By Peter Covino

Lifestyles Editor

It’s  time for Bodega Bay to get on the move again.

Yes, that sleepy little town in Northern California will be under attack on the big screen when Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds returns for a one-night appearance, Wednesday, Sept. 19.

One of Hitchcock’s more memorable films, The Birds will take flight once again as part of a Fathom Events/Turner Classic Movies presentation celebrating Universal Pictures’ 100th anniversary.

The newly-restored version will be shown at 7 p.m. (some special matinees will also be shown at 2 p.m.) The film will be introduced by TCM host Robert Osborne, who will take audiences behind the scenes for the American classic.  TCM/Fathom also will host a double-feature, Wednesday, Oct. 24 with Universal’s Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein.

The “TCM Event Series” will be presented using new digital cinema projection systems in select movie theaters around the country. Tickets to the series are available at presenting theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

If you somehow have managed to miss The Birds on TV (it has to be one of the most televised films ever), the 1963 film features Tippi Hedren as Melanie Daniels, a spoiled, rich San Francisco socialite who unwittingly seems to be the center of attention of unexplained bird attacks in the small town north of San Francisco. The film also stars Rod Taylor and Suzanne Pleshette.

Osborne will share an exclusive interview he conducted specifically for this special presentation with the film’s star Hedren filmed earlier this year at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood.

Hedren reveals how “Hitch” hand-picked her to play the part of Melanie Daniels, and also how the movie that launched her career also practically ended it. Osborne will reach deep into the TCM Archives to share more on-set stories from Hedren’s co-stars Taylor and Suzanne.

The Birds will be screened at Cinemark Orlando Festival Bay, Pointe Orlando and Waterford Lakes Stadium 20.

Also, just in time for Halloween, the double feature of Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein come to the big screen.

Two of the great horror classics, it is the story of brilliant scientist Henry Frankenstein and his experiments on the re-animation of lifeless bodies. His fiancée, Elizabeth, and friend Victor Moritz are worried about his health as he spends far too many hours in his laboratory on experiments. The creature he’s brought to life escapes, and soon the villagers rise up, intent on destroying the murdering creature.  The sequel finds Dr. Frankenstein and his monster both alive; but a mad scientist, Dr. Pretorius, kidnaps Dr. Frankenstein’s wife and forces him to create a new female companion for the original monster.

The original 1931 film and its 1935 sequel—both starring Boris Karloff—will be introduced with exclusive interviews conducted at this year’s TCM Classic Film Festival, including conversations with Karloff’s daughter Sara Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Jr. (son of the classic “Dracula” star), and  Academy Award-winning make-up artist Rick Baker.

All three will discuss classic horror movies, how legendary icons like Karloff and Lugosi helped define the genre, and how today’s horror films measure up to the classics.  

“This Event Series is a rare opportunity for fans of these four legendary films,” said Shelly Maxwell, executive vice president of Fathom Events. “Not only will fans experience these Hollywood classics on the big screen once again, but TCM host Robert Osborne will give fans an exclusive insight into the stories behind the making of each classic.”

As part of Universal’s 100th Anniversary this year, a commemorative 50th Anniversary release of “To Kill a Mockingbird” is currently available on Blu-ray/DVD.  Coming to Blu-ray for the first time,

“The Birds” will be released as part of the “Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection” on Sept. 25.  

Also premiering on Blu-ray, “Frankenstein” and “Bride of Frankenstein” will be included in the “Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection” available Oct. 2.