Buzz
The 2020 Netflix remake of Alfred Hitchcock's classic Rebecca showcases how deeply Hitchcock's films continue to shape pop culture, film, and television, even four decades after his passing. His works remain a benchmark in cinema, influencing countless references and tributes. Here are 10 unforgettable moments that keep his legacy alive.
10. Scream: ‘We All Go a Little Mad Sometimes’
Wes Craven’s '90s slasher hit, Scream, is a love letter to horror films, paying homage to iconic works, including Hitchcock’s Psycho. The movie is packed with references to classics like The Exorcist, Friday the 13th, and Halloween, so it was only fitting that Psycho would make an appearance.
When Billy Loomis (a self-proclaimed horror movie aficionado) reveals himself as one of the killers, he quotes the famous line, 'We all go a little mad sometimes.' This line, originally delivered by Norman Bates in Psycho, is a chilling nod to the villain’s complex character. Additionally, Billy shares his last name with Marion Crane's husband, Sam Loomis, drawing a direct connection between the two characters. It’s clear that Norman Bates had a significant influence on Billy’s character, who, much like Bates, had a twisted affection for horror films.
9. Family Guy: ‘North By North Quahog’
The title of Family Guy’s season 3 premiere makes it clear that Hitchcock references are in store. The episode follows Peter as he steals a script from Mel Gibson's hotel room, setting off a chase reminiscent of North By Northwest. The iconic crop duster scene is recreated shot for shot, and later, Peter rescues Lois from Mel Gibson’s house in a perfect homage to the North By Northwest Mount Rushmore sequence. It’s also worth noting that Seth MacFarlane, the show's creator, produced a Psycho-themed promo for the Oscars in 2013, cementing the show's ongoing Hitchcock homage throughout its run.
8. Horrible Bosses: Strangers on a Train
The plot of Horrible Bosses strongly echoes Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train, and the film makes this connection clear. The three main characters—played by Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis—conspire to murder their respective bosses and consult with Jamie Foxx’s character, Motherf––r Jones, a self-proclaimed 'murder consultant.' He suggests they kill each other’s bosses to avoid a motive and provide an alibi.
Upon hearing this advice, Jason Sudeikis’s character immediately recognizes the plot as being a direct nod to Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train. Charlie Day’s character, Dale, humorously adds that the film stars Danny DeVito. The amusing part is that the film Dale refers to is Throw Momma from the Train, a comedic take on Hitchcock’s original, blending satire with its inspiration. The film’s plot draws unmistakable influence from Hitchcock, and it cleverly weaves this connection into the dialogue.
7. The (Not So Great) Hitchcock Remakes
Numerous directors have attempted to honor Hitchcock’s films with their own renditions, but only a few (emphasis on few) have managed to do so successfully. The most recent Netflix remake of the 1940 classic Rebecca holds a disappointing 41% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics agreeing it lacked originality and merely echoed the original. And then there's the 1998 shot-for-shot remake of Psycho starring Vince Vaughn—let’s just pretend that never happened. The 2007 update of Rear Window, Disturbia, was generally well-received, but it still couldn’t quite reach the heights of Hitchcock’s brilliance.
On the other hand, one of the most highly regarded Hitchcock remakes isn’t even truly a remake but rather a parody. Mel Brooks's High Anxiety is a hilarious spoof that lovingly references several Hitchcock classics, including Vertigo, Spellbound, and Psycho. In conclusion, can we all agree to stop making Hitchcock remakes unless they bring something truly fresh to the table? Thank you for attending my TedTalk.
6. That '70s Show: Hitchcock Halloween Episode
For Hitchcock fans, the Halloween-themed episode of That ’70s Show is a must-see. Season 3, episode 4, titled 'Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too Young to Die,' is a fun and light-hearted homage to Hitchcock’s films. The plot kicks off with Fez injuring his leg and ending up in a wheelchair. Much like James Stewart in Rear Window, he begins to suspect that a neighbor may have murdered his wife, spying on them with a pair of binoculars.
The episode also nods to Hitchcock’s The Birds when Kitty struggles to feed a neighbor’s unfriendly, ominous birds. There's also a Vertigo reference when Eric develops a fear of heights after narrowly avoiding a fall from a roof, and a hilarious moment where Michael and Laurie recreate the famous shower scene from Psycho. To top it all off, we get a playful parody of the crop duster scene from North by Northwest.
5. The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Hitchcock Spoof
If you're a fan of The Simpsons, you know the show has a long tradition of clever movie references. The Simpsons has been paying tribute to classic films with their unique comedic twist, and Hitchcock’s masterpieces have been a frequent source of inspiration. Over the years, they’ve spoofed Vertigo, Psycho, Strangers on a Train, North by Northwest, The Birds, and Rear Window.
One of their standout Hitchcock-themed episodes is Treehouse of Horror XX, which includes at least five references to Hitchcock’s work. Among them is a silhouette of Homer, a playful callback to Hitchcock’s TV series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The episode even features one of Hitchcock’s famous cameo appearances, which he made in over 38 of his own films.
4. Bates Motel: Norman Bates Origin Story
The main takeaway from this Psycho spinoff series is a crucial lesson: never trust a man who finds joy in stuffing dead birds or who resides in a questionable motel on his own. Norman Bates, a character who gained immense popularity, became the central figure in A&E’s show, Bates Motel, launched 53 years after the original Psycho film premiered. The show proved to be a major success, even featuring a memorable guest appearance by Rihanna as Marion Crane.
Bates Motel also recreated the iconic shower scene, adding its own twist, while delving into the strange and unsettling (okay, extremely unsettling) relationship between Norman and his mother, Norma. The show begins with a relatively normal teenage Norman, but by its conclusion, we witness his transformation into the infamous psycho who captured America’s attention.
3. James Bond: How North by Northwest Influenced the Bond Franchise
One of the lesser-known but significant pop culture influences Hitchcock's films have had was on the legendary James Bond series. Some even refer to North by Northwest as the 'first James Bond movie'—though it’s not officially part of the franchise. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, even wanted Cary Grant, the star of North by Northwest, to play 007 in the first Bond film. Grant was offered the role but turned it down after his stellar performance in Hitchcock’s film.
If you watch North by Northwest (which was released before any Bond film, of course), you can easily spot the profound influence it had on the Bond films. Cary Grant portrayed the sophisticated, well-dressed, and charming leading man running from danger in glamorous, exotic locations. This spy thriller had all the elements of a Bond film: suspense, espionage, a villain, and a beautiful, mysterious woman by the hero’s side. It’s no wonder that every Bond film that followed adopted this formula as its blueprint.
2. The Beatles: How 'Eleanor Rigby' Was Influenced by the Psycho Score
It’s true—many are unaware that the haunting strings featured in The Beatles' hit song 'Eleanor Rigby' were inspired by the iconic score of the film Psycho. The eerie sound of the strings wasn’t a direct inspiration for the song itself, but rather for its melody and instrumental arrangement. According to George Martin, the Beatles' producer, when Paul McCartney proposed incorporating strings into 'Eleanor Rigby,' Martin immediately thought of the intense, high-pitched tones found in Psycho's music.
Upon listening to 'Eleanor Rigby,' it becomes clear how the strings echo the tension and unease found in Psycho's soundtrack. Compared to the Beatles’ other famous tracks, 'Eleanor Rigby' has a much darker tone, and it makes sense that its instrumental backdrop would draw influence from one of the most chilling scores in cinematic history.
1. The Iconic Psycho Shower Scene: A Cultural Staple
Even those who have never seen Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 classic Psycho are familiar with its legendary shower scene: the silhouette lurking behind the curtain, the knife slowly rising, and the unmistakable screeching score. This is undoubtedly one of the most famous moments in film history, and at the time, its shocking violence stirred considerable controversy.
It’s no wonder that Hitchcock’s iconic shower scene has been spoofed countless times. Even Jamie Lee Curtis, daughter of the actress who portrayed the ill-fated Marion Crane, has recreated the moment. From Looney Tunes cartoons to comedies like High Anxiety and modern reboots such as Bates Motel, here’s a collection of various parodies of the legendary “Shower Scene.”
