How Hitchcock Got People To See "Psycho"

[@michaelterry1000]

In 1960 all that I needed to hear was, "This is the new film directed by Alfred Hitchcock"

[@hoanghato4553]

Even in 2020, after watch 3-4 films of him, i will pay money no matter what film he does

[@ladyannamariehowland2541]

My brother and I could hardly wait to see the next episode every Friday night!

[@ladyannamariehowland2541]

My brother and I could hardly wait to see the next episode every Friday night!

[@stnicholas54]

I saw Psycho at the age of 12. I skipped school and went to the local fleapit. In 1966 they weren't too fussy who they admitted to their premises despite the age restrictions. Boy was I sorry I skipped school that day. I suppose it kind of served me right. The scene that really shook me up was the overhead shot of Mumsy charging out of that bedroom to stab Arbogast. That was a shocker to my 12 year old mind. However, I do have to say that in 1966 I really was 12 years old unlike today's 12 year olds who are 12 going on 39.

[@sperrin]

I didn't think they had age restrictions back then. When Psycho was released, it just fell into the simple pass or fail system... which it passed. It never had an age rating. Psycho was later retro-rated for mature audiences though in 1968.

[@keelahrose]

This is such a great story.

[@JosieSchuller]

@stnicholas54 Thank you for posting that. I’ve always been curious how people reacted to the movie when they saw it back then.

[@rohannkk]

Wasn't the movie released in 1960?

[@stnicholas54]

@@rohannkk Yes, it was.

[@Moamg]

Hitchcock was not only a film genius, he was a marketing genius as well!

[@msrspc]

The beauty of Psycho is that there was no gore and it still scared everyone that saw it.

[@leohaddad9225]

Yeah, Halloween 1978 also had basically no gore, those movies did not need it. They are so good

[@johnkuipers7829]

Yep, it's the tension and suspense. No direct gory violence. Alfred was a master at that.

[@ses7740]

Nowadays, sure, but back then the movie was considered very violent

[@benarts2271]

And there were no supernatural elements, which makes it the more frightening if you really think about it 😳

[@bhardnavares5903]

Because for me Psycho is one of those rare slasher flick that acts as a psychological thriller too.

[@rohanpoddar2562]

all marketing students should watch this

[@monstur148trash3]

Rohan Poddar I am Thanks!

[@KronicShade]

anybody notice the guy getting poked with an umbrella in the eye at 6:17 lol

[@ashleygibson2342]

Kronic Shade Lmao! Thank you for that! Poor dude, looked like it hurt.

[@keelahrose]

Wow, nicely spotted! Poor guy! lol

[@beingnavn5532]

Start of a Love story..Might be.. 😎 Observation Level 👌👌👌👌

[@elliemccarthy3487]

Ouch

[@joannelawrence9497]

Thank you

[@dhog41]

Saw this film for the first time when I was about 12 years old. Made the mistake of watching it in the dark....Alone....Could barely get up the stairs to bed, I was so shaky. What a master Hitchcock was. Never "in-your-face" gore that leaves nothing to the imagination.Just dark, subtle suggestion that truly messed with your mind....Oh, and yes, Tony Perkins was and remains untouchable as Norman Bates. Psycho....Has to be my favorite film of all time...

[@Volts48]

How creepy is it to hear Hitchcock tell you "I like you, I want you to be happy..." that sent chills down my spine...

[@elliemccarthy3487]

No one was allowed after the start as the cinema was a experience & it was so important, it still stands up as a incredible classic

[@milanbarac5832]

Psycho and Vertigo both have most powerful opening credits. I get super hyped every time I watched them.

[@aspetuckantiques5464]

Hitchcock was a marketing genius all right. The only gag was not to let people come in once the "picture" had started. He made common sense turn into an epic pay-off. The theater owners were a riot! They are like cartoon caricatures. "We don't let nobody in once the pictcha' has sta'ted".

[@shawnmulligan2894]

Aspetuck Antiques So is William Castle, although his were more silly than scary

[@1derfullBeast]

Well, it wasnt just a"gag" by matketing-genius Alfred Hitchcock: it is easy to understand why you shouldn't be late for this movie..it is tense from beginnung on and gives urgent information right from the start: he was right, saying: you will enjoy"Psycho" more, when you watch it from the beginning!,:-)

[@jiananlee5482]

Wow, imagine: Queen E II was already on the throne for nearly 10 years by that point, and she out lived Hitchcock for more than 40 years. That’s just amazing. RIP

[@lindaeasley4336]

There was a tight lid on the ending of the movie .No spoilers were allowed . I can imagine how shocked and freaked out the audiences must have been after the first few days of showing Psycho . The public had not been exposed to that kind of a twisted character in film before

[@milanbarac5832]

If they knew anything about Ed Gein, who was very 'popular' at the time, they were prepared enough.

[@1derfullBeast]

@@milanbarac5832 well, the weren't:-)

[@BebeLush2]

Things are so different now . . . would love to see some audience reactions to this film as it was unfolding. I can't imagine anything more terrifying that sitting through this in 1960.

[@polishgerman3065]

Paramount not believing in this film was a huge, HUGE, mistake.

[@arcmov24]

This should be the norm for EVERY film !

[@keelahrose]

It became the norm thanks to him.

[@filmsforallnations]

My uncle went to see Psycho in 1960, and he remembers all the really loud screams in the auditorium. He said that you could literally hear all the screams, outside the movie theater. People were literally jumping out of their seats in startle.

[@dirkdaubertshauser9423]

I can imagine

[@arshad4utube]

This is Alfred Hitchcock,having lived with Psycho since it was a gleam in my camera's eye,I now exercise my parental rights in revealing a number of significant facts about this slightly extraordinary entertainment.

[@JustJokingYou]

I would have loved to see this film in theatres . It is one of the greatest films ever made...

[@danielbrissenden2555]

I don't think the marketing principles employed here would sell a new flavor of Campbell's soup. Art in general, and film in particular, is a different kind of product.

[@f.o.c.s.1028]

Alfred Hitchcock's movie "PSYCHO" went on release in New York city on the 16th of June 1960. It's famous shower scene was shot on the 17th to the 23rd of December 1959. Containing as it does the most iconic corpse stare in cinema history.

[@The7legacy]

I Can't Believe This Movie Was In 1960 And, It Never Won A Oscar!!

[@keybyss98]

The7legacy ...I mean, we're kinda talking about an academy that has made some controversial decisions to begin with (like having an consistently racist Chris Rock stand in throughout last year's Oscars)... In fact, I don't even know if they ever did even nominate a horror movie at all (sure, I could be incorrect on that, but still).

[@keybyss98]

It received nominations (which is a really prodworthy thing to advertise in your own film), but it didn't actually receive a legitiment oscar.

[@damianlatimer5753]

@@keybyss98 it was nominated for four oscars and other horror films have been nominated and some have won

[@freddylubin]

Hitchcock never won, though "Rebecca" won for best picture, and Ford won best director for "The Grapes of Wrath".

[@sravankumar3502]

Oscar is a big shit

[@cance7984]

I wish I was alive in those days.

[@gymshrigga6490]

youd be dead now

[@damianlatimer5753]

@@gymshrigga6490 not necessarily some people who lived back then are still living now

[@TheMinnaKat]

Thank you for uploading! It's so fascinating that Alfred Hitchcock with Psycho was a pioneer of thriller with story twists. I wish people would watch all movies from beginning to end to fully enjoy them, and that they wouldn't spoil any movie for others.

[@bobbybuilder6169]

He was a brilliant man...

[@OrangeTabbyCat]

He was also a dirty man.

[@milanbarac5832]

@@OrangeTabbyCat Aren't we all? The only difference is that his life was scrutinized.

[@shanthoshsatchithananthan8276]

@ milanbarac5832 based on how the world is now we can tell not everyone is brilliant

[@Hank13665]

I saw Psycho at the Starlight Drive-in, Croton, N.Y. in 1960 courtesy of my aunt and uncle after begging them to take me. That summer the buzz about that movie was incredible--I just HAD to see it.

[@33bigmoney]

4.25 the guy with sunglasses looks like someone from 2012 lol

[@honeymoonavenue97]

Omg facts.

[@garywest8705]

I saw this movie on it's first run in a small town local theater in 1961. Being 10 years old at the time that movie scared me to no end. Bernard Herman's strings only music just made that movie what it is. One of the greatest movies ever.

[@BlueLeopard200]

It's not just that people coming in miss the plot, it's annoying to see people keep coming in for the first 15 minutes. I once seen people coming in after 1 hour. Wtf?

[@ediekoller2636]

I saw Psycho when it first came out n 1960 back in Cleveland Ohio I was going on 14 then and it scared the hell out of me. I live near Universal Studio since 1961 and I have seen the "psycho house" many times. My favorite Hitchcock Movie is Vertigo.

[@mad_mario_]

What an amazing bit of history. Wish i were there and experience the thrill of it in person...

[@CCCM89]

my, what a revolutionary concept. "Watch a movie from the begining." truly, he was a visionary...

[@hotChocolateLion]

At the time, it was actually common policy to walk into any theatre, whether the movie was running or not. You would watch the remainder of the movie, then wait for the next screening of it and watch that up until the part where you had started from. For the time, it was revolutionary.

[@CCCM89]

I figured as much. That comment was my attempt at both being facetious and acknowledging the fact that the man started something that we would consider by today's standards as common sense.

[@TheBriataylor1999]

CCCM89 *Tips fedora*

[@mattjazzfan2288]

The whole point was that Hitchcock wanted there to be lines out of the theater of people Getting there early, which would draw people in who didn’t even know about the movie

[@AnnoyingMoose]

Watching a movie from the moment that you arrive at the theatre regardless of when it started was especially helpful for families with small children (with their short attention spans). When my parents took my sister to see Disney's Pinocchio (when she was only 4 yrs old) this caused a problem for some of the audience. They watched from the middle to the end and then waited to see the beginning that they had missed. When Pinocchio was put in the cage and started to cry my sister called out in a loud voice "Don't cry Pinocchio! Blue fairy comes and saves you. Don't you remember?"

[@jsisaza94]

I love the voice of old narrator lol it makes me feel like travelling time.

[@JosieSchuller]

Does anyone know if there's a video on KZbin where exiting audiences are interviewed about seeing Psycho? I've seen a couple of videos like that for The Exorcist and it was great seeing how shaken audience members were after viewing the movie.

[@martymartin3300]

OH if only theaters marketed films like they did then! LOOK at that art!

[@spankyharland9845]

I can only imagine how this movie blew a lot of people away in 1960- Psycho was the beginning of every slasher horror movie from that point on...such as Bullitt was the genesis of every fast car chase scene in future movies.

[@moviepeasantispeasanted]

I saw from the movie Hitchcock, with Anthony Hopkins as Hitchcock, that Paramount confirmed that the film would only be released in 2 cinemas in all of the United States of America. I take it then, of course, he was using this "from the start or wait until next showing" marketing method to get as many people to those 2 cinemas as he could, to make as much money as he could. Very smart, Alfred. Very smart.

[@johnv2232]

I wasn't even around in 1960 and this movie SCARED THE DAYLIGHTS outta me watching it! It's still scary after 62 years later!

[@alextakacs768]

Did anyone notice how many kids went in to see Psycho?!! That's a great way to turn them PSYCHO!!

[@jskf622]

When my girlfriend and I watch Psyco, and one of us has to do something else, we would pause the movie did what we needed to do and play it again. Psyco is one of those movies that you have to see from beginning to end. I could see why Alfred Hitchcock didn't allow any seating after the movie began.

[@chotzrary]

One of the scariest movies ever made. Stop giving away the plot twist.

[@caledoniatardivo8537]

+Julio Pecina Spoiler - it's been around for almost six decades! Nothing new to see.

[@chotzrary]

No shit, really? I didn't know that. Wow, you are so smart. Fuck I know that, guess what? A lot of the new generation never heard of it. So no, eat your spoiler and enjoy it. Kelly Tardivo

[@flynnexe]

+Jules Love amen

[@flynnexe]

+Jules Love I got spoiled Fight Club because, and I quote, "That movie came out in 1999 so go fuck yourself"

[@slappy2013]

+Kelly Tee That's stupid. I just showed it to my sister and we had the funniest time of our life's because I didn't tell her what happened. It's rare to see someone actually try to figure things out in Psycho.

[@trinitytwo14992]

Nothing today that is made even comes close to Hitchocks brilliance.

[@robertmcghintheorca49]

Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of Bernard Harman's Psycho is one of the most powerful events in the history of the motion picture.

[@DrGregoryHouseIT]

The book was written by Robert Bloch.

[@thesteamycreamofdualjabbar6486]

He got the inspiration from NASA.

[@alexalex13131]

When people saw Psycho they saw a great entertainment as well as a work of art. Definitely worth waiting on line for.

[@marcparella]

That's right Hitchcock did not want you to miss the opening scene: downtown Phoenix. That's scary enough.

[@soulexavior8503]

Im here from a person that tried to land a plane on a plane.

[@crazypplhacks1]

yeah nerdcubed

[@Kilborns]

crazypplhacks1 SHHH DONT TELL THEM

[@crazypplhacks1]

1ShanedawsontvFAN1 sorry

[@toastpoppin]

wow before today, movies were made with hardship and seriousness

[@Movie_Games]

And quality movies. Those were the days.

[@NovaJake360]

+Raphael Privat There are plenty of movies that have that same effort put into them today.

[@freddyrichards878]

Jack Torrance They just outta have better marketing

[@hannahcooper7604]

i wish people still talked like this :)

[@TheListenerCanon]

Psycho is the best horror movie, the best movie of the 60s, and one of the 5 best movies IMO.

[@r6d3r0]

I bet there were still some Karens who showed up late and demanded they be let in...

[@CaesarinoXD]

I got here from a guy who can't land a jet on the back of a flying airplane :/

[@subhojeetmishra7040]

Wish i could experience this 😭😭😭♥️♥️

[@yaboygumby3124]

I was sent here by a man who tried to land on a Boeing 747 with a Lear jet mid-flight

[@pelontorjunta]

Some film experts are suggesting that Hitchcock had hunch to world is moving to more dangerous times after period of stability, strong family structures, dignity, fairness... that things are changing and not likely just to good direction.

[@jsisaza94]

5:27 must be funny to be recorded arriving late, FOREVER.

[@TheMovieRat]

This is so cool to see. I wish I could have been alive during this release.

[@KrisRowberry]

The irony of the Academy hosting this video - without ever honoring Hitchcock with an Oscar - is not lost on me.

[@arukidase]

I think no psycho-thriller films have been produced without this movie. I wish Hitchcock is still alive and I could see what movie he would make with CG.

[@bhardnavares5903]

Hitchcock started the "No Spoilers" trend before it is even prevalent now. Truly ahead of his time.

[@sravankumar3502]

The top one of movie history of all time. Any thing is next to psycho only whether it is publicity, direction, music, thriller, suspence, action of main lead (technically named supporting role) of great legend Janet leigh, best scene of all time, screenplay, story..and goes on.

[@gigs2riches]

Saw it tonight! Great Movie

[@dustingriffith7399]

🎉Hitchcock's PSYCHO (1960) Happy 60th Anniversary as of June 2020!!!🎉

[@HoradoSomOficial]

awesome classic!

[@dweir2584]

Like Vertigo, a big part of this film's success was the near perfect music score.

[@milanbarac5832]

And, among many other things, the perfect opening credits which capture your attention instantly!

[@ImJakeSrsly]

so Hitchcock is the sole reason that if you show up late to a film, you wait for the next showing. that is so cool.

[@marytate6637]

I just want to write that my name is Josh and i want to write that on April 1, 2023 Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho will become available to stream on Netflix for the very first time.

[@Jantv81]

I was 14 or 15 when I first saw it, my dad had my sister and I watch it. Of course it was on VHS back in the 90s. Scared the crap out of me, and I couldn’t take a shower for a week after!! This film still my Halloween go to every year!!

[@playstation1980]

I missed the start of this video, can someone tell me the gist?

[@MrMathExpert]

Did Norman Bates attend?

[@mal2107]

Did anyone click on the mystery video and got here from NerdCubed?

[@Fabelaz]

You're doing it wrong

[@Koenneok]

Did not seen it yet.. Im 23 yrs. Old and i like this kinda movies!

[@squeakyelbows]

That late arrival wasn't an actor. No way. Also I was brought here by a guy who failed to land on a plane because the plane's driver drove it into the sea.

[@onirannam]

What a great time capsule of the way we were. Look at the people on those lines and moving through Times Square. Women in dresses and heels; men in sport jackets and ties. Not a pair of jeans in sight. All before the upheaval of the late sixties. Those were the days.

[@bliz78obrien1]

What 5 other Pictures kept Psycho from Oscars? Hitchcock was regular at the Oscars with North By Northwest, Rear Window, and of course Rebecca

[@joevictor53]

Michael Bay on the other hand would say "Come and see Transformers 3. It doesn't matter if you miss the beginning, middle or end of the film. Hell, I don't even know the actual story. Just watch the big explosions, CGI and mindless violence."

[@christianjalandoni2380]

Some of those people are dead

[@deancarter8667]

How very astute of you

[@christianjalandoni2380]

RIP

[@Vincek88]

+Christian Jalandoni Of course they are! Did you see that...psycho, with the knife!??

[@christianjalandoni2380]

so sad

[@FeiTheVillain]

No shit, Sherlock.

[@461Masterchief]

a certain nerd took me here...

[@shaunm8936]

not freddie highmore

[@ApprenticeNick]

I didn't find this very entertaining, but Nerdcubed suggested it, so I'm going to like it anyway.

[@fede018]

Zombie

[@nowankersallowed2115]

Create a little intrigue.. or offer endless possibilities.. and people are drawn in by their own need to know.. there are differing ways in which to do so. If I follow this path where will it lead me.. if I close this door will it end everything .. who knows.. who has the bravery or shows the fearlessness to do so.. who will be intimidated. So to those who didn't want to understand human nature all I can is it's your loss.. personally I find it simply delightful and fascinating.. though at times frustrating as hell.

[@DASfilms]

This is amazing, Thanks for the upload, if only Oscars uploaded more stuff like this more often :D

[@garrison6863]

Dwight MacDonald wrote that this warning about coming in late made no sense because the only reason for seeing the picture are the scare scenes near the end. The first few minutes are pretty dull and Janet Leigh does not stick around much anyway.

[@lumariadp]

Well, Dwight McDonald is an idiot, because the facts in the end make no sense if you don't watch from the beginning. 🙄

[@mymindstayblank]

Just seen the movie yesterday for the full time that one jumpscare when the private investigator enters the bates mansion & the door opens i didn’t expect what happened next shit scared me 7/10

[@shouryaxalxo6182]

Psycho was my first black and white movie

[@youtuber5669]

mine too

[@SamuelGriffin-zt1ze]

Remember the old DeMille Theater on Broadway near Times Square

[@allysonschexnyder8538]

This movie has been around for 61 years and still never won an Oscar

[@mikej.9339]

Should be the policy for all movies, after the trailers end nobody can come in late to disrupt the movie.

[@skaetur1]

One of the start times is 10:06pm?

[@armandgeist]

I'll watch Dial M for Murder thank you very much. I think the terror and suspense in these films is better than the films of nowadays.

[@TheMonsterProduction]

my dad is in the video

[@popaciprian690]

is your dad still alive?

[@kenzo9900]

check out the guy at 4:25 . he looks out of place and strangely modern looking

[@ravinrabbid123]

that is actually kinda weird now that you've pointed it out

[@kenzo9900]

ravinrabbid123 almost everyone is in suits and there he is in a casual shirt that looks like its modern and its nearly as if he see's the camera and says "oh shit" and trys to run away from it.

[@ravinrabbid123]

Keith Mullins he's a time traveler!!

[@NULL-ug7ve]

Well our "modern" is just people trying to live in these time periods. Ya know. Hipsters.

[@9559ns]

Not really that out of place. The 60's really wasnt that long ago so nothing really out of the ordinary. Looking back at it there were plenty of people who were dressed similarly.

[@1ranjeeves21]

10:05 it's gonna be YUUGE

[@karthu1993]

I wish I were able to see this movie in the theatre during the sixties?

[@armandgeist]

Psycho and Vertigo are the best Hitchcock's films I have seen, Actually those are the ones, Any suggestions of any other film of him. Thank you and nice day everyone.

[@martinboylan]

I was sent her by a man who was wondering why he was banned from the airport while shooting a old lady.

[@ladyannamariehowland2541]

The Human “Race”. Came a long way since then! It seems as though they were so impressed with viewing that they’re doing it. Thanks.

[@rocknroll_jezus9233]

Women moment

[@Steven23490]

what'd he say???

[@joewatson9519]

I'm here because of a man who was ditched by a boeing/submarine...

[@dcs93]

I watched north by northwest, dial m for murder and strangers on a train in one day yesterday haha. Dial M for Murder is pretty awesome!

[@zaiope95]

I don't know if it's so much a policy as it is a norm but I've never seen anyone come late to a movie. The only cases of it is if someone leaves during the movie and comes back (toilet breaks and such)

[@MysteriousSteve1234]

I was brought here by a man who lands planes on planes

[@Sylfa]

Or more precisely, does not land planes on planes...

[@TheZasparnator]

Did I see a plane landing on top of another plane while watching this video?