Movies Under the Stars

Psycho (1960)
Film Screening
(B&W Film)

NCPA in association with Film Heritage Foundation under license from Jonetsu Entertainment (India)

Psycho, produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1960, blends suspense with the trajectories of characters struggling in their relationships. It received cautious critical acclaim in its time and is still a riveting, if difficult, movie to watch.

Psycho is a story that revolves around Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a secretary based in Phoenix, Arizona, who absconds with $40,000 from her employer’s client and makes a run to California to be with her lover Sam Loomis (John Gavin). Along the way, tired and caught in a storm, Marion takes a room at the Bates Motel, where she meets the owner/manager, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), a shy, but friendly young man who lives nearby in a large house with his domineering mother. While showering, Marion is crudely slashed to death by Norman’s mother. Marion’s sister Lila (Vera Miles) becomes concerned upon not hearing from her and goes looking for her with a private investigator (Martin Balsam). Marion’s lover is also involved in investigating her disappearance, eventually coming across the Bates Motel.

Psycho was seen as a departure from Hitchcock’s previous film, North by Northwest. It is arguably his most famous and influential work and changed permanently the acceptable levels of violence, deviant behaviour and sexuality shown in American films.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Screenplay: Joseph Stefano
Based on a story by Robert Bloch
Cinematography: John L. Russell
Music by Bernard Herrmann
Cast: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin & Janet Leigh  

Admission on a first-come-first-served basis. NCPA Members will get preferential seating till 6.20 pm.