Spectator in the Alfred Hitchcock Film "Psycho"

“Psycho itself had this effect, attracting a high proportion of teenagers and young adults for whom it became, according to Robert Kapsis, “a major social event not to be missed,” but alienating many of Hitchcock’s older fans, particularly women.” (2: pp. 357) When Alfred Hitchcock was asked by critic Penelope Houston what “the deepest logic of your film” was. He replied “to put the audience through it.” Psycho, he said, was like taking the audience “through the haunted house at the fairground or the roller – coaster.” In another interview, he justified his policy of insisting that audience should not be allowed to enter screenings of Psycho after the start of each performance by explaining that in the game he played with the audience, his task was to try “to outwit them.” (2: pp. 355) The aim is achieved because the spectator is intrigued in the film as from the credits up to the very end. Not only elements of game, suspense and mystery have contributed to the benefit of the film, it is definitely black-and-white film format, appropriate choice of music but, first of all, the name and merits of Alfred Hitchcock.…