The Birds (1963)

Another blog post from Two Dollar Cinema here

Susanne Pleshette

Tippi Hedren stars as a carefree socialite enjoying a brief flirtation with lawyer Mitch (Rod Taylor). During a birthday party for Mitch's younger sister, a flock of birds attacks the children in what seems to be a random incident. In fact, it signals the beginning of a massive assault on the residents of the town by ordinary birds. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Co-starring Jessica Tandy and Suzanne Pleshette as the local schoolteacher. (Part of the 2004 Outdoor Film Fest in Chicago's Grant Park)

Separate Tables (1958)

In the opening shot of the film: a young woman (Deborah Kerr, who is wonderful in this film) walks out of a hotel and sits on a park bench down the street. She appears lonely as if expecting to meet someone - or escape from somewhere. Her doting mother (Gladys Cooper, a permanent resident of the hotel) disapproves her associating with David Niven's character, also a resident of the hotel. Miss Cooper also disapproves of Burt Lancaster, another guest, and calls him "boorish". Meanwhile a pair of young guests (Rod Taylor and Audrey Dalton) keep their distance from the older folks.

I like when Rita Hayworth arrives at the hotel. She plays an actress and a "woman of the world". Guests of the hotel can't help but stare at her as she walks in dressed in her fur coat. It turns out she has an interesting history with Burt's character.

Wendy Hiller plays the manager of the hotel, Miss Cooper.

When the dinner bell sounds, all of the guests come down to eat, but sit at separate, assigned tables.

A good movie, filled with great performances by legendary actors. Directed by Delbert Mann (Marty).

I feel this is a movie that could be remade today. Maybe with a more diverse cast as well.