Alfred Hitchcock frenzy begins with four films

Alfred Hitchcock fans are sure to flock to select theaters in Westbury, Farmingdale, Holtsville and Stony Brook on Wednesday for a special one-day screening of his 1963 fright-fest, "The Birds." But the movie, part of Turner Classic Movies and Fathom Events' Universal Studios centennial celebration, is only the beginning of a Hitchcock frenzy taking place in Hollywood and on Broadway.

The master of suspense's presence will be felt in several upcoming film and stage projects over the next year. What's it all about, Alfred? Who knows, but here are four Hitchcock-related projects you won't want to miss.

THE GIRL

Toby Jones stars as Hitchcock in this Oct. 20 HBO movie about his turbulent relationship with "Birds" star Tippi Hedren, which was apparently creepier than anything that happened in the movie they were making. Ruffling feathers with Jones will be Sienna Miller as Hedren and Imelda Staunton as Hitch's long-suffering wife, Alma.

HITCHCOCK

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This time it's Anthony Hopkins as Hitch in Fox Searchlight's biographical comedy-drama that focuses on the making of the director's groundbreaking film "Psycho," including his battles with censors, self-doubts about whether he could still be edgy and his relationship with Alma, played by Helen Mirren. As actress Janet Leigh, Scarlett Johansson will take that famous shower-turned-bloodbath. Brit James D'Arcy co-stars as Anthony Perkins and Jessica Biel plays Vera Miles.

THE BATES MOTEL

Speaking of "Psycho," we'll finally get to meet Norman Bates' mom in the flesh in A&E's 10-episode series, a prequel to Hitchcock's 1960 classic. "Departed" actress Vera Farmiga will check in as Norma Bates, proprietor of the Bates Motel and mommy dearest to one of the screen's most famous wackos. The network promises the miniseries, which is slated to air sometime next year, will give viewers "the dark, twisted back story" between mother and son.

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REBECCA

Hitchcock's 1940 Oscar winner about a young bride who moves into an eerie mansion -- complete with loony housekeeper and the looming presence of her husband's dead first wife -- is being resurrected on Broadway, as a musical. Rehearsals for the show, which were supposed to begin last week, were postponed until Sept. 24 after the death of a major investor. Previews had been scheduled to begin Oct. 30 at the Broadhurst Theatre, although it's possible they also could be delayed.

"Rebecca" may still find life beyond Broadway -- Variety reported earlier this year that DreamWorks is planning a movie remake and has a screenplay in the works.