Psycho (1960) | |
Director(s) | Alfred Hitchcock |
Producer(s) | Alfred Hitchcock (uncredited) |
Top Genres | Film Adaptation, Horror, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense |
Top Topics | Book-Based, Hotels, Money, Mother/Son, Psychological Thrillers, Secretaries |
Featured Cast:
Psycho Overview:
Psycho (1960) was a Horror - Mystery Film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and produced by Alfred Hitchcock.
The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Robert Bloch published in 1959.
SYNOPSIS
Hitchcock's mesmerizing thriller broke the rules of filmmaking with its cunning, psychologically-based plot, and changed the perception of Hollywood horror films forever. On a relatively small budget, Hitchcock carefully constructs a maze that leads to an inevitable, gruesome conclusion, a conclusion that the audience has seen coming and dreads. From the first shot, a magnificent crane shot whose camera perches on a hotel window from which we can observe an adulterous affair between Marion Crane (Leigh) and Gavin, the audience is complicit in the action, voyeurs who can't look away. After impulsively stealing a bundle of cash, Leigh heads for the highway. When she wearies and is advised to find a room, she turns into the Bates Motel, where she first encounters the nervously birdlike proprietor, Norman Bates (Perkins). Perkins's sly, almost charming performance as the haunted momma's boy builds a near-sympathy that is quickly erased by the famous shower scene, the most graphic depiction of a murder scene on film to that time. Through careful shooting and editing, the intensity of the act is multiplied in the minds of the audience until the last traces of blood swirl down the drain. As Crane's sister, Miles, and Detective Balsam uncover her fate, one more shock remains. A blueprint for cinema terror, which has been followed, discussed, and now remade almost shot for shot by Gus Van Sant in 1998 (he also followed Hitchcock's promotional blueprint, not allowing critics to pre-screen the film). Hitchcock had the last laugh on Paramount when they insisted that he finance much of the budget: Psycho was an international sensation that made him a wealthy man. Herrmann's chilling score, one of his finest, remains ever recognizable. Followed by three sequels and the 1998 remake. Though the film was nominated for Oscars for Best Director, Cinematography, Supporting Actress, and Art Direction, it received none, though it won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress: Janet Leigh.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.Psycho was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1992.
Academy Awards 1960 --- Ceremony Number 33 (source: AMPAS)
Award | Recipient | Result |
Best Supporting Actress | Janet Leigh | Nominated |
Best Art Direction | Art Direction: Joseph Hurley, Robert Clatworthy; Set Decoration: George Milo | Nominated |
Best Cinematography | John L. Russell | Nominated |
Best Director | Alfred Hitchcock | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
4K UHD Blu-ray Review: Psycho
By Devon Powell on Jun 4, 2021 From Hitchcock MasterDistributor: Universal Pictures Release Date: May 25, 2021 Region ? 4K UHD: Region Free Blu-ray: Region A Length ? Original Theatrical Version: 01:49:04 Censored Re-release Version: 01:48:51 Video? 4K UHD: 2160P (HEVC, H.265) Blu-ray: 1080P (MPEG-4, AVC) Main Audio ? 4K UHD: English DTS X Blu-ray... Read full article
Blu-ray Review: Psycho ? 60th Anniversary Edition
By Devon Powell on Nov 1, 2020 From Hitchcock MasterDistributor: Universal Pictures Release Date: September 08, 2020 Region: Region A Length ? Psycho (Original Theatrical Version): 01:49:04 Psycho (Censored Re-release Version): 01:48:51 Video: 1080P (MPEG-4, AVC) Main Audio: English DTS X 7.1 English DTS-HD Master Audio Alternate Audio: 2.0 Mono Spa... Read full article
The Directors’ Chair: Psycho
By Theresa Brown on Mar 21, 2020 From Classic Movie Hub BlogThe Directors’ Chair: Psycho (1960) Some directors specialize in comedy, others in suspense. Still others delve in horror, romance or westerns. There are directors known for many films and some known only for one. Directors can put their stamp all over their films, while others get the ... Read full article
So Crazy It Works – Psycho II (1983)
By Michael on May 25, 2018 From Durnmoose Movie MusingsOkay, here’s the short version of this review: Psycho II is a much better movie than any movie calling itself Psycho II should be. Alright, let’s go a bit deeper, then. When a movie calls itself Psycho II and opens with the classic and infamous shower scene from the 1960 original, it is ... Read full article
Review: Psycho (1960)
By 4 Star Film Fan on Apr 20, 2018 From 4 Star FilmsFor all intent and purposes, Psycho could be an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Hitchcock knew that better than anyone else. Foregoing the more lavish Technicolor tones he had used in Vertigo (1958) and North by Northwest (1959) and lacking the same type of studio backing, he shot this film... Read full article
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Quotes from
Marion Crane: Thank you.
Norman Bates: Thank you, Norman.
Marion Crane: Norman.
California Charlie: I'm in no mood for trouble.
Marion Crane: What?
California Charlie: There's an old saying, "First customer of the day is always the trouble!" But like I say, I'm in no mood for it, so I'm gonna treat you so fair and square that you won't have one human reason to give me...
Marion Crane: Can I trade my car in and take another?
California Charlie: Do anything you've a mind to. Bein' a woman, you will. That yours?
Marion Crane: Yes, it's just that - there's nothing wrong with it. I just...
California Charlie: Sick of the sight of it! Well, why don't you have a look around here and see if there's somethin' that strikes your eyes, and meanwhile I'll have my mechanic give yours the once over. You want some coffee? I was just about...
Marion Crane: No, thank you. I'm in a hurry. I just want to make a change, and...
California Charlie: One thing people never oughtta be when they're buyin' used cars, and that's in a hurry. But like I said, it's too nice a day to argue. I'll uh - shoot your car in the garage here.
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Facts about
Kim Stanley, noted Actors Studio legend, was offered the role of Lila, but turned it down due to personal reservations about working with Anthony Perkins.
After the film's release Alfred Hitchcock received an angry letter from the father of a girl who refused to have a bath after seeing Les diaboliques and now refused to shower after seeing this film. Hitchcock sent a note back simply saying, "Send her to the dry cleaners."
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