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This podcast episode explores the turbulent production and lasting impact of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 psychological horror masterpiece, Psycho. The hosts detail how Hitchcock financed the low-budget black-and-white film himself after Paramount Pictures rejected Robert Bloch's novel adaptation for being too repulsive and violating the Hays Code. They explain how Anthony Perkins was cast against type to create a chillingly sympathetic villain, and how Bernard Herrmann's entirely string-based score transformed the famous shower scene into a defining moment in American cinema history.
Hosts introduce the new Hulu series and set the stage for the podcast episode.
Hosts discuss everyday life before segueing into the episode’s focus.
A brief ad promoting Pluto TV’s free streaming service.
Hosts transition to the co-host’s commentary on Psycho.
Co-host shares personal experience and impressions of the film.
Discussion of Bernard Herrmann’s score and its influence on the film’s tone.
Hosts explore other films that influenced Psycho’s style and themes.
Detailed background on the film’s production, casting, and development.
Hosts wrap up the discussion and transition to the next segment of the podcast.
The episode opens with a discussion of how the novel’s themes were translated into the film, noting key differences and the influence of Hitchcock’s vision.
Explores Hitchcock’s choice of Joseph Stefano over other writers, the dynamics with his agent, and Stefano’s initial resistance to the project.
Details the casting of Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh, the decision to make Perkins younger, and how character perspectives were altered for the film.
Robert Block's Midlife Inspirationstory
Robert Bloch experienced a midlife crisis in rural Wisconsin before being inspired by the horrifying real-life crimes of Ed Gein to write the novel Psycho in 1958.
MCA talent agent Ned Brown secured the screen rights to Psycho through a blind bid of $7,500, ten times what Bloch earned for publishing the novel.
Paramount Rejects the Projectstory
Paramount executives hated the story and refused to finance or house the production, forcing Hitchcock to personally finance the film and shoot it using television crews.
Flesh-Colored Pasties in the Showerstrategy
To bypass strict Motion Picture Production Code restrictions against nudity, wardrobe supervisors used flesh-colored moleskin pasties so Janet Leigh could look naked without breaking censorship laws.
Saul Bass Storyboards and Creditdebate
Graphic artist Saul Bass created detailed storyboards for the shower scene, leading to later claims by Bass that he directed the sequence, though participants maintained Hitchcock directed.
Bernard Herrmann's String Scoreinsight
Composer Bernard Herrmann defied Hitchcock's initial request for no music or a jazz score by composing an iconic score performed exclusively by a muted string section.
Massive Box Office Profitsdata
Despite mixed initial critical reviews and early fears of a box office bomb, Psycho grossed thirty-two million dollars against an eight hundred thousand dollar budget.
“The shower scene concludes with two lines. It basically says, 'The shower croutons rip to the side, the knife cuts off Mary's scream and her head.'”
“He is so charming, he is so cute, he's very boyish, expertly cast because he is such a big guy.”
“The code was based on three general principles.”
“He didn't want to hire him.”
“Alfred Hitchcock's lowest budget film in years would prove to be his most enduring.”
“She made sure the doors and windows of the house were locked, left the bathroom door and shower curtain open and always faced the door.”
“He did not understand that that was abuse until much later in his life.”
“It would not really kick off in earnest in the United States until 1978, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh's daughter, although it would jump to Italy first.”
We all go a little mad sometimes... And Alfred Hitchcock certainly seemed to when he decided to follow up his most expensive film to date with a black and white B-movie based on a gritty novel that would never survive the withering glare of the Motion Picture Production Code. Chris & Lizzie explore the restrictions that birthed one of the most influential horror films in history, the brilliance of casting Anthony Perkins, Bernard Herrmann's late-in-the-game musical heroics, and Janet Leigh's unusually positive experience working with Hitchcock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
20,370 words · 4 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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