Hitchcock cast Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates. Because nobody would suspect that the movie’s “boy next door” as the killer. Janet Leigh was a big star at the time. So her death in the shower was a shock in 1960. Let’s not forget Vera Miles. Her reactions while searching the house were perfectly timed. Especially in the fruit cellar. Where she has three or four different reactions
Marion is a blonde because Hitchcock infamously insisted on blonde lead actresses for a while. The policeman is also a Hitchcockism, reflecting a fear of police from his childhood, perhaps best reflected in The Wrong Man starring Henry Fonda. While a charming beguiling Norman strays from Bloch's book, it anticipates a handsome killer like Ted Bundy. Not sure how I feel about Norman, Norma, and Normal, it reminds me a little of the "Abby Normal" joke from Young Frankenstein. You've gotten me interested in the book, though. Thank you!
I think changing Norman from fat and homely, to fit, and attractive is far more jarring when the reveal occurs. Perkins gives the appearance of "safe". Someone who you may look at and disbelieve accusations of wrongdoings. Conversely, novel Norman is far easier to accept what the author tells us about him. A very much "yeah, that tracks" sentiment hits when the book reveals the twist. I don't think one is necessarily better than the other. They both work from a narrative standpoint, but if I am held to the wall, I think the young, fit, disarming, and attractive Bates is far more effective. Just my .02
I read this book I’m a few hours, and I definitely thought it was a bit more gruesome than the movie 😂, especially the famous shower scene. I loved them both, but the movie was a bit better!!!
I started this book a few years ago and was so disturbed by Norman! After Mary dies I stopped reading because it was too much for me! In the book there's that early part where he is reading a book about people who turn bodies into instruments or something and it was just so gross and disturbing. I love the movie though. Great review! Interesting to hear about the changes!
@@AdamWrightReviewsAdmittedly, I did not read the book, but the shower scene in the film was perturbing. I saw it when I was 12 and although I knew what was going to happen, I was not aware that the shower scene was quite as brutal as it was. Reading about the murder would be bothersome too, but for me, watching something on screen and in detail is usually far worse. I wasn't sure that I wanted to finish watching the movie after seeing this scene. The implied violence was almost too much for me to handle at the age of 12.
To answer your question as to why Norman Bates was played by a young and handsome actor when he was described as middle-aged, fat and unattractive in the book: The screenwriter Joseph Stefano felt it was impossible to empathise with Norman (when you’re under the impression that he’s covering for his mother early on in the film).
Psycho is one of the most important films ever made, with dozens of books written about it, and whole libraries of criticism. Its influence on art, not at all limited to cinema, has been huge. It has the capacity to sustain almost infinite analysis and discussion. Even a casual viewer will recognise Psycho as something different from an ordinary film. Even a casual viewer can watch it dozens of times and find more in it each time. The book could not possibly sustain that kind of attention. Robert Bloch's contribution to the film is undoubtedly huge -- he provided the story. But it's like someone taking a photo of sunflowers and gave them to van Gogh. Just because the original image, and perhaps even the idea of sunflowers, came from the photographer we would not say "the photo is better than the painting."
Hitchcock cast Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates. Because nobody would suspect that the movie’s “boy next door” as the killer. Janet Leigh was a big star at the time. So her death in the shower was a shock in 1960. Let’s not forget Vera Miles. Her reactions while searching the house were perfectly timed. Especially in the fruit cellar. Where she has three or four different reactions
Marion is a blonde because Hitchcock infamously insisted on blonde lead actresses for a while. The policeman is also a Hitchcockism, reflecting a fear of police from his childhood, perhaps best reflected in The Wrong Man starring Henry Fonda. While a charming beguiling Norman strays from Bloch's book, it anticipates a handsome killer like Ted Bundy. Not sure how I feel about Norman, Norma, and Normal, it reminds me a little of the "Abby Normal" joke from Young Frankenstein. You've gotten me interested in the book, though. Thank you!
Thanks for the insights!
@@AdamWrightReviews Norman Bates doesn't really sound that unattractive the books or that ugly
@@AdamWrightReviews thank you for making this video it's great even though it's eight months later
I think changing Norman from fat and homely, to fit, and attractive is far more jarring when the reveal occurs. Perkins gives the appearance of "safe". Someone who you may look at and disbelieve accusations of wrongdoings. Conversely, novel Norman is far easier to accept what the author tells us about him. A very much "yeah, that tracks" sentiment hits when the book reveals the twist.
I don't think one is necessarily better than the other. They both work from a narrative standpoint, but if I am held to the wall, I think the young, fit, disarming, and attractive Bates is far more effective.
Just my .02
I read this book I’m a few hours, and I definitely thought it was a bit more gruesome than the movie 😂, especially the famous shower scene. I loved them both, but the movie was a bit better!!!
In the remake of “psycho”, they did a good job choosing the actor for Norman bates
Thanks for this video! I love the film and have been curious about the book, this has encouraged me to go read it.
I just saw this movie. Very interesting. Better than many new films we see these days .
I started this book a few years ago and was so disturbed by Norman! After Mary dies I stopped reading because it was too much for me! In the book there's that early part where he is reading a book about people who turn bodies into instruments or something and it was just so gross and disturbing. I love the movie though. Great review! Interesting to hear about the changes!
Haha yes it’s pretty disturbing at times. Thanks for dropping a comment!
@@AdamWrightReviewsAdmittedly, I did not read the book, but the shower scene in the film was perturbing. I saw it when I was 12 and although I knew what was going to happen, I was not aware that the shower scene was quite as brutal as it was. Reading about the murder would be bothersome too, but for me, watching something on screen and in detail is usually far worse. I wasn't sure that I wanted to finish watching the movie after seeing this scene. The implied violence was almost too much for me to handle at the age of 12.
Just subscribed! 🤘 Bloch wrote two or three more Psycho books. Wonderful introspective and check out more of your videos.
To answer your question as to why Norman Bates was played by a young and handsome actor when he was described as middle-aged, fat and unattractive in the book:
The screenwriter Joseph Stefano felt it was impossible to empathise with Norman (when you’re under the impression that he’s covering for his mother early on in the film).
Psycho is one of the most important films ever made, with dozens of books written about it, and whole libraries of criticism. Its influence on art, not at all limited to cinema, has been huge. It has the capacity to sustain almost infinite analysis and discussion. Even a casual viewer will recognise Psycho as something different from an ordinary film. Even a casual viewer can watch it dozens of times and find more in it each time. The book could not possibly sustain that kind of attention. Robert Bloch's contribution to the film is undoubtedly huge -- he provided the story. But it's like someone taking a photo of sunflowers and gave them to van Gogh. Just because the original image, and perhaps even the idea of sunflowers, came from the photographer we would not say "the photo is better than the painting."
I’m listening to the audiobook and it’s so good
Next Video About Book Thief
Please do one for The Lord of the Rings!!
I'll be honest and I know I'm going to get crap for this. I wouldn't mind seeing a faithful adaptation.
i'd love to see a straight adaptation of the book, if it were well made.
Norman bates is older in the book than the movie . Like he is 40 in the book but in the movie it looks like in his 30s or 20 s
The novel is far more chilling in my opinion.
i agree.
You should do the martian
I should!
The book is of course better. When has their been a time when the movie was better than the book
Forrest Gump and Jaws are two examples.
there have been a bunch of times.
Book is sleazy, dimestore schlock. Movie is a world class thriller that changed movies as we know them forever! Psycho movie>Psycho novel.
i don't know why you think the book is "sleazy dimestore schlock", but it's frighteningly real, and hits harder than the movie.