After the first three weeks of filming The Birds, Alfred Hitchcock described Tippi Hedren as remarkable and able to reach “the depths and heights of terror”. The director had discovered the model on NBC’s Today Show, signed her to a personal contract and cast her opposite Rod Taylor.
The film made Hedren a star and earned her a Golden Globe. As guest of honour at the tenth eDIT Filmmaker’s Festival, running from 30 September to 2 October 2007, she will discuss her experience of working with Hitchcock and his distinctive methods on set.
Hitchcock subsequently directed Hedren alongside Sean Connery in Marnie. She also appeared with Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren in Charlie Chaplin’s A Countess from Hong Kong, although her later career did not follow a straightforward Hollywood path.
Professor and film author Camille Paglia argued that Hedren did not receive the recognition she deserved for her two Hitchcock films, suggesting that critics dismissed her because of her elegance. Paglia particularly highlighted the interaction between Hedren and Suzanne Pleshette in The Birds.
Hedren has appeared in around 50 films and a similar number of television productions, receiving numerous awards. She was most recently seen in Rodeo Girl in 2006. At eDIT she will speak about filmmaking, Hitchcock and her career.
