Psycho (1960)

REGARDING THE SPECIAL EDITION DVD...

On October 7th 2008, consumers will be treated to the first modern horror film in a new "Special Edition" DVD. This will be a 2 disc set, included in the special features are:

- THE MAKING OF PSYCHO: Feature-length documentary on Alfred Hitchcock's most shocking film ever.

- NEWSREEL FOOTAGE: THE RELEASE OF PSYCHO: Vintage newsreel on the unique policy Alfred Hitchcock insisted upon for the release of the film.

- THE SHOWER SCENE: See the impact music played in the infamous "shower scene".

- THE SHOWER SCENE: STORYBOARDS BY SAUL BASS: Original storyboard designs of the infamous "shower scene".

- THE PSYCHO ARCHIVES: Gallery of on-set photo stills from the film's production.

- POSTERS AND PSYCHO ADS: Gallery of original posters and ads from the film's theatrical campaign.

- LOBBY CARDS: Gallery of promotional lobby cards from the film's theatrical campaign.

- BEHIND-THE-SCENES PHOTOGRAPHS: View some rare photo's showing the cast and crew hard at work.

- PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHS: View publicity photos featuring the cast.

- PRODUCTION NOTES: Read an essay on the making of the film.

- THEATRICAL TRAILER: Watch the original promotional trailer from the film's theatrical campaign.

- RE-RELEASE TRAILERS: Watch the promotional trailer created for the re-release of the film.

- IN THE MASTER'S SHADOW: HITCHCOCK'S LEGACY: Some of Hollywood's top filmmakers discuss
Hitchcock's influence and why his movies continue to thrill audiences.

- HITCHCOCK / TRUFFAUT INTERVIEWS: Excerpt's from a 1962 audio interview with Alfred Hitchcock .

- AUDIO COMMENTARY: Feature-length audio commentary with Stephen Rebello (author of "Alfred Hitchcock and the making of Psycho")

- ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS "LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER": Full-length episode from Season 3 of Alfred Hitchcock's TV series "Lamb to the Slaughter" featuring Barbara Bel Geddes.

Being the proud owner of the "Psycho Collector's Edtion" for many years, I am excited to finally see this film come alive with the many extras it deserves.
August 27, 2008

"Psycho" Is The Most Influential Horror Movie Ever Made

How I envy those who saw "Psycho" when it was originally released in the theatres in 1960. How shocking it must have been for them to learn the true identity of the serial killer. To this day, "Psycho" continues to frighten even the most jaded of horror fans. It has influenced directors around the world for decades. It established the blueprint of what would later be called the "slasher flick." It gave birth to countess imitations throughout the sixties such as "Dementia 13" and "Paranoiac." Three sequels were made. Despite it being a low budget production, it earned millions at the box office. It is no wonder that my favorite web site for historical horror, The Terror Trap, lists "Psycho" in its top ten horror movies of all time. It is a masterpiece of gothic horror.

Having the world famous director, Alfred Hitchcock, didn't hurt "Psycho." Theatre patrons saw it for that reason alone. Let's not forget that it also boasted a beautiful cast that included Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates. "Psycho" "Norman Bates," and "Bates Motel" became household terms. They became the fodder of innumerable jokes and cartoons throughout the media world. One of my favorite Far Side cartoons is the one where Norman Bates introduces Elvis to his mother. The caption reads somewhat: "What really happened to Elvis." Only in Far Side could two legends be brought together. In the hit comedy, "National Lampoon's Family Vacation," Chevy Chase pretends to stab his wife in the shower in "Psycho"-style fashion.

It was "Psycho" that made me fear large, abandoned houses, especially on Halloween night. At the same time, I was also drawn to them with a perverse, morbid curiosity. Numerous haunted houses at amusement parks were designed to be replicas of that old, decaying, fog enshrouded house on the hill.

The characters in "Psycho" feel trapped. Many of us feel that we are trapped in worlds that are not of our own design. How many times have you wanted to quit your job, withdraw all your money from the bank, and flee? Just run and keep on running? I know I've wanted to escape from the tedium of a nine to five job. Poor Marion does just that. She steals $40,000 (a small fortune in 1960) and runs to her lover. Unfortunately, she never makes it to him because she meets Norman Bates who is also trapped in his own world. He can not leave his overbearing, dominant mother. How many of us are trapped in loveless, abusive relationships?

Who can forget the creepy music that accompanied each killing? And the world famous shower scene that was imitated in countless movies? Instead of a shower stall, it is an elevator that Brian De Palma uses in his slasher film "Dressed To Kill," starring Angie Dickinson and Michael Caine. Even the Italians imitated the shower scene in their world famous gialli (murder mystery). A young girl is stabbed to death in the shower in Sergio Martino's "The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh." Also, a girl is stabbed to death in an elevator in "The Case of the Bloody Iris."

"Psycho" is recommended viewing for all horror fans. It is the granddaddy of slasher fare. Other groundbreaking horror movies include: "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Halloween," "Friday 13th," "Suspiria," "Rosemary's Baby," "The Omen," "Black Christmas," "Carrie," and "The Exorcist." They all belong in the collection of anyone who loves good horror fare. August 23, 2008

What more could anyone want?

I would say I want the version as the director intended, not a censored print. Hello Universal?

As detailed here http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=1921

One piece of footage was even included on the previous Universal CE dvd, in the making documentary as 'censored footage'. It's in the vaults...



August 7, 2008

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