My favorite film prop (yes, I have one) is the "Framed Swallow".
Like many in Hollywood, the Framed Swallow's film debut was that of a simple prop. It was patiently perched in the background of the home of Scott Carey in the 1957 film "The Incredible Shrinking Man".
By 1960 the Framed Swallow had moved on to stardom costarring with Anthony Perkins in Hitchcock's masterpiece "Psycho" as THE prop knocked off the wall by Norman Bates after Norman discovers the slashed corpse of Marion Crane in the hotel bathroom.
Perhaps Hitchcock understood the irony of casting the Framed Swallow in this pivotal role. Neither Marion while being stabbed nor Norman while cleaning up Marion could "swallow" for themselves.
Of course there are many bird references in "Psycho" and Hitchcocks next film was to be "The Birds".
Although the Framed Swallow's portrayal in "Psycho" was perfectly stiff and lifeless, a similar role in "The Birds" would have appeared manic in any scene with Tippi Hedren. Sadly, the Framed Swallow was not to be cast in the namesake film.
And so ended the career of my favorite film prop, the Framed Swallow.
- Chaz Smith
