Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990) | Presenting Hitchcock Podcast

Gooooood evening. In this month’s episode of Presenting Hitchcock, Cory and Aaron need to know how it all started as they discuss Psycho IV: The Beginning.

Written by: Joseph Stefano

Based on character created by Robert Bloch

Starring: Anthony Perkins, Henry Thomas, Olivia Hussey, Warren Frost, Donna Mitchell, and CCH Pounder.

Directed by: Mick Garris

Trailer:

Our Favourite Trivia:

Anthony Perkins and Psycho III (1986) screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue originally pitched an idea for Psycho IV that had Norman’s house and motel getting turned into a tourist attraction for horror weekends. Norman then escapes from the mental institution with a mute patient. The actor who was set to play Norman Bates for the horror weekend quits and when Norman comes home he gets hired to play himself. Pogue claims that it was meant to be a black comedy, and Perkins wanted Noel Black to direct as the two worked together on Pretty Poison (1968).

Since Psycho III was a critical and financial failure, Universal rejected the original sequel pitch and Mick Garris was brought in. Joseph Stefano, the screenwriter of the original film, was brought back to write the fourth film. He had disliked the first two Psycho sequels, feeling that they were too commercial and catered to the conventions of slasher films.

Olivia Hussey didn’t have to audition for the role of Norma Bates; she was directly offered the role and immediately said yes when she was asked if she was interested in playing the role, even though it included a nude scene.

Henry Thomas stated he met with Anthony Perkins one time before filming, and his advice was made up of broad strokes, and was told to just play the character real. When filming the first murder scene, Henry Thomas got so involved in the stabbing that part of the knife went into his hand which caused some nerve damage. To this day, he still has a scar.

During filming, Perkins was diagnosed with HIV and had to receive treatment during production. Director Mick Garris has stated in numerous interviews that he had some creative control issues with Perkins.

Norman uses the name Ed when he calls into the radio talk show, this is a reference to real life killer Ed Gein who Robert Bloch and Alfred Hitchcock used as a basis for the character.

This is the first “Psycho” film in which Virginia Gregg does not provide the voice of Norma Bates. Gregg died on September 15, 1986 at the age of 70.

This is the only “Psycho” film that wasn’t shot on the Universal backlot in Hollywood, including the remake. This movie was filmed at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Florida. The facade of the Bates Motel and the Bates mansion were re-created at the theme park. The production was originally to be filmed before the opening of the park, but due to delays and the studio’s desire to have a high-profile production on the lot, the film was shot while the park was open.

This movie premiered on Showtime in the USA on 10th November 1990 as part of a special ”Psycho” retrospective mini-series. It was hosted and presented by actress Janet Leigh who had played Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock’s original ‘Psycho’ picture. She falsely claimed in the broadcast that several endings were shot for the film, but this was just marketing hype written by the team at Universal Pictures.

The Random Draw for Next Picture:

Next up, not so random (this month) but we’ll make good and be discussing Dead of Winter (1987)

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