I’m an admirer of Alfred Hitchcock’s film-making skills. While in Sonoma County, my wife and I made a point of checking out some of the locations Hitchcock used when crafting his classic 1963 film, “The Birds”.
One of the most important locations was the former Potter Schoolhouse in the town of Bodega (a few miles inland from Bodega Bay). Built in 1873 the lower story was the school while the upper level was an open space used for community events. The Potter Schoolhouse was abandoned the year before Hitchcock filmed his movie and it is likely the attention “The Birds” gave it saved the Schoolhouse from demolition. Today it’s a historic landmark and has been restored as a private residence. You can view the home from the street, but there are no tours of the interior.
The above clip shows a key scene from the film. It was here at the Potter Schoolhouse that the birds gathered on the playground. The children run down the street in terror while the birds attack them.
The schoolhouse sits next to St. Teresa of Avila Church.
A favourite movie of mine. Rod Taylor was an Australian actor I enjoyed.