Tippi Hedren - Page 2

[strummergirl]

Posted: 10/26/12 at 3:29pm

Well the fact that Hitchcock did not let her leave Universal studios when presumably other studios/directors were calling, allegedly, does seem to show a real hindrance he had on her career. She also started 'late' (nowadays not really seen as a problem of talent, like Jon Hamm breaking out in his late 30s) and back then, actresses had an expiration date on them- still do today but this was also a studio system atmosphere she was knee-deep in. Most of the Hitchcock Blondes had a film career before doing his films. He was also toward the end of his career and was always a bizarre character but it would not be surprising that he took an more hard turn mentally, given Baker seemed to have a similar but not as extreme experience.

Some film directors are just sadists or have a power imbalance over leading ladies. Even if we like their movies does not mean we cannot separate art from artist. Hitch was at best a director with a twisted sense of humor and creation and a major misogynist.

Tippi is actually one of my favorites of the Hitchcock blondes (solely for The Birds since I only saw Marnie a couple of years ago while The Birds was one of my 'saw at an impressionable age' films) but I actually cannot say I have disliked a Hitchcock blonde performance. I even liked Carole Lombard in Mr. and Mrs. Smith!

[Jim Colyer]

Posted: 10/26/12 at 7:59pm

I don't believe Hitchcock was obsessed with Tippi. Hitchcock was obsessed with himself.