Psycho, by Alfred Hitchcock, is one of the most famous films in the history of cinema. Alfred Hitchcock, in this film, challenged many of the conventions of Hollywood film- making and cinema-going prevalent at that time. In an unprecedented move Alfred Hitchcock asked all cinemas not to admit any person after the movie started. This was unheard of in 1960, when people wandered in and out of the cinema whenever they felt like it. Not only the cinema-going experience of Psycho different, audience were also confronted with a film that broke many cultural taboos and challenged the censors. Alfred Hitchcock provided a number of shocking images: Janet Leigh in brassiere, Janet Leigh stabbed to death naked in the shower, Norman Bates as a person having a split personality disorder, and the first ever flushing toilet shown on the screen. During the period from the late 1920's to the late 1950's, films made usually revolved around the story and the stars, and were usually heavy with dialogue. Psycho offered the audience offered an experience that was much more emotional and visceral. Audiences were caught up in a

Alfred Hitchcock did the casting of the movie very carefully. He chose Anthony Perkins, for the role of Norman Bates, who at the time was a relatively new actor. Janet Leigh who was a bigger star than Anthony Perkins played the role of Marion Crane. Her being cast in such an unconventional role caused quite a stir. It was a deliberate attempt to make the murder of Marion Crane in the movie more shocking. Vera Miles was cast for the role of Marion's sister Lila. She was one of Alfred Hitchcock's proteges. A fairly inexperienced actor John Gavin played the character of Sam Loomis. Alfred Hitchcock employed John L. Russell for cinematography; Graphic designer Saul Bass worked on the film's title and the storyboards, and composer Bernard Herrmann Created the music for the film. Joseph Stefano did the screenplay of the movie.

They recur as a symbol throughout the film. Marion's last name is Crane. She comes from Phoenix. The bedroom of cabin number one has pictures of birds on the wall. Lighting is also used expressively in the film. The first part of the film is lit evenly and takes place in daylight. When Marion goes to the Bates motel the lighting is more subdued. Norman's office, parlour and house are all dark with very less light and prominent shadows. Lighting is also used to hide the identity of the killer. The scene where Marion is murdered the killer's face is in shadows because of back lighting. The way the actors are dressed and act also contribute greatly to the film's mise-en-scene. When we first see Marion in the hotel room with Sam she is wearing a white bra and slip. When she returns to the office she is wearing a white dress and also has a white handbag. When the audiences see her after she has stolen the money, she is wearing a black bra and slip and then she puts on a black dress and takes a black handbag. Here Marion's costume is used to symbolize her descent into evil, using the convention that white represents good and black represents evil. Norman is seen chewing nervously on gum all through the film. When Sam is questioning Norman we see that he starts chewing fast and is looking more nervous. Costume is also used to hide the identity of the killer. We see that the killer is dressed in woman's clothes and we assume that the killer is the mother.

sound. The dialogue between Mrs. Bates and Norman mislead the audience into believing that she actually exists and that she is the killer.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Norman Marion, Bates Norman, Janet Leigh, Alfred Hitchcock, Arbogast Arbogast, Marion Sam, Norman Bates, Joseph Hurley, Explanation Norman's, Marion Norman, alfred hitchcock, janet leigh, hide identity killer, norman bates, hide identity, identity killer, throughout film, marion crane, scene marion, norman's mother, bates motel, scene marion murdered, john russell cinematography, marion's sister lila,
Approximate Word count = 2271
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)