't wait to find out what's causing this" because of course I knew the film ends without any explanation being given, and it's a very open-ended ending - there's no resolution to the plot, the main characters just drive away but you don't know what happens to them or if the situation with the birds is ever resolved.
The Birds is simply a movie inspired by a real event where birds starting slamming into homes in Monterey Bay, CA in 1961. Growing up in the area it was well known history and covered by the local news.
Also loosely based on the 1952 short story of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The event from 1961 inspired Hitchcock to research and he found this story. In the 1961 incident the culprit turned out to be toxic algae, (discovered much later). 🪶
Exactly. In August 1961, hundreds of shearwaters slammed onto the roofs of the small Californian town of Capitola. Now researchers have found out: A neurotoxin made from algae is believed to have been responsible for the birds' attacks.
Another recommendation: "Rebecca" is a movie based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier and directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1940. This film is considered a cinematic masterpiece that showcases Hitchcock's ability to bring stories to life. The narrative is captivating, and with Hitchcock's direction, "Rebecca" remains a timeless classic in cinema.
Another amazing film reaction. What a cast in the film. Rod Taylor as Mitch, Tippi Hedren as Melanie and the legendary Jessica Tandy as Mitch's mother. In addition to Suzanne Pleshette and Veronica Cartwright as Mitch's sister. Veronica Cartwright would go on to play the role of Lambert in Ridley Scott's 1979 film Alien. And the name of the town, Bodega Bay? The opening scene of the early 90's horror film Sleepwalkers is set in a town named Bodega Bay. Stephen King wrote the screenplay for Sleepwalkers. I will close by saying that if you want to see another movie with Rod Taylor, I highly recommend 1960's The Time Machine, based upon the classic novel by H.G. Wells. Mr. Taylor plays the role of The Time Traveler. It is one of my favorite movies ever.
"Rear Window" is awesome and I always thought "Rope" deserves more love than it gets. And if you like Annie, Suzanne Pleshette is great in Blackbeard's Ghost (which is a comedy despite the title) Edit: Also, in the short story the movie is based on, the birds go back to acting normal and there's never an explanation.
I first saw Rear Window when it was my turn to run movie night on my Navy ship in the late ‘80’s and it became instantly a favorite movie for me. So good! And Princess Grace!
Great reaction! I was loving it every time you said you were getting closer to an answer...a few times finding myself shaking my head, "No, you aren't." The reaction at the end was the best, when the end credits started, like a whole body WTF, when realizing no explanation was coming.
One of my favorite quotes from Hitchcock is, "The terror is not in the bang. It's in the anticipation of it." He sure knows how to draw out the suspense. :-)
The school park bench scene where she's just sitting there smoking and the birds slowly gathering is a master class in creating tension without any sound other then the children singing which makes it even creepier.
About 10 years ago I saw this movie in the home of a friend who had lovebirds. These birds normally stayed in one corner outside their cage, just hanging out. When “The Birds” was playing, they ran up and down the hall screaming like crazy. It took a couple of days for them to completely return to normal. Since then I’ve been wondering what those birds were saying in bird language.
Hello Miss Miranda, it's a joy seeing you get back to the films of Alfred Hitchcock. I'm a Hitchcock fanatic myself and it definitely makes watching High Anxiety a more delightful experience. I've enjoyed watching you fall down the Mel Brooks rabbit hole. Lol! The man knows how to spoof. I would definitely recommend watching Vertigo, Rear Window, North by Northwest and Spellbound before tackling High Anxiety as far as Hitchcock goes. Hope you have an awesome day, cheers.
I agree. I was going to make the comment that "High Anxiety" is a spoof of Hitchcock, not "old movies like that" or however Miranda put it. The more Hitchcock you know, the more rewarding "High Anxiety" is. Even down to the fact that the plot concerns "the wrong man," a favorite Hitchcock plot device, which is found in "North by Northwest" but not these other mentioned movies. Aside from understanding the movie "High Anxiety," these movies you've mentioned are simply among the best movies ever made. My particular favorite is "Vertigo."
One of the major aspects of this film that makes it pure nightmare fuel is that no explanation is ever given for the bird's behavior. The subtle apocalyptic undertone at the end only make it more terrifying.
How many times does an explanation leave us 'flat' and disappointed in what otherwise would've been decent enough fun, even if campy or less than stellar. Who likes midi-clorians?
@@terrylandess6072 "Maximum Overdrive" did exactly that. The original story forewent any form of explanation, leaving the phenomenon purely supernatural. The film offered a "scientific" reason that just raised more questions than it answered.
Yep. Conscious choice by Hitch too. He knew of an actual event where birds suddenly attacked a small town, it was his inspiration for the film. That was caused by an algae that poisoned some of the local bird population and sent them crazy. But Hitch decided it was better not to explain so as to instil the fear that it could possibly happen for real. This is why he's the best !
Your reactions are adorable, it's such a delight watching you react to older movies and you really seem to enjoy both the movies and yourself reacting to them. Please, never stop doing those ;)
Great reaction! Agreed that movies explain too much sometimes. We don’t always get all the answers IRL either. Okay, I like the Mirandalorian a lot but each week she has a new fear! Girl how is you even leaving your home?!?
What a great reaction Miranda….. and yes that end is very British…. Leave more questions than answers… Hitchcock was a genius. Loving the fact your loving it.
The birds is one of my favorite, I'm glad that you're getting a chance to watch it, hope you like it, now you'll be watching birds when you go out a different way.
I want to let you know that they did do the birds 2, it's an okay I think it came out in 1990 or 1994, I'm really not sure but try to see if you can find that,
I first saw this movie on Turner Classic Movies when I was 9 or 10. It freaked me out to the point where I didn’t want to go outside for a while. Now it’s one of my favorite horror films, it builds anxiety so well.
+1 for TCM showing great movies straight through, when the rest of cable is choked with interrupting commercial adverts. I stumbled onto North by Northwest after the credit were over, knowing nothing about the movie, and it turned out to be my favorite watching experience, ever.
Another great reaction. I’m older than you. I 1st saw this when I was a kid back in the 70s. It was scary then. I still think of this movie when I see birds on a dreary day. Traumatized. 😳. 👏👏😊🥰 oh and I also have a mole on the side of my nose. I ignore it. 🥰🥰
Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors. You should watch more of his films. Love your dog. Hi Toby! I have a 79 lbs. puppy named Rufus who will be 2 years old in April.
The explanation is your own imagination, love this film my 2nd Favourite Hitchcock film ever, how did they train the birds ? stroke of Genius yet again from Alfred the Great. Love your reaction Maranda as ever ❤ Visited Bodega Bay 1 month back on the,9th March 2024 beautiful little Town .❤
Hitchcock's work is amazing. In the 1930's and 1940's it was mostly solid crime suspense movies. In the 1950's he made the most lush and literally colofurl classy suspense movies of all time. State of the art, all of them. In the early 1960's he went more towards "horrorful suspense" themes.
I would love to see you react to Rio Bravo, my all time favorite western. Such a great movie and so few reactions to it. Great job as always, very entertaining. Found your channel looking for RDR2 play throughs and I'm hyped that you do movie reactions as well!
This was my number one favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie growing up. I love everything Alfred Hitchcock has ever done, but this tops the list. I see recommendations from others for movies that you really should consider watching. Rear window is definitely one that you need to check out and also The Rope is Amazing. The Rope is actually based on a real life pair of murderers. A few tidbits about The Birds, the star - Tippi Hedron will have a daughter one day named Melanie Griffith. The movie was filmed in Bodega Bay, which is a popular destination for Californians seeking a little relief from the valley heat. I celebrated my 40th birthday there where my friends and we reenacted the scene in this movie, where the children are running from the school. It was a blast! 😂😂❤️❤️❤️
Well done. That's the best ending reaction I've ever seen! I watched this film at a friend's house all those years ago when few houses had television, and then had to walk home a mile or so in the dark under trees, where I expected a gang of birds to attack at any second.
It was really fun watching you comment continually about the 'why' knowing they dont explain it, Miranda! Nature doesn't debrief humanity! PS, i feed about 20 birds and 4 baby squirrels daily. One of my cats passed last July and i was seriously down and missing him. I was out feeding the birds and a white female pigeon hopped on my sweater and hung flapping each of her wings on each side of my ribs. I simply stood there not knowing what else to do. She did the hug for 45 seconds, hopped back off onto the rail and looked at me. I went to give her some bread crumbs, figuring thats why she did it. She didnt take the bread. She looked at me and then flew off. The birds, once they trust, are very bonding and affectionate. Dont let the film bum you on them! Love the podcasts and especially Young Frank! Funny commentary in a seriously funny film. Go to Shot In The Dark with Peter Sellers. You'll be blown away by how funny it is.
Yep. You definitely want Vertigo under your belt. The Birds is based on a short story by Daphne DuMarier. It's the second of her stories he adapted for the screen. The other one was the first movie he made after moving to California. It's called Rebecca! and imo is far the better of the two works. A real mind bender. At least two of DuMarier's other stories were made into movies, My Cousin Rachel and Don't Look Now! The latter was made in the early 70s and is a skin-crawling supernatural gem. My other favorite Hitchcock films are The Lady Vanishes, Marnie and West by Northwest. Psycho is in category all by itself. Have fun!
I laughed when you said, "They're gonna leave us having like that"! That is really suspense is it not? :) Also you forgot that she was the first person to be attacked when she was in the boat!
Alfred's purpose was avoiding the "why attack why kill?" to add to the mystery of Nature gone wild. And in my opinion, it had something to do with bringing home lovebirds in a cage and that triggered them being offended of being caged I think.
Thank you for watching The Birds and sharing your reaction. There was an alternate ending proposed. It involved them driving off and the birds attacking the car, and starting to break through the car top.
There was supposedly another alternate ending where they drive to San Francisco thinking they are getting away to a safe place, but when the Golden Gate Bridge comes into view it is completely covered with birds.
This movie scared the absolute bird poop out of me when I was a kid. Just want to say I really love watching your reactions. You seem legitimately fun. Thank you.
This movie was SO inspirational to zombie movies, the feel, the tension, the unknown cause. I firmly believe that had The Birds not been made, we may well have not had any zombie movies at all! And yep technically 1932 and White zombie, but that just didn't have the flare and feel of this)
I lived in the city the birds was filmed in California and the town looked the same for years. I moved away but great coastal town. 14:40 thank you for recognizing that amazing sweater
Very perceptive about the mother son relationship. It's a theme you'll find in many Hitchcock films. North by Northwest, Notorious, and especially Strangers on a Train are other good examples.
Once again your reactions are priceless! 2 Hitchcock films now and probably more in the future, I can't wait for your High Anxiety review when you get to it! Keep up the great work!
You have to remember this is 1963. People were more civil and personable,back in the day. 2020...we are more snarky and paranoid. Still... nice reaction..very organic and genuine. You nailed the perfect critique. Thanks!!
Thanks for this reaction video. There are hundreds of reactions of "The Birds" and I think you're the first one to notice the physical similarity between Melanie and Lydia (the mother). Not only are their faces similar, but their hair style is exactly the same (except Lydia's hair is grey). As for the mother-son relationship... I wouldn't touch that with a ten-foot pole. Besides, Daphne Du Maurier's original story did not have this element.
That's interesting about that element not being in the novel. No doubt about it, Hitchcock was a weird dude. I remember hearing a rumor years ago that after having his sexual advances towards his female star (I dont remember which actress or which movie) but after she rejected him he refused to speak directly to her and used an assistant to convey all directions. "Tell Ms ____ to say the line again but with more feeling" That sort of thing.
well, actually Shadow of a Doubt is hardly underrated. It's a classic that rates up there with some of Hitchcock's best! Nominated for a Best Writing Academy Award.
Before High Anxiety, you need to watch the Hitchcock movies Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959), Spellbound (1945), and Rear Window (1954) to fully appreciate most of its references and set-up; I've listed them in order of importance for High Anxiety. If you want more Tippi Hedren--who was a model that Hitchcock discovered, this was actually her first movie--then you can check out their follow up, Marnie (1964) which showcases Hedren's acting ability at her best and which covers some of the darkest themes in Hitchcock. You picked up on the "mommy issues," which is one of the primary archetypes of a Hitchcock film; unsupportative, overly critical mothers and how that impacts their children. Examples include Psycho (1960), The Birds (1962), Marnie (1964), North by Northwest (1959), Notorious (1946), and To Catch a Thief (1955). I think it's good that The Birds doesn't give us a definitive reason for their strange behavior. If it presented one, it'd be too easy to dismiss as dumb. Could it be something supernatural, that Melanie brought on the bird attacks with her presence in Bodega Bay? Or is it her love birds that brought on the attacks? Personally, I like to view it as an inexplicable act of nature with no reason humans can understand. And that's why I love the end; I interpet it as the crisis is over (even if the characters don't realize it and think they're still in danger) and the birds are no longer a threat. Just as quickly as it started, it ends, and without ever presenting a direct cause. Because really the movie is about people and how their relationships development under a crisis of nature, particularly between Melanie and Lydia and how Melanie ends the movie with the maternal figure she'd been missing. I really hope you decide to expand further into Hitchcock! It's such a treasure trove of masterpieces.
At 51:00 I laughed out loud. Her face when she sees it end without an explanation. I had to rewind that about 10 times. I knew she was going to hate that 😂. I remember watching this when I was a kid and I was confused as crap, but I have really come to love this movie and am glad there wasn’t an explanation. That frustration is part of the movie. And Hitchcock knew it would irk people. But, jeez this girl and her comedy faces!! She made me audibly laugh like 8 times during the movie. Man you’re funny!!
Love the re-action to the leaning birds when the car goes around the bend. As to extracting info, and security concerns, - a different, more trusting, time.
I gave my wife her first view of this. I started it after the scary titles. Told her it was a romcom. So it seems until the gull attacks her in the boat.
The decision not to have a soundtrack for this movie was brilliant, only the sound of birds. The open ending is so wonderful too. One thing that isn't mentioned enough is what a romantic Hitchcock was. When you watch his films, there's usually a dark romantic component to them. My Hitchcock recommendation is NOTORIOUS (1946). One of his very best.
so Southeast Texas is the capitol of bird migration during the winter. More species of birds migrate through my county than any other in the nation. During the winter it abosolutely looks just like the scene from the school house. Every surface, building, power line, everything is covered in birds.
That's Alfred Hitchcock walking out of the pet shop at the beginning, walking out with 2 dogs. He is in most, if not all, his movies in some way, usually as an extra. It's "a thing" to find him in each movie. Sometimes he's obvious, sometimes not so much.
I LOVE Tippi Hedren's reaction at the end when they leave the house. Her panicked face, how she freezes and just says "No!....NO!". Hope you get to watch the rest of the series, it starts with a little film called "Birdemic: Shock And Terror", which explains what caused the birds to behave as they did.😁
You can relax. Your eyes tell me you are human. I can’t even look at Elizabeth Holmes’s eyes for fear my eyes will start to bleed! My late mom introduced me to Hitchcock films when I was only 8 years old. Traumatized me for life and became a Hitchcock fan myself. My mom didn’t concern herself with ‘spoilers’. She would make a running commentary while watching Hitchcock with me. Saying things like: “Watch his eyes. He’s lying. Look at Suzanne Pleshette. She’s in love with Mitch and he’s going to break her heart. That poor blonde. Hitchcock hated blondes in real life. She may even die, or be hurt REALLY BAD!” I miss mom, and I still hear her commentaries as I watch your reaction. This is the film that introduced me to the scenario that became my favorite for future films. A group of survivors hiding out, under siege, as the world goes to hell outside. Night of the Living Dead, Legion, The Mist, even Maximum Overdrive…
Glad you checked this out as I know you wanted to watch High Anxiety and that is a spoof of Hitchcock films. Besides this film I believe Psycho, Vertigo and North By Northwest are referenced. I haven't seen High Anxiety in years so I don't remember all the films referenced.
Hitchcock must see list: Vertigo, North by Northwest, Rear Window. My brother was once attacked by a seagull. He was in a parking garage and the bird apparently had a nest nearby and he had walked too close to the nest without realizing it. Crows, like most Corvids (Crows, Ravens, Magpies, and Jays) are highly intelligent, to the point where they often seen using tools. BTW, the movie is loosely based on a real event. Two years before the movie came out, a whole bunch of seabirds rammed into houses in Monterey Bay area. They only recently (about 10-12 years ago) figured out what probably caused it. It turns out that the birds ate a type of algae that produces a toxin that causes amnesia, disorientation and seizures. They figured it out by analyzing the stomachs of other animals who more recently had behaved in a similarly strange way.
Enjoyed your reaction ! There are so many more Hitchcock movies I think you’d love. Definitely try Vertigo. Also, Rear Window, Rebecca and Notorious are fantastic.
It's always a better reaction when the reactor's dog makes a cameo. My dog Chewie (15 lb. Havanese f.) is roughly the same size as many of our local (S.E. Alaska) birds. In my neighborhood alone she sees Seagulls, Ravens and Bald Eagles that could easily swoop down from above and carry her way if she were off-leash. She knows it's okay to be curious and look, but I'm teaching her to respect their space and keep her distance.
Some wonderfully set-up moments in this reaction, Miranda. 'Can't wait to find out why this is all happening.' Yeah, sorry to disappoint lol, but this one has an open end And the other thing was, as soon as you mentioned your irrational fear of having your eyes pecked out, my mind went straight to THAT scene. That shot stayed with me for a long, long time the first time I saw it. I imagine it was pretty fucking shocking for a 60s audience that was only just getting used to the idea of violence and gore
High Anxiety is great. I suggest before seeing it, Spellbound as well as Vertigo. Tippi Hedren's daughter is Melanie Griffiths whose daughter is Dakota Johnson,
Hi Miranda- I had a pet sparrow when I was six, three years after the release this film. My dad picked him up off the side walk. He had fallen out of the nest, he was so young that his eyes were still closed and he had no feathers. He grew quickly, and walked on the floor as we did. He could fly, but chose to hop instead. He would hop up the stairs and wake me in the morning, then follow me down stairs (again hopping) to the kitchen where my mom was drinking coffee. He would drink coffee with her out of her cup! He had his own water and food, but would join us at the table. We tried to encourage him to join other birds, but he refused to join them. He was a great bird... You have nothing to fear.
This movie was always one of my favorite Hitchcock films, even though it scared the bleep out of me as a kid. The film is based in part on a book, and on an actual event that happened near Santa Cruz, California not far from where I live. Hi enjoyed your reactions. And please don’t worry about your mole. You’re such a great person with or without a mole. I can’t wait for your next reaction. Thank you so much 🎉
"At least I know with every passing second, I'm getting closer to the answer!" ROFLOL! 😂 It is perfect that you set up your journey to High Anxiety. Can't wait to follow your adventure.
This is a classic for a reason. You probably already know this now, but this was an adaptation of a short story. The story gives a few possible guesses as to why, but it too is mostly left unsaid. I think it adds to the horror of it, the not knowing why. I can see how this can cause people to be frightened of birds, or flocks of birds, but remember this was fictional. I think it's worth noting that not all the birds are attacking in the movie. Song birds, parrots, and fowl (like the chickens) are not depicted as being aggressive or attacking anyone. Granted, the chickens were acting odd not wanting to eat, but beyond that nothing is stated about them, thus I would presume that they didn't join the great "feathery revolution." So, give it a little time, but please do consider adopting a parrot. They can be wonderful pets. You can even go on the smaller end, and get a parakeet budgie. Parakeet Budgies are delightful and colorful pet buddies.
I felt the same way you did when I first saw this movie on TV in my high school days. It just drove me up the wall. It was inspired paryly on a real life incident in 1961 near San Francisco. Toxic Alge turned out to be the explanation for it. So, humans and out pollution. Tippi Hendren, who played Melanie was injred twice in this film, from cut glass in the phone booth, and in the bedroom attack. The birds were supposed to be mechanical, but at the last minute unbeknownst to the actors, live trained birds were brought in.
There was a similar episode, in Germany, in 1983. A residential neighborhood was being built, at the time, and it was found that the local birds were eating the caulk, used on the windows. The caulk was toxic, and it affected the birds brains, causing them to attack people.
Miranda, have you ever thought of doing stand up comedy? I LOVE your off the wall sense of humor and good vibes, I hope you do a bunch f live streams on your gaming channel, I'm going to try and start soaking up more of your cheerful humor :)
You have to understand that times were so much simpler back when this movie was made. There was no internet and trolling of people. In fact, credit cards were hardly in existence and not held by the majority of the public. The Birds is a fantastic movie. Rear Window is my absolute favorite Hitchcock movie. If you want an interesting journey, watch "The Trouble with Harry". It is an older, lesser known Hitchcock film starring a young Jerry Mathers. This was before Leave It To Beaver. Also, Tippi Hedren, the blonde actress, is Melanie Griffiths' mother in real life. The school teacher is Suzanne Pleshette. You can check her out in the old Bob Newhart Show.
I agree , "The Trouble with Harry" is an often overlooked Hitchcock work that is very amusing. It's quite a change from the terror and suspense that we usually associate with him.
Great reaction. I thought it was cool that you'd heard the song the school kids were singing from somewhere before. The song was called Risselty Rosselty.
Exactly. Bird are just modern tiny dinosuars. The reason they don't attack us, is there would be no point to it. Predators attack what they can safely kill and a few birds aren't going to bring down a human.
Alfred Hitchcock wanted the unsettling feeling he caused with this movie to go home with the viewers. Let them feel the disquiet, sort of like a gift. The fact that there's no background music makes it more realistic. I applaud you doing your homework for "High Anxiety" which I think is Mel Brooks' best film. There's also a spoof of Humphrey Bogart films made by Neil Simon, it's called "The Cheap Detective". For that you should at least have seen "Casablanca" and "The Maltese Falcon", "The Big Sleep" too.
Great movie. Hope you dive into more HItchcock. Rope, Vertigo and North By Northwest are my favorites. As for the mole comments? Fuck em. That says more about them. I have one on my cheek and another above my chin and try to embrace it despite still being self-conscious about the fact that they can't be hidden.
WOW this is one of the best reactions to anything I've ever seen. Honestly has completely updated my opinion of this movie; I haven't rewatched it for a long time because I just remember the cheesy bird effects not being convincing and the semi-supernatural vague explanation but...the tension, the excellent acting, the complex characters, the underlying environmental allegory that's so cutting edge for its day, the masterful psychological horror of benign and common things around you turning on you, the excellent use of sound...wow. While they obviously mix studio/backdrop stuff with on-location shooting, the portrayal of Bodega Bay is totally accurate. It's a beautiful part of the world and it actually doesn't look that different today.
I just googled Tippi Hedren. Today is her 94th birthday. She is Melanie Griffith’s mother and Dakota Johnson’s grandmother. Alfred Hitchcock was a genius in his presentation of a plot. He likes to take one variable, and stretch it to the nth degree. You are so right about the calm parts of the movie. It added to both the mystery and the realism. By the way, your mole is cute. You also have a beautiful singing voice.
I always thought she looked like Paris Hilton in this movie
moles suck
There isn't a Alfred Hitchcock movie ever made that you couldn't punch holes in it from a realism standpoint.
I've got a Mole, it keeps making a mess of my garden
I’m curious about her accent. It’s very unique. There’s a bit of a twang to it. Idk if it’s southern or what. It reminds me of a young Jodie Foster
Yes, Vertigo, North by Northwest, The Rear Window and several others are iconic Hitchcock favorites.
Very true.
Forgot Psycho & Strangers On A Train.
I know it might not be top of people's list, but my fav Hitchcock is Family Plot, Bruce Dern absolutely nailed it!
Oh and this (and Vertigo) were wonderful reaction, thanks Miranda! Next stop - your Psycho reaction!
Dial M for Murder
Love rear window!
You nailed why Hitchcock is the master of suspense..the haunting part is when the birds are not attacking, when its quiet.
Still to this day nobody knows why the birds attack. It's based on a true story
@@markdaly1648what?!
Alfred Hitchcock often gives himself cameos in his own films. In Psycho, he is seen walking past Marion's workplace when she returns from lunch. In this film, he is the gent walking his two dogs out of the pet shop as Melanie is walking in. He hosted his own TV show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, so he was a familiar face to most Americans.
He's almost always carrying some kind of instrument too.
he is in all of them ! that was his signature 😃
Peter Jackson cameoed in the Lord of the Rings like that.
I had a pet bird as a kid, a youngling crow, Crowley, a wild orphaned bird. He got used to hanging around our cottage and we fed him insects and water. He was a very well-behaved specimen and rested on our shoulders when we were in a hammock. After the summer he still could not fly yet, and we did not have the heart to leave Crowley to his fate. So we packed him in a cardboard box and he got a ride to our city home. I learned that crows are some of the smartest birds there are and very curious too. He took up the habit of watching tv with us, and always recognized his favorite tune. Hearing it he hobbled to the living room and learned to fly on top of a dresser to watch. Next summer he learned to find his own food and even fly. Eventually he joined some flock and still visited us now and then to scrounge for edibles.
My mom raised birds as a hobby. Crows will eat almost anything if they get hungry enough and can pull it apart. - They start with the soft bits: Ears, eyes, nose, tongue, fingers and genitals. ONE of them is enough to do some real damage, but the amount in this movie? ... Have you ever read the book? :)
Mysterious forces were at work making you get into the mood to watch "The Birds" and upload it on Tippi Hedren's 94th birthday. Happy 🎂 Birtheday Ms. Tippi Hedren, and wonderful accidental tribute Miranda .
You saw a classic! Jessica Tandy (Lydia) is a national treasure, along with her husband Hume Cronyn. Check out their careers. The little girl is played by the wonderful Veronica Cartwright- she played Lambert in ALIEN. Thank you for reacting to this. BTW I visited Bodega and the schoolhouse is still there.
Tandy and Cronyn are international treasures. Jessica Tandy is English and Hume Cronyn is Canadian. He is in Lifeboat and Shadow of a Doubt and worked with Hitchcock on developing the story for Rope.
Angela Cartwright (seen here) was in Lost in space. It was her sister Veronica in Alien (and the X-Files).
I stand corrected! International treasures! @@TedLittle-yp7uj
Actually it is indeed Veronica. I do remember Angela too, though. Loved her in LIS! @@pasteye1671
@@TedLittle-yp7uj two more movies Miranda needs to see
The male actor at the start is Rod Taylor, he's an Australian. He's been in many movies over the years, two which come to mind are The Time Machine and Welcome to Whoop Whoop.
Not to mention 101 Dalmatians
I've been watching Turner Classic Movies lately and I'm amazed how often Rod Taylor keeps turning up in 1960s movies.
I laughed each time you said "I can't wait to find out what's causing this" because of course I knew the film ends without any explanation being given, and it's a very open-ended ending - there's no resolution to the plot, the main characters just drive away but you don't know what happens to them or if the situation with the birds is ever resolved.
The scene with the telephone booth has stuck with me for about 5 decades. I watched the movie when I was a little kid with my older brother...
The Birds is simply a movie inspired by a real event where birds starting slamming into homes in Monterey Bay, CA in 1961. Growing up in the area it was well known history and covered by the local news.
Also loosely based on the 1952 short story of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The event from 1961 inspired Hitchcock to research and he found this story. In the 1961 incident the culprit turned out to be toxic algae, (discovered much later). 🪶
Good to know.
I didn’t know
Those birds were just auditioning. :D
Exactly.
In August 1961, hundreds of shearwaters slammed onto the roofs of the small Californian town of Capitola.
Now researchers have found out: A neurotoxin made from algae is believed to have been responsible for the birds' attacks.
Another recommendation: "Rebecca" is a movie based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier and directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1940. This film is considered a cinematic masterpiece that showcases Hitchcock's ability to bring stories to life. The narrative is captivating, and with Hitchcock's direction, "Rebecca" remains a timeless classic in cinema.
Rebecca is also the only Hitchcock movie to ever win Best Picture. It's my absolute favorite.
“Rebecca” is overrated imo, but I know I’m in the minority.
Yes Rebecca is a fantastic film. Love it !
Rebecca is boring. She should do the late 50s favorites by Hitchcock - and a bunch of 40s classics, before doing Rebecca.
Very true.
"I always kinda wanted a pet bird, until today. I'll stick to dogs." Should we all vote for her to watch "Cujo"?
YES ,was hoping to see this in the comments
You are soooo mean 😂
😂😂😂😂 That comment actually made me Lol.
How about Pet Cemetery?
Ohh that movie really fucked me up as a kid.. Still a dog person tho
When I saw The Birds in the theater when it came out -and I saw 'The End' on the screen , I said out loud , " Beautiful ! "
Actually it doesn’t say “The End” at the end. Hitchcock didn’t want it there.
Exactly.
How could you expect an answer?
We don't get any answer for any phenomenon in the world.
It just happens.
Another amazing film reaction. What a cast in the film. Rod Taylor as Mitch, Tippi Hedren as Melanie and the legendary Jessica Tandy as Mitch's mother. In addition to Suzanne Pleshette and Veronica Cartwright as Mitch's sister. Veronica Cartwright would go on to play the role of Lambert in Ridley Scott's 1979 film Alien. And the name of the town, Bodega Bay? The opening scene of the early 90's horror film Sleepwalkers is set in a town named Bodega Bay. Stephen King wrote the screenplay for Sleepwalkers. I will close by saying that if you want to see another movie with Rod Taylor, I highly recommend 1960's The Time Machine, based upon the classic novel by H.G. Wells. Mr. Taylor plays the role of The Time Traveler. It is one of my favorite movies ever.
I love The Time Machine!
Thank you for the wealth of intriguing information.
Oh yes ! The Time Machine is one of my favs also 💯🙏🏼
"Rear Window" is awesome and I always thought "Rope" deserves more love than it gets.
And if you like Annie, Suzanne Pleshette is great in Blackbeard's Ghost (which is a comedy despite the title)
Edit: Also, in the short story the movie is based on, the birds go back to acting normal and there's never an explanation.
Rope is definitely underrated and Rear Window is top tier.
I first saw Rear Window when it was my turn to run movie night on my Navy ship in the late ‘80’s and it became instantly a favorite movie for me. So good! And Princess Grace!
I'm a fan of shadow of a doubt. honestly i think vertigo is a bit overrated as far as hitchcock goes. but i am probably in the minority in that one
Rear Window and Rope are both incredible!
Good to know.
Suzanne Pleshette is so beautiful.
She was a four pack a day broad, so sometimes beauty is best to be admired from afar.😂
Yes, she was. She was one of my crushes.
Tippi Hedron is so beautiful in this.
@@Sarah_Gravydog316 Your grandma must be beautiful too then. I also love that deep voice.
Thank you for pointing out that that was Suzanne Pleshette. - I'd always thought she was Stockard Channing. - Appreciate the info. :)
Molee, Molee, Molee!😊 own it!😂 you put a HUGE smile on my face today!
Great reaction!
I was loving it every time you said you were getting closer to an answer...a few times finding myself shaking my head, "No, you aren't."
The reaction at the end was the best, when the end credits started, like a whole body WTF, when realizing no explanation was coming.
The sound design is the real star here !.BTW - never hide your mole ! It's part of you and it's you that we're here for.
Gay
@@VictorLugosi
Think you're having some issues there mate.
Anything you want to chat about??
@@VictorLugosi Not at all, just human. Some people just have appealing personalities and others are like you.
@@VictorLugosi yr dad??
Yes moles and especially nose warts are sexy😮❤
One of my favorite quotes from Hitchcock is, "The terror is not in the bang. It's in the anticipation of it." He sure knows how to draw out the suspense. :-)
The school park bench scene where she's just sitting there smoking and the birds slowly gathering is a master class in creating tension without any sound other then the children singing which makes it even creepier.
I wasn't expecting this, but I'm so glad we got it.
About 10 years ago I saw this movie in the home of a friend who had lovebirds. These birds normally stayed in one corner outside their cage, just hanging out. When “The Birds” was playing, they ran up and down the hall screaming like crazy. It took a couple of days for them to completely return to normal. Since then I’ve been wondering what those birds were saying in bird language.
Thank you for sharing this fascinating information-it makes me wonder what the birds in the movie were communicating.
Hello Miss Miranda, it's a joy seeing you get back to the films of Alfred Hitchcock. I'm a Hitchcock fanatic myself and it definitely makes watching High Anxiety a more delightful experience. I've enjoyed watching you fall down the Mel Brooks rabbit hole. Lol! The man knows how to spoof. I would definitely recommend watching Vertigo, Rear Window, North by Northwest and Spellbound before tackling High Anxiety as far as Hitchcock goes. Hope you have an awesome day, cheers.
Before watching High Anxiety you should watch Spellbound, Vertigo and North by Northwest to understand it.
And I'd throw in "Notorious".
I agree. I was going to make the comment that "High Anxiety" is a spoof of Hitchcock, not "old movies like that" or however Miranda put it. The more Hitchcock you know, the more rewarding "High Anxiety" is. Even down to the fact that the plot concerns "the wrong man," a favorite Hitchcock plot device, which is found in "North by Northwest" but not these other mentioned movies. Aside from understanding the movie "High Anxiety," these movies you've mentioned are simply among the best movies ever made. My particular favorite is "Vertigo."
17:04 Fun Fact!
The little girl is played by Veronica Cartwright - Who grew up to play Lambert, alongside Sigourney Weaver (as Ripley), in 'Alien'.
One of the major aspects of this film that makes it pure nightmare fuel is that no explanation is ever given for the bird's behavior. The subtle apocalyptic undertone at the end only make it more terrifying.
How many times does an explanation leave us 'flat' and disappointed in what otherwise would've been decent enough fun, even if campy or less than stellar. Who likes midi-clorians?
@@terrylandess6072 "Maximum Overdrive" did exactly that. The original story forewent any form of explanation, leaving the phenomenon purely supernatural. The film offered a "scientific" reason that just raised more questions than it answered.
Yep. Conscious choice by Hitch too. He knew of an actual event where birds suddenly attacked a small town, it was his inspiration for the film. That was caused by an algae that poisoned some of the local bird population and sent them crazy. But Hitch decided it was better not to explain so as to instil the fear that it could possibly happen for real. This is why he's the best !
Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" is the most important link to High Anxiety.
Which is great at it's his best work IMHO.
Your reactions are adorable, it's such a delight watching you react to older movies and you really seem to enjoy both the movies and yourself reacting to them. Please, never stop doing those ;)
Great reaction! Agreed that movies explain too much sometimes. We don’t always get all the answers IRL either.
Okay, I like the Mirandalorian a lot but each week she has a new fear! Girl how is you even leaving your home?!?
What a great reaction Miranda….. and yes that end is very British…. Leave more questions than answers… Hitchcock was a genius.
Loving the fact your loving it.
Your reaction to the ending was priceless. Classic. lol.
Hitchcock was a master. You can hardly go wrong with his films. This was probably the first one of his that I saw as a kid, and I love it!
The birds is one of my favorite, I'm glad that you're getting a chance to watch it, hope you like it, now you'll be watching birds when you go out a different way.
I want to let you know that they did do the birds 2, it's an okay I think it came out in 1990 or 1994, I'm really not sure but try to see if you can find that,
I first saw this movie on Turner Classic Movies when I was 9 or 10. It freaked me out to the point where I didn’t want to go outside for a while. Now it’s one of my favorite horror films, it builds anxiety so well.
+1 for TCM showing great movies straight through, when the rest of cable is choked with interrupting commercial adverts. I stumbled onto North by Northwest after the credit were over, knowing nothing about the movie, and it turned out to be my favorite watching experience, ever.
Another great reaction. I’m older than you. I 1st saw this when I was a kid back in the 70s. It was scary then. I still think of this movie when I see birds on a dreary day. Traumatized. 😳. 👏👏😊🥰 oh and I also have a mole on the side of my nose. I ignore it. 🥰🥰
Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors. You should watch more of his films. Love your dog. Hi Toby! I have a 79 lbs. puppy named Rufus who will be 2 years old in April.
"Rear Window" - IMO, one of Hitchcock's best
I so agree! Let's hope she'll be watching that as well
One of anyone's best, ever
My favorite...She also needs North by Northwest and the overrated (IMO) Vertigo before Mel Brooks' spoof movie.
The explanation is your own imagination, love this film my 2nd Favourite Hitchcock film ever, how did they train the birds ? stroke of Genius yet again from Alfred the Great. Love your reaction Maranda as ever ❤ Visited Bodega Bay 1 month back on the,9th March 2024 beautiful little Town .❤
Hitchcock's work is amazing. In the 1930's and 1940's it was mostly solid crime suspense movies. In the 1950's he made the most lush and literally colofurl classy suspense movies of all time. State of the art, all of them. In the early 1960's he went more towards "horrorful suspense" themes.
I would love to see you react to Rio Bravo, my all time favorite western. Such a great movie and so few reactions to it.
Great job as always, very entertaining. Found your channel looking for RDR2 play throughs and I'm hyped that you do movie reactions as well!
This was my number one favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie growing up. I love everything Alfred Hitchcock has ever done, but this tops the list. I see recommendations from others for movies that you really should consider watching. Rear window is definitely one that you need to check out and also The Rope is Amazing. The Rope is actually based on a real life pair of murderers. A few tidbits about The Birds, the star - Tippi Hedron will have a daughter one day named Melanie Griffith. The movie was filmed in Bodega Bay, which is a popular destination for Californians seeking a little relief from the valley heat. I celebrated my 40th birthday there where my friends and we reenacted the scene in this movie, where the children are running from the school. It was a blast! 😂😂❤️❤️❤️
How many of your friends are scarred from bird attack?
Any deaths??? Funny❤😮
Well done. That's the best ending reaction I've ever seen! I watched this film at a friend's house all those years ago when few houses had television, and then had to walk home a mile or so in the dark under trees, where I expected a gang of birds to attack at any second.
First reactor I've seen that couldn't tell Melanie didn't work at the pet shop. Missed the low hanging fruit.
It was really fun watching you comment continually about the 'why' knowing they dont explain it, Miranda! Nature doesn't debrief humanity! PS, i feed about 20 birds and 4 baby squirrels daily. One of my cats passed last July and i was seriously down and missing him. I was out feeding the birds and a white female pigeon hopped on my sweater and hung flapping each of her wings on each side of my ribs. I simply stood there not knowing what else to do. She did the hug for 45 seconds, hopped back off onto the rail and looked at me. I went to give her some bread crumbs, figuring thats why she did it. She didnt take the bread. She looked at me and then flew off. The birds, once they trust, are very bonding and affectionate. Dont let the film bum you on them! Love the podcasts and especially Young Frank! Funny commentary in a seriously funny film. Go to Shot In The Dark with Peter Sellers. You'll be blown away by how funny it is.
Yep. You definitely want Vertigo under your belt. The Birds is based on a short story by Daphne DuMarier. It's the second of her stories he adapted for the screen. The other one was the first movie he made after moving to California. It's called Rebecca! and imo is far the better of the two works. A real mind bender. At least two of DuMarier's other stories were made into movies, My Cousin Rachel and Don't Look Now! The latter was made in the early 70s and is a skin-crawling supernatural gem.
My other favorite Hitchcock films are The Lady Vanishes, Marnie and West by Northwest. Psycho is in category all by itself. Have fun!
I laughed when you said, "They're gonna leave us having like that"! That is really suspense is it not? :) Also you forgot that she was the first person to be attacked when she was in the boat!
Alfred's purpose was avoiding the "why attack why kill?" to add to the mystery of Nature gone wild. And in my opinion, it had something to do with bringing home lovebirds in a cage and that triggered them being offended of being caged I think.
I think so too. They got pissed seeing birds in the cage.
Thank you for watching The Birds and sharing your reaction. There was an alternate ending proposed. It involved them driving off and the birds attacking the car, and starting to break through the car top.
There was supposedly another alternate ending where they drive to San Francisco thinking they are getting away to a safe place, but when the Golden Gate Bridge comes into view it is completely covered with birds.
The car Melanie drives is an Aston Martin...same brand as James Bond (Sean Connery) drives in 'GoldFinger'..=))
This movie scared the absolute bird poop out of me when I was a kid. Just want to say I really love watching your reactions. You seem legitimately fun. Thank you.
This movie was SO inspirational to zombie movies, the feel, the tension, the unknown cause. I firmly believe that had The Birds not been made, we may well have not had any zombie movies at all!
And yep technically 1932 and White zombie, but that just didn't have the flare and feel of this)
I lived in the city the birds was filmed in California and the town looked the same for years. I moved away but great coastal town. 14:40 thank you for recognizing that amazing sweater
Very perceptive about the mother son relationship. It's a theme you'll find in many Hitchcock films. North by Northwest, Notorious, and especially Strangers on a Train are other good examples.
Vertigo is my fav Hitcock movie, closely followed by Rear Window and The Man who knew to much. Then again, all of his movies are worth watching.
Child: "Are the bird going to eat us, mommy?"
Mom: "If you don't finish your food, yes!"
@@Hiraghm”Eat your chicken before your chicken eats YOU!” - The mother, probably.
Once again your reactions are priceless! 2 Hitchcock films now and probably more in the future, I can't wait for your High Anxiety review when you get to it! Keep up the great work!
51:00 My dad's face at the end of every Alfred Hitchcock movie. OMG, So good!
You have to remember this is 1963. People were more civil and personable,back in the day. 2020...we are more snarky and paranoid. Still... nice reaction..very organic and genuine. You nailed the perfect critique. Thanks!!
Thanks for this reaction video. There are hundreds of reactions of "The Birds" and I think you're the first one to notice the physical similarity between Melanie and Lydia (the mother). Not only are their faces similar, but their hair style is exactly the same (except Lydia's hair is grey). As for the mother-son relationship... I wouldn't touch that with a ten-foot pole. Besides, Daphne Du Maurier's original story did not have this element.
That's interesting about that element not being in the novel. No doubt about it, Hitchcock was a weird dude. I remember hearing a rumor years ago that after having his sexual advances towards his female star (I dont remember which actress or which movie) but after she rejected him he refused to speak directly to her and used an assistant to convey all directions.
"Tell Ms ____ to say the line again but with more feeling"
That sort of thing.
Good to know.
Rope, Rear Window and Vertigo, all staring the legendary Jimmy Stewart.
I'm personally a big fan of Shadow of a doubt. It's an underrated one.
well, actually Shadow of a Doubt is hardly underrated. It's a classic that rates up there with some of Hitchcock's best! Nominated for a Best Writing Academy Award.
Before High Anxiety, you need to watch the Hitchcock movies Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959), Spellbound (1945), and Rear Window (1954) to fully appreciate most of its references and set-up; I've listed them in order of importance for High Anxiety.
If you want more Tippi Hedren--who was a model that Hitchcock discovered, this was actually her first movie--then you can check out their follow up, Marnie (1964) which showcases Hedren's acting ability at her best and which covers some of the darkest themes in Hitchcock.
You picked up on the "mommy issues," which is one of the primary archetypes of a Hitchcock film; unsupportative, overly critical mothers and how that impacts their children. Examples include Psycho (1960), The Birds (1962), Marnie (1964), North by Northwest (1959), Notorious (1946), and To Catch a Thief (1955).
I think it's good that The Birds doesn't give us a definitive reason for their strange behavior. If it presented one, it'd be too easy to dismiss as dumb. Could it be something supernatural, that Melanie brought on the bird attacks with her presence in Bodega Bay? Or is it her love birds that brought on the attacks? Personally, I like to view it as an inexplicable act of nature with no reason humans can understand. And that's why I love the end; I interpet it as the crisis is over (even if the characters don't realize it and think they're still in danger) and the birds are no longer a threat. Just as quickly as it started, it ends, and without ever presenting a direct cause. Because really the movie is about people and how their relationships development under a crisis of nature, particularly between Melanie and Lydia and how Melanie ends the movie with the maternal figure she'd been missing.
I really hope you decide to expand further into Hitchcock! It's such a treasure trove of masterpieces.
Probably also see the James Bond movie “The Spy Who Loved Me” for the Jaws reference for the hit man with braces.
Lol.
"I have always wanted a pet bird. Until today. I think I will stick with dogs".
2 months later....
Her reaction to Cujo. 😂
yeah never gonna adapt a Beethoven breed ever again!
At 51:00 I laughed out loud. Her face when she sees it end without an explanation. I had to rewind that about 10 times. I knew she was going to hate that 😂. I remember watching this when I was a kid and I was confused as crap, but I have really come to love this movie and am glad there wasn’t an explanation. That frustration is part of the movie. And Hitchcock knew it would irk people. But, jeez this girl and her comedy faces!! She made me audibly laugh like 8 times during the movie. Man you’re funny!!
"I NEVER WANT TO SEE A BIRD AGAIN!" 😂 Yeah, Hitchcock knows what he's doing.
Wait a minute! Didn’t she say she loved birds when reacting to “psycho “? Oh, how the times have changed
Love the re-action to the leaning birds when the car goes around the bend. As to extracting info, and security concerns, - a different, more trusting, time.
I gave my wife her first view of this. I started it after the scary titles. Told her it was a romcom. So it seems until the gull attacks her in the boat.
23:31 I love when you unwittingly foreshadow
The decision not to have a soundtrack for this movie was brilliant, only the sound of birds. The open ending is so wonderful too. One thing that isn't mentioned enough is what a romantic Hitchcock was. When you watch his films, there's usually a dark romantic component to them. My Hitchcock recommendation is NOTORIOUS (1946). One of his very best.
I saw this on TV in the late 60s when I was about six years old. It's the first movie I can remember seeing that really freaked me out!
so Southeast Texas is the capitol of bird migration during the winter. More species of birds migrate through my county than any other in the nation. During the winter it abosolutely looks just like the scene from the school house. Every surface, building, power line, everything is covered in birds.
My favorite reaction: "Free Beer!" I loved your responses.
That's Alfred Hitchcock walking out of the pet shop at the beginning, walking out with 2 dogs. He is in most, if not all, his movies in some way, usually as an extra. It's
"a thing" to find him in each movie. Sometimes he's obvious, sometimes not so much.
I LOVE Tippi Hedren's reaction at the end when they leave the house. Her panicked face, how she freezes and just says "No!....NO!".
Hope you get to watch the rest of the series, it starts with a little film called "Birdemic: Shock And Terror", which explains what caused the birds to behave as they did.😁
You can relax. Your eyes tell me you are human. I can’t even look at Elizabeth Holmes’s eyes for fear my eyes will start to bleed! My late mom introduced me to Hitchcock films when I was only 8 years old. Traumatized me for life and became a Hitchcock fan myself. My mom didn’t concern herself with ‘spoilers’. She would make a running commentary while watching Hitchcock with me. Saying things like: “Watch his eyes. He’s lying. Look at Suzanne Pleshette. She’s in love with Mitch and he’s going to break her heart. That poor blonde. Hitchcock hated blondes in real life. She may even die, or be hurt REALLY BAD!” I miss mom, and I still hear her commentaries as I watch your reaction. This is the film that introduced me to the scenario that became my favorite for future films. A group of survivors hiding out, under siege, as the world goes to hell outside. Night of the Living Dead, Legion, The Mist, even Maximum Overdrive…
Glad you checked this out as I know you wanted to watch High Anxiety and that is a spoof of Hitchcock films. Besides this film I believe Psycho, Vertigo and North By Northwest are referenced. I haven't seen High Anxiety in years so I don't remember all the films referenced.
Hitchcock must see list: Vertigo, North by Northwest, Rear Window.
My brother was once attacked by a seagull. He was in a parking garage and the bird apparently had a nest nearby and he had walked too close to the nest without realizing it.
Crows, like most Corvids (Crows, Ravens, Magpies, and Jays) are highly intelligent, to the point where they often seen using tools.
BTW, the movie is loosely based on a real event. Two years before the movie came out, a whole bunch of seabirds rammed into houses in Monterey Bay area. They only recently (about 10-12 years ago) figured out what probably caused it. It turns out that the birds ate a type of algae that produces a toxin that causes amnesia, disorientation and seizures. They figured it out by analyzing the stomachs of other animals who more recently had behaved in a similarly strange way.
I'd add "To Catch a Thief," always a fun one.
Enjoyed your reaction ! There are so many more Hitchcock movies I think you’d love. Definitely try Vertigo. Also, Rear Window, Rebecca and Notorious are fantastic.
It's always a better reaction when the reactor's dog makes a cameo. My dog Chewie (15 lb. Havanese f.) is roughly the same size as many of our local (S.E. Alaska) birds. In my neighborhood alone she sees Seagulls, Ravens and Bald Eagles that could easily swoop down from above and carry her way if she were off-leash. She knows it's okay to be curious and look, but I'm teaching her to respect their space and keep her distance.
Some wonderfully set-up moments in this reaction, Miranda.
'Can't wait to find out why this is all happening.' Yeah, sorry to disappoint lol, but this one has an open end
And the other thing was, as soon as you mentioned your irrational fear of having your eyes pecked out, my mind went straight to THAT scene. That shot stayed with me for a long, long time the first time I saw it. I imagine it was pretty fucking shocking for a 60s audience that was only just getting used to the idea of violence and gore
High Anxiety is great. I suggest before seeing it, Spellbound as well as Vertigo. Tippi Hedren's daughter is Melanie Griffiths whose daughter is Dakota Johnson,
"High Anxiety" has some gags specifically spoofing "Vertigo" (as well as "The Birds"), so you definitely want to watch it.
I can't wait to see what developments "Vertigo" will engender in your life. Saw it when I was ten; it was .... a bit early.
Hi Miranda- I had a pet sparrow when I was six, three years after the release this film. My dad picked him up off the side walk. He had fallen out of the nest, he was so young that his eyes were still closed and he had no feathers. He grew quickly, and walked on the floor as we did. He could fly, but chose to hop instead. He would hop up the stairs and wake me in the morning, then follow me down stairs (again hopping) to the kitchen where my mom was drinking coffee. He would drink coffee with her out of her cup! He had his own water and food, but would join us at the table. We tried to encourage him to join other birds, but he refused to join them. He was a great bird... You have nothing to fear.
This movie was always one of my favorite Hitchcock films, even though it scared the bleep out of me as a kid. The film is based in part on a book, and on an actual event that happened near Santa Cruz, California not far from where I live. Hi enjoyed your reactions. And please don’t worry about your mole. You’re such a great person with or without a mole. I can’t wait for your next reaction. Thank you so much 🎉
I believe they've determined it was an unusual algae bloom that basically drugged the birds, making them vicious and violent.
"At least I know with every passing second, I'm getting closer to the answer!"
ROFLOL! 😂
It is perfect that you set up your journey to High Anxiety. Can't wait to follow your adventure.
This is a classic for a reason. You probably already know this now, but this was an adaptation of a short story. The story gives a few possible guesses as to why, but it too is mostly left unsaid. I think it adds to the horror of it, the not knowing why.
I can see how this can cause people to be frightened of birds, or flocks of birds, but remember this was fictional.
I think it's worth noting that not all the birds are attacking in the movie. Song birds, parrots, and fowl (like the chickens) are not depicted as being aggressive or attacking anyone. Granted, the chickens were acting odd not wanting to eat, but beyond that nothing is stated about them, thus I would presume that they didn't join the great "feathery revolution."
So, give it a little time, but please do consider adopting a parrot. They can be wonderful pets. You can even go on the smaller end, and get a parakeet budgie. Parakeet Budgies are delightful and colorful pet buddies.
“I’m amazed at how little bird poop there is”. Cracked me up. Thanks for this one, Miranda.
I felt the same way you did when I first saw this movie on TV in my high school days. It just drove me up the wall. It was inspired paryly on a real life incident in 1961 near San Francisco. Toxic Alge turned out to be the explanation for it. So, humans and out pollution. Tippi Hendren, who played Melanie was injred twice in this film, from cut glass in the phone booth, and in the bedroom attack. The birds were supposed to be mechanical, but at the last minute unbeknownst to the actors, live trained birds were brought in.
There was a similar episode, in Germany, in 1983. A residential neighborhood was being built, at the time, and it was found that the local birds were eating the caulk, used on the windows. The caulk was toxic, and it affected the birds brains, causing them to attack people.
Miranda, have you ever thought of doing stand up comedy? I LOVE your off the wall sense of humor and good vibes, I hope you do a bunch f live streams on your gaming channel, I'm going to try and start soaking up more of your cheerful humor :)
You have to understand that times were so much simpler back when this movie was made. There was no internet and trolling of people. In fact, credit cards were hardly in existence and not held by the majority of the public. The Birds is a fantastic movie. Rear Window is my absolute favorite Hitchcock movie. If you want an interesting journey, watch "The Trouble with Harry". It is an older, lesser known Hitchcock film starring a young Jerry Mathers. This was before Leave It To Beaver. Also, Tippi Hedren, the blonde actress, is Melanie Griffiths' mother in real life. The school teacher is Suzanne Pleshette. You can check her out in the old Bob Newhart Show.
I agree , "The Trouble with Harry" is an often overlooked Hitchcock work that is very amusing. It's quite a change from the terror and suspense that we usually associate with him.
Great reaction. I thought it was cool that you'd heard the song the school kids were singing from somewhere before. The song was called Risselty Rosselty.
You are now ready for Birdemic 1.
"Birds are not aggressive creatures!"
Turns out they're related to T-Rex, so I wouldn't put much faith in that announcement.
Exactly. Bird are just modern tiny dinosuars. The reason they don't attack us, is there would be no point to it. Predators attack what they can safely kill and a few birds aren't going to bring down a human.
Alfred Hitchcock wanted the unsettling feeling he caused with this movie to go home with the viewers. Let them feel the disquiet, sort of like a gift. The fact that there's no background music makes it more realistic.
I applaud you doing your homework for "High Anxiety" which I think is Mel Brooks' best film.
There's also a spoof of Humphrey Bogart films made by Neil Simon, it's called "The Cheap Detective". For that you should at least have seen "Casablanca" and "The Maltese Falcon", "The Big Sleep" too.
And there's no rational explanation of why birds gone wild other than the old lady saying, "ITS YOUR FAULT, YOU'RE A WITCH AND EVIL!"
Are You planning on doing a Live stream Miranda?
Great movie. Hope you dive into more HItchcock. Rope, Vertigo and North By Northwest are my favorites.
As for the mole comments? Fuck em. That says more about them. I have one on my cheek and another above my chin and try to embrace it despite still being self-conscious about the fact that they can't be hidden.
WOW this is one of the best reactions to anything I've ever seen. Honestly has completely updated my opinion of this movie; I haven't rewatched it for a long time because I just remember the cheesy bird effects not being convincing and the semi-supernatural vague explanation but...the tension, the excellent acting, the complex characters, the underlying environmental allegory that's so cutting edge for its day, the masterful psychological horror of benign and common things around you turning on you, the excellent use of sound...wow. While they obviously mix studio/backdrop stuff with on-location shooting, the portrayal of Bodega Bay is totally accurate. It's a beautiful part of the world and it actually doesn't look that different today.