Camelot Theatre in Palm Springs hosted the 50th Anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock’s movie The BIRDS. Special Guest was the movie’s star Tippi Hedren. Hedren held a Q&A after the movie. The Moderator for the Q&A was Dan McGrath from 103.1 radio.
Hedren was given a standing ovation when she entered the theatre on the arm of McGrath. She took the stage with McGrath and spoke about her role in the movie. She said it was her first movie and she made no screen test. Hitchcock saw her on a TV commercial and liked her. She wore a dress designed for her with her favorite lion stenciled on the Skirt. She held a purse in a design of a lions head.
She was asked how she managed to get in and out of the boat in high heels and a fur stole. She said she had never run a motor boat before and they did it in one scene. Hitchcock rarely took more than 3 takes in any of her movies. She wore a green outfit throughout the movie and said she had to have 6 made because they would get torn on ruined on the set. She also said the dress would still be in style today thanks to designer Edith Head.
She spoke about how Hitchcock had threated to ruin her career at one point after the movie Marnie. She said he managed to ruin her career but not her life which is the love of animals. She turned the movie Roar into her Shambala Preserve that protects Exotic and dangerous animals. Shambala is home to over 50 huge cats like Lions, tigers, Leopards, cougars, and also Elephpants, Cheetahs and others. They come from private homes, small circuses, fish and game and Humane societies. Donations are welcome and you can adopt an animal. Tours are provided but guests must be 18 or older. Call 661.268.0380 for tours or go to WWW.Shambala.org.
