The Birds

http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/birds-turns-50-alfred-hitchcock-drew-fear-real-212627871.html

I’m generally not all that much into the horror genre in movies. I figure that I’ve had enough horror in my life that when I see a movie I want it to be funny or uplifting. (Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a great life and I know it, but as in every life there have been scary times too. In just the last 8 years my daughter nearly died and was in intensive care for weeks and in the hospital for a month and still has an “incurable” and life-threatening disease, My Beloved survived cancer, I was diagnosed with the Suicide Disease , I experienced the Great Recession as a fairly new founder of an investment management firm, and an 18-year old business that I founded and operated in a different industry went belly up and drove us into bankruptcy for the first time in a near-lifetime of being self-employed in a variety of businesses.)

Oops, sorry to get so far off track. Back to horror movies. So, although I’m not generally fond of horror flicks, there are some that I have enjoyed. “The Birds” is one of them. Perhaps a reason for same is that I enjoy watching Tippi Hedren and Suzanne Pleshette on film. (I enjoyed the latter in Disney films when I was growing up.)

Or perhaps it is because I have been to the locations of many of the famous scenes in the movie. Rememer the schoolhouse? Been there. It’s now someone’s personal residence. I’m also been to the town where key outdoor scenes were shot. I think that’s kind of cool and I enjoy the movie more as a result.

Anyway, I just learned that the film “The Birds” is 50 years old, is based on an actual incident in Montery, California in 1961, the reason the birds in the real incident went crazy, and that the director Alfred Hitchcock lived at the time in a small town named Scott’s Valley about 20 minutes from my home and I never knew it. That all fascinates me.

If you enjoyed “The Birds”, I invite you to click on the above link. You never know what you might learn.

Love,
Russ

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About russtowne

I'm awed by the beauty of nature and the power of love and gratitude. Some of my favorite sensory experiences include waves crashing on rocky shores, waterways in ancient redwood and fern-filled forests, and rain. My wife and I have been married since 1979. We have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. I manage a wealth management firm that I founded in 2003. My Beloved is a Special Education teacher for Kindergartners and First Graders. I'm a published author of approximately 60 books in a variety of genres for grownups and children.
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10 Responses to The Birds

  1. I have never been interested in horror movies don’t know why they just don’t interest me………..

    • russtowne's avatar russtowne says:

      I can relate. Most don’t interest me either, though I tend to like quite a few of the Hitchcock movies. I guess most would fall into the “Suspense” or “Thriller” category. I’m not really into “Horror” movies, and cetainly not into “Slasher” flicks.

  2. utesmile's avatar utesmile says:

    I don’t like those films and I cant sleep afterwards, but I did see a film about the making of it and Alfred and Tippy, which was rathere interesting too.

  3. I do remember ‘The Birds’ and could not really watch the worst parts of it….Strange that I could watch some horror films but that one no way…Diane

    • russtowne's avatar russtowne says:

      It s interesting as to what triggers fear in various people. I just read that Walt Disney was afraid of mice, yet his most famous character was Mickey Mouse.
      Russ

  4. I rewatched this about a month ago and was stunned by how well it’s held up –and by how sexy and clever the dialog is. The mix of humor and horror and psychosocial/sexual tensions is brilliant. The horror it elicits still sends shivers down my back. —Jadi

    • russtowne's avatar russtowne says:

      Hi, Jadi. Thank you for your comments. It has been too long since I last watched it. I plan to do it again soon. Welcome to my online home. May you always feel welcome here.
      Russ

  5. Kristi's avatar mindfuldiary says:

    Wow, those are some tough times you and your family been through. Horror movies are not my cup of tea either. Actually, never watched one. Started watching “Children of the corn (not sure if that’s how it’s called)” but switched it off before it even started.

    • russtowne's avatar russtowne says:

      Hi, Kristi. Yes, the last 8 years have brought some substantial challenges and learning experiences, and many wonderful times too. The sweet overpowers the bitter most of the time.

      I’ve not seen “Children of the Corn” or most other horror films either.

      Russ

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