Fun fact, my sister baby sat for Perkins in the 80s and I used to hang out & surf with his kids on the beach. He was a unique character and I remember him wearing purple socks on the beach and his wife was cool in a leopard bikini. (sorry if that irrelevant my friends I had to say it)
That's so cool!! Thank you for sharing that with us. I always loved Tony Perkins and I had no idea that is how he found out he was HIV positive. That just makes me so mad and sad. I really hope that lab technician was fired!!! RIP Tony🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊
Great to hear about him from people who have met him. I'm guessing his kids much have been fairly young when he passed away, sad that they lost their mother in such a tragic way too in 9/11.
My mom's uncle was an avid movie goer. Mom says he talked about his "Psycho" viewing experience for years. He had caught a late show. The movie got him so rattled that walking back home in the night through the quiet small town streets was apparently agonizing for him.
I read and listen to a lot of queer history stuff and it's heart breaking to know how many beloved people died and were mistreated because of AIDS and HIV, but hearing how Perkins' friends and family came together for him and loved him for who he is made me cry harder than I have in a while. Great video as always.
I’ll always have love and respect for Tony’s wife (RIP) and their children. They were not the “conventional” family, but they seemed to love and treat each other a helluva lot better than most families who claim they are “conventional.”
Here from Hbomberguy's recommendation, this is a damn good video. Professional presentation, fun pacing, informative, even if I wasn't bisexual and generally interested in queer history and studies, this would be a hit. And your voice is nice to listen to? Wild. Definitely going to watch some more!
I don’t remember how I found this channel but every video is a hit I swear! Anyone with an interest in queer history would do well to spend some time here. It’s really well done stuff. :)
Hi Matt, I'm a lurker on here, but my partner was a really big fan of your work. I introduced Beau Breeden to your channel years ago, and he was an avid fan. He bought the book, any recommendations you gave, watched some episodes on repeat - the video on the Birdcage was a personal favorite. He passed away two months ago. You were a great comfort and company during long hospital visits. I watched this video - one of the first things I've come back to that we shared together - and there are a lot of resonances in the queer sadness and queer loves that you narrate in the history of Norman Bates and Anthony Perkins with the queer sadness and queer love that Beau experienced in the decade we were together. Which is my way of saying that I truly appreciate your work. I wish there was a concise way to express that appreciation that also conveyed its depth, but failing that, I will leave this comment here: Thank you for the stories you collect and share.
I'm not the only one I'm sure with a lump in the throat reading your kind and touching words. The sincerest of condolences to you. Your partner sounds like an awesome human who left you with such unwavering love and timeless memories. Bless you 🙏💙
So sorry for your loss. I hope that Matt's videos and the community here can offer you comfort and ongoing connection with your partner. Thanks for coming back and sharing your story.
My mother was pregnant with me when she saw Psycho. There was a superstition that if a woman were frightened, whatever she touched would leave a mark on the child. Worse, the more frightened she was, the more prominent the birthmark. Dad told me that Mom sat in the theater with her hands raised over the armrests for the entire length of the film. It didn't help that Mom's name was the same as Vera Miles' character. The cartoon shown before the movie was the first Road Runner/Wile E. Coyote short they'd ever seen.
It is such a mixed blessing/curse for an actor to create such an indelible character as Normsn Bates and then have such a hard time escaping it. I recently watched the 70s Murder on the Orient Express, and every time Perkins (who was excellent, as usual) appeared, i couldn't help think "There's Norman." I was so saddened to hear that Berry Berenson was on one of the flights out of Boston that crashed into the WTC. After everything she did for Tony Perkins, she deserved better.
I saw Anthony Perkins in "Equus" around 1975. It was an amazing performance. I remember my knees were weak when I stood up at the end of the show. His performance as the therapist to that boy was incredible. Can't remember who else was in the cast, but I'm still thinking about Anthony Perkins almost 50 years later.
I saw Anthony Perkins in _Equus_ in 1975, too. The young man was Thomas Hulce in his acting début. Sixteen at the time, I’m not so sure I fully appreciated Perkins’ performance but, of course, I was aware of his role in _Psycho_ (which, at that time, I had not yet seen)-that, in itself, made the experience memorable.
@@MattBaume I can’t help but wonder if he was giving at least a bit of a nod to Dickens with that sly moniker- it’s the same thing Dickens called his character Charley Bates in Oliver Twist! (That connection is the first thing I thought of, because I’m that kind of nerd! 😁)
Hey, so. Part-time Lovecraft scholar here, I was blown away by the fact that *Robert Bloch* wrote the novel this film was based on (I know him from some of his Mythos stuff, lol) but man did it illuminate a lot! This story has what I have to assume are deliberate similarities to Lovecraft's "The Thing on the Doorstep", which in turn is causing me to realize that the similarities between Norman Bates and Lovecraft's own early life (father died in his childhood, and he was raised by his caring but codependent mother, who manipulated him well into his adulthood) cannot be fully coincidental. Absolutely incredible. I have to sit down about this.
There’s a book by an English actor, Michael Simkins, called “What’s My Motivation”, where he talks about working on a film with Anthony Perkins. It was pretty late in Perkin’s career and the film was not very good. However, Michael Simkins talks about how lovely he is and how he helps Simkins out during the filming, ensuring he gets a close up in a key scene. It’s a really sweet story, if you ever get a chance to read it.
"every boy's best friend is his mother" and "we all go mad sometimes" are my 2 fave horror lines of all time! Glad you picked this movie, it's camp as hell. I didn't know Anthorny P was gay, but he did ping my gaydar in this movie. I read Norman as having a repressed sexuality due to his mother issues, but not necesarily gay; he def felt confusion about sexual feelings in the presence of Vivian Leigh. I felt like the masturabation scene in the 90s remake was crude but within the scope of the character. That being said, yeah, I think Perkins funneled his gay repression angst into this character and it worked. That's good method acting there!
Also, Perkins himself had a VERY complicated relationship with his own mom. He was very similar to Norman in that he had an almost too close bond with his mom (his dad died when he was just 5 years old), that crossed the paths into the unthinkable: his own mom sexually abused and neglected him, and the sexual abuse continued well into Perkins’ adult years.
Oof talk about a child knowing its parent too well, the comments by Perkin's son about his father's authenticity are striking and OMG 41:07 "if Norman Bates could make a movie... it'd probably be really fucking dirty. And good for him."!!! Thanks for adding that snippet, Matt, you know your audience! :) Bravo, your essays are astonishingly insightful, entertaining and polished.
A friend told me about sneaking into Psycho when he was 13 because he was so intrigued by all the mystery and suspense around the twist... only to be disappointed that it wasn't gorier. Teenagers, man.
What blows my mind is that Perkins cowrote " the Last Of Sheila". With Stephen Sondheim . It's such a fun puzzle movie showing yacht culture 70's style.
As a sixty-year-old gay man whose favorite film has always been Psycho, thanks for this video, you have done a great job, thanks for mentioning the original tv pilot, which must people never mention. I love everything Psycho except the miscast of Vince Vaugh in the remake. I do think you could have mentioned Anthoney Perkins wife dying on sept. 11th.
Coming here after Hbombersguy video. I have been following you since a few years now, im straight cis man that have been learning a lot from you. I was reminded to say thank you due to that video. You are doing great and im thankful for it.
Maybe Matt mentions this in his extra stuff, but Perkins and Sondheim teamed up as co-screenwriters for the excellent murder mystery, THE LAST OF SHEILA. When they did their murder mystery parties in NYC, one of the clues was to go to Perkin's mother's house where she'd offer the visitor a piece of cake. If they accepted they would miss the clue -- that was written on the cake in the frosting!
i loved anthony perkins in the trial, somehow hadn't seen psycho until this video. i paused and watched it right when you said there'd be spoilers. what an incredible movie !!! wonderful video as well :)
I did not know Tony's wife but was close to someone who did know her and her husband. I was privy to a conversation he and Berry had where she spoke about her husband (he was still alive at the time). It was clear they genuinely shared a life together and she loved him. Theirs was not a sham relationship. Fascinating episode - thank you Matt.
This segment of your series was just excellent. I was in the Seattle Film Festival audience when Mr. Perkins brought Psycho III for a premiere screening, and did a Q and A beforehand. He was gracious and genuine. I think he was surprised and touched by the HUGE outpouring of love and support from all of us in attendance. At least I like to think so. An actor rarely gets to reprise such a memorable role, and bring all of the life lessons, conflicts and anguish into a performance more "real" than imagined on a page. Thanks Matt.
I recently saw the SNL Perkins hosted episode including the Noman Bates School of Motel Management. There was a quiz to test if the viewer was qualified. One of the choices was always""Hack her to death which a kitchen knife". He couldnt finish the quiz as his mother was calling him.
I had the BIGGEST 'no way!!!' moment when you cut to Ted Knight, oh my god. I'm not sure how I never knew that before but it was a delightful way to find out LOL
Great job Matt. I ran into Tony one afternoon at one of the video and bookstores in West Hollywood. It was about 1991 I think. He was buying some type of pipe. He was standing on one side of the counter and I was standing across on another side. I just remember being in awe of spotting Anthony Perkins. I stared for a few seconds when he looked up our eyes locked as we stared at each other for a few seconds and I got chills. It was quite the experience. He was a marevelous man and actor.
I went to a talk with Joe Stefano many years ago. He talked about working with Hitchcock on the script. Stefano was in Freudian therapy at the time, which fascinated Hitchcock - he was VERY interested (too interested) in pressing Stefano about details of his own relationship with his mother and his therapy sessions. Fun fact: Dickens named the Artful Dodger's friend, "Charlie Bates," in OLIVER TWIST as a leud pun calling him "Master Bates"
Kinda wish you weave covered his wonderfully campy performance in Mahogany. That’s one of his best on screen performances during that time in his career.
This was as perfect a video on Psycho and Anthony Perkins as could be made, I believe. You have a gift of knowing exactly what your audience is gonna eat up while still conveying the different messages you want to convey. You're amazing! Thank you for this one, Psycho and Anthony have been a huge part of my life.
I think it’s always important to mention that real life people who live with DID (dissociative identity disorder) aren’t dangerous serial killers like they are mostly portrayed in films. In my opinion it’s pretty sad that a lot of people only know DID because of films like Psycho or Split and don’t understand that real life people with DID aren’t comparable to characters like Norman Bates. DID simply is how the psyche of some young children deals with tremendous trauma as a way of survival, at least to my understanding. Otherwise I loved the video, as always ❤
On the subject of the music, another place it's influence can be heard is on The Beatles song "Elenor Rigby". Producer George Martin based his score on Bernard Hermann's work with Hitchcock.
Yes!!! I was just thinking about Tony Perkins and his “double life,” and looking for a video essay or documentary that would delve further into his life. I am such a Tony Perkins fan. He was an incredibly gifted, charismatic, warm, alluring, beautiful man!
Thank you Matt you gave life and laughter to Psycho. For many years I've had shower curtains that I never close due to the memory of the that scene...I even imagine the music just looking at them.
Growing up, like most people, when I heard the name Anthony Perkins I thought Psycho and Psycho only. I wasn’t allowed to see the movie as a kid but I knew Anthony was in it and Janet Leigh died early on. I finally got around to watching the film after I turned 18 and I was blown away! I had no idea of the twist with his mother (something I’m still shocked was never spoiled for me) and I was just blown away by Anthony’s acting. After seeing the movie I deep dived into his career and watched a lot of his movies. Some amazing some bad but all made better because of him and his amazing acting. Mahogany and Murder on the Orient Express stick out as two of my personal favorites of his. Thank you for making this video as with all of your deep dives I’ve learned so much about an amazing person!
The first time I saw Psycho was in a theatre on Halloween night. Possibly one of the best dates I've ever been on. I don't like horror films but I loved this film. It was the perfect level of scary for me. Hitchcock was a master of subtle horror and I lament we don't get films like this anymore. I really enjoyed this deep dive on Psycho and Perkins. Seeing a new video by Matt Baume up always makes my day. Great content as always
I admire the way you have found to be courageous. Your reward is being able to be frank about “it,” something people are intensely curious about, but have no way of exploring.
Actors even today manage their public perceptions, if only for increasing their options. 10:13 Wildly appropriate, considering so many Disney animators are indeed gay. 😏 Also, clever that you place the movie inserts for visibility while the comment window is open. Thanks for illustrating how ignorant ‘censors’ are.
Thank you for this video. You have done a wonderful job. I saw "Psycho" when it first came out in 1960, with my mother, on a sweltering, late summer night. I was 12 years old. I wasn't clear that Janet Leigh and John Gavin had had sex in the motel room, but I was sure they'd been making out. When she hugs him and says, "Oh Sam, let's get married!" My mom gasped and I'm sure she was upset that her young daughter was watching this. Twelve year olds were a lot more naive then than they are now. I only knew Janet Leigh from "The Vikings" two years earlier, where her image as virginal Princess Morgana was so different! I found "Psycho" deeply disturbing, even given my limited understanding at that time, and I will never see it again under any circumstances. I have avoided all the sequels. I felt badly for what it did to Tony Perkins' career. I hope the hospital employee who leaked his HIV diagnosis to the tabloids was fired and did some jail time. I remember when that happened.
Never forget getting chills seeing Hitchcock's shadow on the wall in Psycho 2 on my 3rd viewing. No mention about his amazing performance in Crimes of Passion one of my favourite movies.
Psycho was the first horror type movie I was ever allowed to watch mostly because it was an old movie. But when I saw it my life changed I became hooked on watching horror movies in my later years. I’m glad our society has changed over the years. I’m not LGBT myself but many of my close friends are. What Anthony had to hide I can’t even imagining going through.
My grandparents took my mom, who was 7 at the time to see Psycho since they had taken her to see North By Northwest and they thought it would be the same, ........ it wasn't.
I just started watching, but I already liked this video because of the pun in the thumbnail. I deeply respect people who see a great opportunity and take it.
Oh, Matt. Just when I think I can't love you any more, you make THIS video. I see you with Janet Leigh's memoir in the background. I bought it with a gift certificate at the now defunct Pages for All Ages in Champaign, IL when I was like...13? ❤
Here's a bit of trivia for anyone scrolling through the comments: The Mael brothers hired a band called Bates Motel to be members of Sparks from 1981 through 1985; the same band also released a few albums and EPs under the name Gleaming Spires.
I know this video was primarily focused on Anthony Perkins, who I always thought was an incredibly handsome man as well as Tab Hunter but I do just have to say the young Jason Bateman is simply adorable! ❤
Thanks for this! Wow, what an eye-opener! At last a critique worthy of the subject. I was ten when the movie came out, remember my older sisters leaving the beach because they just had to go see it again. I remember all the talk about the nurses stationed at the theaters, the refusal of late seating, etc. But I never saw the movie, and nobody told me about it, as Mr Hitchcock had requested! I finally saw it on a stormy night in 1970, on a small TV in a huge Victorian mansion in South Central LA, an off-campus frat house for USC, all of us stoned on LSD, the storm battering the stained-glass windows over the enormous staircase. Riveted to the TV, I had NO IDEA what was coming. And I fell in love with Tony Perkins, first with the character and later with the performance. I've never been able to get enough of Psycho, but your video sure helps. Ed Gein, the actual psycho on whom Bloch based his book, was just foul, but Tony Perkins is heartbreaking. So beautiful and vulnerable, over the abyss. Over the years I've been chagrined to read entire books on this movie that skim right over his enormous contribution. Some videos don't even bother to mention him except in a cursory manner. In one, all they said was that he came up with the nervous eating of the candy as the bodies sank. So my heartfelt thanks for this. I've had to pause your video as I have to go watch Psycho II-- somehow missed it, as I've seen Psycho more times than I can count. Looking forward to the rest.
My personal favorite Psycho shower scene imitation was in Friday the 13th Part IV where a string, good looking hunk type is Jason's shower victim --- and it is Jason's only nod to Psycho that Inam aware of
Wow, I watched Psycho as a kid because my dad was a big fan of Hitchcock, but I had no idea there were sequels! I may have to give them a watch just out of curiosity. I also didn’t know any of Anthony Perkins’ story, and my stomach dropped when you talked about the HIV results being sold… What a horrible horrible thing to do to another person. I can’t imagine the kind of people who could do that and still sleep at night.
it's interesting to learn a bit more about the perception of him around the time of his casting. Kim Stanley was approached to play Lila before it went to Vera Miles but she refused specifically due to his involvement. i really loved this video, thanks for putting it together. also lol @ Bieber...
Back in the 80's, I had a brief talk with him in the set of Psycho 3 at Universal Studios. I remember his strong hand shake when met and deep look in his eyes; he seemed to be a very kind charming man
I've been working my way through your content and want to let you know just how much I am enjoying your commentary. You've done great research here and it shows. Thank you.
What a fascinating video! It really sounds like someone who struggled so hard to love themselves completely definitively brought a lot of love into his private life, and brought a lot of talent to the public
Love anything to do with "Psycho," including this video! Incredible job meshing Perkin's personal life and career, while also carefully detailing the history of "Psycho" in its various incarnations, Matt!
First time watching the live premiere, Great Job as always! And like you point out, so many anti-heroes and tortured souls owe their portrayals to Tony.
I was so excited for this one, and it’s fabulous! Thank you so much. And I’m really glad you included Bates Motel-it’s one of my very favorite shows, and Freddie Highmore embodied a young Anthony Perkins spectacularly. I genuinely believe Hitchcock would have liked the show.
2 thumbs up on this one, Matt! Excellent, very enjoyable look back at one of my favorite franchises in movie history! Makes me want to watch II and III all over again!
23:55 between this story and Mel Brooks telling people he'd take the farts out of Blazing Saddles, I'm convinced that the best way to deal with studio notes is to just throw them away.
There’s also loads of stories about directors putting in more extreme scenes with the intention of provoking the censors so that they would overlook the more low-key material that they probably would have targeted otherwise.
Psycho was one of the first horror movies I ever watched. It was on late at night, and I stayed up in my bedroom to watch it, and it terrified me. I must have 12 or 13 maybe?
Amazing episode. I remember really liking the strange Bud Cort TV show and it truly was all over the place. The Jason Bateman-led 1950s gang of kids were fun, but at one point if I recall correctly they went serious and I think talked to a character convincing them not to commit suicide and as a mixed up teen the scene hit me hard in a good way. I also remember seeing the Vince Vaughn remake in the theater and it was... awkward. On my left a few seats away was a father with his very young children (like 6 or 7 yo) and I guess he wanted them to have the experience he may have had when he was young? Anyways, one scene they added to the movie was Norman peering through his peephole and masturbating. Not explicit, but quite obvious with sound effects. I looked over at the father during this and he was morbid with discomort. The kids seemed utterly bored.
The story of "Psycho" is fascinating. Hitch had no money and so could only afford strings for the soundtrack (which is brilliant Bernard Hermann), as well as other stumbles along the way and how to do the horror without special effects. Thanks Matt.
The Beatles Elenor Rigby- arranged by their producer George Martin, derived its staccato pulsating feel from the score of Psycho. There's one bar in the song that is particularly REE! REE! REE! BTW, no Beatle plays any instrument in that song, just studio musicians cello, violin and violas.
Thanks for the video. Big Psycho fan. I cherish all 3 films. Child of the 80’s so God bless the sequels as far as I’m concerned. Norman was just my guy. I never went in for that Jason and Freddie bollucks. Too supernatural and unbelievable. Mr Perkins was brilliant as Norman perhaps because of his own quirks and personal struggles. The character has been portrayed since. But they’ll never get it as perfect. It’s too bad that so many gay stars of the 50s,60s and 70s had to live in fear and hide their lifestyle. But I think he lived a fulfilling life despite his struggles. He loved his family and died way too soon. I would have loved to have met him.
Fun fact, my sister baby sat for Perkins in the 80s and I used to hang out & surf with his kids on the beach. He was a unique character and I remember him wearing purple socks on the beach and his wife was cool in a leopard bikini. (sorry if that irrelevant my friends I had to say it)
That is extremely cool and honestly sounds just like him haha
Oh that's so neat. They seem like a fun family to know!
That's so cool!! Thank you for sharing that with us. I always loved Tony Perkins and I had no idea that is how he found out he was HIV positive. That just makes me so mad and sad. I really hope that lab technician was fired!!! RIP Tony🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊
They sound like a couple of hip characters.
Great to hear about him from people who have met him. I'm guessing his kids much have been fairly young when he passed away, sad that they lost their mother in such a tragic way too in 9/11.
My mom's uncle was an avid movie goer. Mom says he talked about his "Psycho" viewing experience for years. He had caught a late show. The movie got him so rattled that walking back home in the night through the quiet small town streets was apparently agonizing for him.
@@dismurrart6648 Thanks! My mom's side of the family are full of such stories. 😀
I read and listen to a lot of queer history stuff and it's heart breaking to know how many beloved people died and were mistreated because of AIDS and HIV, but hearing how Perkins' friends and family came together for him and loved him for who he is made me cry harder than I have in a while. Great video as always.
I’ll always have love and respect for Tony’s wife (RIP) and their children. They were not the “conventional” family, but they seemed to love and treat each other a helluva lot better than most families who claim they are “conventional.”
Here from Hbomberguy's recommendation, this is a damn good video. Professional presentation, fun pacing, informative, even if I wasn't bisexual and generally interested in queer history and studies, this would be a hit. And your voice is nice to listen to? Wild. Definitely going to watch some more!
I don’t remember how I found this channel but every video is a hit I swear! Anyone with an interest in queer history would do well to spend some time here. It’s really well done stuff. :)
Hi Matt,
I'm a lurker on here, but my partner was a really big fan of your work. I introduced Beau Breeden to your channel years ago, and he was an avid fan. He bought the book, any recommendations you gave, watched some episodes on repeat - the video on the Birdcage was a personal favorite. He passed away two months ago. You were a great comfort and company during long hospital visits. I watched this video - one of the first things I've come back to that we shared together - and there are a lot of resonances in the queer sadness and queer loves that you narrate in the history of Norman Bates and Anthony Perkins with the queer sadness and queer love that Beau experienced in the decade we were together. Which is my way of saying that I truly appreciate your work. I wish there was a concise way to express that appreciation that also conveyed its depth, but failing that, I will leave this comment here: Thank you for the stories you collect and share.
@edwarmulfo363, Sorry to hear of the loss of your partner. I hope you have kindness & support around you
❤
I'm not the only one I'm sure with a lump in the throat reading your kind and touching words. The sincerest of condolences to you. Your partner sounds like an awesome human who left you with such unwavering love and timeless memories. Bless you 🙏💙
So sorry for your loss. I hope that Matt's videos and the community here can offer you comfort and ongoing connection with your partner. Thanks for coming back and sharing your story.
My mother was pregnant with me when she saw Psycho. There was a superstition that if a woman were frightened, whatever she touched would leave a mark on the child. Worse, the more frightened she was, the more prominent the birthmark. Dad told me that Mom sat in the theater with her hands raised over the armrests for the entire length of the film. It didn't help that Mom's name was the same as Vera Miles' character.
The cartoon shown before the movie was the first Road Runner/Wile E. Coyote short they'd ever seen.
It is such a mixed blessing/curse for an actor to create such an indelible character as Normsn Bates and then have such a hard time escaping it. I recently watched the 70s Murder on the Orient Express, and every time Perkins (who was excellent, as usual) appeared, i couldn't help think "There's Norman."
I was so saddened to hear that Berry Berenson was on one of the flights out of Boston that crashed into the WTC. After everything she did for Tony Perkins, she deserved better.
I should not read comments while watching the videos. I'm 10 minutes in and now I want to switch to the orient express 😂
Matt baume you've mastered your craft. Distinctly honest and humble at the same time. Keep them coming
Hichcock's teaser for Psycho is just him being a troll to the audience, and it is wonderful.
I saw Anthony Perkins in "Equus" around 1975. It was an amazing performance. I remember my knees were weak when I stood up at the end of the show. His performance as the therapist to that boy was incredible. Can't remember who else was in the cast, but I'm still thinking about Anthony Perkins almost 50 years later.
I saw Anthony Perkins in _Equus_ in 1975, too. The young man was Thomas Hulce in his acting début. Sixteen at the time, I’m not so sure I fully appreciated Perkins’ performance but, of course, I was aware of his role in _Psycho_ (which, at that time, I had not yet seen)-that, in itself, made the experience memorable.
The word play in the thumbnail... 😂
I can't take credit, that's how Hitchcock referred to him!
@@MattBaume I can’t help but wonder if he was giving at least a bit of a nod to Dickens with that sly moniker- it’s the same thing Dickens called his character Charley Bates in Oliver Twist! (That connection is the first thing I thought of, because I’m that kind of nerd! 😁)
Hey, so. Part-time Lovecraft scholar here, I was blown away by the fact that *Robert Bloch* wrote the novel this film was based on (I know him from some of his Mythos stuff, lol) but man did it illuminate a lot! This story has what I have to assume are deliberate similarities to Lovecraft's "The Thing on the Doorstep", which in turn is causing me to realize that the similarities between Norman Bates and Lovecraft's own early life (father died in his childhood, and he was raised by his caring but codependent mother, who manipulated him well into his adulthood) cannot be fully coincidental. Absolutely incredible. I have to sit down about this.
I saw Psycho in my early 20's. It terrified me so much I wouldn't take a shower when I was alone in the house until I was well into my 40's.
How beautiful was Tony Perkins? OMG!
There’s a book by an English actor, Michael Simkins, called “What’s My Motivation”, where he talks about working on a film with Anthony Perkins. It was pretty late in Perkin’s career and the film was not very good. However, Michael Simkins talks about how lovely he is and how he helps Simkins out during the filming, ensuring he gets a close up in a key scene. It’s a really sweet story, if you ever get a chance to read it.
Oooo, if you google Michael Simkins Anthony Perkins you can read the story in The Guardian!
"every boy's best friend is his mother" and "we all go mad sometimes" are my 2 fave horror lines of all time! Glad you picked this movie, it's camp as hell. I didn't know Anthorny P was gay, but he did ping my gaydar in this movie. I read Norman as having a repressed sexuality due to his mother issues, but not necesarily gay; he def felt confusion about sexual feelings in the presence of Vivian Leigh. I felt like the masturabation scene in the 90s remake was crude but within the scope of the character. That being said, yeah, I think Perkins funneled his gay repression angst into this character and it worked. That's good method acting there!
Also, Perkins himself had a VERY complicated relationship with his own mom.
He was very similar to Norman in that he had an almost too close bond with his mom (his dad died when he was just 5 years old), that crossed the paths into the unthinkable: his own mom sexually abused and neglected him, and the sexual abuse continued well into Perkins’ adult years.
Oof talk about a child knowing its parent too well, the comments by Perkin's son about his father's authenticity are striking and OMG 41:07 "if Norman Bates could make a movie... it'd probably be really fucking dirty. And good for him."!!! Thanks for adding that snippet, Matt, you know your audience! :) Bravo, your essays are astonishingly insightful, entertaining and polished.
I'm touched that his son accepts him and doesn't deny he was gay
A friend told me about sneaking into Psycho when he was 13 because he was so intrigued by all the mystery and suspense around the twist... only to be disappointed that it wasn't gorier.
Teenagers, man.
What blows my mind is that Perkins cowrote " the Last Of Sheila". With Stephen Sondheim . It's such a fun puzzle movie showing yacht culture 70's style.
As a sixty-year-old gay man whose favorite film has always been Psycho, thanks for this video, you have done a great job, thanks for mentioning the original tv pilot, which must people never mention. I love everything Psycho except the miscast of Vince Vaugh in the remake. I do think you could have mentioned Anthoney Perkins wife dying on sept. 11th.
I saw him on Broadway in Equus in 1976. Had seats at the back of the stage. Outstanding actor.
Coming here after Hbombersguy video. I have been following you since a few years now, im straight cis man that have been learning a lot from you. I was reminded to say thank you due to that video. You are doing great and im thankful for it.
Maybe Matt mentions this in his extra stuff, but Perkins and Sondheim teamed up as co-screenwriters for the excellent murder mystery, THE LAST OF SHEILA.
When they did their murder mystery parties in NYC, one of the clues was to go to Perkin's mother's house where she'd offer the visitor a piece of cake. If they accepted they would miss the clue -- that was written on the cake in the frosting!
I’ve actually seen that movie.
i loved anthony perkins in the trial, somehow hadn't seen psycho until this video. i paused and watched it right when you said there'd be spoilers. what an incredible movie !!! wonderful video as well :)
I did not know Tony's wife but was close to someone who did know her and her husband. I was privy to a conversation he and Berry had where she spoke about her husband (he was still alive at the time). It was clear they genuinely shared a life together and she loved him. Theirs was not a sham relationship. Fascinating episode - thank you Matt.
This segment of your series was just excellent. I was in the Seattle Film Festival audience when Mr. Perkins brought Psycho III for a premiere screening, and did a Q and A beforehand. He was gracious and genuine. I think he was surprised and touched by the HUGE outpouring of love and support from all of us in attendance. At least I like to think so. An actor rarely gets to reprise such a memorable role, and bring all of the life lessons, conflicts and anguish into a performance more "real" than imagined on a page. Thanks Matt.
I recently saw the SNL Perkins hosted episode including the Noman Bates School of Motel Management. There was a quiz to test if the viewer was qualified. One of the choices was always""Hack her to death which a kitchen knife". He couldnt finish the quiz as his mother was calling him.
I had the BIGGEST 'no way!!!' moment when you cut to Ted Knight, oh my god. I'm not sure how I never knew that before but it was a delightful way to find out LOL
Sorry hun but the short sleeve, sweater vest, tie combo WORKS… go on ahead and order like 50 more. You look adorable!
Fascinating. It's almost as if the movie Psycho is a metaphor for closeted life in the United States.
Great job Matt. I ran into Tony one afternoon at one of the video and bookstores in West Hollywood. It was about 1991 I think. He was buying some type of pipe. He was standing on one side of the counter and I was standing across on another side. I just remember being in awe of spotting Anthony Perkins. I stared for a few seconds when he looked up our eyes locked as we stared at each other for a few seconds and I got chills. It was quite the experience. He was a marevelous man and actor.
"Some type or pipe" lol! The jokes write themselves!
Circus of Books?
Yeah might have been
That thumbnail takes balls.
Norma Bates in "Psycho IV" was playing by Olivia Hussey, Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 "Romeo and Juliet".
i can't believe theaters used to run that way, just letting people in at whatever time
I went to a talk with Joe Stefano many years ago. He talked about working with Hitchcock on the script. Stefano was in Freudian therapy at the time, which fascinated Hitchcock - he was VERY interested (too interested) in pressing Stefano about details of his own relationship with his mother and his therapy sessions.
Fun fact: Dickens named the Artful Dodger's friend, "Charlie Bates," in OLIVER TWIST as a leud pun calling him "Master Bates"
Psycho is one of my favorite movies. My mom always would run out of the room when I would watch it
Kinda wish you weave covered his wonderfully campy performance in Mahogany. That’s one of his best on screen performances during that time in his career.
I lived in the same neighborhood as Perkins in NYC in the 70s..he rode his bicycle on 9th street in the Village..friendly guy..
This was as perfect a video on Psycho and Anthony Perkins as could be made, I believe. You have a gift of knowing exactly what your audience is gonna eat up while still conveying the different messages you want to convey. You're amazing! Thank you for this one, Psycho and Anthony have been a huge part of my life.
One of my favorite movies and novelizations is "Last of Sheila" courtesy of Sondheim and Perkins.
I think it’s always important to mention that real life people who live with DID (dissociative identity disorder) aren’t dangerous serial killers like they are mostly portrayed in films. In my opinion it’s pretty sad that a lot of people only know DID because of films like Psycho or Split and don’t understand that real life people with DID aren’t comparable to characters like Norman Bates. DID simply is how the psyche of some young children deals with tremendous trauma as a way of survival, at least to my understanding.
Otherwise I loved the video, as always ❤
On the subject of the music, another place it's influence can be heard is on The Beatles song "Elenor Rigby". Producer George Martin based his score on Bernard Hermann's work with Hitchcock.
Yes!!! I was just thinking about Tony Perkins and his “double life,” and looking for a video essay or documentary that would delve further into his life. I am such a Tony Perkins fan. He was an incredibly gifted, charismatic, warm, alluring, beautiful man!
Thank you Matt you gave life and laughter to Psycho. For many years I've had shower curtains that I never close due to the memory of the that scene...I even imagine the music just looking at them.
Growing up, like most people, when I heard the name Anthony Perkins I thought Psycho and Psycho only. I wasn’t allowed
to see the movie as a kid but I knew Anthony was in it and Janet Leigh died early on. I finally got around to watching the film after I turned 18 and I was blown away! I had no idea of the twist with his mother (something I’m still shocked was never spoiled for me) and I was just blown away by Anthony’s acting. After seeing the movie I deep dived into his career and watched a lot of his movies. Some amazing some bad but all made better because of him and his amazing acting. Mahogany and Murder on the Orient Express stick out as two of my personal favorites of his.
Thank you for making this video as with all of your deep dives I’ve learned so much about an amazing person!
The first time I saw Psycho was in a theatre on Halloween night. Possibly one of the best dates I've ever been on. I don't like horror films but I loved this film. It was the perfect level of scary for me. Hitchcock was a master of subtle horror and I lament we don't get films like this anymore.
I really enjoyed this deep dive on Psycho and Perkins. Seeing a new video by Matt Baume up always makes my day. Great content as always
I was not ready for that end gag, almost spit my coffee! 😄
I admire the way you have found to be courageous. Your reward is being able to be frank about “it,” something people are intensely curious about, but have no way of exploring.
Actors even today manage their public perceptions, if only for increasing their options. 10:13 Wildly appropriate, considering so many Disney animators are indeed gay. 😏 Also, clever that you place the movie inserts for visibility while the comment window is open. Thanks for illustrating how ignorant ‘censors’ are.
Thank you for this video. You have done a wonderful job. I saw "Psycho" when it first came out in 1960, with my mother, on a sweltering, late summer night. I was 12 years old. I wasn't clear that Janet Leigh and John Gavin had had sex in the motel room, but I was sure they'd been making out. When she hugs him and says, "Oh Sam, let's get married!" My mom gasped and I'm sure she was upset that her young daughter was watching this. Twelve year olds were a lot more naive then than they are now. I only knew Janet Leigh from "The Vikings" two years earlier, where her image as virginal Princess Morgana was so different! I found "Psycho" deeply disturbing, even given my limited understanding at that time, and I will never see it again under any circumstances. I have avoided all the sequels. I felt badly for what it did to Tony Perkins' career. I hope the hospital employee who leaked his HIV diagnosis to the tabloids was fired and did some jail time. I remember when that happened.
Never forget getting chills seeing Hitchcock's shadow on the wall in Psycho 2 on my 3rd viewing. No mention about his amazing performance in Crimes of Passion one of my favourite movies.
Sigh guy the 50s slang for sad boi
The "My Mother the Car" joke got a surprised cackle out of me! Such a fun and niche reference.
Psycho was the first horror type movie I was ever allowed to watch mostly because it was an old movie. But when I saw it my life changed I became hooked on watching horror movies in my later years. I’m glad our society has changed over the years. I’m not LGBT myself but many of my close friends are. What Anthony had to hide I can’t even imagining going through.
My grandparents took my mom, who was 7 at the time to see Psycho since they had taken her to see North By Northwest and they thought it would be the same, ........ it wasn't.
I just started watching, but I already liked this video because of the pun in the thumbnail. I deeply respect people who see a great opportunity and take it.
this film did a lot for dismantling censorship ... thankfully .. Well Done Matt.
Holy shit! Osgood Perkins was his father! He was the man as Johnny Lovo in Scarface. "You dirty murdering mug you bumped off O'Hara!"
oz perkins is my favorite director. i'm sure his father's torment has had a profound influence on his work. it's very unique.
Oh, Matt. Just when I think I can't love you any more, you make THIS video. I see you with Janet Leigh's memoir in the background. I bought it with a gift certificate at the now defunct Pages for All Ages in Champaign, IL when I was like...13? ❤
Here's a bit of trivia for anyone scrolling through the comments: The Mael brothers hired a band called Bates Motel to be members of Sparks from 1981 through 1985; the same band also released a few albums and EPs under the name Gleaming Spires.
This rules! I brought up Anthony in conversations recently based on what I learned from this!
Aw yay glad it was useful, and thank you for raising Anthony Perkins awareness!
I know this video was primarily focused on Anthony Perkins, who I always thought was an incredibly handsome man as well as Tab Hunter but I do just have to say the young Jason Bateman is simply adorable! ❤
Critique: "Impossible to adapt to film."
Hitchcock: "Hold my storyboard."
Thanks for this! Wow, what an eye-opener! At last a critique worthy of the subject. I was ten when the movie came out, remember my older sisters leaving the beach because they just had to go see it again. I remember all the talk about the nurses stationed at the theaters, the refusal of late seating, etc. But I never saw the movie, and nobody told me about it, as Mr Hitchcock had requested! I finally saw it on a stormy night in 1970, on a small TV in a huge Victorian mansion in South Central LA, an off-campus frat house for USC, all of us stoned on LSD, the storm battering the stained-glass windows over the enormous staircase. Riveted to the TV, I had NO IDEA what was coming. And I fell in love with Tony Perkins, first with the character and later with the performance. I've never been able to get enough of Psycho, but your video sure helps. Ed Gein, the actual psycho on whom Bloch based his book, was just foul, but Tony Perkins is heartbreaking. So beautiful and vulnerable, over the abyss. Over the years I've been chagrined to read entire books on this movie that skim right over his enormous contribution. Some videos don't even bother to mention him except in a cursory manner. In one, all they said was that he came up with the nervous eating of the candy as the bodies sank. So my heartfelt thanks for this. I've had to pause your video as I have to go watch Psycho II-- somehow missed it, as I've seen Psycho more times than I can count. Looking forward to the rest.
When Psyco 2 was released, we got hold of an original, watched that, then went to the drive in to watch the sequel
My personal favorite Psycho shower scene imitation was in Friday the 13th Part IV where a string, good looking hunk type is Jason's shower victim --- and it is Jason's only nod to Psycho that Inam aware of
Just when I think I couldn't love this video more, that ending!! 😂🚙
Wow, I watched Psycho as a kid because my dad was a big fan of Hitchcock, but I had no idea there were sequels! I may have to give them a watch just out of curiosity.
I also didn’t know any of Anthony Perkins’ story, and my stomach dropped when you talked about the HIV results being sold… What a horrible horrible thing to do to another person. I can’t imagine the kind of people who could do that and still sleep at night.
it's interesting to learn a bit more about the perception of him around the time of his casting. Kim Stanley was approached to play Lila before it went to Vera Miles but she refused specifically due to his involvement. i really loved this video, thanks for putting it together. also lol @ Bieber...
Back in the 80's, I had a brief talk with him in the set of Psycho 3 at Universal Studios. I remember his strong hand shake when met and deep look in his eyes; he seemed to be a very kind charming man
"At this point in the film, it might seem like the worst possible hotel-related thing that could happen to her" Matt.
Gotta love Jeff in Psycho 3, who knew he’d become a pilot that got LOST, with a lawnmower man 😆
I watched Psycho the night before you announced this video, so I'm pre-stoked!
I've been working my way through your content and want to let you know just how much I am enjoying your commentary. You've done great research here and it shows. Thank you.
What a fascinating video! It really sounds like someone who struggled so hard to love themselves completely definitively brought a lot of love into his private life, and brought a lot of talent to the public
fab documentary man. loved and you did a great job. keep up the great work . i subscribed 😀
Love anything to do with "Psycho," including this video! Incredible job meshing Perkin's personal life and career, while also carefully detailing the history of "Psycho" in its various incarnations, Matt!
The video essay was awesome as always but the last few seconds made it EVEN BETTER. #NeverForget
First time watching the live premiere, Great Job as always! And like you point out, so many anti-heroes and tortured souls owe their portrayals to Tony.
I was so excited for this one, and it’s fabulous! Thank you so much. And I’m really glad you included Bates Motel-it’s one of my very favorite shows, and Freddie Highmore embodied a young Anthony Perkins spectacularly. I genuinely believe Hitchcock would have liked the show.
2 thumbs up on this one, Matt! Excellent, very enjoyable look back at one of my favorite franchises in movie history! Makes me want to watch II and III all over again!
Great source material!, Thank you Matt!
Had to look up the man from psycho 3 cause he looked familiar. Can't entirely believe it's the same man who played Lapidus in lost. But here we are.
Great video! I wanted to watch the movie but the link is broken/not playing anymore...
Your content is simply concentrated delight.
Thank you!
23:55 between this story and Mel Brooks telling people he'd take the farts out of Blazing Saddles, I'm convinced that the best way to deal with studio notes is to just throw them away.
There’s also loads of stories about directors putting in more extreme scenes with the intention of provoking the censors so that they would overlook the more low-key material that they probably would have targeted otherwise.
I had to pause at Prank calling Rosalind Russell with Stanley Kubrick ans Elaine Stritch. Wow 🎉
Inside each of us are two wolves: one is Anthony Perkins, the other is Norman Bates
Psycho was one of the first horror movies I ever watched. It was on late at night, and I stayed up in my bedroom to watch it, and it terrified me. I must have 12 or 13 maybe?
Awesome movie history + a loving and informative ode to Tony! The descriptions of Tony’s letter and funeral had me in tears
Tony's quote about AIDs being sent by God to teach us to love mad me cry.
Now I got the earworm for the song that goes: My name is Norman Bates, I'm just a normal guy. My name is Norman Bates.🎵🎵
This was such an interesting watch very well done! You caught me off guard with the “el ka-bong” reference lol.
Amazing episode. I remember really liking the strange Bud Cort TV show and it truly was all over the place. The Jason Bateman-led 1950s gang of kids were fun, but at one point if I recall correctly they went serious and I think talked to a character convincing them not to commit suicide and as a mixed up teen the scene hit me hard in a good way. I also remember seeing the Vince Vaughn remake in the theater and it was... awkward. On my left a few seats away was a father with his very young children (like 6 or 7 yo) and I guess he wanted them to have the experience he may have had when he was young? Anyways, one scene they added to the movie was Norman peering through his peephole and masturbating. Not explicit, but quite obvious with sound effects. I looked over at the father during this and he was morbid with discomort. The kids seemed utterly bored.
The history of this roll is crazy. Great video.
14:00. The look on Janet Leigh’s face when that guy is fanning the money. You can see the gears clicking. She was a great in this role.
The El Ka-Bong reference is *chef's kiss
The story of "Psycho" is fascinating. Hitch had no money and so could only afford strings for the soundtrack (which is brilliant Bernard Hermann), as well as other stumbles along the way and how to do the horror without special effects. Thanks Matt.
The Beatles Elenor Rigby- arranged by their producer George Martin, derived its staccato pulsating feel from the score of Psycho. There's one bar in the song that is particularly REE! REE! REE!
BTW, no Beatle plays any instrument in that song, just studio musicians cello, violin and violas.
Thanks for the video. Big Psycho fan. I cherish all 3 films. Child of the 80’s so God bless the sequels as far as I’m concerned. Norman was just my guy. I never went in for that Jason and Freddie bollucks. Too supernatural and unbelievable. Mr Perkins was brilliant as Norman perhaps because of his own quirks and personal struggles. The character has been portrayed since. But they’ll never get it as perfect. It’s too bad that so many gay stars of the 50s,60s and 70s had to live in fear and hide their lifestyle. But I think he lived a fulfilling life despite his struggles. He loved his family and died way too soon. I would have loved to have met him.