Universal Honors Hitchcock With Birthday Extravaganza

Alfred Hitchcock made Janet Leigh repeat the bloody shower scene in “Psycho” 70 times before he was satisfied. Even so, she still remembers the luminary filmmaker as one of the easiest people to work with in Hollywood.

“Hitchcock was always so well-prepared that filming with him was pleasant, no matter how scary the material,” said Leigh, who starred in the 1960 Hitchcock classic, “Psycho.” “He’s made some of the best pictures ever. You just can’t say enough about him.”

On Tuesday, Leigh, “The Birds” star Tippi Hedren and several other Hitchcock loyalists turned out for an early party honoring the late director, whose 100th birthday falls Aug. 13.

Universal Studios, which produced many Hitchcock films, marked the event by unveiling a life-size bronze bust of the double-chinned director, which will stand at the entrance of the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. Universal is also re-releasing several Hitchcock classics, including “Psycho,” “The Birds,” “Vertigo” and “The Man Who Knew Too Much” on video.

The infamous “Psycho” house still stands on the Universal lot and is part of the popular tram tour at the theme park. “He was truly a grand master of his craft,” said Bob Brisco, president of Universal Studios Hollywood.

The Hitchcock birthday was a vintage media bonanza: a tuxedo band played the theme song from “Psycho”; Hollywood veterans, including former Universal boss Lew Wasserman, mingled at an elegant buffet; press crews from Brazil to Italy chased Leigh and Hedren for interviews.

And when the time came for Hedren to share a few thoughts in front of the bust, Universal pulled its most impressive stunt of the day. A black raven, trained by Universal handlers, swooped down and landed next to the actress, whose career was launched in the noir thriller, “The Birds.”

“Sir Alfred, I promise you, you will never be forgotten,” said Hedren, seemingly oblivious to the huge black bird pecking away at a sign next to her. “Your work will entertain people until eternity.”