Psycho
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Psycho is a 1960 horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles. It drew a wide audience and shaped its genre.
Plot
In Phoenix, Arizona in late 1959, real estate secretary Marion Crane steals $40,000 in cash from her employer after hearing her boyfriend, Sam Loomis, complain that his debts are delaying their marriage. She sets off to drive to Sam's home in the town of Fairvale, California, switching cars in Bakersfield after an encounter with a suspicious policeman. A rainstorm forces Marion to stop at the secluded Bates Motel a few miles from Fairvale. Norman Bates, the proprietor, whose Second Empire style house overlooks the motel, registers Marion (who uses an alias) and invites her to dinner with him in the motel's office. When Norman returns to his house to retrieve the food, Marion overhears him arguing with his mother about his desire to dine with Marion.
Production
Written by Joseph Stefano, the film was produced by Shamley Productions. Bernard Herrmann composed the score. John L. Russell handled the cinematography. The film runs 109 minutes. The crew and editing refined every shot.
Reception
On a budget of $806,947, Psycho grossed $50,000,000 worldwide at the box office. A critic consensus praised its screenplay and score.
Legacy
Psycho is part of the Psycho Collection franchise; its influence and legacy endure in later cinema.
See also
References
- "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time". topfilms100. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- Ebert, Roger. The Great Movies. Broadway Books.
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