(Narrator) A headliner takes over the rostrom
at the National Press Club in Washington.
The men who cover the capital scene are regaled by Alfred Hitchcock,
the master of suspense,
who has some comments about his latest picture.
For over 30 years now,
| have been indulging in the occupation of raising gooseflesh,
domestically, and in England.
| have only recently completed work on the latest picture.
The title is quite short, just two words.
There were three, but we cut the first word, "for"...
(Laughter)
and called it, simply, "The Birds."
(Laughter)
Naturally, most of the actors in The Birds are.
(Laughter)
In fact, | have employed more feathered performers
than have been seen since fan-dancing went out of style.
(Laughter)
The cast also includes a few men and women -
after all, the picture isn't just about the birds,
it's about the bees too.
Mr Hitchcock receives a citation
to mark his 30 years of contribution to the world of entertainment.
The Birds is his 50th movie.
New honours for the man who was chilling movie audiences
long before air conditioning.
(Narrator) At Universal City in California,
they prepare for the start of a unique pigeon derby across the US.
The official starters are director Alfred Hitchcock and Tippi Hedren,
who is being introduced to theatre-goers in Mr Hitchcock's The Birds.
The pigeons, racing under the American Racing Pigeon Union,
carry microfilmed copies of an unprecedented contract,
that will see The Birds open at some 30 theatres in New York
on March 28th.
Pigeon clubs in 27 cities are participating in the relay race
with six pigeons in each relay team.
There are trophies for the winner of each leg,
and it will take 15 days to complete the race.
Pigeons are too slow for Mr Hitchcock and Miss Hedren,
who arrive in New York in a more conventional manner
to prepare for the opening of the shock thriller
based on the classic by Daphne Du Maurier.
A well-trained raven has a part in The Birds,
but we think it's going to be Tippi Hedren who'll draw the crowds.