The Psycho Legacy
Encyclopedia
The Psycho Legacy is a 2010 independent documentary film
that examines the history of the Psycho
film franchise and the continuing legacy of the original Psycho. It also pays a tribute to actor Anthony Perkins
for his portrayal of Norman Bates
, it is written and directed by Robert Galluzzo. It includes interviews with the cast and crew who were involved in all four films. It also features interviews with current horror filmmakers who are fans of the Psycho series. The documentary took 3 years to make and was finally released on DVD on October 19th 2010 in Region 1.
DVDs were re-released back in 2005. I was disappointed with the fact that the DVD's contained no special features and that there was little information out there about the Psycho sequels, thus I decided to make the documentary."
alumni as possible to arrange interviews. Most of them are based out of California, so I’d work at my dayjob for 3 months straight, then take 2 weeks off to go shoot some interviews. And then come back and do it all over again. That’s the main reason it’s taken so long is because I had to go back to work and save up the money to continue shooting. This was always a labor of love, so I did anything I could to make it work and get just a tiny bit further along."
. Special features include a rare 41 minute panel discussion with Anthony Perkins, Extended Interviews, Deleted Scenes, Remembering Psycho II featurette, Shooting Psycho II featurette, The Bates Motel tour featurette, Catching up with Mother featurette, Psycho Reunion Panel, Psycho on the Web, Hyaena Gallery Presents: Serial Killer Inspired Art and Norman Bates in Print featurette. The documentary is also being released on DVD in France on October 18th 2011.
novels were barely discussed in the documentary and that the failed TV pilot Bates Motel
and the 1998 remake
were not mentioned. However originally in the deleted scenes section of the DVD there was supposed to be two short segments about the TV pilot and remake but for unknown reasons they were left off of the DVD when it was released. The documentary has a 7.5 out of 10 rating on IMDB and a 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
that examines the history of the Psycho
Psycho (film series)
The Psycho film series is an American horror film franchise loosely based on the Psycho novels by Robert Bloch. The first film, Psycho, was directed by legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock in 1960, with three sequels, a spin-off, and a remake following. The official films consist of Psycho,...
film franchise and the continuing legacy of the original Psycho. It also pays a tribute to actor Anthony Perkins
Anthony Perkins
Anthony Perkins was an American actor, best known for his Oscar-nominated role in Friendly Persuasion and as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho , and its three sequels.-Early life:...
for his portrayal of Norman Bates
Norman Bates
Norman Bates is a fictional character created by writer Robert Bloch as the central character in his novel Psycho, and portrayed by Anthony Perkins as the main antagonist of the 1960 film of the same name directed by Alfred Hitchcock...
, it is written and directed by Robert Galluzzo. It includes interviews with the cast and crew who were involved in all four films. It also features interviews with current horror filmmakers who are fans of the Psycho series. The documentary took 3 years to make and was finally released on DVD on October 19th 2010 in Region 1.
Cast
- Anthony PerkinsAnthony PerkinsAnthony Perkins was an American actor, best known for his Oscar-nominated role in Friendly Persuasion and as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho , and its three sequels.-Early life:...
– Norman BatesNorman BatesNorman Bates is a fictional character created by writer Robert Bloch as the central character in his novel Psycho, and portrayed by Anthony Perkins as the main antagonist of the 1960 film of the same name directed by Alfred Hitchcock...
, Psycho I-IV (archive footage) - Janet LeighJanet LeighJanet Leigh , born Jeanette Helen Morrison, was an American actress. She was the wife of actor Tony Curtis from June 1951 to September 1962 and the mother of Kelly Curtis and Jamie Lee Curtis....
- Marion Crane, Psycho (archive footage) - Vera MilesVera MilesVera Miles is an American film actress who gained popularity for starring in films such as The Searchers, The Wrong Man, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Psycho and Psycho II.-Early life:...
- Lila Crane, Psycho I-II (archive footage) - Alfred HitchcockAlfred HitchcockSir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
- Director, Psycho (archive footage) - Hilton A. GreenHilton A. GreenHilton A. Green is an American producer and assistant director best known for assistant directing the original Psycho and many episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents...
– Assistant Director, Psycho/Producer, Psycho II-IV - Tom HollandTom Holland (director)-Early life:Holland was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, the son of Lee and Tom Holland. He graduated from Worcester Academy in 1962. He is the uncle of Dexter Holland, the singer and guitarist for the American punk rock band, The Offspring, and father of American actor Josh Holland.-Dead Rabbit...
– Writer, Psycho II - Richard FranklinRichard Franklin (director)Richard Franklin was an Australian-born film director.-Early life and career:Franklin was born and grew up in Brighton, Melbourne and was educated at Haileybury College. In the 1960s, Franklin was the drummer in the Melbourne band The Pink Finks, which also featured Ross Wilson and Ross Hannaford,...
- Director, Psycho II (archive footage) - Robert LoggiaRobert LoggiaRobert Loggia is an American film and television actor and director.- Early life :Loggia, an Italian American, was born on Staten Island, the son of Elena Blandino, a homemaker, and Benjamin Loggia, a shoemaker, both of whom were born in Sicily, Italy...
– Dr. Bill Raymond, Psycho II - Chris Hendrie – Deputy Pool, Psycho II
- Andrew London – Editor, Psycho II
- Kurt PaulKurt PaulKurt Paul is an American actor and stuntman. He is perhaps best known for his work within the Psycho movie franchise, where he performed as a stunt double for Anthony Perkins in Psycho II and Psycho III, and played "Mother" in all of the scenes of Psycho III except when Perkins' face was visible...
– Mother, Psycho II-III/Raymond Linette, Psycho IV - Diana ScarwidDiana ScarwidDiana Scarwid is an American actress. Scarwid has done work in film, television and theater.-Personal life:Scarwid was born in Savannah, Georgia, and left Georgia at the age of 17, heading to New York to become an actress. She graduated from Pace University and The American Academy of Dramatic...
– Maureen Coyle, Psycho III - Lee GarlingtonLee GarlingtonAnn Leslie "Lee" Garlington is an American actress.Garlington was born in Teaneck, New Jersey. She has guest starred in a number of notable television series, including The West Wing, 7th Heaven, 8 Simple Rules, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Judging Amy, L.A...
– Myrna, Psycho II-III - Jeff FaheyJeff FaheyJeffrey David "Jeff" Fahey is an American film and television actor. He has portrayed Captain Frank Lapidus on the ABC series Lost and the title role of Deputy Marshal Winston MacBride on The Marshal.-Early life:...
– Duane Duke, Psycho III - Juliette CumminsJuliette CumminsJuliette Marie Cummins is an American actress best known for her role in the 1985 horror movie Friday the 13th: A New Beginning as Robin...
– Red, Psycho III - Brinke Stevens - Body Double, Psycho III
- Katt Shea – Patsy, Psycho III
- Donovan ScottDonovan ScottDonovan Scott is an American character film actor best known for his role of cadet Leslie Barbara in the 1984 film Police Academy starring together with Steve Guttenberg...
– Kyle, Psycho III - Charles Edward PogueCharles Edward PogueCharles Edward Pogue is a film and television writer who has worked in the sci-fi/fantasy, horror, and thriller genres, and he has also scripted several Sherlock Holmes adaptations...
– Writer, Psycho III - Mick GarrisMick GarrisMick Garris is an American filmmaker and screenwriter born in Santa Monica, California.-Biography:He is best known for his adaptations of Stephen King stories, such as directing the horror film Sleepwalkers starring Madchen Amick and is the creator of the Showtime series Masters of Horror...
– Director, Psycho IV - Henry ThomasHenry ThomasHenry Jackson Thomas, Jr. is an American actor and musician. He has appeared in more than 40 films and is best known for his role as Elliott in the 1982 Steven Spielberg film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.-Early life:...
– Young Norman Bates, Psycho IV - Olivia HusseyOlivia HusseyOlivia Hussey is an Argentinian actress who became famous for her role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's Academy Award-winning 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet. For this role she won the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year - Actress as well as the David di Donatello for best actress...
– Norma Bates, Psycho IV - Sharen Camille – Holly, Psycho IV
- Cynthia Garris – Ellen Stevens, Psycho IV
- Michael GingoldMichael GingoldMichael Gingold is an American journalist, screenwriter, and actor. He has been the managing editor of Fangoria Magazine since 1990.His writing credits include reviews for The Motion Picture Guide, The Blockbuster Video Guide, and Movies on TV and Videocassette...
– Editor: Fangoria - Stuart GordonStuart GordonAfter the University of Wisconsin demanded future theatrical productions by Screw Theater be overseen by a University Professor, Gordon cut his University ties to form Broom Street Theater. Its first production, the new translation of the risque Lysistrata, premiered in May 1969. Gordon is...
– Director - Adam GreenAdam Green (filmmaker)- Background :Adam Green was raised in Holliston, Massachusetts and after finishing high school he graduated from Hofstra University in New York.Green’s very first job out of college was producing and directing local commercials for cable in the Boston area....
– Writer/Director - Rolfe KanefskyRolfe KanefskyRolfe Kanefsky is an American film writer/director who specializes in horror films.-Early life:Kanefsky grew up in the suburbs of New York and attended Hampshire College where he studied Film. He began writing stories at a young age after his childhood dream of becoming a clown took the backseat...
– Writer/Director - Joe LynchJoe Lynch (director)Joe Lynch is an American film director and music video director, cinematographer, and film actor.-Life and career:His directorial debut in feature film was 2007's Wrong Turn 2: Dead End, which starred Henry Rollins, Erica Leerhsen, and Texas Battle....
– Director - Jason Allentoff – Webmaster, The Psycho Movies.com
- David J. SchowDavid J. SchowDavid J. Schow is an American author of horror novels, short stories, and screenplays. His credits include films such as The Crow and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. Most of Schow's work falls into the sub-genre splatterpunk, a term he is sometimes credited with coining...
– Writer - Dave Parker - Writer
- Ryan Turek - Journalist,Shock Til You Drop.com
- John Murdy - Creative Director, Universal Studios California
- Tony Timpone - Former Editor, Fangoria
Development
The documentary was originally developed in late 2006. Robert Galluzzo stated "I got the idea for the documentary when the Psycho II and Psycho IIIPsycho III
Psycho III is a 1986 sequel to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. The film stars Anthony Perkins , Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey and Roberta Maxwell. The screenplay is written by Charles Edward Pogue...
DVDs were re-released back in 2005. I was disappointed with the fact that the DVD's contained no special features and that there was little information out there about the Psycho sequels, thus I decided to make the documentary."
Production
Filming began in January 2007. Director Robert Galluzo shot interviews with Psycho cast and crew members over the next 3 years. He would shoot an interview, raise more money and then shoot another one. Galluzo and editor Jon Maus used school equipment to edit the footage together first into a 12 minute promotional video and then the full documentary. Galluzo stated in an interview with Retro Slashers.com: " The shoot itself was just my dear friend John Torrani, who had a Panasonic DVX-100 camera and myself. He was crazy enough to follow me on this journey and for that, I’m eternally grateful to him! Essentially, I made a ton of phone calls, sent out a ton of emails and did my best to contact as many PsychoPsycho (1960 film)
Psycho is a 1960 American suspense/psychological horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins. The film is based on the screenplay by Joseph Stefano, who adapted it from the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch...
alumni as possible to arrange interviews. Most of them are based out of California, so I’d work at my dayjob for 3 months straight, then take 2 weeks off to go shoot some interviews. And then come back and do it all over again. That’s the main reason it’s taken so long is because I had to go back to work and save up the money to continue shooting. This was always a labor of love, so I did anything I could to make it work and get just a tiny bit further along."
Promotion
In April 2008 at the Fangoria horror convention, a Psycho reunion panel was held to promote the documentary. Many cast members attended including Hilton A. Green, Mick Garris, Tom Holland, Kurt Paul, Juliette Cummins, Katt Shea, Cynthia Garris, Chris Hendrie and more. It was also promoted at San Diego Comic Con 2010.Release
It is set for a DVD release on October 19, 2010 over Shout! FactoryShout! Factory
Shout! Factory is an entertainment company founded in 2003 that was started by Richard Foos , Bob Emmer and Garson Foos initially as a specialty music label...
. Special features include a rare 41 minute panel discussion with Anthony Perkins, Extended Interviews, Deleted Scenes, Remembering Psycho II featurette, Shooting Psycho II featurette, The Bates Motel tour featurette, Catching up with Mother featurette, Psycho Reunion Panel, Psycho on the Web, Hyaena Gallery Presents: Serial Killer Inspired Art and Norman Bates in Print featurette. The documentary is also being released on DVD in France on October 18th 2011.
Critical reception
The documentary has received mostly positive reviews. Staci Layne Wilson of Horror.com says "Overall, I think this doc is a great way for Shout! Factory and Masi Media LLC to help us all celebrate the 50th birthday of Alfred Hitchcock's beloved Psycho". Jason Allentoff of The Psycho Movies.com says "RobG's look at this film series is incredible. It's a shame Universal hasn't taken notice." Matt Fini of Dread Central.com says " As far as Psycho is now concerned, we’ve thankfully got this documentary so that we won’t forget." Mike Gencarelli of Movie Mikes says "If you add the amazing feature film to these special features you have the ultimate collection for all Psycho fans." Quentin Stuckey of The Psycho Franchise.com says "The Psycho Legacy is a must have for Psycho fans everywhere!!" William David Lee of DVD Town.com says "The retrospective may not be as in-depth as some would like, there is enough to sate the appetites of the most die-hard "Psycho" followers." Horror Talk.com claims "Director Galluzzo does his best with a lot of fine material and keeps things moving at a decent clip, but repeat viewings will reveal the limitations that keep this from being the ultimate experience that it should be." Tyler Foster of DVD Talk.com says "There are things to like, about both the feature and the extras, but I can only recommend a rental -- spend your money on the new Blu-Ray of Psycho instead." Joe Shearer of Film Yap.com says "If you’re a fan of the Psycho franchise, I’d wholeheartedly recommend this DVD. If you’re a classicist looking for insights on Hitchcock, I’d say you might come away from this disappointed." Some critics were disappointed with the fact that the Robert BlochRobert Bloch
Robert Albert Bloch was a prolific American writer, primarily of crime, horror and science fiction. He is best known as the writer of Psycho, the basis for the film of the same name by Alfred Hitchcock...
novels were barely discussed in the documentary and that the failed TV pilot Bates Motel
Bates Motel
Bates Motel is a 1987 television movie about Alex West, a mentally disturbed youth who was committed to an asylum after killing his abusive stepfather. There he befriends Norman Bates and ends up inheriting the infamous Bates Motel.-Plot:...
and the 1998 remake
Psycho (1998 film)
Psycho is a 1998 American horror film produced and directed by Gus Van Sant for Universal Pictures, a remake of the 1960 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock...
were not mentioned. However originally in the deleted scenes section of the DVD there was supposed to be two short segments about the TV pilot and remake but for unknown reasons they were left off of the DVD when it was released. The documentary has a 7.5 out of 10 rating on IMDB and a 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.