why does the old birdlady say: birds of the FIVE continents?
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wtl471629 — 13 years ago(September 21, 2012 12:04 PM)
Maybe she didn't count Anartica because even though it has some birds it doesn't have many like other continents. Then maybe Europe and Asia were combined as they sometimes were which made it EuroAsia which would make 5 being North America, South America, Africa, Australia and EuroAsia.
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ecarle — 13 years ago(September 24, 2012 05:32 AM)
This is a very erudite, educational, and well-reasoned thread to read!
"The Birds" isn't known for having one of the better screenplays in Hitchcock, despite its being written by respected novelist Evan Hunter.
But I would expect that Evan had to put some research into the bird lady's detailed and scientific orinthological speech and likely copied that "five continents" reference from whatever research materials he used.
I would note that Hitchcock would often call up the research department of whatever studio he was working at to inundate his writers with books and articles about technical topics taken up, however, briefly, in a Hitchcock film. Psychology, cultures(such as Muslim in "The Man Who Knew Too Much 2"'s Morocco), nuclear science(Torn Curtain), even the history of SONGS. -
ebright99 — 13 years ago(November 06, 2012 11:05 AM)
Why does the olympic flag have five rings?
"The Olympic flag has a white background, with five interlaced rings in the centre: blue, yellow, black, green and red. This design is symbolic; it represents the five continents of the world, united by Olympism." Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics (1931)
Back in the day it was taught that there were 5 continents. Things were sometimes taught differently in the past. -
scottythefield — 13 years ago(January 04, 2013 11:18 AM)
Why is this a big deal, anyways? So the screenwriter mistakenly or consciously neglected Australia and Antarctica. The fact that Mrs. Bundy used the words "ALL five continents" and not "five of the world's continents" gets her basic message across. Birds are everywhere!
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cyninbend-149-610489 — 10 years ago(January 24, 2016 10:53 PM)
Why does it bother you people that others notice such details? Some of us just care about knowledge. It does not interfere with our enjoyment of the movierather, it increases that aspect because we pay attention to details. Do you get bent out of shape over Jeopardy viewers too?
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kellymariekitty — 13 years ago(February 11, 2013 05:41 AM)
I dont know, she gets on my wick anyhow the old lady.
You have Melanie explaining about the attack and she's going 'impossible, that didnt happen, birds dont attak together blah blah blah.''
If I was melanie I'd have said 'listen you old wind bag, I didnt make it up, go outside and make me a lier you stupid think you know it all loud mouth nosy cow. No body ASKED your opinion so shut up. ''
And when she lost her eye or whatever it was I'd have said to her 'Ah proved you wrong!!'