Alfred Hitchcock was known for his iconic movies that featured an unsettling atmosphere that unnerved the audience. Much like the audience, several actors had also spoken up against the director and one of them was Dakota Johnson’s grandmother Tippi Hedren.
Starring in two of Hitchcock’s movies, Hedren alleged that Alfred Hitchcock was a very mean man. Hedren recalled that he threatened her by stating that he would ruin her career so that she wouldn’t leave the contract mid-way!
When Alfred Hitchcock Threatened Tippi Hedren
Numerous actors have spoken out against the tactics employed by Hitchcock to get that perfect shot or to make his movies successful. Although his movies were indeed successful, the latter interviews would involve actors complaining about Hitchcock and in some extreme cases, the allegations were quite severe.
Tippi Hedren was initially a fashion model who was noticed by Alfred Hitchcock while appearing in a television commercial back in 1961. Working alongside the director, Hedren starred in Hitchcock’s The Birds and Marnie. In her allegations, Hedren stated that Hitchcock often s-xually assaulted her by giving her commands that were deemed highly inappropriate.
“I said, I’ve got to get out of the contract. He said, ‘I’ll ruin your career.’ And he did. He wouldn’t let me out of the contract. I’d be a really big star if he hadn’t stopped my career. There were so many people who wanted me for their films. All he said was, ‘She isn’t available.’ That’s a mean, mean man.”
Tippi Hedren stated that she could have become a great actress if she weren’t under Alfred Hitchcock and even went on to describe what kind of behavior the Psycho director had with her.
Tippi Hedren Could Have Been A Great Actress
During her interview, Hedren made several accusations against Alfred Hitchcock. As per the reports, Hedren alleged that she became an obsession for the director. The actress recalled that Hitchcock would often talk about his fantasies with her and even went as far as trying to kiss her.
Related: Alfred Hitchcock: 9 Unmade Hitchcock Movies You Never Got To See, Ranked
The harrowing reports further stated that the director would also command Tippi Hedren to touch him. The actress was bound by contract to appear in Hitchcock’s films and when she tried to leave, that’s when the director threatened her. The actress failed to get good movies after her career setbacks and announced her retirement.
Another actress by the name of Dick Cavett also stated that she recalled Alfred Hitchcock referring to actors as “cattle”. In trying to clear up his name, Hitchcock made a statement that made it all the worse.
“Well, I think at the time, I think I said, or I was accused of calling actors cattle, and I said that I would never say such an unfeeling, rude thing about actors at all. What I probably said was that all actors should be treated like cattle.”
The director was nominated for an Oscar 5 times but he never won the award. His legacy, however, continues with classic movies such as Psycho, Vertigo, and, The Birds.
Source: Slash Film
