What do you think?
Rate this book
Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho
A “meticulous history” of the classic suspense film based on exclusive interviews with the director, writers, cast, and crew (The New York Times Book Review).
First released in June 1960, Psycho altered the landscape of horror films forever. But just as compelling as the movie itself is the story behind it, which has been adapted as a movie starring Anthony Hopkins as Hitchcock, Helen Mirren as his wife Alma Reville, and Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh. Stephen Rebello brings to life the creation of one of Hollywood’s most iconic films, from the story of Wisconsin murderer Ed Gein, the real-life inspiration for the character of Norman Bates, to Hitchcock’s groundbreaking achievements in cinematography, sound, editing, and promotion. Packed with captivating insights from the film’s stars, writers, and crewmembers, Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho is a riveting and definitive history of a signature Hitchcock cinematic masterpiece.
First released in June 1960, Psycho altered the landscape of horror films forever. But just as compelling as the movie itself is the story behind it, which has been adapted as a movie starring Anthony Hopkins as Hitchcock, Helen Mirren as his wife Alma Reville, and Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh. Stephen Rebello brings to life the creation of one of Hollywood’s most iconic films, from the story of Wisconsin murderer Ed Gein, the real-life inspiration for the character of Norman Bates, to Hitchcock’s groundbreaking achievements in cinematography, sound, editing, and promotion. Packed with captivating insights from the film’s stars, writers, and crewmembers, Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho is a riveting and definitive history of a signature Hitchcock cinematic masterpiece.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1990
111 people are currently reading
1678 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Rebello
19 books49 followersStephen Rebello is a screenwriter, journalist, and the author of such books as Reel Art: Great Posters from the Golden Age of the Silver Screen, which was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1999. Based in Los Angeles, he has contributed feature stories to such magazines as Cosmopolitan, GQ, More, and The Advocate, and currently serves as a Playboy contributing editor. Stephen Rebello adapted for the screen Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho as the basis of Hitchcock, the Fox Searchlight dramatic feature motion picture starring Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, Toni Collette, James D’Arcy, Danny Huston, Ralph Macchio, and Michael Wincott.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
April 22, 2021
If you’re one of those salivating film fanatics who watch DVDs with the “Director’s Commentary” turned on, and then afterwards watch all the special features like “The Making of...” and “Deleted Scenes” and “Alternate Endings”... this is your book.
November 27, 2019
It'd definitely have been a four-star read if I'd read it pre-internet, before so many behind-the-scenes details were posted. I'm sorry Mr. Rebello, life is unfair.
p.s.
Even so, the book has a few surprises left. Who knew that Anthony Perkins gladly accepted the Norman Bates role because he wanted to shake that pesky teen-idol image.
By May, 1961, it still hadn't worked.
p.s.
Even so, the book has a few surprises left. Who knew that Anthony Perkins gladly accepted the Norman Bates role because he wanted to shake that pesky teen-idol image.
By May, 1961, it still hadn't worked.
August 18, 2009
I am a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock and the film "Psycho." I have read a lot about the making of the film and as such, I went into this book not knowing whether I would learn anything new about the film. Honestly, I was aware of much of what was discussed in this book, but what made this book such a great reading experience for me was the fact that it brought together all the different aspects that went into the making of the film together in one place in a way that allows one to truly appreciate the depth of the film and its creation. While I was reading this book, I was able to revisit certain aspects of the film in new ways and compare those aspects with other related factors that I had not considered before, which deepened my appreciation for a film that I have loved and analyzed so much over the years. This is definitely MUST reading for fans of "Psycho" and Hitchcock.
June 17, 2011
After three decades, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho still stands out as a masterpiece of suspense. June 16 marks the anniversary of the movie's 1960 release and it's a good opportunity to dive into the impressive story behind the film. I don't always have the patience to sit down and read an entire exhaustive biography, so I really enjoyed reading this fairly short, focused piece on one particular project.
The Crime Behind the Film
Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho traces the origin of the story to the infamous body snatcher and murderer Ed Gein, upon whom the fictional novel by Robert Bloch was based. Bloch's book was anonymously optioned by Hitchcock (as was his habit) for the paltry sum of $9000 and no percentage of the profits, which must have been a hard pill to swallow after seeing the film's eventual success. It's interesting that the book's prologue delves right into the gruesome details of Gein's crimes, for although the facts of the case will not be news to anyone who has dipped a toe into his history, the ghastly details may be somewhat repugnant to the casual reader.
The Making of the Film
The book quickly moves onto Hitchcock's deal-making, pre-production work, and casting, however. Hitchcock personally financed Psycho and deferred his usual director's fee in exchange for majority ownership of the negative, so he enjoyed a fair amount of autonomy with his choices. The author goes into great detail about the hiring and firing of screenwriters, crew members, and various other below-the-line negotiations that might be a little on the dry side for some readers. I personally enjoy learning about budget details for these kinds of projects, however, so the author kept my attention with his meticulously researched facts and figures, many of which were uncovered in discussions with Hitchcock himself during a series of interviews shortly before the director's death. It was particularly interesting to read about Hitch's relationship with Saul Bass, the graphic designer famous for his work on The Man with the Golden Gun, Vertigo, and West Side Story, and the man who designed Psycho's simple but evocative title treatment. There has been much debate over the years over who actually was responsible for directing the infamous shower scene with Janet Leigh, and the author's interviews with cast and crew sheds some interesting light on Bass' storyboards for this scene and his role as sometime assistant director.
The Man Behind the Film
Though this book is primarily a fairly objective documentation of how a film project came to be, the portrait it also sketches of the man behind the film is fascinating. You expect a man with his talent and showmanship to be shrewd and exacting and stubborn and clear-sighted, but it is a pleasure to discover that Hitchcock also placed a huge amount of trust in many of his collaborators, that he seemed to delight in surprising those who caught his fancy, and was a skilled trouble-shooter who found ingenious technical solutions to the innovative shots he was undertaking. It's easy to praise the film now with the benefit of modern perspective, but back then, Hitchcock really had to push to get this project made the way he wanted to. This ranged from using voyeuristic camera angles, suggestive lack of clothing, and of course, shocking murder scenes that had viewers fainting in the aisles. The film caused a sensation when it was released, and it's funny to hear that even then, directors had to include more violence than they intended to keep in order to play the ratings game with the MPAA.
Hitchcock's influence on the filmmakers who followed him cannot be overstated, and it's intriguing to read the play-by-play details for one of his most well-known films. All in all, this was a very enjoyable read and is recommended for any Hitchcock fan or student of film history. (The book has apparently already been optioned for a feature film.) I'd love to see a similar treatment someday for my personal Hitchcock favorite Marnie, as it would be great to gain some insight into what Hitchcock went through to get a film about a frigid kleptomaniac made. Right now, however, you'll have to excuse me while I go watch Psycho again.
Read an excerpt from the book:
If you'd like a sneak peek at the book, the publishers have made an excerpt from the book available which describes the crime upon which Psycho was based. Warning: the content of the preview is not explicit, but it is also not for the faint of heart.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
The Crime Behind the Film
Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho traces the origin of the story to the infamous body snatcher and murderer Ed Gein, upon whom the fictional novel by Robert Bloch was based. Bloch's book was anonymously optioned by Hitchcock (as was his habit) for the paltry sum of $9000 and no percentage of the profits, which must have been a hard pill to swallow after seeing the film's eventual success. It's interesting that the book's prologue delves right into the gruesome details of Gein's crimes, for although the facts of the case will not be news to anyone who has dipped a toe into his history, the ghastly details may be somewhat repugnant to the casual reader.
The Making of the Film
The book quickly moves onto Hitchcock's deal-making, pre-production work, and casting, however. Hitchcock personally financed Psycho and deferred his usual director's fee in exchange for majority ownership of the negative, so he enjoyed a fair amount of autonomy with his choices. The author goes into great detail about the hiring and firing of screenwriters, crew members, and various other below-the-line negotiations that might be a little on the dry side for some readers. I personally enjoy learning about budget details for these kinds of projects, however, so the author kept my attention with his meticulously researched facts and figures, many of which were uncovered in discussions with Hitchcock himself during a series of interviews shortly before the director's death. It was particularly interesting to read about Hitch's relationship with Saul Bass, the graphic designer famous for his work on The Man with the Golden Gun, Vertigo, and West Side Story, and the man who designed Psycho's simple but evocative title treatment. There has been much debate over the years over who actually was responsible for directing the infamous shower scene with Janet Leigh, and the author's interviews with cast and crew sheds some interesting light on Bass' storyboards for this scene and his role as sometime assistant director.
The Man Behind the Film
Though this book is primarily a fairly objective documentation of how a film project came to be, the portrait it also sketches of the man behind the film is fascinating. You expect a man with his talent and showmanship to be shrewd and exacting and stubborn and clear-sighted, but it is a pleasure to discover that Hitchcock also placed a huge amount of trust in many of his collaborators, that he seemed to delight in surprising those who caught his fancy, and was a skilled trouble-shooter who found ingenious technical solutions to the innovative shots he was undertaking. It's easy to praise the film now with the benefit of modern perspective, but back then, Hitchcock really had to push to get this project made the way he wanted to. This ranged from using voyeuristic camera angles, suggestive lack of clothing, and of course, shocking murder scenes that had viewers fainting in the aisles. The film caused a sensation when it was released, and it's funny to hear that even then, directors had to include more violence than they intended to keep in order to play the ratings game with the MPAA.
Hitchcock's influence on the filmmakers who followed him cannot be overstated, and it's intriguing to read the play-by-play details for one of his most well-known films. All in all, this was a very enjoyable read and is recommended for any Hitchcock fan or student of film history. (The book has apparently already been optioned for a feature film.) I'd love to see a similar treatment someday for my personal Hitchcock favorite Marnie, as it would be great to gain some insight into what Hitchcock went through to get a film about a frigid kleptomaniac made. Right now, however, you'll have to excuse me while I go watch Psycho again.
Read an excerpt from the book:
If you'd like a sneak peek at the book, the publishers have made an excerpt from the book available which describes the crime upon which Psycho was based. Warning: the content of the preview is not explicit, but it is also not for the faint of heart.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
April 3, 2021
I really liked how the book contained a lot of tidbits and behind the scenes information. It is clear that the author spent a lot of time researching both the book and film, as well as the inspiration of both. I also loved the layout of this book. It was broken down into sections, and then sub-sections so you can easily go back and listen to a specific area.
May 6, 2017
It is appalling that, a self-regarded Psycho fan as I am, this book would have escaped my notice if not for the movie Hitchcock (2012). The movie which centres around the brilliant Mr and Mrs Hitchcock (played by the equally brilliantly matched Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren) is based on Rebello's very book. (And Scarlett Johansson did a wonderful job being Janet Leigh...)
Rebello's book is less fiction and more documentation. It is a meticulous but very readable piece of journalism, following the director closely through all the stages of the making of this iconic film from the beginning to the end, almost like a camera in a documentary. There is a great deal for ardent fans to be delighted over: firsthand interviews with the crew, producers, director and individual stars, various film reviews, insightful opinions, the entirely of the process from inception to aftermath laid out in chapters. Reading this is as close to the possibility of reliving the making process as one will ever be able to get. The author's good sense of organisation brings everything together without the constant quotation becoming too dull. Rather, it's in these sentences bounded by quotation marks that one gets the strongest sense of the individual stories behind the film - whether it be Janet Leigh's, Anthony Perkins's or Saul Bass's, or anyone else involved in that arduous process.
Detailing even the most minor of considerations makes one aware of how much painstaking work, effort and care went into even something as innocuous as the credit sequence:
'The production team for the Psycho credit sequence settled on a configuration of over thirty parallel bars for each field. ... "We got six foot-long aluminium bars and sprayed them black. We worked on a large white-painted plywood board with push-pins to guide the bars. The bars had to follow a straight line and couldn't wriggle. Paul [Stolerodd] and I [Harold Adler] manually pushed in each bar at predetermined distances for each exposure. The bars came in at different positions and speeds. Each bar was precisely timed by numbers of frames per second, called 'counts.' Each bar had to be pushed in and shot separately. Once a bar had gone across the screen, it was tied down. There were lots of retakes because they'd come in crooked or something."'
And what more for the rest of the film? It all goes to show how much thought and care went into every scene, and that unfortunately not all of this can be appreciated solely on the side of the screen that faces the audience. Reading about Hitchcock agonising over the technical difficulties of the opening sequence over Phoenix, his pedantry for getting everything right to the point of obsession, amusing and annoying his stars and co-workers and the strange aura that surrounded him and his circle, is a remarkable, humbling encounter with a remarkable director. A director who cared too much but was never comfortable with the fickle public and press to ever reveal that other than in deadpan statements or airy pronouncements. A personality and brand crafted for mass consumption which hid a very real person indeed. Hitchcock was a dedicated artist helming a supportive and talented crew, working to bring to screen his vision/version of cinema. The work was not always smooth, he did not always know what to do, but there was devotion, and the unprecedented impact Psycho would have transformed the trajectory of his career significantly but also, as Rebello conjectures, made surpassing himself and outsmarting his audience more demanding and tricky.
Rebello crafts an intrusive look, as looks are, to satiate curiosity, but it is also respectful. That is more than what a reader and fan could ask for.
Rebello's book is less fiction and more documentation. It is a meticulous but very readable piece of journalism, following the director closely through all the stages of the making of this iconic film from the beginning to the end, almost like a camera in a documentary. There is a great deal for ardent fans to be delighted over: firsthand interviews with the crew, producers, director and individual stars, various film reviews, insightful opinions, the entirely of the process from inception to aftermath laid out in chapters. Reading this is as close to the possibility of reliving the making process as one will ever be able to get. The author's good sense of organisation brings everything together without the constant quotation becoming too dull. Rather, it's in these sentences bounded by quotation marks that one gets the strongest sense of the individual stories behind the film - whether it be Janet Leigh's, Anthony Perkins's or Saul Bass's, or anyone else involved in that arduous process.
Detailing even the most minor of considerations makes one aware of how much painstaking work, effort and care went into even something as innocuous as the credit sequence:
'The production team for the Psycho credit sequence settled on a configuration of over thirty parallel bars for each field. ... "We got six foot-long aluminium bars and sprayed them black. We worked on a large white-painted plywood board with push-pins to guide the bars. The bars had to follow a straight line and couldn't wriggle. Paul [Stolerodd] and I [Harold Adler] manually pushed in each bar at predetermined distances for each exposure. The bars came in at different positions and speeds. Each bar was precisely timed by numbers of frames per second, called 'counts.' Each bar had to be pushed in and shot separately. Once a bar had gone across the screen, it was tied down. There were lots of retakes because they'd come in crooked or something."'
And what more for the rest of the film? It all goes to show how much thought and care went into every scene, and that unfortunately not all of this can be appreciated solely on the side of the screen that faces the audience. Reading about Hitchcock agonising over the technical difficulties of the opening sequence over Phoenix, his pedantry for getting everything right to the point of obsession, amusing and annoying his stars and co-workers and the strange aura that surrounded him and his circle, is a remarkable, humbling encounter with a remarkable director. A director who cared too much but was never comfortable with the fickle public and press to ever reveal that other than in deadpan statements or airy pronouncements. A personality and brand crafted for mass consumption which hid a very real person indeed. Hitchcock was a dedicated artist helming a supportive and talented crew, working to bring to screen his vision/version of cinema. The work was not always smooth, he did not always know what to do, but there was devotion, and the unprecedented impact Psycho would have transformed the trajectory of his career significantly but also, as Rebello conjectures, made surpassing himself and outsmarting his audience more demanding and tricky.
Rebello crafts an intrusive look, as looks are, to satiate curiosity, but it is also respectful. That is more than what a reader and fan could ask for.
October 22, 2013
Everything you wanted to know about the filming of PSYCHO and then some sums up this gem of a book. It makes me want to re-watch PSYCHO sometime soon. Sir Alfred's droll wit and dark sense of humor shine through the best.
February 15, 2016
I loved the movie HITCHCOCK with Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren. Naturally, I had to read the book that movie was adapted from. And I loved it! If you like Hollywood history and backstage goings-on, I think you would enjoy this telling of the creation of one of the iconic films of the last century, PSYCHO. From preproduction to casting to filming to opening night and beyond, this book tells it all. Oh, and if you haven't seen the movie HITCHCOCK, you really should. It's a great dramatization of the inner workings of Hollywood and a fascinating close-up look at one of its all-time greatest directors (and his wife) and the film that turned out to be Hitch's greatest hit. And the acting by Hopkins and Mirren is absolutely terrific.
July 5, 2016
I really enjoyed the original movie Pyscho and then this film The Making of Pyscho starring Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren, so much so I wanted the tie in book to it. It reads like the film but obviously in more detail and is a great insight into Holllywood. I enjoyed it and would recommend.
August 12, 2025
Another biography of a film book, but it lacks the verve and creativity of Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M., instead focusing closely on the process of creating Psycho. The details are detailed, particularly when it comes to something memorable, like the shower scene. Pages and pages and pages about how Saul Bass was involved (and tried to take credit) and editors used jump cuts (rare back then!) and the composer thought up those screechy stabby musical notes. It's all very interesting in aggregate, but it's easy to lose interest periodically.
I did appreciate that the author covered both the original Psycho book's creation, as well as Ed Gein himself. Very weird for such a widely known cultural product to be so closely tied to a gruesome serial killer. What does that say about our interests? Yeesh.
I did appreciate that the author covered both the original Psycho book's creation, as well as Ed Gein himself. Very weird for such a widely known cultural product to be so closely tied to a gruesome serial killer. What does that say about our interests? Yeesh.
Read
October 5, 2022me vs taking pictures of every page that tony perkins is mentioned on <3
April 28, 2015
The screaming blonde in the shower, the creepy hotel, the guy who keeps his mummified mom in the old family home... everybody knows about "Psycho," if only by cultural osmosis.
But probably not as many people know about the history of the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie, and just how tough it was to bring it to the screen. Cue Stephen Rebello's "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho," which compellingly sketches out every single step of "Psycho" -- from the bizarre serial killer who inspired the book to the mysterious PR campaign.
It begins with Ed Gein, a serial killer who inspired Richard Bloch's pulpy horror novel "Psycho." It was an unlikely choice for the great Alfred Hitchcock to adapt -- a small, gritty weird story with a shocking twist ending and two graphic stabbings. But it did appeal to his "fiendish" sense of humor, and gave the great filmmaker a chance to make what he wanted -- something fresh and "young," something in the "Les Diaboliques" mold.
He then proceeded to make a movie that went against all the "rules" -- he ignored Paramount's horror and disgust, he hired a relatively inexperienced screenwriter, he used the crew from his hit TV show, and he cast the film's biggest star as the woman who is brutally stabbed after only forty minutes.
Rebello goes through the production step-by-step, following every aspect of the casting, the props, the camera techniques, the infamous shower scene (the blood is actually chocolate syrup), the performances, the costumes -- just about every single aspect of the moviemaking process. And from there he follows the story of "Psycho" into the movie theatres, where Hitchcock's film disgusted critics, shocked audiences, and ended up becoming his magnum opus.
I usually find highly "technical" books about moviemaking to be dull -- I've never made a movie, nor have I been on a movie set, so the behind-the-scenes descriptions of camera angles and lighting are simply something I can't visualize. Maybe it would be different if I were able to go onto a movie set and see these things personally, but currently they are as impenetrable to me as the inner workings of a space probe.
But Rebello managed to make this interesting. In fact, he managed to make every step of the process fascinating -- which probably wasn't hurt by an entire chapter devoted to a grotesque serial killer, Ed Gein. His writing style is detailed and rich in details, letting you envision virtually everything he has to say.
He also mines a LOT of interviews for information about the shoot, and not just the actors either. There are countless delightful anecdotes about making "Psycho," such as the way they tried to film the falling-down-the-stairs scene. Or Joseph Stefano talking about how, as he and Hitchcock were plotting out the shower scene, they were interrupted by the director's wife Alma -- and promptly started screaming. Some of this stuff is hilarious.
It also gives a fascinating portrait of Hitchcock -- an accomplished artist who loved twisted, weird stories, with a wickedly mischievous sense of humor and a lot of eccentricities. Rebello doesn't delve too deep into Hitchcock's psychology (which is always a dangerous road for any nonfiction writer), but he lets the various anecdotes about the Master of Suspense form a portrait on their own.
But while he gives a lot of attention to Hitchcock's personality, style and artistic contributions, he also makes it clear that the movie was the masterwork of many different people -- from actress Janet Leigh (who spent days seminaked in the shower) to the dude who butchered a bunch of melons to get the right "stab sound." Credit for the work is spread around liberally.
"Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho" is a fascinating, full-bodied look at the inner workings of a humble little movie... which just happened to be one of Hitchcock's greatest films ever. A must-read for any enthusiast for the medium of film, "Psycho" and/or Hitchcock.
But probably not as many people know about the history of the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie, and just how tough it was to bring it to the screen. Cue Stephen Rebello's "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho," which compellingly sketches out every single step of "Psycho" -- from the bizarre serial killer who inspired the book to the mysterious PR campaign.
It begins with Ed Gein, a serial killer who inspired Richard Bloch's pulpy horror novel "Psycho." It was an unlikely choice for the great Alfred Hitchcock to adapt -- a small, gritty weird story with a shocking twist ending and two graphic stabbings. But it did appeal to his "fiendish" sense of humor, and gave the great filmmaker a chance to make what he wanted -- something fresh and "young," something in the "Les Diaboliques" mold.
He then proceeded to make a movie that went against all the "rules" -- he ignored Paramount's horror and disgust, he hired a relatively inexperienced screenwriter, he used the crew from his hit TV show, and he cast the film's biggest star as the woman who is brutally stabbed after only forty minutes.
Rebello goes through the production step-by-step, following every aspect of the casting, the props, the camera techniques, the infamous shower scene (the blood is actually chocolate syrup), the performances, the costumes -- just about every single aspect of the moviemaking process. And from there he follows the story of "Psycho" into the movie theatres, where Hitchcock's film disgusted critics, shocked audiences, and ended up becoming his magnum opus.
I usually find highly "technical" books about moviemaking to be dull -- I've never made a movie, nor have I been on a movie set, so the behind-the-scenes descriptions of camera angles and lighting are simply something I can't visualize. Maybe it would be different if I were able to go onto a movie set and see these things personally, but currently they are as impenetrable to me as the inner workings of a space probe.
But Rebello managed to make this interesting. In fact, he managed to make every step of the process fascinating -- which probably wasn't hurt by an entire chapter devoted to a grotesque serial killer, Ed Gein. His writing style is detailed and rich in details, letting you envision virtually everything he has to say.
He also mines a LOT of interviews for information about the shoot, and not just the actors either. There are countless delightful anecdotes about making "Psycho," such as the way they tried to film the falling-down-the-stairs scene. Or Joseph Stefano talking about how, as he and Hitchcock were plotting out the shower scene, they were interrupted by the director's wife Alma -- and promptly started screaming. Some of this stuff is hilarious.
It also gives a fascinating portrait of Hitchcock -- an accomplished artist who loved twisted, weird stories, with a wickedly mischievous sense of humor and a lot of eccentricities. Rebello doesn't delve too deep into Hitchcock's psychology (which is always a dangerous road for any nonfiction writer), but he lets the various anecdotes about the Master of Suspense form a portrait on their own.
But while he gives a lot of attention to Hitchcock's personality, style and artistic contributions, he also makes it clear that the movie was the masterwork of many different people -- from actress Janet Leigh (who spent days seminaked in the shower) to the dude who butchered a bunch of melons to get the right "stab sound." Credit for the work is spread around liberally.
"Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho" is a fascinating, full-bodied look at the inner workings of a humble little movie... which just happened to be one of Hitchcock's greatest films ever. A must-read for any enthusiast for the medium of film, "Psycho" and/or Hitchcock.
June 18, 2016
I'm a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock and "Psycho" is one of my favourite of his movies. I've just finished reading Robert Bloch's book and re-watching the original movie to prime myself for reading this account of "the making of" Psycho. An excellent book for the initiated! This takes us from an account of Ed Gein, the depraved killer and grave robber, which inspired Bloch for his book, then to an accounting of Bloch's writing of the book from idea to after publication. Then this book settles into telling the whole story behind how "Psycho" was filmed, publicised and its final legacy. Rebello's book gives away all plot points for the book and movie and really would be of little interest to someone who is not familiar with either. Make no mistake this book is about how the film was made, *not* about Hitchcock himself or any of the personalities involved. The biographical material included is only what is needed to properly tell the story. I learned so much reading this book and found it extremely informative and entertaining. The next time I watch the movie I will be watching it with fresh eyes looking for and thinking about what I learned from this book. There are no pictures but I found myself reading with Google Images open beside me. When the first edition of the book was mentioned I needed to see that, when the first ever risque movie production advertisements were mentioned I hurried to find pictures of them. When the enticing theatrical trailer was described I had to watch it! When Hitchcock's cameo and Ted Knight's role as "man by door" were mentioned I quickly watched those video clips. I could go on and on! A true book for the movie connoisseur.
PS: I have not seen the recent "Hitchcock" movie with Helen Mirren of which this kindle edition has a movie tie-in cover but I imagine that movie is hardly representative of the book for the mere fact that Alma Hitchcock is only mentioned twice in the book. Once standing near a closed door and second on a rare public appearance with Alfred at an event. That said there is quite a bit of information on their daughter, Patricia, who is incredibly still alive at the time of this review.
PS: I have not seen the recent "Hitchcock" movie with Helen Mirren of which this kindle edition has a movie tie-in cover but I imagine that movie is hardly representative of the book for the mere fact that Alma Hitchcock is only mentioned twice in the book. Once standing near a closed door and second on a rare public appearance with Alfred at an event. That said there is quite a bit of information on their daughter, Patricia, who is incredibly still alive at the time of this review.
October 29, 2010
Ever since I first saw the movie, I've always been particularly taken with Hitchcock's Psycho. When I was younger I'd pour over the movie details, especially when I managed to get my hands on a book that gave a scene by scene guide of the movie. (It was all done picture by picture. I wish I could find a copy of that now!) The first time I watched it I still managed to be surprised by everything even when I knew the outcome. It was just that much of a testament to the genius & talent of Hitchcock & those he worked with.
This book gives the reader the history of the movie, from Bloch's planning of the book & the crimes that preceded them to Hitchcock filming it & releasing it in theaters. Very little is left out in this book & everything is examined thoroughly. It's incredibly informative & just as incredibly entertaining.
Fans of Hitchcock will love getting a better glimpse of the master at work while people who just love a good story will also be interested to see how hard it was to get this film made. Would you believe that Hitchcock initially viewed this as "just another film" & wasn't initially as into this film as he would eventually become? There's a lot in this book that might make people surprised, especially when you consider the standards at the time. What some might view as tame by today's standards was considered to be wildly inappropriate at the time, causing Hitchcock to have to fight to get his feature in theaters.
While the writing might be a little dry for some, I can't say enough great things about this book. I loved revisiting an old favorite of mine in a whole new light & it really made me appreciate this movie that much more.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
This book gives the reader the history of the movie, from Bloch's planning of the book & the crimes that preceded them to Hitchcock filming it & releasing it in theaters. Very little is left out in this book & everything is examined thoroughly. It's incredibly informative & just as incredibly entertaining.
Fans of Hitchcock will love getting a better glimpse of the master at work while people who just love a good story will also be interested to see how hard it was to get this film made. Would you believe that Hitchcock initially viewed this as "just another film" & wasn't initially as into this film as he would eventually become? There's a lot in this book that might make people surprised, especially when you consider the standards at the time. What some might view as tame by today's standards was considered to be wildly inappropriate at the time, causing Hitchcock to have to fight to get his feature in theaters.
While the writing might be a little dry for some, I can't say enough great things about this book. I loved revisiting an old favorite of mine in a whole new light & it really made me appreciate this movie that much more.
(ARC provided by NetGalley)
June 10, 2017
This is probably as thorough a history of a single film as it's possible to write. Beginning with the gruesome Ed Gain murders that inspired the original novel, Rebello walks us through every aspect of Hitchcock's Psycho.
The level of detail and research that went into this is awe-inspiring; Rebello seems to have been in contact with every living individual involved with the film, from its stars down to the lowliest grip on the set crew, and he covers every possible aspect of the film from Hitchcock's meticulous pre-production planning, through the films unsuspected blockbuster release and reception.
This is a stand-out work of film history. It may lack the gravitas of more total studies of hitchcock's work, but it more than makes up for it by knowing seemingly every possible detail about its subject. Highly recommended.
The level of detail and research that went into this is awe-inspiring; Rebello seems to have been in contact with every living individual involved with the film, from its stars down to the lowliest grip on the set crew, and he covers every possible aspect of the film from Hitchcock's meticulous pre-production planning, through the films unsuspected blockbuster release and reception.
This is a stand-out work of film history. It may lack the gravitas of more total studies of hitchcock's work, but it more than makes up for it by knowing seemingly every possible detail about its subject. Highly recommended.
March 5, 2013
SO so so boring...I couldn't bring myself to finish it. I'm a fan of Psycho but not a HUGE fan but the bottom line was that I didn't like the author's writing style at all!
Read my review @ Shivers of Horror
Read my review @ Shivers of Horror
January 29, 2017
4.5 stars - a solid and detailed book until the final 15 or so pages (maybe it's just me, but my attention started to waiver). Filmmakers - since Hollywood is continually churning out bloated, uninspired or expensive flicks - should take note of what an A-list director can do "slumming" on a relatively low-budget, low-key production.
July 16, 2015
reiks pažėt dar kartą. dbr jau su insider knowledge :D
July 28, 2018
31 years after his debut, Hitchcock released Vertigo, North By Northwest, Psycho and The Birds in an unprecedented run of film-making, when he already had a body of work that was the envy of any director. Each of these films deserve their own individual study - the complex layers of Vertigo, the pacing of NbNW and the audacity of The Birds - but it is Psycho that stands out as the apotheosis of Hitchcock's career, not because of what it did to cinema, but because of what it did to Hitchcock himself.
To read this book you must have already seen Psycho; however it does not need to have been recently as I guarantee you'll be watching it again afterwards. Rebello's research is immaculate, in raising the emergence of the story, through Hitchcock's initial interest, to the creation of the project and ultimately the making of the film. His interviews are with the right people at the right time in the chronology and not just with the obvious stars of the piece. His understanding of film and film-making is clear and as such we get a full picture of the level of skilful artistry that was needed to make this film; coupled with Hitchcock's own obsession with it post production, when normally he would have been moving on to his next project.
In homage to the efforts made not to reveal the plot to the audience, so shall I not reveal the gems that are in this book - but trust me that they are here. For anyone with an interest in film this should be mandatory reading - as a full bodied case study if nothing else; for anyone who enjoyed the film - get ready to do so all over again!
To read this book you must have already seen Psycho; however it does not need to have been recently as I guarantee you'll be watching it again afterwards. Rebello's research is immaculate, in raising the emergence of the story, through Hitchcock's initial interest, to the creation of the project and ultimately the making of the film. His interviews are with the right people at the right time in the chronology and not just with the obvious stars of the piece. His understanding of film and film-making is clear and as such we get a full picture of the level of skilful artistry that was needed to make this film; coupled with Hitchcock's own obsession with it post production, when normally he would have been moving on to his next project.
In homage to the efforts made not to reveal the plot to the audience, so shall I not reveal the gems that are in this book - but trust me that they are here. For anyone with an interest in film this should be mandatory reading - as a full bodied case study if nothing else; for anyone who enjoyed the film - get ready to do so all over again!
November 21, 2025
This was a fun read. Going into it, I didn't know much about Hitchcock or, for that matter, film making, so it was interesting to hear about things I never even thought about. I learned that Psycho was the first movie to show a toilet in it - and it gets flushed. I learned that Hitchcock was so concerned about the surprise ending being leaked that he didn't do an early screening for critics; they had to come see it with the general public when it opened. He also made a policy that no one was allowed into the theater after the movie started: you could see it from beginning to end or not at all. I was glad they talked about Hitchcock's ambivalence about Psycho because it made sense of his statement in the recent Netflix series on Ed Gein that "I'm not giving them the movie they want; I'm giving them the movie they deserve."
Needless to say, a screening of Psycho is now in order.
Needless to say, a screening of Psycho is now in order.
September 27, 2023
The book is probably more of a 3.5, but it suffers from being written in a very dry voice. The author doesn’t interject himself enough, especially in the first 3 quarters, where he’s presenting facts or viewpoints but not filtering them or drawing conclusions. Some of his statements on Gein are incorrect, alluding to unproven connections to missing girls while overlooking his potential involvement in the slayings of some of his family members. In the Saul Bass bit about whether he stepped in to direct the famous shower sequence that he storyboarded, he presents like 9 viewpoints saying Bass was not on set, yet he still seems to side with Bass’ assertion that he directed that scene.
That isn’t to say that there isn’t a lot to love in the book. Despite the dryness, it’s still full of fascinating anecdotes and trivia.
That isn’t to say that there isn’t a lot to love in the book. Despite the dryness, it’s still full of fascinating anecdotes and trivia.
June 3, 2018
Informative, entertaining look at the conception, making, and impact of a classic 'shocker'.
January 21, 2020
Filled with details. It reached a point where it was difficult to read. But if that's your thing, you'll like it.
January 10, 2023
I loved the first half of the book but after the movie release the reminder of the book lost my interest a bit. It was interesting though and Psycho is a movie classic.
April 18, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Definitely a book for movie fans. It provided a fascinating insight into the film making process of Hitchcock, from the conception of the first idea though to the legacy of this film as one of the great shock and thrill flicks of its time.
It made me want to rewatch so many of his films. Oh how I would have loved to have been on that set! I particularly enjoyed the deep dive on the controversy of who directed the shower scene, Hitchcock or Saul Bass. My money has always been on Hitchcock.
It made me want to rewatch so many of his films. Oh how I would have loved to have been on that set! I particularly enjoyed the deep dive on the controversy of who directed the shower scene, Hitchcock or Saul Bass. My money has always been on Hitchcock.
June 16, 2024
I zipped through this book so fast I thought I had accidentally skipped ahead chapters on the audiobook when it ended. I am a lifelong Hitchcock fanatic. I don’t know if this is a great general interest book, but if you’re in that bucket, it’s a must. Very well researched and well told journalistic work that delivers on its promise. I love all of the details about shooting and script development and the film team, the publicity. It’s very much a book about creativity too…
June 30, 2017
A well written & thoughtful book about the classic slasher movie. Hitchcock was never able to find anything to top Psycho and this book discussed the details of how and why it was so great.
March 11, 2011
Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello
Open Road
99 pages
Non-fiction; Hollywood
4/5 stars
Source: Received a free e-copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read: Today is Alfred Hitchcock Day and I recently rewatched Psycho so I thought this would be a good way to celebrate.
This book is a good summation of the path Psycho took to becoming film. First a real-life crime inspired novelist Robert Bloch to write the novel that Hitchcock would end up optioning in order to create something new for audiences after the failure of Vertigo. He assembled a cast and crew and made the film in a manner more reminiscent of a television program than the usual lavish color films. And it was a huge success-audiences around the world loved it. But Hitchcock was never able to replicate that success in his other later films, instead struggling to find quality scripts and to keep the audience in suspense.
As expected from the title, Hitchcock is the central figure. I was most intrigued by Saul Bass's claim to have directed the famous shower scene based on storyboards he created. I'm in the Hitchcock camp; he had his ideas and it was his picture, his set-no one but him would have final control.
I would have liked to read more about Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh's careers after Psycho. As far as I know, neither worked with Hitchcock again and neither had such success. In fact, I've read that Perkins was typecast and struggled a lot with that post-Psycho.
Overall: A fine work and good reading for those who would like to know more about this iconic film. If you haven't seen Pyscho, you should definitely check it out and then maybe give this book a read.
Open Road
99 pages
Non-fiction; Hollywood
4/5 stars
Source: Received a free e-copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read: Today is Alfred Hitchcock Day and I recently rewatched Psycho so I thought this would be a good way to celebrate.
This book is a good summation of the path Psycho took to becoming film. First a real-life crime inspired novelist Robert Bloch to write the novel that Hitchcock would end up optioning in order to create something new for audiences after the failure of Vertigo. He assembled a cast and crew and made the film in a manner more reminiscent of a television program than the usual lavish color films. And it was a huge success-audiences around the world loved it. But Hitchcock was never able to replicate that success in his other later films, instead struggling to find quality scripts and to keep the audience in suspense.
As expected from the title, Hitchcock is the central figure. I was most intrigued by Saul Bass's claim to have directed the famous shower scene based on storyboards he created. I'm in the Hitchcock camp; he had his ideas and it was his picture, his set-no one but him would have final control.
I would have liked to read more about Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh's careers after Psycho. As far as I know, neither worked with Hitchcock again and neither had such success. In fact, I've read that Perkins was typecast and struggled a lot with that post-Psycho.
Overall: A fine work and good reading for those who would like to know more about this iconic film. If you haven't seen Pyscho, you should definitely check it out and then maybe give this book a read.
August 24, 2012
I read this book in order to prepare for the upcoming "true" movie with Scarlett Johannsen, Jessica Biels, and Anthony Hopkins, which details the film-maker's transition from romantic comedy suspense stories to darker, more serious matter. Psycho, to me, is a classic thriller, not a horror movie; the breakaway knife only makes contact with flesh once and without blood. This movie is a character study and mystery, but told in a much different manner. . . after the financial disappointment of Vertigo (blamed by the director actively on James Stewart's age and Vera Miles replacement with Kim Novak), Hitchcock was looking for a different project---and found it in a story by suspense writer Robert Bloch.
Psycho does not read entirely the same as the novel upon which it was based, but in my opinion, actually improves the story for screen with changing of details and character descriptions, and adding to the leading lady's back story. Contrary to popular belief, this was not the first "slasher," type film, but Hitchcock took what was usually B-movie material and made it, on a shoestring budget, an American suspense classic.
The book includes much darker material on killer Ed Gein, to introduce the story, who inspired, in part, Robert Bloch. Definitely worth reading if you are a fan of any of the film's stars or Hitchcock's work in general.
Psycho does not read entirely the same as the novel upon which it was based, but in my opinion, actually improves the story for screen with changing of details and character descriptions, and adding to the leading lady's back story. Contrary to popular belief, this was not the first "slasher," type film, but Hitchcock took what was usually B-movie material and made it, on a shoestring budget, an American suspense classic.
The book includes much darker material on killer Ed Gein, to introduce the story, who inspired, in part, Robert Bloch. Definitely worth reading if you are a fan of any of the film's stars or Hitchcock's work in general.
July 4, 2011
Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello opens with Ed Gein. Taxidermy, furniture and clothing made of human flesh and bone, cannibalism and run down cluttered homes. If you see any of these motifs in film you owe them to one real life monster named Ed Gein. And Psycho was the first to draw creative inspiration from his crimes. Ed Gein, though, makes Norman Bates look like a pussycat.
From the true crime this reissued book about the making of Psycho goes through all the steps that lead to the progenitor of the modern horror film. There's a chapter on Robert Bloch's novel and how it came to be purchased by Alfred Hitchcock.
Most of the book though is about the film itself. Of most interest to me was how the film was shot like an extended episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Although there was speculation at the time that it might be used for the series, Rebello argues (quite effectively) that the approach was a cost saving measure and as well as a chance for Hitchcock to step away from the elaborate (and expensive) full color films he had been making at the time. A low budget also gave Hitchcock more creative freedom because no one was worried about where the money was going.
I read an egalley via NetGalley.
From the true crime this reissued book about the making of Psycho goes through all the steps that lead to the progenitor of the modern horror film. There's a chapter on Robert Bloch's novel and how it came to be purchased by Alfred Hitchcock.
Most of the book though is about the film itself. Of most interest to me was how the film was shot like an extended episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Although there was speculation at the time that it might be used for the series, Rebello argues (quite effectively) that the approach was a cost saving measure and as well as a chance for Hitchcock to step away from the elaborate (and expensive) full color films he had been making at the time. A low budget also gave Hitchcock more creative freedom because no one was worried about where the money was going.
I read an egalley via NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews