20 Things You Didn't Know About Psycho

17. Chocolate Syrup Was Used For Blood

Psycho Janet Leigh
Paramount Pictures

It's not much of a secret that the vast majority of food productions mix a viscous liquid like corn syrup with red food colouring to create realistic-looking blood, but things are a little different where black-and-white filmmaking is concerned.

As a result, Hitchcock decided instead to use Bosco Chocolate Syrup to double for blood, feeling that it created a stronger and more effective contrast on camera.

Without the need to find a substance with the correct colouring, Hitch was free to basically use whatever he wished, and watching the final film, you'd never know it was actually a desert topping.

In this post: 
Psycho
 
First Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.