Alfred Hitchcock & Salem Witch Trials

I've never seen a cat open and close the door like that. Okay, well, now it's time for the reveal of our backup mascot. That's better. Wait did you say backup mascot? Well, if we're not going to have a cat with us in here today, the next best thing would be a flock of murderous birds. Yes, only they didn't have murderous birds at the pets or so I got us these cute little baby chicks instead. Ah, they's so soft and fluffy. Didn't Eric please play us in here?

What do you think you know about the grates from this story? The game is on. To get some energy and buckle up your brain, because it's signed to play the Whos Podcast because it's time to play but who Who? Life from Tom the Land or so called Sow Los Angeles, Welcome to Who Was, the history push show that gives contestants the chance to win mega prizes and podcast glory. I'm Deep the announcer who might put you under my spell. And now here's your host, the man occasionally scared by

his own shadow. It's Elliott Kaylin. Thank you be, and I've got a good reason everyone knows shadows or where the mom stars by I saw my own shadow again. We welcome everyone to the Who Was Podcast. This show it's like Jeopardy, only with surprise guests, silly games, and outrageously fun music. Our contestants were sent who Was books about two great figures or events from history. Now they're here to show off their knowledge and the hopes of

winning fantastic prizes problems. Today, we're chatting about two absolutely frightful topics, the Salem Witch Trials and the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock. But before we learn about those, let's learn a little about our contestants. All right, First up, we have Parker. Parker, please introduce yourself. Hello, I'm Parker, My favorite subject is social studies. I love social studies too.

Is it the history that you like or the lives of people are learning about human beings come together in this world of ours? What is it about social studies that you like so much? The history? Who's one of your favorite figures from history? Parker? George Washooter fantastic, amazing hair, you how to ride a horse head, didn't smile very much, but that's okay. Get a lot of else going for him. Those the main things about George Washington. What does that

you like about George Washington? Is it that he had great hair? No, it's about like how he he's the first president, he's a leader, he fought in the Revolutionary War, from the French and Indian War. Yeah, those are pretty amazing things too. Yeah. I like all that stuff about him. But the thing I admire most about George Washington is that, um, he can write a boat even when it's very cold, which is something that I have never been able to do while standing up. While standing up? All right, Next

we have Branson. Branson, please introduce yourself. Hi. My name is Branson and I'm nine years old and I love basketball. Alright, which position do you play in basketball? I played print guards? Okay? And is that the one that tackles everybody? Or are you the one that holds the broom while the other people push the puck sport on the ice? The see that's hockey football. Okay, I did drive of the ball and shoot? Oh do you have a favorite basketball player idea? Okay?

Well you uh well, please don't keep us in suspense, please tell us who is your favorite basketball player? Black with Jordan Oh? Okay, thank you so much both you for being here, and thank you to Eric, our musician for providing that lovely meet the contestants music and all the music on the show today. Today's episode is a specially excited because Parker and Branson. That's right, you guessed it, they have the same feature Mr Bruno. Okay, well that's

who is. Now let's find out who was Alfred Hitchcock with four fast facts pens. Alfred Hitchcock directed over fifty feature films, most of which were scary or high suspense. He had his own TV show and a magazine dedicated to mystery stories. Hitchcock shot films for the British war effort in World War Two and in nineteen seventy nine, he was knighted by the Queen of England. Hitchcock made so many movies and I've only seen a small portion

of them because they came out before you were born. No, because only a small portion of the screen is visible if you're watching a movie through your fingers. They're so scary. With so much to learn about Alfred Hitchcock, it's time for our first game. True or false? True or false? Is false? Is it false? Or is it true? Is it true that it has false? Is it false that it was? True? Or true? True or false? Thank you Eric.

In this game, be will lead a statement. You will then let us know if that statement is true or false or false. You guessed it, And since this is our first game, each question is worth one point. Take it away. Being Parker Europe first. Alfred Hitchcock grew up loving films and went to the movie theater with his family every week. Is that true or false? False? That's right, it's false. When Alfred was young, little Alfie Hitchcock, movie

theater didn't even exist yet. Instead, he went to the regular theater, where he was inspired by how stage lighting was used to create different moves. He went on to use those same lighting techniques in his movies. Okay, Branson, this next question is for you. True or false? Teenage Alfred frequently visited the Black Museum at Scotland Yard, a museum dedicated to evidence from famous and unusual crimes. True.

That's right. That's true. When he visited, he would have seen nooses from actual executions and a letter from famous serial killer Jack the Ripper. On the other hand, he would not have seen me there because I've got to sleep without nightmares. Thank you. All right, now it's your turn. Parker Hitchcock's first job with designing the title cards that were used to communicate dialogue and important information in silent films, because early movies didn't have sound. Is that true or false? True?

That's right, it's true. Hitchok was so good at drawing titles as those cards containing important information were called that his own title changed to boss when he became head of the department Ice workout, Hitchcock. That's exciting for you. Congratulations on your promotion, Branson, back to you, these questions for you. Hitchcock found it difficult to get used to making movies in the US, and his first films shot in America were not successful. Is that true or false? False?

That's right, it's false. His very first film made the United States, Rebecca, went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. He was quickly established as the master of suspense, and even forty years after his death, his movies are still considered some of the most engaging and thrilling movies of all time. True true true true. What a great game. You both know a lot about Alfred Hitchcock.

We're gonna have Jane tally our scores and report them to you after this short break, Eric, please play us some scary movie music pianos playing inside the house. Wow, welcome back to the Who Was? Podcast. Today we're learning all about who was Alfred hihpop and what were the Salem witch trials? With contestants who are terrifyingly smart. And here's your host, Elliot Kalin. Thank you be. Before we go further into the game, let's go to producer Jane

for the scores. I'm afraid of what I'm gonna hear. Oh, well, you don't be too scared. It's only two points each. It's a time fantastic Oh if any, if anything, that's the least scoopy type of score. Wait, unless it's the most scoopy type of score. Well, let's keep the show moving. We gotta learn. Let's keep learn more about the Salem witch Trials. I'm in a cold sweat either way, So let's hear about the Salem witch Trials with four fast facts prospects. Starting in the spring of over two people

in Salem Village, Massachusetts were accused of witchcraft. The townspeople accuse one another of working with the devil to cause a mysterious illness. By the end of the Salem witch Trials, twenty people were executed for witchcraft and five died in Jaho. By May of six all those jailed for witchcraft were pardoned and released. There were no actual witches or witchcraft ever. Who was a case of mass hysteria? For ten months the townspeople of Salem accused from another of witchcraft. The

suspense was palpable. Alfred Hitchcock probably would have made a great movie about it, but unless we'll never know. Wait, maybe we can get him to make one. Using our handy dandy time travel telephone. Who was that? Who was? Want our next game? Can? Wait? We've got a movie to make. Please welcome to the show Witchcraft accusing teenager Betty Paris. Hi Betty, good sabbath to you, sir, and welcome the Master of Suspense director Alfred Hitchcock. Good evening,

it's actually the middle of the day, Sir Alfred. Yes, but that was my catchphrase. Good evening evening is scarier than the middle of the day. Good point. Okay, so how do we get this movie started? Let's begin by setting the scene, Betty, where did all this happen? Pretty good, sir. I reside in Salem Village, a godfaring community in New England. No England, that's a little black. We'll say it in San Francisco. Immor romantic. So you will watch a young

heiress matching wits with a handsome jewel thief. I watched that movie. Yeah, me too. Let's call it sing three people welcome. See that. I'm nothing of the sword having to be praised. I'm a humble maiden of Puritan stock. We believe that jewels and wealth are evil. That's not particularly fun. Well, we'll also believe the fun is evil and smiling and comfortable chairs. Eve. I understand correctly you were wrongly accused of a murder and had to go on the run to find the actual culprit. I watched

that movie. Yeah, me too, let's call it Paddington three. No, no, no, no, Um, I would think you were joking, if jokes weren't also evil. No, my cousin and I began to have strange symptoms. We babbled while nonsense and hid under furniture because you were being haunted by a ghost. Um, now, wet, they're so close. Well, the town doctor said you were cursed by a witch, and you know, we believed him because back then medicine basically didn't exist. So we told him that three townswomen

were the witches. But really was the doctor who was the witch? A twist. I've seen that movie, me too, let's call it Spider Man four. Spider Witch like a sandwich with spiders in it. That's obviously not what she meant though, that would be spooky. No, no, no, there weren't any which is at all. We were just scared girls telling the grown ups what we thought they wanted to hear. You know. Then things kind of got out of hand and one thing led to another, and the

next thing you know, nineteen people were hanging to death. Oops, that's not such a fun plot for a movie. Yeah, it sounds more like a meditation on the nature of fear and how communities use scapegoats when they don't feel in control of the world around them. Well said, you should make this movie because I don't want to. I like movies that have fun. Goodbye. Okay, Wait, but before we go, I have a question, what are movies more? Okay, before we undergo our own case of necessary less to

dive into our next game. It's called by any other name. In this game, be will describe some aspect of the Salem witch Trials, but using an odd rhyming word or phrase instead of the exact word that we're looking for. You must decipher what she's saying and tell us the

real word that rhymes with the nonsense words. So, for example, if the answer was happy Birthday, b would say something funny that rhymes with it, like Patty learth Day, which I guess is funny to everyone except Patty Learthday herself, and we apologize for using her name. Yes, of the of the New Jersey Lark. Yes, it's a wonderful family. And because this is our second game, each question is now worth you guessed it two points, Parker, Europe. First,

this questions for you. After nothing seemed to cure Abigail and Betty, the town doctor suggested that they were under an evil hand, meaning they were tree snitched, bewitched. That's right, be witched. Doctors regularly diagnosed patients for witchcraft back then. Thankfully, modern doctors have discovered many new and creative ways to tell you they don't know what's going on. This next

question is for you, Branson. Before being questioned, suspected, which is, were usually examined to see if they had any moles, warts, or mirth barks known signs of witchcraft birthmarks. That's right. Moles, warts, or birthmarks were considered evil people thought, which has used them to communicate with each other. Of course, my birthmarks communicate that my skin, like me, is artistic. Okay, it's

your turn, Parker. Many people were in prison after being accused of witchcraft, but the prisoners who got blessed were treated better than those who didn't confessed. That's right. The answer is confessed. Those who admitted to being witches weren't put in chains, and many suspects were encouraged by their families to just go ahead and confess to being which is hashtag go blessed. Ready for the last question of the round, Branson, Yes, sir. Starting in October, a new

court began trying the cases of witchcraft. Unlike the previous court, they no longer used heck pull pebitants as proof that someone was a witch. Specter, you know what, I'm gonna give you half credit for that. What we're looking for is they no longer replied on spectral evidence. That's a tough one, meaning that you couldn't be arrested just because someone said you were a witch. By this time, the town felt that the trial had gone a little too far.

But you know what hasn't gone too far? Are schmund pending pests for cowledge? Exactly our unending quest for knowledge. And that's the end of by any other name, another super strong round, almost suspiciously supernaturally strong producer, Jane, will you please let us know where we stand with the scores? Sure, Elliott, right now you have brands and with five points and Parker has sped ahead with six. Fantastic, Thank you, Jane.

It's still a super close game, almost Dare I say it, frighteningly. Oh my goodness. Look, Brandson Parkner, we're gonna keep going with the scary puns and this and and stuff like that, so get used to it. The game's not over yet. I do have a question for you, though, uh so, partner, Branson, if you could cast a spell on someone, we're just on the world, what would you cast? And why? Branson? What did you go first? What spell would you cast? If you could, I would cast that I would never

have to grow up. Well, I would stay at a certain age in my whole life. Yeah, Oh, may I recommend thirty six? Yeah? Yeah, thirty six is a good one, Branson. What what age would you choose? I'm not sure, but yeah, probably thirty forty smart thirty to forty alright, looking forward to the future, but but not that the too far not the future. Okay, So you know you're gonna grow up a little bit, You're gonna turn probably like thirty

two or thirty three. You're gonna meet a vampire and say, make me a vampire so I can stay this age forever. Oh no, we have which is an Alfred Hitchcock and a vampire in this ship. If you get too scared of Parker. If you could cast a spell, what would it be in world hunger? Oh that's a great spell. That's really beautiful. Yeah, that's wonderful. That's so sweet. Those are both great spells. Well, we will be right back with our witching guests after the break with more cool

was pie? Eric? Do you have any witch music you can play for us? Which one the witch music? Yeah? Which? Which song? Yeah? Yes, that's correct? Which? Yeah? That one? The witch catalog? Exam that one? Yeah, the witch witch song from the Witch Catalog? Exactly? Which one? Yes? Exactly? You got which of the witch witch? Exactly? Let's dance at night for fun? Sally? Who Was? Asked Marie Curie. You may remember me from winning multiple Nobel Prizes off from my episode of the who wast podcast where I

played myself. I wanted to take a moment to read one of my favorite reviews about the who Was podcast. This is from Shaken Bay and it reads loved this Me and my little sister love this show more. Please Our faith is Arietman. If you want to hear your review right on the app, make sure to subscribe, like, and review to the OAS podcast in the I Heart Radio up or wherever you get your podcasts revoir or should I stay abiato? Welcome back to the Who Was Podcast.

Today we're learning the spooky ins and out of the Salem Witch Trials and Alfred Hitchcock. When we last left off, Harker had six points and Branson had five points. And now back to our host, Elliott Klin. Thanks Be. It's still anyone's game as we head into our next end final segment. Contestants, Parker, are you ready to play Converge of Greatness? I find the Converge of Greatness music so inspiring. Okay.

In this multiple choice game, Be will read questions where are subjects Alfred Hitchcock and the Sale in which trials overlap or converge? And because this is the third game, each question is worth you guested three points, So pick the best option of the choices as your answer. Parker, Europe First, It's your turn, take it away. B Courts play an important role in the saleon Witch Trials, but

also in the life of Alfred Hitchcock. As a child, he frequently sat in on criminal trials at the Old Bailey Courthouse, and his favorite cases to listen to were a traffic cases, B bookcases or see murder cases murder cases. See that's right, The answer is c murder cases. Murder would continue to fascinate Alfred Hitchcock. He made dozens of movies about the topic. He even made a movie called murder. That's the title of the movie. Okay, it's your turn, Branson.

Mistaken identity was often a part of Alfred Hitchcock's movies, and in the Life of One Unfortunate Woman accused of witchcraft in Salem, the court confused Bridget Bishop for an unrelated woman named Susan Bishop who A owned a rowdy in b fu on a broom or see played e sports competitively A. That's right. The answer is A owned a rowdy in the court didn't know the difference between the two women and treated Bridget like she was guilty of witchcraft right away. Not fair, not fair at all.

But a case of mistaken identity that I've had, Alfred Hitchcock would have gotten a real kick out of. All right, This next one is for you, Parker. The Salem witch trials were fueled by people suspecting their neighbors of wrongdoing. That is also the plot of which Alfred Hitchcock movie is it a The Birds, be rear window or see Psycho. See I'm sorry, The answer is be rear window. Though it is a great movie and a necessary part of any car. That's just common sense. You need a window. Okay.

This last question is for Brandson. Over the last three hundred years, several stories, films, and plays have depicted the Salem witch Trials, which one of them became one of the most popular plays written in America. Was it a The Crucible, be a Charlie Brown Christmas or see Macbeth. That's right, the answer is a The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller during the height of the hunt for communists

in the entertainment industry. He found the parallel with the two events to make the point that people's lives can be ruined by the fear of something that isn't really a real danger. And that's the end of Converge of Greatness. And now it's time for me to confess the greatest fear of all, my fear that we're coming to the end of the show. So lowly wait for Jane. Yeah, it's terrible. I wish there was more, But the last all things must come to an end. But first, while

Jane talies the score. I'd love to hear from our contestants. Is there something Branson or Parker that really surprised you that you learned about the Sandwich Trials or Alfred Hitchcock? Oh? Yes, and Salem what trials? Uh? Datty only said three people in Abigail said over two hundred that were witches. They won one name three people and one said over two hundred people were witches and in the end were either

of them? Right? No, No, there were no witches. But I guess if you're going to guess wrong, guess big. You know. But that's it's amazing how even though they disagreed so much, that people still were so scared of witches that they went along with it. Uh, Branson, is there anything that jumped out at you about either the Sandwich Trials or Alfred Hitchcock and jumped at it you in a good way, not jumped at it you and

a like at sky scary? Yeah, like a scary Alfred Hitchcock. Well, and Alfred Hitchcock um for some of his movies, like when they're recording he went to a hen house and he grabbed some eggs and he through it the teacher's window. I didn't know this. I'm learning, I'm finding this out. We why would why would you do that? He was just pranking. Yeah, prancers are do got a frank? Yeah, they should have called Alfred hitch frank. That should have

been Yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm glad that we could learn some of the scarier things and some of the lighter things about these people. Mr Bruno, Is there anything that that was surprising to you about Alfred Hitchcock with the Sandwich Trials? Yes, I'm from New Orleans. I have fortune tellers in the French Quarter, and those people wouldn't have made it back then. Let's say we're throwing them were thorn m and jail the fortune hunters. Though, that surprised me.

You're you're surprising that, Pete, that people in your own community would have been thrown into jail for fortune telling, whereas now it's a pretty good business us. It's a solid business to be in telling fortunes. I mean, we're we're here in l A and you're always within three ft of someone getting a tarot ready m that's legally you have talking legally, Yeah, it's required. Well, thank you both, Thank you all three for such interesting insights. Now it's

time one for the big moment. Jane, will you please look into your crystal ball or sprying cauldron and please announce our winner. Oh well, yeah, I saw a spooky thing going on. First Parker was ahead, then Branson was ahead, them, Parker was They had them, Branson and Branson and Parker Parker, Branson finally with Branson, who wins with eleven points, Parker with nine. What a close game. Congratulation Branson, Parker. Fantastic playing. That was so great for both of you. More suspenseful

than a Hitchcock plot. I'll tell you what. Yes, it's that he wished he made a movie as suspensable as this one. Branson, you have ten seconds for shoutouts, Go for it. Who would you like to thank for your victory today? I like to shout out for my mom, my dad, and two of my friends had a championship basketball game today. One name is Mason and another name is Danny, and they've won. And I went to it

before this. That's fantastic, but an exciting jay across the board. Yeah, wonderful. Well, our winner and their library of choice is going to be receiving a selection of who Was Books, and I'm going to give my own personal shoutouts to our interns, act to Jane Cannise, Eric, Dewey Caddell for playing Alfred ditch Coock for us in our sketch and to be, and a big thank you to both of our contestants for just playing such a fantastic, a frighteningly fantastic game.

Thank you especially also to you at home for listening to this show. Please join us next week as we'll learn who Was two more amazing people from history. Until then, this is Elliott Douglas Klin saying we are history. Good Bye. Everybody got a question for any of our famous figures, send us a voice memo at the Who Was Podcast at gmail dot com. It might just end up on the show. Who Was Podcast is produced by Radio Point, I Heart Media and Penguin Workshop, based on the best

selling who h Q series published by Penguin. Hosted by Elliott Caylin with co host Megan O'Neil as v This show also starred Jane Baker as Producer, Jane, Eric Shackney as Eric, and Dewey Paddell as Alfred Hitchcock. The show is executive Bruced by Richard Corson, Alex Boch, Elliott Calin, Megan O'Neil, Daniel Powell, and Houston Snyder. The executive producer for Penguin Workshop is Francesco SADDA executive producer for I Heart Media is Lindsay Hoffman. Written by Megan O'Neil, Elliott Caylan,

Kennie Mobley, and Jane Baker. The show was produced by Bernie Kaminski and our talent producer is Jane Baker. The theme song and music were composed and performed by Eric Shackney, edited and mixed by Kate molden Hour, and recorded by Joanna Samuels. Special thanks to Zach Timpson, Charlotte Dianda, Daniel Goodman, and Michael Lewis Howard. The Who Was Podcast was recorded at the iHeart Studios in Los Angeles, California. Sound services

provided by Great City Posts. The School Worst boadcast because it's standard flavor Fool was hand pass the West