Episode XXXV: Psycho II – July 16th, 2014
The Bates Motel Is Back In Business!
On this 35th episode of Horror 101 we feature one of the best crafted horror sequels that came out of the 80s. Psycho II is a Richard Franklin film, written by Tom Holland. Starring Anthony Perkins, Meg Tilly, Vera Miles and Robert Loggia. 22 years after the events of Hitchcock’s original Psycho, Norman Bates is deemed mentally rehabilitated and released. Soon after returning to the motel Norman begins to receive notes and phone calls from his dead mother. Either he is being haunted or someone is deliberately pushing him back into insanity. All the while an unknown assailant is murdering people on the property dressed up like the Old Lady. This film is a tragic tale filled with suspense, gore and revenge. The Jerry Goldsmith score is perfectly written. Join us as our Hitchcock aficionado, The World Famous Brian Stewart watches this for the first time and get his take on a film that he has willfully ignored for three decades. We’ll talk about the new Bates Motel show currently on A&E and which elements have carried over from the original story. It’s another 35 minutes of Horror podcasting done in our Horror 101 style with soundtrack music and audio clips from the scenes we discuss. Don’t miss it!!
CHECK OUT EPISODE 35 HERE!!!
2 comments
Tim Luz
2014/07/17 at 12:28 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
As usual, great episode and I’m glad everyone dug the movie. I think it’s one of the most underrated flicks out there.
Speaking of which, has anyone in the group checked out the third sequel, Psycho IV: The Beginning? If not, it’s another one that might be worth another look, particularly considering the popularity of Bates Motel since the movie does function as a semi-prequel. It also manages to not contradict what happens in parts two or three while working independently of them for viewers who have only seen the original.
Also, did you notice the Hitchcock cameo?
http://cinemaspection.blogspot.com/2014/07/movie-in-joke-of-week-psycho-ii.html
cash
2014/07/17 at 2:53 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Tim, We did notice the Hitchcock sillouette in mother’s room when Mary and Norman make their way in the first time. You can imagine there’s lots recorded that doesn’t make it into the final edited show. I mentioned that Part III (directed by Perkins) wasn’t half as good as Part II. There was also the bad chemistry between Tilly and Perkins that threatened the film at one point. Apparently for most of the shoot, if they weren’t on set Perkins wouldn’t speak to her because she said something to piss him off. In comparison, the main girl from Part III almost lost her job because she made some joke about Perkins being homosexual. I get the feeling he was a very awkward man to socialize with. Thanks for listening. The summer is getting busy for everyone involved in the Horror 101 show so we might not be back until September. We’ll see how it goes.