At GMT Studios in Culver City is where Tippi Hedren, best known for her starring role in Hitchcock’s The Birds, hosted “A Boo Celebration”, a fundraiser for the Shambala Preserve.

The animal preserve is located north of Los Angeles in Acton, CA and is home to over 70 big cats including tigers, lions, leopards, bobcats and even a liger (half lion, half tiger).

Hedren first fell in love with wild animals in 1969 while filming Satan’s Harvest in Africa. As a result, in 1983 she founded The Roar Foundation to support the incredible efforts by Shambala Preserve to rescue animals that have become victims of the exotic cat trade or were purchased by individuals that could no longer care for them properly.

To kick off the evening festivities held on Saturday, October 25 as a top-notch performance of jazz tunes from the 1950s by The Jazz Ensemble of San Diego, a talented group of musicians between the ages of 14 – 19. Vanguard University’s 2008 NAIA Women’s Basketball Champions were also among the crowd visiting selling raffle tickets while visiting with guests.

Tippi Hedren arrived dressed as a black cat, whiskers and all and was part of an interactive mystery radio show that either needed better lighting as  it was too dark to read a script or a bit more rehearsal, as the performance left much to be desired. But it was all in the name of love for those much beloved exotic cats, so no one seemed to mind.

Among other activities was Terri Hardin’s pumpkin carving. With her long dreaded hair tied back and her sleeves rolled up, Hardin single handedly turned an enormous pumpkin into a 3D tiger that glowed from deep within. Other guests included Chris Gallucci a.k.a. The Elephant Man who was signing copies of his book “The Elephant Man” – an amazing story about “how an unruly giant healed a broken man”. Loretta Swit, best known for her role as Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan from the television series M*A*S*H and long-time activist against animal cruelty, was also among the crowd.

To top off the event was a wild assortment of treats that were served including decadent carrot cake to rich cupcakes  to cheesecake. But the sweetest and most endearing of all was Tippi Hedren’s festive means of helping feed a wild bunch of roaring big cats much in need of continued assistance.