[19:44 Wed,9.July 2025 by blip] |
65 years ago, in June 1960, one of the most influential horror films in film history came to theaters: Alfred Hitchcock&s *Psycho*. The key scene in the shower is one of the most famous, scariest, and most quoted film scenes of all time; much has already been written about it, but other, lesser-known aspects of the film are also very interesting. ;) In fact, the film not only broke with viewing habits, but also revolutionized the way film screenings took place: Hitchcock insisted that no admission be granted after the start of the projection. Until then, it had been normal to enter a movie theater during the ongoing screening, watch the rest of the film, and then watch the beginning of the next showing. Anyone who wanted to see *Psycho* had to be on time and watch the film from the beginning - all the more sensible in this case, as the main character played by Janet Leigh is spectacularly murdered in the shower scene after about three-quarters of an hour and is missing in the rest of the film. This in itself was a real audience shocker, to see a protagonist die so early.
;) Directing instructions in the shower *Psycho* is not only Hitchcock&s probably best-known, but above all his most commercially successful film (it grossed 32 million dollars), which is all the more interesting as he produced it at his own financial risk, as Paramount Studios was not interested, but only wanted to take over the distribution. The implementation was therefore very "cost-conscious", with reduced actor fees and in black and white (which also had the advantage of reducing the splatter factor of the shower scene). The soundtrack - at least as well-known as the images and, according to Hitchcock, extremely important for the tension in the film - was also decisively influenced by the relatively low budget. Instead of a full symphonic orchestra, Bernard Herrmann used only strings, which resulted in a very specific sound effect. And last but not least, *Psycho* is also said to have been the first mainstream film to prominently point the camera at a toilet bowl while it was flushing - truly an impressive spectrum of shocking innovations!  more infos at bei en.wikipedia.orgdeutsche Version dieser Seite: Wie Hitchcock mit Psycho nicht nur den Horror, sondern den Kinobesuch veränderte |
 |
|
|