Psycho (1960) Sandwich Scene [closed]

Psycho (1960) Sandwich Scene [closed] - Close Up Photo of Delicious Food

When most people think of Psycho they think of the shower scene. Admittedly it is one of the all scariest scenes in the history of movies. Today I recently re-watched Psycho and I'm convinced there is an even subtler, creepier scene proceeding it.

When Norman brings Marion the sandwich and milk (~35 minutes into the movie), you see him, his reflection in the window and his shadow on the wall. She invites him to come in but he takes a step back. He moves back, his reflection movies back, but his shadow stays in place lurching over her for a split second before moving back. It is extremely unsettling, the symbolism is crystal clear.

I'm convinced this must have been an intentional special effect by Hitchcock. But I've been searching on the internet for a while can't find any mention of it. Has no one previously noticed this awesomely creepy effect?



Best Answer

It's a very quick clip, but I think he leans left just after he steps back.

That's just enough to give that effect. I don't think it's intentional.
If you watch the entire shot, the shadow is in-frame for the duration and there is no room to have placed another actor to effect a separate shadow. It has to be real.

Best guess is that as he steps back, his move is almost in line with the light source. After the pace, he leans very slightly left, which appears to accelerate the shadow move. You can confirm that by checking his reflection - he gets closer to it.

Here's a small gif of the action, blink & you'll miss it, that's the full length at the end of the shot.
I researched it in frame by frame from a full-size source.

enter image description here




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Why was Psycho Cancelled?

On Monday, September 19th, CBS announced it was postponing its broadcast of Psycho due to concerns raised by some of its affiliates in the Midwest regarding the appropriateness of airing the movie following the murder of 21-year-old Valerie Jeanne Percy in Chicago the day before [6].

What was Norman eating in Psycho?

21. Throughout the film, Norman Bates nibbles on candy corn. It was Perkins' idea to have the character do this, making him appear like a bird eating seed. Hitchcock chose candy corn because he said Perkins had a neck like a chicken, and that reminded him of a chicken eating corn.

Why is the shower scene in Psycho famous?

The film shocked audiences with its infamous 45-second \u201cshower scene,\u201d a heart-stopping sequence after which nothing would ever look the same. Premiered on June 16, 1960, Psycho broke taboos and cinematic convention.

What is one thing notable about the lighting in the parlor scene in Psycho?

Notice Norman's reflection in the window. In the parlor itself, Hitchcock begins his work. The room is small, barely big enough for the two chairs, the lamp table, coffee table, and chest that occupy it. On the lamp table is a Tiffany lamp, the only source of light in the room and thus the key light within the scene.



Psycho | \




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