Buzz
In 1960, Alfred Hitchcock, the legendary suspense filmmaker, brought Psycho to life, inspired by Robert Bloch's widely acclaimed novel. This groundbreaking movie terrified audiences globally and has since earned its place as one of the most iconic horror films ever made. Unsurprisingly, a film of this stature comes with a treasure trove of intriguing anecdotes. Below are some of the most captivating ones. (Spoiler warning.)
10. William Castle
Few are aware that Psycho was heavily influenced by the low-budget, gimmick-filled movies of William Castle. For Hitchcock, the project was almost an experiment to see if a renowned director like himself could create a cost-effective film that would still achieve box office success—and it did. Hitchcock employed various strategies to keep costs down, such as intentionally shooting in black and white (he believed the film would appear excessively graphic in color) and utilizing the crew from his TV show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
9. A Safety Net Film
In 1955, Hitchcock made a determined effort to secure the rights to the French novel Celle qui n’était plus, only to be narrowly outmaneuvered by director Henri-Georges Clouzot, who adapted it into Les Diaboliques. Many speculate that Psycho serves as Hitchcock’s unofficial take on the story, as the two films share notable similarities. However, it’s also suggested that Psycho emerged as a backup project after his planned film with Audrey Hepburn, No Bail for the Judge, fell through.
8. The Iconic Shower Scene
This iconic scene is instantly recognizable, paired with Bernard Herrmann’s aptly titled piece, “Screaming Violins.” A popular myth suggests Hitchcock used ice-cold water to elicit Janet Leigh’s screams, but this is untrue. The sequence, which took seven days to film, required careful measures to ensure the water remained warm for her comfort. Initially, Hitchcock envisioned the scene in complete silence, but Herrmann composed a score without permission. Fortunately, Hitchcock approved and incorporated it. The final edit features 70 cuts packed into just 45 seconds.
7. Ed Gein
Thankfully, only subtle aspects of the notorious serial killer Ed Gein’s life inspired Norman Bates, sparing Psycho from becoming an even more disturbing film. Bates mirrors Gein, one of history’s most infamous psychopaths, particularly in his psychological ties to his mother. However, the film omitted Gein’s more gruesome acts, such as grave robbing, decorating his home with human remains, and crafting a suit from skin. Gein’s legacy later influenced another character, Jame Gumb from The Silence of the Lambs.
6. The City of the Dead
Also titled Horror Hotel, this Christopher Lee movie is often noted for its eerie parallels to Psycho. Released the same year, both films begin by following a young blonde protagonist, leading viewers to believe she will remain central to the plot. However, midway through, she checks into an isolated hotel or motel and is brutally stabbed to death. Despite these similarities, critics argue that the impact of the murder in City of the Dead pales in comparison to Psycho, as the victim was a lesser-known actress, unlike the shocking demise of major star Janet Leigh.
5. Saul Bass
Saul Bass, known for his work on Hitchcock’s earlier films, created the title sequence for Psycho. This time, Hitchcock expanded his role, allowing him to storyboard the death scene of Det. Arborgast, earning him a “pictorial consultant” credit. However, Bass’s vision for the sequence didn’t fully align with Hitchcock’s, as it reportedly set an expectation of inevitable murder too early. Years later, Bass claimed he also storyboarded and directed the iconic shower scene, but many crew members, including Janet Leigh, dismissed these assertions as untrue.
4. The Ensemble
Anthony Perkins faced initial resistance from Paramount due to his young age and lack of recognition among audiences. Janet Leigh was chosen to add star power to the film, while Vera Miles joined the cast after stepping away from Hitchcock’s earlier project, Vertigo, because of her pregnancy. Hitchcock was notably unimpressed with John Gavin’s casting, describing his performance as “wooden.” As was his tradition, Hitchcock also included his daughter Patricia in a minor role.
3. Hitchcock’s Signature Tricks
To maintain the authenticity of a low-budget production, Hitchcock devised several clever marketing tactics, the most notable being the rule that no one could enter the theater after the film began. At a time when moviegoers often wandered in and out of screenings, Hitchcock insisted that every viewer experience Psycho from the very beginning. Theaters were adorned with life-sized cutouts of Hitchcock pointing at his watch, emphasizing that the film must be watched from the start or not at all.
2. The Toilet
Audiences at the time were stunned to witness a toilet being flushed on screen, a first in cinematic history. While the toilet in the film was only flushing paper, the mere depiction of a close-up flush was considered scandalous. Interestingly, two 1930s cartoons had previously shown toilets being flushed, though they were far less controversial.
1. Divergences from the Novel
In Robert Bloch’s novel, Norma Bates was portrayed as overweight, unappealing, and thoroughly unpleasant. However, Hitchcock believed that the most effective villains should be charming and attractive. Another key difference is that Norman’s violent actions in the book stem from alcohol-induced blackouts rather than psychological trauma. Additional changes include renaming Mary Crane to Marion, relocating the setting from Fort Worth, Texas, to Phoenix, Arizona, and depicting Marion’s decapitation in the shower scene.
