Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic.

A definition of a phenomena. Well, Psycho, the 1960 film by Alfred Hitchcock would qualify. Based on the novel by H.P. Lovecraft's friend, Robert Bloch, the book was brought to the attention of the famous director. Eventually Joseph Stefano, known soon as a producer/writer for the Outer Limits, was hired to write the film adaption. Soon stars such as Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh were cast. And unlike Hitchcock's recent films of the time, Psycho was a low budget affair, using a television crew for filming.

The story is about a young woman named Marion Crane who is in a passionate affair with a small business owner. Unable to pay his bills, she steals $40,000 from her employer and is off and running to bring him the money. When a rainstorm causes her to spend the night at a small motel, the proprietor of the establishment, Norman Bates, has small talk with her which gives her the strength to correct her mistakes to head back to her home and return the money. While staying the night at the motel, things change unexpectedly which results in one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.

Dark Discussions has hit another milestone. Their 250th episode! As has happened in the past, we have critiqued a great genre classic every 50th episode, deciding upon the amazing spectacle known as Psycho this time. With its mystique as the first slasher film, and most certainly one of the best films in movie history (no matter the genre), Alfred Hitchcock's amazing piece of celluloid gives your co-hosts a fine topic for such an important highlight.

As always we welcome your comments: [email protected] (written email or attached mp3 files)

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