PopHorror Let's Get Scared
On September 6, 2020, Psycho (1960) turns 60 years old! It has marked its territory as one of Alfred Hitchcock’s best films ever. The film is something that truly satisfies the taste buds of horror fans, becoming one of the best black-and-white, low budget horror film ever set to film. With remarkable characters that have had a huge impact on the hearts of horror fans all over the world, this film has tainted our minds—in a good way!—and left us with a bigger picture look into the mind of a psychopath.
As the anniversary approaches, we dedicate this article to the characters of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh: Touch of Evil 1958) and Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins: The Black Hole 1979). Marion Crane is sweet and sassy, but she is also capable of doing bad things while keeping her own secrets. Norman Bates is the ultimate psychotic killer who did everything in his power to mislead not only Marion but the audience as well. His delusion was a revelation, leaving viewers rattled and scratching their heads.
Horror films are made to shock, surprise, and scare us, to make us look over our collective shoulder when we hear a strange noise. They even make us think outside the box to figure out the state of mind of characters from other genres. That’s something that the director, Alfred Hitchcock (Shadow of a Doubt 1943 – read our review here), has certainly accomplished. Psycho was written by Screenwriter Joseph Stefano (The Outer Limits TV series), which was based on the eponymous book by Robert Bloch. The words from the book must have crept into his cranium to give him such great ideas.
Anthony Perkins received the role of a lifetime when he was called to portray Norman Bates. He had been continuously praised for his stage work and acting presence. That isn’t a surprise since his role in Psycho fits the pattern of his early childhood. According to news reports, Perkins spoke up about being tortured by his parents, which left him an emotional strained individual. Growing up that way can cause excessive damage to someone’s mental well being, but luckily, he was able to move on and pursue a successful career.
Before Psycho, Janet Leigh was a famous actress working for MGM. Growing up in poverty, she was a singer for her local church choir. She had the acting skills necessary to portray the role of Marion Crane, winning a Golden Globe Award for her hard work and dedication. Marrying actor Tony Curtis in 1951, they soon welcomed two daughters, one of which was cult horror actress Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween 1978 – read our review here). The mother-and-daughter duo collaborated in the film, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) when Jamie Lee agreed to reprise her role as Laurie Strode.
Pre-order the 60th anniversary uncut Blu-ray release of Psycho right here!
Alfred Hitchcock was a master in the horror genre and became an international success. His creative abilities will forever live on as current and future filmmakers use his knowledge of cinema as a way to continue their growth in the entertainment business. He was at the forefront of psychological suspense, horror, and thriller genres, and Psycho will forever showcase his unique styles in filmmaking.
Be sure to check out the 60th anniversary uncut Blu-ray at the link above, which is releasing on September 8th!
