Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho

Stephen Rebello's behind-the-scenes account chronicles the complete production journey of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 thriller Psycho, from the initial book acquisition through casting, filming, and release. The narrative draws from extensive research in Hitchcock's personal archives and interviews with surviving cast and crew members. The book reveals the day-to-day challenges faced by the production team as they worked to create what was intended to be a modest black-and-white horror film - a significant departure from Hitchcock's previous elegant thrillers. Rebello documents key decisions around casting, cinematography, music, and the innovative marketing campaign that would come to define the film's release. Technical aspects of the filmmaking process are explored in detail, including Hitchcock's collaboration with screenwriters, his unconventional shooting techniques, and his careful manipulation of audience expectations. The author also examines the social and industry context of 1960s Hollywood that influenced the director's approach to this experimental project. The text stands as both a valuable historical record and an examination of how groundbreaking artistic choices can reshape the boundaries of genre filmmaking. Through its investigation of the creative process, the book demonstrates how limitations of budget and industry expectations can spark innovation.

Readers appreciate the detailed behind-the-scenes accounts of casting decisions, financing challenges, and technical innovations. Many note the extensive research and interviews that reveal Hitchcock's creative process and working relationships. Positives mentioned: - Clear explanation of film financing and distribution decisions - Insight into Hitchcock's battles with censors - Coverage of Bernard Herrmann's score creation - First-hand accounts from cast and crew Common criticisms: - Writing style can be dry and academic - Too much focus on minor production details - Limited discussion of the film's cultural impact - Some readers wanted more about Anthony Perkins Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (250+ ratings) "Reads like a detective story about the making of a detective story" - Amazon reviewer "Sometimes gets bogged down in minutiae but the core story is fascinating" - Goodreads reviewer

Pictures at a Revolution by Mark Harris This behind-the-scenes chronicle examines the making of five groundbreaking 1967 films that changed Hollywood and mirrors Psycho's industry-shifting impact.

The Devil's Candy by Julie Salamon The book documents the production troubles and studio conflicts during Brian De Palma's "The Bonfire of the Vanities," providing the same level of detail about filmmaking processes as Rebello's work.

Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez The production diary reveals the practical realities and problem-solving of low-budget filmmaking, much like the resourceful methods used in creating Psycho.

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind This examination of 1970s Hollywood filmmaking traces the evolution of cinema that Psycho helped initiate through its breaking of conventional rules.

The Making of 2001: A Space Odyssey by Piers Bizony The book presents the step-by-step creation of Kubrick's masterpiece, detailing the technical innovations and creative decisions in the same methodical way Rebello chronicles Psycho's development.

🎬 The infamous shower scene in "Psycho" took seven days to film but only lasts 45 seconds in the final cut, using over 70 different camera setups. 🎥 Hitchcock purchased the rights to Robert Bloch's novel anonymously for just $9,000, and financed the film himself for $800,000 when Paramount refused to back it. 📽️ Many of the crew members for "Psycho" came from Hitchcock's television show "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," allowing him to keep production costs significantly lower. 🎞️ Composer Bernard Herrmann initially refused to score the film, but his iconic screeching violin theme for the shower scene revolutionized horror movie soundtracks. 🌟 The book reveals that Hitchcock deliberately created misleading marketing materials featuring Janet Leigh to shock audiences who wouldn't expect the star to be killed off early in the film.