Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' Still Has Ability to Scare Fifty Year Later

Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" is a classic horror film. Released in 1960, the film still retains its power to effortlessly scare, and ultimately entertain, decades later thanks to its taleneted cast and crew.

Right from the start, Saul Bass' opening title sequence paired with Bernard Herrmann's string-only score is striking and creates great tension. Hitchcock then pans across the city of Phoenix and takes the viewer into a hotel room where Marian (Janet Leigh) reveals her frustrations to Sam (John Gavin) about their relationship because he doesn't to want to commit beyond their afternoon affairs until his divorced wife remarries and he can afford it. When opportunity presents itself, Marian embezzles $40,000 from her job and flees to California to bring Sam the money.

During a rainy night on the road, she comes upon the Bates Motel and meets proprietor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). A nice, meek fellow with an interest in taxidermy who suffers from an overbearing mother who "goes a little mad some times," but then "we all go a little mad some times" according to Norman. The film is difficult to discuss because some of its genius lies in its plot twists. After the legendary shower scene where a murder unexpectedly takes places, the story sharply changes direction. A new person becomes the main focusof the film for both the audience and the characters looking for Marian. The film concludes with an ending that is still shocking after all these years.

Hitchcock and his crew deliver a horror film that is so well done, even when the viewer knows the secrets, it doesn't diminish the experience. Instead, it provides a more accurate view of the story. Joseph Stefano wrote a great script based on Robert Bloch's novel of the same name, loosely based on serial killer Ed Gein. Leigh and Perkins are standouts on the acting front. Cinematographer John L. Russell and his team do exquisite work bringing Hitchcock's vision. While different reasons are given for the choice, shooting in black and white works so well for the film. Editor George Tomasini deserves a mention as well for the construction of the shower scene.

In 2010, Universal released an outstanding Blu-ray filled with features examining the film's creation. It's a must-own for cinephiles.