In his long, Herculean film career, Alfred Hitchcock broke a whole lot of new ground. No one could spin a tale of suspense the way he could. Spy movies, caper films, intimate character studies - all received his unique stamp. Of the many films Hitchcock made that redefined their genres, PSYCHO is the one broke all the rules. Brutally killing off your main character played by an 'A' list movie star in the first act? Expecting the audience to identify with the antagonist as he hides evidence? Showing a flushing toilet? This and so much more was totally unheard of in film before Hitchcock went there, and PSYCHO inarguably ushered in a new style of Horror film - a style that permeates almost every Horror movie made to this very day.
Head below!
Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) returns to her job after a lunch-break rendezvous with her boyfriend, Sam Loomis (John Gavin) at a Phoenix hotel. They had discussed marriage, but feel they can’t afford it yet. A client comes into the realtor’s office where she works and entrusts an envelope of cash to her. She sees her opportunity and steals the money. She quickly goes on the run. Along the way, she trades in her old car for a new one, and while driving in a massive downpour, decides to check into a small, remote hotel called Bates Motel. There, she meets the proprietor; a nervous young man named Norman Bates (Anthony Hopkins), who lives in the main house with his mother. Norman welcomes Marion, but Norman’s mother… does not.
PSYCHO was one of the first films to keep you off balance by establishing that no one is safe - a vibe that subsequent horror films have tried to duplicate with limited success. Janet Leigh was a major league star at this time, so the audience feels safe watching her make her way through the tense opening sequences of the film. Her exit from the film in the notorious shower scene is still terrifying to watch all these years later, and still surprising no matter how many times you witness it. If Janet Leigh can’t make it to the end of this picture, then who can? It was a bold, shocking move for 1960 and a classic scene of Horror.
From there, the movie shifts focus to Norman Bates as he tries to shield his mother from the subsequent events and survive himself in the process. Characters enter as the ‘new’ protagonist only to meet the same fate as Marion, and we never know what is lurking for the next character that comes along. The entire film is a study in how to turn convention on itself to create a new, fresh piece of storytelling.
Every aspect of the filmmaking is perfection. The acting is superb, the directing is visionary, Robert Clatworthy’s art direction is iconic, and George Tomasini’s edit is kinetic and vibrant. Most of all though, it is Bernard Hermann’s music that stands out. It is one of the greatest scores ever written for any genre. Beyond the horrifying screeching of the shower scene, the opening credits with its rapid, jagged string writing sets the mood more thoroughly than most opening credit sequences could. You can almost feel Hermann pouring everything he had into this work.
Can you believe this movie is 54 years old? You won't when you watch it, as it is still fresh, powerful, and friggin' scary after all these years.
Parental Guide:Though violent, there is little gore in this film. As it is, keep smaller children away. Teens 13+ should be able to handle it.
PSYCHO fun facts -
Alfred Hitchcock originally wanted the shower sequence to play without music. Bernard Hermann thought this was a bad idea and wrote score for it anyway and talked Hitchcock into trying it. Upon hearing it, Hitchcock immediately changed his mind and nearly doubled Hermann’s salary.
Though commonly regarded as an intelligent artistic choice, Hitchcock actually decided to film in black and white in order to save money.
The Bates house used in the film is now a popular stop on the Universal Backlot tour in Hollywood. The Bates Motel nearby is a replica.
Believing the film would fail, Paramount gave the film a very small budget and in return gave Hitchcock a huge chuck of the net profits. When the film was a smash, Hitchcock made a fortune.
Norman Bates - A boy's best friend is his mother.
Norman Bates - “She just goes a little mad sometimes. We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven't you?”
Marion Crane - “Yes. Sometimes just one time can be enough.”
Norman Bates - “Mother! Oh God, Mother! Blood! Blood!”