Psycho IV: The Beginning

Psycho IV: The Beginning
Airdate	November 10, 1990
Based on	characters created by Robert Bloch
Written by	Joseph Stefano
Directed by	Mick Garris
Produced by	George Zaloom and Les Mayfield
Network	Showtime
Style	96-minute dramatic thriller
Company	Universal Television
Filming Location	Orlando, Florida, United States
Origin	USA

Psycho IV: The Beginning is a 1990 film that premiered on Showtime. While it is the fourth entry in the Psycho film series, much of the movie is spent in flashbacks recounting Norman Bates's troublesome relationship with his mother.

Anthony Perkins, Olivia Hussey, C C H Pounder, Warren Frost, Donna Mitchell, Thomas Schuster, Sharen Camille, Bobbi Evors

and Henry Thomas (Young Norman Bates)

Cast: Anthony Perkins (Norman Bates), Henry Thomas (Young Norman), Olivia Hussey (Norma Bates), C C H Pounder (Fran Ambrose), Warren Frost (Dr. Leo Richmond), Donna Mitchell (Connie Bates), Thomas Schuster (Chet Rudolph), Sharen Camille (Holly), Bobbi Evors (Gloria), John Landis (Mike Calveccio), Kurt Paul (Raymond Linette), Louis Crume (George Emeric), Cynthia Garris (Ellen Stevens), Doreen Chalmers (Mrs. Lane), Alice Hirson (Voice of Mother), Ryan Finnigan (Child Norman), Peggy O'Neal (Nurse), Bob Barnes (Salesman), George Zaloom (Janitor)

Plot Overview

A late night radio talk show discussing the topic of matricide gets a call from someone with first-hand experience. It's Norman Bates who details the journey that took him to carry out the act and the nightmare that followed.

Trivia

The Show

• The film broadcast premiered on Showtime as part of a special Psycho retrospective mini-series. It was hosted and presented by Janet Leigh who had played Marion Crane in the original Psycho.

• This was not only the last sequel to the original Psycho, but was the last time Anthony Perkins portrayed Norman Bates.

• Screenwriter Joseph Stefano didn't like the first two Psycho sequels and ignored them for this film. However, despite not explicitly being referenced, they are not retconed as they are alluded to in a brief line about the "last murder[s] four years ago."

• While never stated onscreen, Mrs Bates's first name is revealed in the credits to be Norma. This name would later be utilised in Bates Motel.

• The only one of the Psycho sequels to use Bernard Herrmann's original music from the first film.

Behind the Scenes

• Kurt Paul, who plays the mother killer being talked with on the talk show, was Perkins's stunt double in Psycho II and III, and had earlier played Norman himself in Bates Motel.

• Olivia Hussey was directly offered the role of Mrs Bates. The intent was to make her at a young age as attractive as Norman had been in the first film.

• Perkins was diagnosed with HIV during filming and had to receive treatment during the film's production.

• Mick Garris has stated that Perkins was the "most difficult and challenging actor" he'd ever worked with. Perkins would get into long, drawn-out discussions in front of the crew and wanted to make sure choices were not made because they looked good, to see how deep the understanding was of the story and process. He stated that Perkins was very forceful, but also really appreciative of helpful direction. Ultimately, Perkins ended up stating how happy he was with the film.

• The movie was filmed at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Florida from June 4 to July 1, 1990 with the facade of the Bates Motel and Bates mansion being recreated at the theme park. Filming was originally to be commence before the park's opening, but due to delays and the studio's desire to have a high-profile production on the lot, it wound up being shot while the park was open. This led tourists to being able to watch the filming of several scenes at the motel and house on the back lot.

• Anthony Perkins wanted Noel Black, who directed him in Pretty Poison, to direct the film, and he even came up with a pitch for the film along with Charles Edward Pogue, the writer of Psycho III. Perkins and Pogue's idea had Norman's house and motel getting turned into a tourist attraction for horror weekends. Norman then escapes from the mental institution with a mute patient and the actor who was set to play Norman Bates for the horror weekend quits and Norman comes home and gets hired to play himself. Pogue claims that it was meant to be a black comedy. However, since Psycho III was a critical and financial failure, the studio rejected their idea and Mick Garris was brought in.

Allusions and References

• Norman calls under the name Ed. This is likely an illusion to Ed Gein, the serial killer that served as Robert Bloch's inspiration for the character of Norman Bates.

• The name of the psychologist is Dr. Leo Richmond. The psychologist who explained Norman's condition in the first film was named Dr. Fred Richmond.

Quotes

• Norman: I killed some other women, too. The first one was a girl who just wanted to have sex with me.

Fran Ambrose: Wanting to have sex with you? That was grounds for murder?

Norman: In my mother's eyes, it was.

• Norma: Some day, I'm going to wish I'd been firmer with you.

• Mother: (last lines) Let me out of here! Norman! You hear me, boy? Let me out!

DVD and Blu-ray Releases

Title			Release			Discs
Psycho II / Psycho III / Psycho IV - The Beginning (Triple Feature)			May 6, 2008	purchase		2
Psycho VI			August 23, 2016	purchase		1