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Woody Allen, Alfred Hitchcock, and The Birds

posted 3 years ago by ecarle (14979)
3 replies | jump to latest

I was browsing Woody Allen's autobiography "Apropos of Nothing" in a book store the other day and I came to a page (can't name it here) where he noted that only once in his life, did Woody Allen meet Alfred Hitchcock.

It was at one of the inauguration events for newly re-elected Democratic President Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1965. Johnson, a Texan, was also known as LBJ. His wife was named Lady Byrd Johnson and one of his daughters was named Lynda Byrd Johnson.

Allen said that he found Hitchcock very friendly and witty. And he noted what Hitchcock said to the crowd assembled to honor LBJ and family:

"I told you the birds was coming."

[–] DeathbySnuSnu (1008) 3 years ago

Why do you keep posting this?

[–] huwdj (4566) 3 years ago

It's funny but in my head there is no overlap between Hitchcock and Allen - they belong to different eras. Clearly that's wrong, I guess Allen was an established writer by then and they were both making films in the 70s yet it's still a little surprising.

[–] ecarle (14979) 3 years ago

Around 1965, I think Woody Allen had a "hot" reputation as a stand up comic on TV. By 1966, he "hosted" a re-dubbed Japanese spy movie with his comedy lines and called it "What's Up Tiger Lily." Also in 1966, Allen was in "What's New Pussycat?" making his name with bigger stars around him.

So Woody Allen was no doubt "invitable" to a Presidential inauguration and I suppose Hitchcock (a real fan of bawdy humor) enjoyed meeting Allen.

Hitchcock didn't make many movies after 1965, but I'll note that he and Allen made movies in these same years:

1966: Torn Curtain, What's Up Tiger Lily?, What's New Pussycat?

1969: Topaz, Take the Money and Run (the first "solo" Woody Allen movie.)

1972, Frenzy, Play it Again, Sam, Everything You Always wanted to know about Sex but were afraid to ask

1976: Family Plot(Hitchcock's final film), The Front(Woody directed by Martin Ritt)

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A down note: I can't source it but I once read a Woody Allen insult towards Hitchcock: "Hitchcock makes movies like those mystery paperbacks you read and leave behind on a plane." Perhaps Woody was feeling more warmly towards Hitch in recent years.