This Day in Horror History: PSYCHO II Was Released in 1983
On this day in horror history, Psycho II, director Richard Franklin’s sequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece was unleashed in 1983. Written by Tom Holland (Fright Night, Child’s Play) it stars Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, and Robert Loggia.
Hitchcock’s daughter Patricia gave the film her blessing, saying her father would have loved it. It grossed $34.7 million at the box office on a budget of $5 million.
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Unrelated to Robert Bloch’s Psycho II novel, this sequel is set two decades after the original murders at the Bates Motel, when Norman Bates completes his treatment at a mental institution and returns home to find his hotel run down under the management of Warren Toomey. Despite a new friendship with a waitress and a job busing tables at a diner, Norman begins to hear voices once again. No matter how hard he tries, Norman just can’t seem to keep “Mother” from returning…
It stars Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, Vera Miles as Lila Loomis, Robert Loggia as Dr. Bill Raymond, Meg Tilly as Mary Loomis, Hugh Gillin as Sheriff John Hunt, Robert Alan Browne as Ralph Statler, and Dennis Franz as Warren Toomey.
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The film sports a 59% approval rating over on Rotten Tomatoes with a Critics Consensus that reads: Although it can’t hold a cleaver to the classic original, Psycho II succeeds well enough on its own merits to satisfy horror fans.
What do you think of Richard Franklin’s Psycho II with Anthony Perkins? Make sure to let us know in the comments below or over on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
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