50 Reasons Why Psycho Is The Greatest Film of All Time

31. The Set Still Exits!

Both the iconic house and motel still exist on the Universal back lot and is certainly the highlight of the tour €“ even better than the Jaws and King Kong attacks! The ominous look that Hitchcock achieved on film is just as strong in real life €“ testament to both the power of the film and of the set builders.

32. The Swamp Scene

In this scene Hitchcock creates a perfect balance of conflicting emotion within the audience. It's an extremely taut scene and when the car seems like it won't sink, the audience kind of wants it to for Norman's sake (as we think that it's Mrs. Bates who is the psycho at this point). However, the audience also knows that this is wrong. These clashing emotions make this scene one of the most tense in the film and showcases both the power of Hitchcock's direction and Perkins' performance.

33. The Controversies

Since its release, the film has caused a variety of controversies. From Saul Bass's self-aggrandising and ultimately unproven claims that he planned and directed the shower scene, to the hilarious letter Hitchcock received from an irate father whose daughter had refused to bathe after seeing Les Diaboliques in 1955 and now refused to shower after seeing Psycho!

34. Hitchcock In A Cowboy Hat!

The director's cameo is close to the beginning of the film, where he is seen leaning against Marion's office wearing a cowboy hat. Something I'm sure nobody ever thought they would see!

35. €œNo! I tell you no! I won't have you bringing some young girl in for supper! By candlelight I suppose, in the cheap, erotic fashion of young men with cheap erotic minds!€

Norman is certainly a man who cannot deal with his sexual urges €“ Psycho stands as a fantastic example of how NOT to react to them!
Contributor

Stuart Cummins hasn't written a bio just yet, but if they had... it would appear here.