The Birds quotes

View Quote I think we're in real trouble. I don't know how this started or why, but I know it's here and we'd be crazy to ignore it... The bird war, the bird attack, plague - call it what you like. They're amassing out there someplace and they'll be back. You can count on it... Unless we do something right now, unless we get Bodega Bay on the move, they... Mrs. Bundy said something about Santa Cruz, about seagulls getting lost in a fog and then flying in towards the lights... Make our own fog... we can use smoke pots the way the Army uses 'em.

View Quote I'm neither poor nor innocent.

View Quote [as she sees a man lighting his cigar as gasoline is leaking around him] Look at the gas, that man's lighting a cigar!

View Quote Annie Hayworth: This tilling of the soil can become compulsive, you know... Well, it's something to do in your spare time. There's a lot of spare time in Bodega Bay.

View Quote Lydia Brenner: I wish I were a stronger person. I lost my husband four years ago, you know. It's terrible how you, you depend on someone else for strength and then suddenly all the strength is gone and you're alone. I'd love to be able to relax sometime. I'd love to be able to sleep... I'm not like this, you know, not usually. I don't fuss and fret about my children. When Frank died, you see, he understood the children, he really understood them. He had the knack of entering into their world and becoming part of them. That's a very rare talent... Oh, I wish, I wish, I wish I could be like that. I miss him! Sometimes even now, I wake up in the morning and I think: 'I must get Frank's breakfast.' And I get up, and there's a very good reason for getting out of bed until, of course, I remember. I miss talking to him. Cathy's a child, of course, and Mitch, well, Mitch has his own life. I'm glad he stayed here today. I-I feel safer with him here... Don't go. I feel as if I don't understand you at all and I-I want so much to understand... because my son seems to be very fond of you and I don't know quite how I feel about it. I don't even know if I like you or not... Mitch is important to me. I want to like whatever girl he chooses... Mitch has always done exactly what he wanted to do. But, you see, I don't want to be left alone. I don't think I could bear to be left alone. Oh, forgive me... This business with the birds has upset me. I don't know what I'd do if Mitch weren't here... I wish I was stronger.

View Quote Mrs. Bundy: The town was just covered with seagulls... A large flock of seagulls got lost in the fog and headed into the town where all the lights were. And they made some mess too. Smashing into buildings and everything. They always make a mess. The point is that no-one seemed to be upset about it. They were all gone the next morning just as though nothing at all had happened. Poor things.

View Quote Mother in diner: [to Melanie] Why are they doing this? Why are they doing this? They said when you got here, the whole thing started. Who are you? What are you? Where did you come from? I think you're the cause of all this. I think you're evil. EVIL!

View Quote Cathy Brenner: He's got a client who shot his wife in the head six times. Six times, can you imagine it? I mean, even twice would be overdoing it, don't you think?

View Quote Cathy Brenner: When we got back from taking Michelle home, we heard the explosion and went outside to see what it was. All at once, the birds were everywhere. All at once, she pushed me inside and they covered her. Annie, she pushed me inside.

View Quote Radio newscaster: In Bodega Bay early this morning, a large flock of crows attacked a group of children who were leaving the school during a fire drill. One little girl was seriously injured and taken to the hospital in Santa Rosa, but the majority of children reached safety. We understand there was another attack on the town. But this information is rather sketchy. So far, no word has come through to show if there have been further attacks.

View Quote Radio newscaster: The bird attacks have subsided for the time being. Bodega Bay seems to be the center, though there are reports of minor attacks on Sebastopol and a few on Santa Rosa. Bodega Bay has been cordoned off by roadblocks. Most of the townspeople have managed to get out, but there are still some isolated pockets of people. No decision has been arrived at yet as to what the next step will be but there's been some discussion as to whether the military should go in. It appears that the bird attacks come in waves with long intervals between. The reason for this does not seem clear as yet.

View Quote Melanie Daniels: Have you ever seen so many seagulls? What do you suppose it is?
Mrs. MacGruder: Well, there must be a storm at sea. That can drive them inland, you know.

View Quote Mitch Brenner: [mistaking Melanie for a sales clerk] I wonder if you could help me?
Melanie Daniels: Just what is it you're looking for, sir?
Mitch Brenner: Lovebirds.
Melanie Daniels: Lovebirds, sir?
Mitch Brenner: Yes, I understand there are different varieties. Is that true?
Melanie Daniels: Oh yes there are.
Mitch Brenner: Well, these are for my sister, for her birthday see, and uh, as she's only going to be eleven, I, I wouldn't want a pair of birds that were too demonstrative.
Melanie Daniels: I understand completely.
Mitch Brenner: At the same time, I wouldn't want them to be too aloof either.
Melanie Daniels: No, of course not.
Mitch Brenner: Do you happen to have a pair of birds that are just friendly?

View Quote Mitch Brenner: Doesn't this make you feel awful... having all these poor little innocent creatures caged up like this?
Melanie Daniels: Well, we can't just let them fly around the shop, you know.
Mitch Brenner: No, I suppose not. Is there an ornithological reason for keeping them in separate cages?
Melanie Daniels: Well certainly, it's to protect the species.
Mitch Brenner: Yes, I suppose that's important, especially during the moulting season.
Melanie Daniels: That's a particularly dangerous time.
Mitch Brenner: Are they moulting now?
Melanie Daniels: Some of them are.
Mitch Brenner: How can you tell?
Melanie Daniels: Well, they get a sort of hang-dog expression.

View Quote Mitch Brenner: We met in court... I'll rephrase it. I saw you in court... Don't you remember one of your practical jokes that resulted in the smashing of a plate-glass window?... The judge should have put you behind bars.
Melanie Daniels: What are you, a policeman?
Mitch Brenner: I merely believe in the law, Miss Daniels... I just thought you might like to know what it's like to be on the other end of a gag. What do ya think of that?
Melanie Daniels: I think you're a louse.
Mitch Brenner: I am.