In 1956, Hitch posed for this picture at his favorite New York restaurant, the 21 Club. (He even gave the famed eatery a role in Spellbound.) Photo by John Rawlings
You could say Hitch was a man of many appetites. An old school gourmand, he served guests -- and himself -- more-than-ample portions from his well-stocked wine cellar (he loved Burgundy in particular) and aged beef flown in from England.
Once, on the set of The Birds, he advised 12-year-old actress Veronica Cartwright, who played the film's Cathy Brenner, on the proper way to broil a steak. He also gave her meticulous instructions regarding wine selection, right down to the best distributor to choose. (It's in Bristol, England.) She apparently never deviated from his wise counsel. I wouldn't, either -- would you?
Getting back to the picture above. Ogden Nash liked it so much he wrote the following poem:
Pick a Hitchcock of opulence rather than corpulence,
just pleasingly plump, with a snug silhouette,
To embellish the board when the places are set.
For the ultimate test, more closely examine it.
The Hitchcock Supreme has a wide streak of ham in it.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
