“The obvious thing to say is that Hitch has done it again; that the suspense of his picture builds up slowly but surely to an almost unbearable pitch of excitement.” - Wanda Hale, New York Daily News
“What makes PSYCHO immortal, when so many films are already half-forgotten as we leave the theater, is that it connects directly with our fears.” - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Monday, July 7, 6:00 p.m. & Friday, July 25, 8:15 p.m. | We probably all know the ending of PSYCHO, but even if you’ve seen it a dozen times, its climax—with a chair, a light bulb, and Bernard Herrmann’s dissonant score—still sends chills down the spine. Determined to keep the shocking ending of the film about hotel proprietor Norman Bates a secret, Alfred Hitchcock and Paramount Pictures mounted a massive campaign to encourage audiences to keep quiet, including not allowing anyone into the theater after the film began, and printing newspaper ads imploring, “Don’t give away the ending. It’s the only one we have.” (Legend has it, to keep the twist under wraps, “Hitch” even bought all the copies of Robert Bloch’s Psycho). It worked: everyone wanted to know the secret, and PSYCHO became the second highest-grossing film of 1960.
Awards & Nominations
Nominee - Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Janet Leigh), Academy Awards
Nominee - Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Academy Awards
Winner - Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Janet Leigh), Golden Globes
Spoiler Alert | July 4–29, 2025
Zip your lips, hold your tongues, and keep it to yourself: you are entering a spoiler-free zone! The eight films of Spoiler Alert include twists, turns, and jaw-dropping conclusions, and the secrecy makes their reveals all the more satisfying. Some of you might try to guess the endings (beware of red herrings, false leads, and smokescreens!); others will relish the uncertainty. Either way, there’s nothing quite like the moment when everyone in the movie theater experiences the “aha!” together. No spoiler here; it’s the best.
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu