Norman Bates

Last updated

Norman Bates
Psycho character
Anthony Perkins Psycho Publicity Photo.jpg
Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates in Psycho (1960).
First appearance Psycho (1959 novel)
Last appearancePsycho: Sanitarium (novel)
Created by Robert Bloch
Portrayed by
Others:
  • Oz Perkins (II, child)
  • Ryan Finnigan (IV, child)
  • Henry Thomas (IV, teenager)
  • Beckham Skodje, Luke Roessler, Nicholas Holmes (TV series, child)
In-universe information
AliasMother
Robert Newman
GenderMale
OccupationFormer owner of the Bates Motel
Family
SpouseDr. Constance "Connie" Forbes-Bates (wife, films)

Norman Bates is a fictional character created by American author Robert Bloch as the main protagonist in his 1959 horror novel Psycho . He has an alter, Mother, who takes from the form of his abusive mother, and later victim, Norma, who in his daily life runs the Bates Motel.

Contents

He was portrayed by Anthony Perkins in the 1960 version of Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock and in the Psycho franchise. He was also portrayed by Vince Vaughn in the 1998 version of Psycho, and by Freddie Highmore in the television series Bates Motel (2013–2017). [1]

Unlike the franchise produced by Universal Studios, Norman is not the principal antagonist in Bloch's subsequent novels and is succeeded by copycat killers who assume Norman's identity after his death in Psycho II (1982), although he does return and in the licensed continuation novel Psycho: Sanitarium (2016) by Chet Williamson. There is a wide-ranging assumption that the character was directly inspired by the Wisconsin murderer Ed Gein. With Psycho being optioned for film adaptation as a direct result of media attention on Gein, Bloch later revealed he was inspired more by the circumstances surrounding Gein's case—the idea that "the man next door may be a monster unsuspected even in the gossip-ridden microcosm of small-town life." Years later, when the full details of Gein's crimes were revealed, he was struck by "how closely the imaginary character I'd created resembled the real Ed Gein both in overt act and apparent motivation." [2]

Character overview

Both the 1959 novel, and its 1960 film adaptation explain that Norman suffered severe emotional abuse as a child at the hands of his mother, Norma, who preached to him that sexual intercourse was sinful and that all women (except herself) were whores. The novel also suggests that their relationship may have been incestuous.

After Norman's father died, Norman and his mother lived alone together "as if there was no one else in the world" until Norman was a teenager, when his mother met Joe Considine (Chet Rudolph in Psycho IV: The Beginning) and planned to marry. Considine eventually convinced Norma to open a motel. Driven over the edge with jealousy, Norman murdered both of them with strychnine. After committing the murders, Norman forged his mother's suicide note to make it look like she had killed Considine and then herself. After a brief hospitalization for shock, he developed a split personality, assuming his mother's personality to repress his awareness of her death and thus escape the guilt of murdering her. [3] He inherited his mother's house—where he kept her corpse in the fruit cellar—and the motel in the fictional small town of Fairvale, California.

Norman's "Mother" personality is as cruel and possessive as the real Norma had been in life, frequently berating him and forbidding him to have a life outside of her. As "Mother", he dresses in Norma's clothes and talks to himself in her voice, and he also speaks to her corpse as if it is alive. "Mother" also kills women whom Norman feels attracted to, and anyone else who threatens the illusion of her existence. Norman passes out when "Mother" takes control; after "Mother" commits a murder, Norman awakens and destroys the evidence, convinced that "she" alone is responsible for the crime.

Bloch sums up Norman's multiple personalities in his stylistic form of puns: "Norman", a child needing his mother; "Norma", a controlling, mean-spirited parent figure; and "Normal", a functional adult who goes through the motions of day-to-day life. [4]

Psycho (novel and film)

In Bloch's 1959 novel and the 1960 Hitchcock film, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a young woman on the run after stealing money from her employer, checks into the motel one night. Norman is smitten with her, and shyly asks her to have dinner with him in the house. "Mother" flies into a rage and threatens to kill Marion if Norman lets her in the house. Norman defies her and eats dinner with Marion anyway, but lashes out at her when she suggests that he institutionalize his mother. When Marion goes to her room to shower, Norman spies on her through a peephole he drilled in the wall. "Mother" takes control and stabs Marion to death (he beheads her in the novel). When Norman awakes to discover what he believes his mother has done, he sinks Marion's car—with her corpse and the money in the trunk—into a nearby swamp. As "Mother", he also murders Milton Arbogast (Martin Balsam), a private detective hired by Marion's employer, days later.

Norman is finally caught when Marion's sister Lila (Vera Miles) and boyfriend, Sam Loomis (John Gavin), arrive at the motel looking for her. When Norman figures out what they want, he knocks Sam out and goes running after Lila, who has reached the house and found Mrs. Bates' corpse. He attacks her as "Mother", but Sam, after coming to, overpowers him, and Norman is finally arrested for murdering Marion and two other missing women. Norman is declared insane and sent to an institution, where "Mother" takes complete, and permanent, control of his mind: he becomes his mother. [4] [5]

Novel sequels

Psycho II

In Bloch's 1982 sequel to his first novel, Psycho II , Norman escapes from the psychiatric hospital by killing one of two visiting nuns and donning her habit. He steals their van and kills then rapes the corpse of the second nun. Norman plans to find and kill both Sam Loomis and his wife Lila (Lila Crane sister of Mary or Marion Crane) who he believes are responsible for his incarceration but first he needs to fake his death. He notices a hitchhiker and decides to kill him and fake his own death. Unbeknown to Norman the hitchhiker is planning to attack this nun and steal her van. Norman tries to attack his passenger but is overpowered. This in turn causes a fiery accident where the hitchhiker escapes, but Norman dies. Meanwhile, Dr. Adam Claiborne, who discovered Norman's corpse, assumes his personality and goes on a killing spree. [6]

Psycho House

In Bloch's 1991 sequel to his second novel, Psycho House , Norman appears only as a novelty animatronic on display in the Bates Motel, which has been converted into a tourist attraction.

Danganronpa Kirigiri

In the second volume of Takekuni Kitayama's 2013 Danganronpa Kirigiri light novel series, a prequel to the 2010 video game Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc , the events of Psycho and Psycho House are depicted as having taken place in the past of the world of Danganronpa . [7] Twenty years after Norman's death, the reinvented Bates Motel operates as a tourist attraction, now known as the Norman Hotel. It eventually closes, however, following a series of mysterious suicides and murders taking place in its vicinity, said to be committed by Norman's ghost. [8] [9]

By the time of the present day narrative of the novel, the hotel is used by the Victims Catharsis Committee (VCC) for their Duel Noir program, intended for victims of crimes to get revenge against the criminals who wronged them. In the novel, Kyoko Kirigiri and her assistant Yui Samidare find themselves participants of the Duel Noir, with an LCD screen of Norman's image (an evolution of his animatronic form, initially mistaken for a "talking painting") uttering lines recorded in the original Norman's voice to speak on the behalf the VCC. After explaining the game's rules, Norman leads a maid to her death via a burning gun-trap situated under his painting, before announcing that he has to leave to go find his mother. He then "leaves" the painting, and the rest of the Duel Noir is hosted by Norman's "family". [7] [8] [9]

Psycho: Sanitarium

In Chet Williamson's 2016 prequel to the second novel, Psycho: Sanitarium , Dr. Felix Reed tries to bring Norman out of a catatonic state. Sanitarium introduces Robert Newman, Norman's twin brother who was taken away at birth after the attending doctor pronounced him brain damaged. As Robert and Norman get to know each other, Norman senses a darkness in Robert, even deeper than that which has lurked in Norman himself. Disappearances begin occurring in the asylum, with the victims being those that were a threat towards Norman and wanted to bring him harm. It is revealed that Robert Newman is a new split personality of Norman's, which was created by Reed through hypnosis in order to get Norman to kill the asylum's most violent patients. With the help of his "Mother" personality (that Norman has been trying to suppress throughout most of the novel), the Robert persona is destroyed and Mother stabs Reed to death. The incident traumatizes Norman and puts him back into a catatonic state.

Film sequels

Psycho II

In 1983's Psycho II , the first sequel to the original film, Norman is released from the institution twenty-two years after his arrest, seemingly cured. Sam Loomis has passed away at this point. Norman meets Mary Samuels (Meg Tilly)—later revealed to be Mary Loomis, Lila and Sam Loomis's daughter and Marion Crane's niece—and falls in love with her. However, a series of mysterious murders occurs, as well as strange appearances and messages from his mother, and Norman slowly loses his grip on sanity. The mysterious appearances and messages turn out to be a plot by Lila to drive him insane again in order to get him recommitted. The actual murders turn out to be the work of Norman's coworker, Emma Spool (Claudia Bryar). Before Norman discovers this, however, Mary Loomis is shot dead by the police during a confrontation with Norman, and Mrs. Spool murders Lila. When Spool tells Norman that she is his real mother, he kills her and embalms her corpse while assuming the "Mother" personality once again. [10]

Psycho III

In 1986's Psycho III , set a month later, Norman continues to struggle, unsuccessfully, against "Mother"'s dominion. He also finds another love interest named Maureen Coyle (Diana Scarwid), who eventually dies at "Mother"'s hand. In the film, Mrs. Spool's corpse is first discovered by sleazy musician Duane Duke (Jeff Fahey), whom Norman kills when Duke tries to use the discovery to blackmail Norman. Tracy Venable (Roberta Maxwell), a reporter interested in Norman's case, finds out that Spool was in fact Norman's aunt—Norma Bates' sister—who was in love with Norman's father and killed him when he chose Norma over her. She then kidnapped the child Norman, believing him to be her own, but she was arrested and institutionalized, leaving Norman to be raised by Norma.

"Mother" orders Norman to kill Tracy, but in the end he destroys Spool's corpse, attempting to break free of her control. He is then arrested and put back in the institution. [11]

Psycho IV: The Beginning

Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990), the final film in the series, retcons the revelations of the second film and third film, supplying that Norman's father was stung to death by bees and removing all references to Emma Spool. In this film, Norman has been released from an institution, and is married to one of the hospital's psychologists, a woman named Connie (Donna Mitchell). When his wife becomes pregnant, he lures her to his mother's house and tries to kill her, wanting to prevent another of his "cursed" line from being born into the world; the film implies that Mrs. Bates (Olivia Hussey) suffered from schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder and passed the illnesses on to her son. However, he relents at the last minute, when Connie professes her love for him. He then burns the house down in an attempt to free himself of his past. During the attempt, he is tormented by hallucinations of "Mother" and several of his victims, becoming injured in a fall. He almost dies in the flames before willing himself to get out, apparently defeating his illness at long last; he is finally free of his mother's voice, which demands to be let out. This was Anthony Perkins' final performance as Norman Bates; Henry Thomas portrayed Norman as a teenager. [12]

Television

Bates Motel (film)

In the 1987 television spin-off movie and series pilot Bates Motel , Norman is never released from the institution after his first incarceration. He befriends Alex West (Bud Cort), a fellow inmate who had murdered his stepfather, and wills ownership of the titular motel to him before dying of old age. [13]

Bates Motel (TV series)

The television series Bates Motel , a reboot to the 1960 film Psycho, set in the present day, depicts the young Norman Bates' life with his mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga). In this continuity, Norman suffers from hallucinations and blackouts, and begins manifesting his "Mother" personality while Norma is alive. He kills his abusive father, Sam (David Cubitt), while in a dissociative state, and Norma moves them from Arizona, where he was born and raised, to White Pine Bay, Oregon, to protect him. [14] The series also introduces his maternal half-brother, Dylan Massett (Max Thieriot) and gives him a love interest in Emma Decody (Olivia Cooke), a classmate with cystic fibrosis.

As "Mother", Norman murders Blaire Watson (Keegan Connor Tracy), one of his teachers who seduces him; [15] Bradley Martin (Nicola Peltz), a girl he has feelings for; [16] and Audrey Ellis Decody (Karina Logue), Emma's estranged mother. [17] Fearing for his sanity, Norma briefly has him committed to a mental institution. [18] While there, Norman recovers a memory of witnessing his father rape Norma in a drunken rage after she tried to leave him; it is implied that this trauma fractured his psyche. [19]

When Norman's sanity begins to deteriorate, Norma marries the town sheriff, Alex Romero (Nestor Carbonell), so she can use his insurance coverage to pay for Norman's treatment. While the marriage is at first merely a financial arrangement, they eventually fall in love. After Norman is released from the institution and finds out that Norma is married, he grows insanely jealous and tries to kill both Norma and himself by flooding the house with carbon monoxide while his mother sleeps. Romero arrives at the house in time to revive Norman, but finds that Norma is already dead. [20] Romero figures out what happened and swears revenge, but is arrested for perjury before he can do anything. Meanwhile, Norman cannot bear losing his mother, so he digs up her corpse and assumes her personality to preserve the illusion of her being alive. [21]

Two years later, Norman is running the motel and living alone in the house with Norma's corpse, which he keeps frozen and preserved in the cellar. He and his "Mother" personality live together as if there is no one else in the world, and she takes care of his problems - such as killing and disposing of a hitman sent by Romero [22] and helping him get rid of his uncle, Norma's brother Caleb (Kenny Johnson), after he discovers the truth. [23] Norman falls for Madeline Loomis (Isabelle McNally), a lonely woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Norma, and whose husband Sam (Austin Nichols) is cheating on her. "Mother" becomes jealous and starts behaving erratically, at one point taking possession of Norman's mind and making him have sex with a man at a gay bar while dressed in Norma's clothes. [24] Norman finally begins to suspect that "Mother" is not real, and she confirms that he created her in his mind to deal with things that he could not, such as his abusive father. [25]

When Sam's mistress Marion Crane (Rihanna) checks into the motel, Norman has dinner with her and tells her that Sam is married. Marion comes back to the motel after confirming Sam's infidelity, and seeks comfort from Norman. He fears that "Mother" will kill her, however, and tells her to leave and never come back. When Sam comes to the motel to look for Marion, Norman stabs him to death in the shower. [25]

Dylan comes to see Norman after learning of Norma's death, and they get into a fight that ends with Norman assaulting his half-brother at "Mother"'s instigation. Terrified of what he might do, Norman calls 911 and confesses to murdering Sam. [26] While he is in jail, Sheriff Jane Greene (Brooke Smith) finds the bodies of Norman's other victims, and charges him with their murders, as well. [27] While Norman is awaiting trial, Romero—who had earlier escaped from prison—breaks into his cell and takes him hostage. [28] They drive to the woods where Norman hid Norma's corpse after the police began searching his house. There, Norman gets the better of Romero and shoots him dead, but not before his former stepfather tells him he will never escape from murdering his own mother. When Norman finally admits to himself that he killed Norma, "Mother" appears to him and tells him she is leaving, as there is no longer anything she can protect him from. [29]

Now completely alone, Norman loses all contact with reality. He calls Dylan and invites him over for a "family dinner", complete with Norma's corpse seated at the head of the table. When Dylan tells him that Norma is dead, Norman flies into a rage and attacks him with a knife, forcing Dylan to shoot him in self-defense. As he dies, Norman sees a vision of his mother embracing him. [29]

Characterization

The character Norman Bates in Psycho was loosely based on two people. First was the real-life murderer Ed Gein, about whom Bloch later wrote a fictionalized account, [30] "The Shambles of Ed Gein", in 1962. (The story can be found in Crimes and Punishments: The Lost Bloch, Volume 3). Second, it has been indicated by several people, including Noel Carter (wife of Lin Carter) and Chris Steinbrunner, as well as allegedly by Bloch himself, that Norman Bates was partly based on Calvin Beck, publisher of Castle of Frankenstein . [30]

The characterization of Norman Bates in the novel and the movie differ in some key areas. In the novel, Norman is in his mid-to-late 40s, short, overweight and homely. In the movie, he is in his mid-20s, tall, slender, and handsome. Reportedly, when working on the film, Hitchcock decided that he wanted audiences to be able to sympathize with Norman and genuinely like the character, so he made him more of a "boy next door". [31] In the novel, Norman becomes "Mother" after getting drunk and passing out; in the movie, he remains sober before switching personalities.

In the novel, Norman is well-read in occult and esoteric authors such as P.D. Ouspensky and Aleister Crowley. He is aware that "Mother" disapproves of these authors as being against religion.

Portrayals

Norman Bates was portrayed by Anthony Perkins in Hitchcock's seminal 1960 film adaptation of Bloch's novel and its three sequels. [32] Perkins hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live in 1976 in which he performed numerous sketches portraying Norman, including the instructional video "The Norman Bates School of Motel Management". He also portrayed Norman, albeit more lightheartedly, in a 1990 commercial for Oatmeal Crisp cereal. Vince Vaughn portrayed Norman in Gus Van Sant's 1998 version of Psycho, while Kurt Paul, Perkins' "Mother" stunt double in Psycho II and Psycho III , took on the role in the made-for-TV film spin-off Bates Motel. Perkins' son Oz portrayed a younger version of Norman in Psycho II. Henry Thomas played a younger version of the character in Psycho IV: The Beginning . Freddie Highmore portrayed Norman in the TV series Bates Motel , with Vera Farmiga portraying both Norman's mother Norma and his murderous split personality "Mother". For his performance, Highmore was nominated twice for a Critic's Choice Award, a Saturn Award, and won a People's Choice Award in 2017. [33]

Comic books

Norman appears in the 1992 three-issue comic book adaptation of the 1960 film Psycho released by Innovation Publishing. Despite being a colorized adaptation of the Hitchcock film, the version of Norman present in the comics resembles the one from Bloch's original novel: a middle-aged, overweight, balding man. Comic artist Felipe Echevarria has explained that this was due to Perkins' refusal to allow his likeness to be replicated for the books, wanting to disassociate himself with Norman Bates. [34]

Appearances

Novels

Films

Television

Comics

Music

Reception

Norman Bates is ranked as the second-greatest villain on the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 film heroes and villains, [38] behind Hannibal Lecter and ahead of Darth Vader. His line "A boy's best friend is his mother" also ranks as number 56 on the institute's list of the 100 greatest movie quotes. [39] In 2008, Norman Bates was selected by Empire as one of The 100 Greatest Movie Characters. [40] In 2009, Total Film issued it's "The 150 Greatest Performances of All Time" list, ranking Perkins' performance in Psycho at 27th place. [41] Bates also ranked number 4 on Premiere magazine's list of The 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time. [42]

Notes

  1. John Bates in the films Psycho II and Psycho III; Sam Bates in the Bates Motel TV series.

Related Research Articles

<i>Psycho</i> (1960 film) Film by Alfred Hitchcock

Psycho is a 1960 American horror film produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The screenplay, written by Joseph Stefano, was based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch. The film stars Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Martin Balsam. The plot centers on an encounter between on-the-run embezzler Marion Crane (Leigh) and shy motel proprietor Norman Bates (Perkins) and its aftermath, in which a private investigator (Balsam), Marion's lover Sam Loomis (Gavin), and her sister Lila (Miles) investigate her disappearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Bloch</span> American fiction writer (1917–1994)

Robert Albert Bloch was an American fiction writer, primarily of crime, psychological horror and fantasy, much of which has been dramatized for radio, cinema and television. He also wrote a relatively small amount of science fiction. His writing career lasted 60 years, including more than 30 years in television and film. He began his professional writing career immediately after graduation from high school, aged 17. Best known as the writer of Psycho (1959), the basis for the film of the same name by Alfred Hitchcock, Bloch wrote hundreds of short stories and over 30 novels. He was a protégé of H. P. Lovecraft, who was the first to seriously encourage his talent. However, while he started emulating Lovecraft and his brand of cosmic horror, he later specialized in crime and horror stories working with a more psychological approach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Gein</span> American murderer and human trophy collector (1906–1984)

Edward Theodore Gein, also known as the Butcher of Plainfield or the Plainfield Ghoul, was an American murderer, suspected serial killer and body snatcher. Gein's crimes, committed around his hometown of Plainfield, Wisconsin, gathered widespread notoriety in 1957 after authorities discovered that he had exhumed corpses from local graveyards and fashioned keepsakes from their bones and skin. He also confessed to killing two women: tavern owner Mary Hogan in 1954, and hardware store owner Bernice Worden in 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Stefano</span> American screenwriter (1922-2006)

Joseph William Stefano was an American screenwriter, known for adapting Robert Bloch's novel as the script for Alfred Hitchcock's film Psycho, and for being the producer and co-writer of the original The Outer Limits television series.

<i>Psycho IV: The Beginning</i> 1990 American horror film by Mick Garris

Psycho IV: The Beginning is a 1990 American made-for-television slasher film directed by Mick Garris, and starring Anthony Perkins, Henry Thomas, Olivia Hussey, Warren Frost, Donna Mitchell, and CCH Pounder. It serves as both the third sequel and a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, focusing on the early life of Norman Bates and the flashbacks that took place prior to the events of the original film. It is the fourth and final film in the original Psycho franchise, and Perkins' final appearance in the series before his death in 1992.

<i>Psycho II</i> (film) 1983 film by Richard Franklin

Psycho II is a 1983 American psychological slasher film directed by Richard Franklin, written by Tom Holland, and starring Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Robert Loggia, and Meg Tilly. It is the first sequel to Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film Psycho and the second film in the Psycho franchise. Set 22 years after the first film, it follows Norman Bates after he is released from the mental institution and returns to the house and Bates Motel to continue a normal life. However, his troubled past continues to haunt him as someone begins to murder the people around him. The film is unrelated to the 1982 novel Psycho II by Robert Bloch, which he wrote as a sequel to his original 1959 novel Psycho.

<i>Psycho III</i> 1986 film by Anthony Perkins

Psycho III is a 1986 American slasher film, and the third film in the Psycho franchise. It stars Anthony Perkins, who also directs the film, reprising the role of Norman Bates. It co-stars Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey, and Roberta Maxwell. The screenplay is written by Charles Edward Pogue. The original electronic music score is composed and performed by Carter Burwell in one of his earliest projects. Psycho III is unrelated to Robert Bloch's third Psycho novel, Psycho House, which was released in 1990.

<i>Bates Motel</i> (film) 1987 made-for-television film directed by Richard Rothstein

Bates Motel is a 1987 American made-for-television supernatural horror film and a spin-off of the Psycho franchise written and directed by Richard Rothstein, starring Bud Cort, Lori Petty, Moses Gunn, Gregg Henry, Jason Bateman, and Kerrie Keane. Outside of the 1998 remake, this is the only installment not to feature Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates as Kurt Paul portrays the character. The film premiered on July 5, 1987. It is a direct sequel to Psycho, ignoring the other sequels.

<i>Psycho</i> (1998 film) 1998 psychological horror film

Psycho is a 1998 American psychological horror film produced and directed by Gus Van Sant, and starring Vince Vaughn, Julianne Moore, Viggo Mortensen, William H. Macy, and Anne Heche. It is a modern remake of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film of the same name, in which an embezzler arrives at an old motel run by a mysterious man named Norman Bates; both films are adapted from Robert Bloch's 1959 novel.

<i>Psycho</i> (franchise) American horror franchise

Psycho is an American horror franchise consisting of six films loosely based on the Psycho novels by Robert Bloch: Psycho, Psycho II, Psycho III, Bates Motel, Psycho IV: The Beginning, the 1998 remake of the original film, and additional merchandise spanning various media. The first film, Psycho, was directed by filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. Subsequently, another film related to the series was made: an Alfred Hitchcock biopic, and two new novels, by Takekuni Kitayama and Chet Williamson, were released. Also, an independent documentary called The Psycho Legacy was released on October 19, 2010, mostly focusing on Psycho II, Psycho III and Psycho IV: The Beginning, while covering the impact and legacy of the original film.

<i>Psycho</i> (novel) 1959 novel by Robert Bloch

Psycho is a 1959 novel by American writer Robert Bloch. The novel tells the story of Norman Bates, a caretaker at an isolated motel who struggles under his domineering mother and becomes embroiled in a series of murders. The novel is considered Bloch's most enduring work and one of the most influential horror novels of the 20th century.

<i>Psycho II</i> (novel) 1982 novel by Robert Bloch

Psycho II is a 1982 novel by American writer Robert Bloch. It is a sequel to his 1959 novel Psycho. The novel was completed before the screenplay was written for the unrelated 1983 film Psycho II. According to Bloch, Universal Studios loathed the novel, which was intended to critique Hollywood splatter films. A different story was created for the film and Bloch was not invited to any screenings. Universal suggested that Bloch abandon his novel, which he declined and released anyway to good sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emma Spool</span> Fictional character

Emma Spool is a fictional character created by screenwriter Tom Holland for the 1983 film Psycho II. She serves as the primary antagonist, and is portrayed by Claudia Bryar. More attention is given to her character in Psycho III, although she only appears as a corpse.

Fictional portrayals of psychopaths, or sociopaths, are some of the most notorious in film and literature but may only vaguely or partly relate to the concept of psychopathy, which is itself used with varying definitions by mental health professionals, criminologists and others. The character may be identified as a diagnosed/assessed psychopath or sociopath within the fictional work itself, or by its creator when discussing their intentions with the work, which might be distinguished from opinions of audiences or critics based only on a character appearing to show traits or behaviors associated with an undefined popular stereotype of psychopathy.

Norma Bates (<i>Psycho</i>) Fictional character

Norma Bates is a fictional character created by American author Robert Bloch in his 1959 thriller novel Psycho. She is the deceased mother and victim of serial killer Norman Bates, who had recreated her in his mind as a murderous alternate personality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marion Crane</span> Fictional character from the 1959 novel Psycho; portrayed by Janet Leigh in the 1960 film

Marion Crane, also under the alias Marie Samuels, is a fictional character created by American author Robert Bloch in his 1959 thriller novel Psycho. She is portrayed by Janet Leigh in the 1960 version of Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock, by Anne Heche in the 1998 version of Psycho, and by Rihanna in the television series, Bates Motel (2017). For her performance in Psycho, Leigh was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the Academy Awards and won a Golden Globe Award in the same category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lila Crane</span> Fictional character created by Robert Bloch in the novel Psycho

Lila Loomis is a fictional character created by American author Robert Bloch in his 1959 thriller novel Psycho; she is the sister of Norman Bates's victim Marion Crane. She is revealed as the real protagonist of the novel in the final chapters, after several false protagonists, including her sister, who gets murdered. Lila is portrayed by Vera Miles in the 1960 film version and by Julianne Moore in the 1998 version. Additionally, Lila appears in Bloch's 1982 sequel novel Psycho II, and the unrelated 1983 sequel film of the same name, in which she serves as an antagonist.

<i>Bates Motel</i> (TV series) American drama thriller television series (2013–2017)

Bates Motel is an American psychological horror drama television series based on characters from the 1959 novel Psycho by Robert Bloch that aired from March 18, 2013, to April 24, 2017. It was developed by Carlton Cuse, Kerry Ehrin, and Anthony Cipriano for the cable network A&E.

<i>Danganronpa: Kirigiri</i> Japanese light novel series

Danganronpa Kirigiri is a Japanese detective light novel series written by Takekuni Kitayama and illustrated by Rui Komatsuzaki. It was published by Seikaisha from September 13, 2013, to June 17, 2020, and has been collected in seven tankōbon volumes. A prequel to Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, the series focus on the future "Ultimate Detective" Kyoko Kirigiri over the course of the story as she rises through the ranks of the Detective Shelf Collection (DSC), solving various mysteries alongside her assistant, Yui Samidare.

References

  1. Cruz, Gilbert (March 25, 2013). "We All Go a Little Mad Sometimes: On Norman Bates and Psycho's Four Sequels". Vulture.com . New York City: New York Media . Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  2. Guran, Paula (August 1999). "BEHIND THE BATES MOTEL: Robert Bloch". Dark Echo Horror Online. Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  3. Breslow, Peter (July 1, 2008). "Norman Bates: A Most Terrifying Mama's Boy". NPR.org . Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Bloch, Robert (1959). Psycho. New York City: Simon & Schuster. ISBN   978-1590203354.
  5. Alfred Hitchcock (Director) (September 8, 1960). Psycho (DVD). United States: Paramount Pictures.
  6. Bloch, Robert (1982). Psycho II. Venice, California: Whisper Press. ISBN   978-0-918372-08-6.
  7. 1 2 Hoshikaisha Fictions (November 29, 2013). "Danganronpa Kirikiri 2 (Hoshikaisha Fictions) – Impressions and Reviews". Da Vinci . Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  8. 1 2 Zuhara, Su (December 27, 2013). "Danganronpa Kirikiri 2 – Kyoko Kirigiri challenges the "Detective Auction"!". Karakarabox. Retrieved December 27, 2013 via Seesaa.
  9. 1 2 Gakuto, Shosandai (October 20, 2020). [30-second novel video] Danganronpa Kirigiri Mystery. [Novel Series V]. Retrieved October 20, 2020 via YouTube.
  10. Richard Franklin (Director) (June 3, 1983). Psycho II (DVD). United States: Universal Pictures.
  11. Anthony Perkins (Director) (July 2, 1986). Psycho III (DVD). United States: Universal Pictures.
  12. Mick Garris (Director) (November 10, 1990). Psycho IV: The Beginning (DVD). United States: Universal Television.
  13. Richard Rothstein (Director) (July 5, 1987). Bates Motel (DVD). United States: Universal Television.
  14. "The Truth". Bates Motel. Season 1. Episode 6. April 22, 2013. A&E.
  15. "Midnight". Bates Motel. Season 1. Episode 10. May 13, 2013. A&E.
  16. "Unconscious". Bates Motel. Season 3. Episode 10. May 13, 2015. A&E.
  17. "A Danger to Himself and Others". Bates Motel. Season 4. Episode 1. March 7, 2016. A&E.
  18. "Goodnight, Mother". Bates Motel. Season 4. Episode 2. March 14, 2016. A&E.
  19. "The Vault". Bates Motel. Season 4. Episode 6. April 18, 2016. A&E.
  20. "Forever". Bates Motel. Season 4. Episode 9. May 9, 2016. A&E.
  21. "Norman". Bates Motel. Season 4. Episode 10. May 16, 2016. A&E.
  22. "Dark Paradise". Bates Motel. Season 5. Episode 1. February 20, 2017. A&E.
  23. "Bad Blood". Bates Motel (TV series). Season 5. Episode 3. March 6, 2017. A&E.
  24. "Dreams Die First". Bates Motel (TV series). Season 5. Episode 5. March 20, 2017. A&E.
  25. 1 2 "Marion". Bates Motel (TV series). Season 5. Episode 6. March 27, 2017. A&E.
  26. "Inseparable". Bates Motel. Season 5. Episode 7. April 3, 2017. A&E.
  27. "The Body". Bates Motel (TV series). Season 5. Episode 8. April 3, 2017. A&E.
  28. "Visiting Hours". Bates Motel (TV series). Season 5. Episode 9. April 17, 2017. A&E.
  29. 1 2 "The Cord". Bates Motel. Season 5. Episode 10. April 24, 2017. A&E.
  30. 1 2 Conradt, Stacy (March 18, 2013). "Everything You Need to Know About Norman Bates". Mental Floss . New York City: Dennis Media. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  31. Leigh, Janet (1995). Psycho : Behind the Scenes of the Classic Thriller . Easton, Pennsylvania: Harmony Press. ISBN   978-0-517-70112-6.
  32. Ferrell, David (September 13, 1992). "Anthony Perkins, 60, Dies; Star of 'Psycho' Had AIDS". Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California. ISSN   0458-3035 . Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  33. Swift, Andy (January 21, 2017). "People's Choice Awards 2017 Winners: Priyanka Chopra, Outlander and More". TVLine . Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  34. Johnston, Rich (August 31, 2016). "Felipe Echevarria, On Taking Anthony Perkins Out Of The Picture". Bleeding Cool . Rantoul, Illinois: Avatar Press . Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  35. "Landscape - Norman Bates". Discogs . 1981.
  36. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1426. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  37. "The Hitmen (6) - Bates Motel". Discogs . 1981.
  38. "AFI's 100 YEARS...100 HEROES & VILLAINS". afi.com . American Film Institute . Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  39. "AFI'S 100 GREATEST MOVIE QUOTES OF ALL TIME". afi.com . American Film Institute . Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  40. "The 100 Greatest Movie Characters". Empire . London, England: Bauer Consumer Media. June 29, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  41. "The 150 Greatest Performances Of All Time" Archived March 30, 2014, at the Wayback Machine TotalFilm. com
  42. "100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time". Premiere . New York City: Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. Retrieved April 6, 2018.