This long-promised sequel to Hitchcock’s 1960 classic, Psycho, was in no way as effective or as memorable a shocker as the original film, but a lot of blood had flowed across our screens since that unforgettable shower scene, and modern audiences were not so easily disturbed.
But scriptwriter Tom Holland and Australian director Richard Franklin capitalised effectively on Hitchcock’s movie, beginning with the shower scene from the original and slyly incorporating camera set-ups and dialogue which added effectively to the overall sense of deja-vu experienced by both the character of Norman Bates and the audience itself.
Psycho II brings Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins reprising his famous role) back to his home after being declared legally sane by the courts some 22 years after the murderous events that sent him away.
Lila Loomis (Vera Miles), the sister of the Janet Leigh character from the original film, is stridently opposed to his release, but Norman manages to get a job in his old neighbourhood and starts his new life.
He is soon taunted by events that threaten to unbalance his delicately poised mental state – notes from his dead mother, mysterious phone calls, strange occurrences in the house itself – which finally lead to murder.
The plot has a lot of familiar elements that aren’t disguised by the twists or the shock effects. The performances are all slightly larger-than-life as befits the lurid plotting, but enjoyable in their way.
Perkins stammers over words like “cutlery” and “mother”, Vera Miles is as vengeful as any of the Furies, Dennis Franz is nastiness personified as the new motel owner, Toomey, and newcomer Meg Tilly – as the young waitress who comes home with Norman – is fresh, attractive and an oasis of sanity in a crazy world – or is she?
Perkins returned as Norman Bates once more in Psycho III(1986) – a film he also directed.
Norman Bates
Anthony Perkins Lila Loomis
Vera Miles Mary Samuels
Meg Tilly Dr Bill Raymond
Robert Loggia Warren Toomey
Dennis Franz Sheriff Hunt
Hugh Gillin Mrs Emma Spool
Claudia Bryar Statler
Robert Alan Browne Judge
Ben Hartigan Myrna
Lee Garlington Josh
Tim Maier Kim
Jill Carroll Deputy Pool
Chris Hendrie Deputy Norris
Tom Holland DA
Michael Lomazow Young Norman
Oz Perkins Sexton
Ben Frommer
Director
Richard Franklin
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Lila Loomis (Vera Miles), the sister of the Janet Leigh character from the original film, is stridently opposed to his release, but Norman manages to get a job in his old neighbourhood and starts his new life.
