film american psychological horror thriller directed produced written starring miles based novel film centers encounter secretary ends stealing money employer disturbed owner manager aftermath originally film seen departure previous film north northwest having filmed low budget television crew black white initially received mixed reviews outstanding box office returns prompted led overwhelming critical acclaim academy_award nominations including director considered best films praised work cinematic art international film critics film scholars ranked greatest films time set new level violence behavior sexuality american films widely considered earliest example film genre death universal_studios began producing follow ups sequels remake television film spin series library congress deemed film culturally historically aesthetically significant selected preservation plot phoenix arizona real estate secretary named discusses boyfriend afford married sam debts lunch returns work client drops cash payment property boss asks deposit money bank asks rest afternoon returning home begins pack trip deciding steal money sam california seen boss way town makes nervous trip pulls road falls asleep awakened state patrol officer suspicious nervous behavior allows drive shaken encounter stops automobile trades arizona license plates ford custom california transaction highway sees car witnesses purchase newer car driving encounters sudden decides stop night proprietor invites light dinner checks accepts hears argument norman mother bringing woman house eat tells hobby life mother mentally ill life outside returning room decides phoenix return stolen money prepares shower unaware norman female figure suddenly appears stabs death chef knife norman discovers murder crime scene putting corpse possessions including money trunk car sinking swamps near week later sister arrives confronts sam whereabouts sister private investigator named approaches confirms wanted stealing employer eventually comes norman behavior suspicions hearing met norman mother asks speak norman refuses calls sam informing discovered saying intends speak norman mother goes home search reaches stairs suddenly appears bedroom murders sam hear local sheriff informs dead years killed lover concerned sam way norman takes unwilling mother room telling needs hide fruit cellar sam meet norman sam striking conversation house norman eventually realizes want knocks sam rushes house sees norman approaching attempts hide going steps lead cellar finds sitting chair turns discovers fact corpse screams figure comes running cellar norman holding chef knife wearing mother clothes wig norman attack sam having regained consciousness local courthouse psychiatrist explains norman murdered lover years prior jealousy unable bear guilt corpse began treat alive order preserve illusion recreated mother mind alternate personality dressing clothes talking voice mother personality jealous real norman feels attracted woman mother flies rage kills mother norman killed missing girls prior psychiatrist says mother personality taken permanent hold norman mind norman sits holding cell voice heard protesting murders norman wouldn harm fly final shot film shows car dragged swamp cast crane miles detective chambers california charlie car salesman highway patrol officer voice policeman guarding uncredited success jump started career soon began suffer asked taken role knowing replied definite yes death continued receive strange threatening calls letters tapes detailing like letter passed fbi agents visited told located fbi received letters type norman mother voiced provided screams discovery mother corpse voices thoroughly mixed speech new_york working broadway stage shower sequence filmed actresses stepped body doubles scene production development based novel loosely inspired case convicted wisconsin murderer grave lived miles story protagonist solitary murderers isolated rural locations deceased mothers sealed room home shrine dressed women clothes unlike strictly considered serial killer having charged murder twice long time assistant read positive review novel decided book employer studio readers paramount_pictures rejected premise film acquired rights novel reportedly ordered buy copies preserve novel surprises come face genre competitors works critically compared seeking new material recover aborted projects paramount bail judge disliked stars salary demands trusted people choose prospective material including paramount executives proposal refused provide usual budget response offered film quickly black white alfred presents television series crew paramount executives rejected cost conscious approach claiming sound stages booked industry slump countered personally finance project film crew paramount merely distribute lieu usual director fee proposed stake film negative combined offer accepted went ahead spite producer executive novel adaptation writer television series penned original screenplay felt script dragged read like television short horror story assessment shared assistant worked film agreed meet despite inexperience meeting went hired screenplay relatively faithful novel notable adaptations found character book middle aged overweight overtly unstable intrigued suggested casting eliminated drinking evidently necessitated removing mother personality drunken gone interest pornography elected open film scenes life introduce minutes film open reading history book writer notes story occupies novel chapters expanded nearly half narrative likewise notes hotel sam novel conversation norman hotel displays maternal sympathy makes possible audience switch sympathies murder looking norman room film opens book blank cover contents unseen novel pornographic illustrations wanted audience indications wrong spelled book interviews notes novel having extended conversations norman mother stating mother given moments female protagonist changed mary real existed phoenix changed novel romance sam preferred focus audience attention solution mystery thought relationship cheap instead having sam explain norman film uses psychiatrist therapy dealing relationship mother time writing film novel violent film instance crane beheaded shower opposed stabbed death minor changes include changing found death scrap paper failed flush toilet provided shock effect toilets virtually seen american cinema 1960s location death moved thought easier conceal truth mother hidden gave options camera pre production paramount contract guaranteed film want paramount expecting bail judge starring pregnant bow leading scrap production official stance book impossible films star mystery like denied usual budget response financed film creation shooting universal_studios revue television unit original house set buildings constructed stage phantom opera standing universal_studios near hollywood regular attraction studio tour result cost cutting chose film black white keeping budget reasons shooting black white desire prevent shower scene admiration les use black white costs comfortable took crew television series including cinematographer set designer script supervisor assistant director hired regular collaborators music composer editor title design shower scene crew cost strength reputation cast quarter usual fee paying book said owed paramount final film seven year contract signed choice agreed having read novel making inquiry salary star agreed stars experienced proven box office draws paramount distribute film years later sold stock universal parent company films distributed years paramount sold rights universal filming film independently produced financed shot location television shot tight budget beginning november ending february filming started morning finished earlier wife nearly film shot lenses cameras trick closely normal human vision helped involve audience shooting began november dispatched assistant director phoenix scout locations shoot opening scene shot supposed aerial shot phoenix slowly hotel window passionate sam ultimately helicopter footage proved footage studio crew filmed day night footage california projection drives phoenix footage driving trade car shown provided location shots scene discovered sleeping car highway street scene shot downtown phoenix christmas decorations discovered visible shoot footage chose add graphic opening scene marking date friday december eleventh green took photos prepared list locations later reconstruction studio included real estate offices homes belonging sister found girl looked like imagined photographed wardrobe enable demand realistic looks helen wardrobe supervisor look house modeled painting house railroad portrait second empire victorian home avenue leads given freedom interpret roles long involve moving camera example improvisation norman habit eating candy corn filming created hid versions mother corpse prop dressing room closet took joke wondered edge character judge corpse audience shooting forced scenes final shot shower scene starts extreme close eye pulls proved difficult water face want trouble manually focus moving camera required opening scene felt passionate trouble saying real estate office scene requiring additional lastly scene mother discovered required complicated coordination chair turning miles hitting light lens proved sticking point forced elements satisfaction according series shots going stairs house stabbed helmed assistant director working storyboard artist drawings common cold viewing shots forced scrap claimed good portray innocent person sinister man going stairs later shot scene little cut footage way film filming murder proved problematic owing overhead camera angle necessary hide film twist camera track constructed alongside device constructed thoroughly tested period weeks cameo signature occurrence films seen window wearing hat standing outside office wardrobe mistress said chose scene cameo scene daughter played colleagues suggested chose early appearance film order avoid distracting audience shower scene murder character shower film pivotal scene best known cinema spawned numerous myths legends shot december features different camera angles scene runs minutes includes cuts shots extreme close ups medium shots shower directly directly murder combination close shots short duration makes sequence feel images presented wider angle example technique described transferring menace screen mind audience order capture straight shot shower head camera equipped long lens inner holes shower head blocked camera placed sufficient distance away water appearing aimed directly lens actually went past soundtrack violins original strings piece composer titled murder originally intended music sequence scenes insisted try composition afterward agreed vastly intensified scene nearly doubled salary blood scene reputed chocolate shows better black white film realistic density stage blood sound knife entering flesh created knife varying accounts shower entire time body double parts murder sequence aftermath interview roger_ebert book stated scene entire time stand sequence norman body shower curtain places trunk car book girl alfred shower identifying body double shower scene shots popular myth emerged order scream shower sound realistic ice cold water denied numerous occasions saying crew supplying hot water week long shoot screams myth concerns graphic designer created title sequences films scenes claiming directed shower scene refuted figures associated film including stated absolutely said interview given said face people shower seven days believe right camera seventy odd shots assistant director bass claim shot movie didn roll camera tell rolled camera bass roger_ebert longtime admirer work dismissed rumor stating unlikely ego like let direct scene commentators argued favor bass contribution scene capacity visual consultant storyboard artist designing opening credits bass termed consultant credits interviewing asked extent bass contribution replied addition titles bass provided murder claimed rejected mention bass providing shower scene according bass claim directed scene provided magazine drawings proof contribution analysis production book work bass claims directing scene notes introduce key aspects final scene notably fact killer appears silhouette details close ups knife desperate arm shower curtain torn transition hole drainage pipe dead eyes notes final transition highly reminiscent iris titles bass created research notes shot scene cameras mitchell handheld french camera touch evil order create ideal montage greatest emotional impact audience shot lot footage scene trimmed editing room brought set gauge footage required final sequence editor worked advice far basic structural elements set bass according wife spotted screenings official release supposedly dead according talking making documentary alma spotted character appeared breath case activity edited seen audiences eyes death contact lenses necessary effect required weeks wear decided claimed despite graphic nature shower scene shows knife flesh frame frame analysis sequence shows shot knife appears penetrate abdomen effect created lighting reverse motion affected scene saw longer took showers absolutely lock doors windows leave bathroom shower door open realized watched film vulnerable fully discussed scene meant decided phoenix come clean consequence stepped stepping waters spray beating corruption mind evil soul like virgin peace film theorist discusses shower away guilt comments effect killing apparent center film spectators identified soundtrack score insisted write score despite composer refusal accept reduced fee film lower budget resulting score according composer hollywood spectacular achievement pleased tension drama score added film later remarking effect music singular contribution score unusual penultimate placement composer film opening credit sequence followed directing credit lowered music budget advantage writing string orchestra symphonic ensemble contrary request jazz score thought single tone color string soundtrack way reflecting black white cinematography film strings play con device placed bridge music shower scene creating darker intense effect hollywood composer analysis score points string instruments gave access wider range tone dynamics instrumental special effects single instrumental group main title music tense piece sets tone impending violence returns times soundtrack shocking occurs minutes film title music remains audience mind lending tension early scenes maintains tension slower moments film use rumors electronic means including bird achieve shocking effect music shower scene effect achieved violins stabbing sound motion extraordinary electronic employed placing close instruments sound emotional impact shower scene cue ties soundtrack birds association shower scene music birds audience norman stuffed bird collector murderer mother biographer writes music shower scene probably famous imitated cue film music originally opposed having music scene played shower scene cue director approved use film reminded instructions score scene replied improper suggestion boy improper suggestion important disagreements ignored instructions second score torn curtain resulted end professional collaboration survey conducted music showed british public consider score shower scene theme film honor anniversary july obtained print film soundtrack removed projected large screen orchestra performed score live previously mounted october performing hall consecutive evenings recordings cds film soundtrack released including 1970s soundtrack recording conducting features recording complete score performed conducted records claims feature tracks original master tapes asserted release recording italy release complete original score conducted controversy prime example type film appeared united_states 1960s erosion production code unprecedented depiction sexuality violence right opening scene sam shown lovers sharing bed bra production code standards time unmarried couples shown bed taboo according book charge enforcing production code insisted breasts held print days left untouched approval reversed positions previously seen breast passed film director removed shot showed stand board upset opening said let shower scene shoot opening set shoot opening stayed cause concern shown toilet contents torn note paper fully visible toilet appeared mainstream film television united_states time internationally forced minor changes film shower scene britain requested cuts stabbing sounds visible nude shots new_zealand shot norman washing blood hands objected singapore shower scene left untouched murder shot norman mother corpse removed controversial late admission policy film unusual time entirely original france thought people entered theater late saw star actress feel cheated theater owners opposed idea claiming lose business day owners enjoyed long lines people waiting film promotion promotion forbidding usual television radio print interviews fear revealing plot critics given private screenings film general public despite possibly affecting reviews certainly preserved secret film original trailer features taking viewer tour set giving away plot details stopping tracked theme music comedy trouble harry dialogue post synchronized trailer completion film longer available filming don blonde wig scream loudly pulled shower curtain bathroom sequence preview title instantly covers screen switch went unnoticed audiences years freeze frame analysis clearly reveals miles shower trailer release film successful reissued theaters year later cbs purchased television rights cbs planned film september days earlier daughter illinois senate candidate murdered parents slept mere feet away stabbed dozen times double edged knife light murder cbs agreed postpone screening result apollo pad fire january network washed hands shortly afterward paramount included film syndicated package movies portfolio new_york_city station country air scenes significantly edited late night movie series best broadway june following successful theatrical reissue film finally way general television airing universal syndicated programming packages local stations aired years format leased cable years returning syndication list lifetime package film released september series events reception initial reviews film thoroughly mixed new_york_times wrote abundance subtlety familiar bent significant colorful scenery obviously low budget job called slow sudden reliably melodramatic contested psychological points reminiscent studies effective film conclude critic commended cast performances fair british critic offended walked end permanently resigned post film critic observer negative reviews stated honorable career gimmick movie merely television shows hours positive reviews stated performance best career better played beautifully american movie touch evil stand creative rank great european films good example mix review stated difficult forms insanity keeps attention like snake public loved film lines stretching outside theaters people wait showing box office numbers led film critics eventually received large praise broke box office records japan rest asia france britain south_america united_states canada moderate success australia brief period profitable black white sound film personally realized excess million today swapped rights anthology shares making largest boss universal theory stop interfering later films large margin profitable film career earning million studio release million end year second profitable place tie torn curtain earning time run end film grossed million domestic theaters united_kingdom film shattered attendance records london plaza cinema nearly british critics panned questioning taste judgment reasons cited critics late screenings forcing rush reviews dislike promotion status thanks public response efforts promoting critics review film praised time switched opinion bears heavily list initially criticized making filmmakers willing gore years later considered film released success financially critically trying ride inspired launched series mystery including starring followed thirteen films review aggregator website holds certified fresh score critics consensus reading infamous shower scene immortal contribution horror genre filmed grace art didn create modern horror interpretations romance irony romantic elements seen work film instead ironic presents clarity romance past central film main characters struggle understand resolve destructive personal histories ultimately fail writes forces past sins mistakes crush hopes regeneration present happiness crushed hope highlighted death protagonist halfway film like greek mythology abducted temporarily world living myth sustain dies room room floral print like flowers reflected mirrors images images twice removed reality scene death describes transition bathroom drain eye like eye sea creature end marks birth death emblem final corruption unlike films innocence discover love deprived humble treasures love marriage home family considers elements human happiness exists secondary characters lack warmth stability demonstrates domestic fantasies film contains ironic jokes sam writes letter agreeing marry audience sees buried swamp sam sister investigating disappearance develop increasingly relationship development denied norman suffers similarly definition divided personality lives mansion past occupies present norman displays stuffed birds frozen time keeps childhood toys stuffed animals room hostile suggestions past suggestion mother result kills preserve past explains norman love home family declared invalid exposed light darkness feature prominently shot sunny landscape phoenix camera enters dark hotel room sam appear bright figures immediately cast darkness preceded shadow office steal money enters bedroom flees phoenix darkness descends drive following sunny morning police officer black sunglasses finally arrives near darkness bright lights ironic equivalent darkness film instead examples include opening window shades sam hotel room vehicle night neon sign white bathroom tiles dies fruit cellar exposed light shining corpse norman mother bright lights typically characterize danger violence films motifs film features shadows mirrors windows water shadows present scene bars sam peer window stuffed birds shadows eats norman mother seen shadows end subtly turns hardware store head mirrors reflect packs eyes checks rear view mirror face policeman sunglasses hands counts money car bathroom window serves mirror reflecting norman shoots telephone booth phones sam heavy seen shower cessation seen symbol making mind return phoenix number references birds crane phoenix norman comments eats like bird room pictures birds wall suggests norman hobby birds british slang expressions sex desirable women birds suggests norman mother original stuffed bird sense having preserved body nature norman emotional bond interpretation called thriller sex violence film unlike previously seen mainstream film shower scene feared desired wrote french film critic female viewers turning male viewers potential turning men appeared scene documentary cinema remarks mansion floors paralleling levels human mind floor mother lives ground floor ego functions apparently normal human finally basement interprets moving mother corpse floor basement symbol deep connection recognition film deemed culturally historically aesthetically significant united_states library congress selected preservation guide ranked list greatest movies video asserted murder mystery history movies inspired merchandising number items lobby cards highly valuable posters available purchase adapted scene scene comic books appeared number lists websites television channels magazines shower scene featured number list movie moments whilst finale ranked number premiere similar list entertainment_weekly book titled greatest movies time ranked film american_film_institute lists afi years movies afi years thrills afi years heroes villains years movie quotes boy best friend mother little mad years film scores afi years movies 10th anniversary edition legacy impact recognizable films cinema history arguably best known film novel uncommon plot structure repeatedly introduced sympathetic protagonists killed played reader expectations traditional plots leaving uncertain anxious recognized effect approach audiences utilized adaptation killing character end act daring plot device coupled fact character played biggest box office film shocking turn events original influential moment film shower scene iconic pop culture regarded terrifying scenes filmed effectiveness use startling editing techniques borrowed soviet montage filmmakers iconic violins musical score iconic shower scene frequently given homage referenced popular culture complete violin sound effects charlie chocolate factory considered film film genre referenced films numerous times examples include musical horror film phantom paradise horror film halloween starred daughter tribute high anxiety fade black dressed kill horror satire scream opening theme sampled rapper song novel dark includes sub plot elements filming referring director actress comic book stories house inherited title character patterned sequels sequels produced beginning prequel television movie written original screenplay author returned role sequels directed film voice mother maintained noted radio actress exception role played miles reprised role sequels received considered inferior original pilot failed television pilot spin later aired television movie release declined appear pilot norman cameo appearance played stunt double iii remake directed remake film color features different cast aside near shot shot remake copying camera movements editing film panned critics audiences alike box office bomb conversation norman directed film inspired film reported new film development based book film originally titled originally directed later film retitled filming began april filming completed early june worldwide release december film centers relationship wife worker filming film directed written film stars film released worldwide december positive reviews academy_award nomination legacy october independent documentary called released dvd documentary discussed legacy impact cinema world general documentary included production stories beginning documentary received positive reviews critics fans series january announced television series called development network series earlier failed pilot released series takes place events original film chronicles teen years living flashback sequences beginning series set present day seaside town oregon inland california town film series reboot widely reviewed prequel devoted providing backstory younger prior murderer july announced network picked episode season initial pilot stage series premiered march high ratings positive reviews aired second season fourth executive producer confirmed series fifth season air early adapt plot feature shower scene february versions appeared extension website retitled featuring explanatory text appears fan edit films reaction appears reinforce prejudice film opening credits names versions color removed scenes ratings rated rated times years initial release film received certificate stating approved certificate simple pass fail system production code use time later switched voluntary letter ratings system number high profile motion pictures retro rated mature audiences remained rating film receive years according guidelines time equivalent rating increased parental concern violence films retro rated current rating rating took effect institution rating year speculated rating existed time rated america today receive home media film released times laserdisc dvd blu ray disc incorporated parent company released laserdisc format standard play sides extended play sides october released new laserdisc version august catalog released deluxe edition signature collection certified catalog spread extended play sides standard play includes new documentary isolated score dvd edition released time laserdisc produced documentary looking film production reception initial dvd release universal released anniversary edition blu ray united_kingdom august australia following edition featuring different cover available september blu ray released october mark film 50th anniversary featuring different cover film included different universal
Psycho (1960 film)