MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO SCREENING SERIES, THE: MURDER IN THE LIVING ROOM: HITCHCOCK BY HITCHCOCK, PACKAGE 7: ANTICIPATING PSYCHO

Summary

"Anticipating Psycho" Stark and modestly budgeted, "Psycho" was for Hitchcock an experiment of sorts: "Could I make a feature film under the same conditions as a television show?" Hitchcock began shooting Psycho in the fall of 1959 with the loyal crew from the television series, including cinematographer John L. Russell, whose television background was instrumental in crafting the film's distinct pictorial language. In tone and technique, three telefilms serve as antecedents for the classic. "Alfred Hitchcock Presents: 'One More Mile to Go'" with David Wayne; written by James P. Cavanagh from a story by F. J. Smith (1957; 25 minutes) After murdering his wife in the living room, a husband carefully packs her body in the trunk of his car and flees down a lonely stretch of highway, where he is trailed by a patrolman -- a scene that recurs virtually shot-for-shot in Psycho. "Alfred Hitchcock Presents: 'Banquo's Chair'" with Reginald Gardiner, John Williams, and Kenneth Haigh; written by Francis Cockrell from a story by Rupert Croft-Cooke (1959; 25 minutes) Beginning with titles noting the setting, date, and time of the story (a similar device opens "Psycho") and feathered with references to birds (a motif continued in that film as well), this Gothic drama serves up a young man hiding a dark secret about his elderly aunt.

"Alfred Hitchcock Presents: 'Arthur'" with Laurence Harvey, Hazel Court, and Patrick Macnee; written by James P. Cavanagh from a story by Arthur Williams (1959; 25 minutes) Fowl deeds abound in this black comedy about a amiable farmer (Laurence Harvey) who cheerfully faces the camera and tells us how he outfoxed the police when his ex-fiance turned up missing, coincidentally around the same time he introduced his chickens to a miraculous new feed.

Details

NETWORK: N/A
DATE: November 30, 1996
RUNNING TIME: 01:16:47
COLOR/B&W: N/A
CATALOG ID: T:48700
GENRE: N/A
SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
SERIES RUN: N/A
COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

Alfred Hitchcock