PSYCHO 🤩

Horror movies, as you all know, are not my choice of viewing. All my life, I am frequently haunted by the visions I see on the screen. Over the years, I have been losing my precious sight to two insidious diseases. First and foremost…glaucoma and I am “lucky” to also have macular degeneration. These impact me every moment of my life. Watching films feeds my soul. I am not ready to say I can’t do this anymore. What I choose to see and write about has been very important to me. I love revisiting what I grew up with, and what helped mold me into the artsy persona l still am today. Grisly scenes gave me nightmares, and I didn’t ever want to relive those few seconds again. But now with my sight at a different place and specificity, I wanted to watch what used to frighten me. I wanted to not be afraid of squirting blood or shower stalls. I wanted to look at horror with renewed observation. It also helps not to be able to decipher every minute detail anymore. Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 vision of PSYCHO was my obvious choice. This huge blockbuster success filmed in black and white to save money had all the elements of what scared me and the audiences in the movie theaters. I am wearing my “big girl pants” now. Bring it on Hitch. 

The fabulous eerie musical score by Bernard Hermann gave PSYCHO its many heart-palpitating moments. The squeaky high-pitched sounds of violent knife stabbing will always be etched within my brain. The music was brilliantly written creating suspense, terror, and dread. This was accomplished by only using an all-strings orchestra. Every step up or down that staircase was frightful. Hearing the car drown in the swamp and then a few beats of absolute silence was genius. Hitch often said the film was one-third all about the music. I so agree. 

The sound effects also had a huge impact as well. The shuddering sounds of the knife going in and out of Marian’s (Janet Leigh) body were made by stabbing casaba melons. Yikes…cross that off my future grocery lists. The visual effects were amazing as well. Instead of using fake blood, Hitchcock used Bosco chocolate syrup for its deep coloring, and how it would look through a black-and-white lens. I knew there was a reason I stopped eating Bosco years ago.

Hitchcock was adamant that no one would divulge the ending of the film, so on the cast’s first day everyone had to raise their right hand and take an oath of secrecy. Hitch went so far as to have disclaimers at every movie theater it was shown at to protect the shocking conclusion. He originally purchased the PSYCHO rights from author Robert Bloch for a mere $9,000. Hitchcock made millions of dollars from this creative endeavor because he opted for points as his fee. It was his all-time biggest money-maker. 

Anthony Perkins portrayed Norman Bates. (A name that everyone remembers today, and the Bates Motel is still a big attraction at Universal Studios.) Anthony was somewhat of an unknown when first cast. He had a quirky, polite delivery that felt like he was on the edge of exploding. He just looked creepy especially when peeping through eye holes in the wall. Janet Leigh was the “star” name of the film. She came across as a woman at the end of her rope due to her affair and subsequent illegal decisions. In the beginning, she was dressed in white for goodness and purity, but that quickly changed when we saw her attired only in her black bra and slip. Janet did use a body double for some of her shower scenes, and she has been quoted as only taking baths after this film for the rest of her life. The entire ensemble was excellent as well and included Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Martin Balsam.  

PSYCHO was the first horror film to graphically show blood and gore. It took the “fright” films to the next level and changed horror movies forever. This is what Sir Alfred Hitchcock did for this genre. He made films that added more suspense, mystery, and bloody bits. His phenomenal storytelling talent made a difference as he wove everything together. PSYCHO is a classic masterpiece. It is the original slasher film that combines art, content, visual effects, and cinematic inventiveness. I am glad I saw it with my own eyes once more. It is available on TCM.