Tippi Hedren Reveals Traumatic Experience with Alfred Hitchcock During Filming of The Birds

In her newly published memoir titled “Tippi,” iconic actress Tippi Hedren opens up about the intense and potentially abusive relationship she had with renowned director Alfred Hitchcock.

The book recounts several distressing encounters Hedren had with Hitchcock, including allegations of s**ual assault during the filming of The Birds and Marnie.

Additionally, she reveals the inhumane conditions she endured while shooting the climactic scene in the 1963 horror-thriller.

Hedren describes how everything led up to the infamous “bedroom scene” in which her character, Melanie, is viciously attacked by birds on camera.

Initially, Hitchcock had promised to use mechanical birds for the scene.

However, on the day of shooting, assistant director James H. Brown informed Hedren that the mechanical birds were not functioning properly, and they would have to resort to using live birds instead.

For five grueling days of filming, Hedren was subjected to handlers throwing ravens, doves, and a few pigeons at her.

She vividly recalls the experience as “brutal, ugly, and relentless.”

On the set that day, Cary Grant, one of Hitchcock's favorite leading men, happened to be visiting and praised Hedren's bravery between takes.

On the final day of shooting, live birds were loosely tied to Hedren's costume while she lay on the floor.

As soon as the director called “Action!

“, the birds began pecking at her, and wranglers continued to throw live birds directly at her.

Hedren admits that she was so focused on surviving the ordeal that she didn't realize how horrifying it was for the crew who witnessed it.

She explains, “There wasn't a thing anyone but Hitchcock could do to put a stop to it.”

Only towards the end of the day did Hedren find some relief when a bird tied to her shoulder pecked too close to her eye.

Overwhelmed and exhausted, she told Hitchcock that she was done and broke down in tears.

To her dismay, she discovered that everyone had left her alone on the soundstage, drained and abandoned.

A doctor insisted that Hedren take a week's rest, despite Hitchcock's objections.

The director argued, “She can't.

We have nothing else to shoot but her.”

In response, the doctor questioned if Hitchcock was trying to kill her, and eventually convinced him to allow Hedren the much-needed break.

After a week, she returned to complete filming.

Following the release of The Birds in 1963, Hedren reflects on the thrilling and amazing time she had, as well as the media frenzy and accolades that followed.

She acknowledges that it all happened because of Alfred Hitchcock and recognizes her own contribution to the success.

Tippi Hedren's memoir, “Tippi,” is now available for readers to delve into the gripping details of her tumultuous relationship with Alfred Hitchcock.