36. The Spoofs
Psycho is so iconic it has been spoofed on numerous occasions. From Mel Brooks' hilarious
High Anxiety (which spoofs a variety of Hitch's films - the shower scene gets the Brooks treatment here, when he is attacked in the shower by a hotel lobby man with a newspaper!) to the umpteen
Simpsons episodes (Maggie's attack on Homer is by far the best spoof spilt tin of red paint and all!). <![CDATA[// < !]>]]>
The fact that so many productions have spoofed Psycho not only proves it's popularity, but also how synonymous with popular culture it has become. You can check out the many Psycho references (and Hitchcock's filmography in general) on this special
WIKI Page.
37. The Corpse
When the deceased Mrs. Bates is finally revealed, it's not only Lila Crane who gets a shock! The body of Mrs. Bates is possibly the most grotesque corpse in cinema history. She's not particularly gory, or even that realistic, but she certainly scares the bejesus out of you!
Hitchcock reportedly had a number of different corpses made, putting each of them in Janet Leigh's trailer at some point during her time on the shoot. He judged which would be the one to use in the film by the volume of her scream! He chose the right one... Looking a lot like an ancient Egyptian mummy, it is probably the knowledge that Norman has stuffed and embalmed his mother that makes her so terrifying!
38. The Bosco Chocolate Syrup!
Hitchcock successfully used chocolate syrup as blood in the shower scene. Apart from just being quite simply genius, I bet from now on it makes you look differently at your ice cream when it's drenched in the stuff!
39. The Sequels
Anthony Perkins loved the role of Norman so much that he made a further three sequels, none of them good but we was always worthy of admission...
40. A son is a poor substitute for a lover.
The implied incestuousness of Norman and his mother's relationship was certainly very shocking in 1960 it continues to be unnerving and down right sickening today.