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THE BIRDS' Tippi Hedren is in town! Bodega Bay CA

By Cynthia Larsen

Real Estate Broker/Owner CalBRE# 01433049

August 30, 2012 06:14 AM

Tippi Hedren

I don't know about you, but the first time I saw Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS I was terrified. It took almost 20 years for me to watch that movie for a second time. Now that 40 years have passed, I have a different appreciation for this movie ... it was filmed in Sonoma County where I live.

Of course things look a bit different now, but the scenery is totally recognizable. The church, the school house, the harbor, the streets. The Tides Wharf, where Tippi will be signing autographs, has been completely re-built (remember the bar scene when the gas station blows up?). I was told the staff had gotten to the point where they were afraid they would fall through the floor and into the harbor. It's beautiful now!

Tippi, mother of Melanie Griffith, is now 82 years old. I really appreciate her coming back to Bodega Bay year after year to sign autographs. How many movie stars from your favorite classics do something like this?

The Tides Wharf
835 Shoreline Highway
Bodega Bay, CA 94923

Autograph Signing 2012:
Saturday, Sept 1st, 11-4 and 6-8
Sunday, Sept 2nd, 11-4 and 6-8
Monday, Sept 3rd, 10-3

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Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Cynthia, now this is making me want to watch this movie. When it first came out my mother was terrified, and I figured I would just avoid the whole thing. But now I could be ready.

Aug 30, 2012 06:18 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Patricia - my parents wouldn't let us watch it, I watched it at a friends house. Big mistake, but I was only 10. I'm pretty sure you can handle it now :)

Aug 30, 2012 06:20 AM

Li Read

Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC

Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Wow...82. Love Hitchcock films...always thought provoking. My fave is still North by Northwest.

Aug 30, 2012 06:41 AM

Li - I've never seen North by Northwest, I just added it to my Netflix queue!

Aug 30, 2012 06:50 AM

Malcolm Johnston

Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON

Trenton Real Estate

I love Hitchcock films, and The Birds was definitely one of his better ones. Thats classy of Tippi Hedren to come back year after year. What a trooper.

Aug 30, 2012 06:53 AM

Malcolm - classy yes, I think so too. I'm going to try to make it out there this weekend. Clam chowder is calling my name.

Aug 30, 2012 07:12 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Saw the movie once as a child and never since. It was terrifying. Nowadays, it seems you need to have blood and guts to be terrifying. It's definitely not like it used to be where the mere idea of something was what set everyone off.

Aug 30, 2012 10:10 AM

Jim Patton

Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA

Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

Cynthia - I've seen the movie a couple of times. It's a good movie. Have fun and take lots of pictures.

Aug 30, 2012 11:23 AM

Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert

Richmond, TX

Cynthia,

I have seen parts of the birds! I think your story is great 82 years old and still signing autographs awesome! I love Sonoma and of course Sonoma wines! I hope you are having a great week!

Sep 05, 2012 09:25 AM

Paul Gapski

Berkshire Hathaway / Prudential Ca Realty - El Cajon, CA

619-504-8999,#1 Resource SD Relo

Thank you for sharing your blog; we need Real estate Professionals to share their comments and information regarding their markets and experiences. Thanks again from beautiful Sunny San Diego

Sep 05, 2012 10:13 AM

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Isn't it wild how our perspective changes over the years? I also thought that movie was really scary as a youth, I have to revisit and view it now to see if my perspective has changed...

Oct 08, 2012 05:09 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Loved the movie, classic and they just don't make those types of movies anymore. Nice that she took a trip down Memory Bodega Lane

Oct 11, 2012 12:52 PM

Charita Cadenhead

eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL

Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Wow she's 82. I can remember every significant scene in that movie and haven't ween it in years. I also always forget that Melanie Griffith is her daughter.

Oct 12, 2012 07:06 AM

Chris Ann - so true! The Birds was really scary just from the thought of what was happening, not by seeing in on the screen.

Jim - it's a classic!

Yolanda - thanks for stopping by!

Paul - is that a chargers jersey you have on? Enjoy yourself in Sunny San Diego!

Paul #2 - what I thought was scary when I was little makes me laugh today. Change indeed!

Carla - Tippi is a huge fan of this area and we in turn are a huge fan of hers ... mutual admiration.

Charita - Hey g-ma, I love the scene where Tippi is (sneakily) motoring across Bodega Harbor with the caged birds.

Oct 12, 2012 07:20 AM

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Tippi Hedren is sort of Bodega's Bay claim to fame, isn't she? The Tides Wharf has her photos all over the lobby, if I recall correctly. I wonder what she gets for signing autographs? Do they let her stay there for free? Give her free champagne and lobster?

Oct 26, 2012 10:50 AM

Elizabeth - yes, Tippi and "The Birds" in general made Bodega Bay famous. HBO recently aired a documentary called "The Girl" that portrays Hitchcock as less than stellar, they say he was relentless in pursuing Tippi. She stays at the Inn at the Tides, but other than that I know nothing :)

Oct 28, 2012 03:32 AM

THE BIRDS' Tippi Hedren is in town! Bodega Bay CA

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