“Psycho II” (1983) starring Anthony Perkins and Meg Tilly / Z-View

Psycho II (1983)

Director:  Richard Franklin

Screenplay: Tom Holland, based on characters created by Robert Bloch

Stars: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Meg Tilly, Robert Loggia, Hugh Gillin, Claudia Bryar, Robert Alan Browne, Lee Garlington, Jill Carroll, Chris Hendrie, Tom Holland, Osgood Perkins  and Dennis Franz.

Tagline: It’s 22 years later, and Norman Bates is coming home.

The Plot…

Twenty-two years have passed since the murders that made Norman Bates infamous have passed.  Norman has spent that time in a mental institution.  His therapist believes that Norman is now sane.  Therefore a judge rules that Norman be set free.

Norman returns home with plans to re-open the Bates Motel.  In the meantime, he takes a job at a local diner.  When Mary, a waitress at the diner, suddenly becomes homeless, Norman offers her a place to stay.  She reluctantly accepts.  Not long after, Norman begins to get messages from his dead mother.

Norman begins to fear for his sanity and Mary’s safety.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Making a sequel to an Alfred Hitchcock classic is a tale, dangerous order.  Psycho II fills the bill better than you might expect.

The actor playing a young Norman Bates is Anthony Perkins’ son Osgood.

The original Bates house was able to be used for this sequel, but the hotel had to be rebuilt.

The scene where Norman plays the piano is actually Anthony Perkins playing.  He was an accomplished pianist.

Robert Bloch’s novel PSYCHO II and the movie sequel tell different stories.

Critics praised Anthony Perkins and Meg Tilly’s on-screen chemistry.  In reality, they didn’t get along.  Perkins actually wanted her fired after filming was underway.  Tilly called making the film the worst experience of her career.  She didn’t attend the movie’s premiere.

Dennis Franz steals every scene he’s in.  Franz could play a sleazy character with the best of them.

Psycho II (1983) rates 4 of 5 stars