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    CultureMap Night at the Movies

    My day with Norman Bates: A lesson in the power of a Psycho

    Joe Leydon
    Dec 13, 2010 | 4:16 pm
    • Anthony Perkins eventually came to grips with being Norman Bates.
    • You won't find a more iconic flick for the second CultureMap Night at theMovies.
    • Watch Mother when you're in the shower.

    While preparing to introduce Psycho this Wednesday as a CultureMap Night at the Movies offering at the Alamo Drafthouse West Oaks, I've been reminded of how ambivalent Anthony Perkins felt about being typecast by the role of a lifetime: Norman Bates, the boyishly shy motel keeper who loved his mother not wisely, but far too well.

    Indeed, for more than a decade after he starred in the film, Perkins deeply resented the lasting legacy of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 masterwork.

    During this period, it should be noted, Perkins enjoyed a wide range of roles on Broadway, playing leads in The Star-Spangled Girl, Equus and Romantic Comedy. In films, however, he usually was hired to play some variety of neurotic, psychotic or arrested adolescent, most notably in The Fool Killer (1965), WUSA (1970), the cult-fave Pretty Poison (1968) and (opposite no less a leading lady than Diana Ross) Mahogany (1975). It was almost enough to drive him — well, psycho.

    It required a serious attitude adjustment on his part — and the encouragement of his supportive wife, photographer Berry Berenson — for Perkins to fully appreciate the upside of achieving immortality in a classic movie. By the mid-1970s, he was ready to embrace his notoriety, and even mock himself in a classic Saturday Night Live sketch. (“Here at the Norman Bates School of Motel Management….”)

    By 1983, three years after Hitchcock’s death, he was willing to re-open the Bates Motel in Psycho II. Two years later, he took full control of his destiny as director and star of Psycho III.

    Perkins, who died of AIDS in 1992, seldom discussed his private life or sexual proclivities with interviewers. In the 1980s, however, he offered some astonishingly candid revelations in a People magazine profile. The son of film and stage actor Osgood Perkins, he was raised by his smotheringly protective mother after his father died when Anthony was 5. Inadvertently, she aroused ambivalent, sexually charged feelings in her son, feelings often accompanied by pangs of Oedipal guilt.

    In later years, Perkins told People, he was emotionally ill-equipped to sustain relationships with women. (That changed in 1971, he claimed, when he met Berry — who, in a horrible twist of fate, eventually died aboard one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.) On the other hand, Perkins’ traumatic childhood may have helped to make him a true soul mate of The Master of Suspense.

    Perkins addressed the latter issue, among others, during a 1985 interview with me at his Universal Pictures production office shortly before he started work on Psycho III.

     Joe Leydon: Alfred Hitchcock once said actors should be treated like cattle. How do you think he would feel about cattle taking over the corral as directors?

     Anthony Perkins: That’s a good question. Actually, when we made the first Psycho, he was tremendously on my side with everything that I tried to bring to the picture. He encouraged my co-operation and collaboration with him at every turn. And I know that was not his well-known way of being.

    So maybe there was something between the two of us that he responded to. Or maybe he simply was tired of hearing what a dictator he appeared to be, and how actors resented his lack of communication.

     JL: Do you think he may have seen a little bit of himself in you? According to Donald Spoto’s biography, The Dark Side of Genius, Hitchcock also had to contend with ambivalent feelings about a domineering mother.

     AP: That’s an inventive idea. I hate speculative answers, but I like that as a theory. It’s possible, I suppose. But how will we ever know? I certainly have wondered why he was so kind to me, and would accept my suggestions. It was strange: He wouldn’t even be curious about what changes I wanted to make.

    He’d say, “Enchant me on the set.” He didn’t want to know about them before.

    At one point, when we were filming the scene where Norman finds Marion Crane’s body in the bathroom, I jump back and sort of huddle against the door. Well, when I did it the first time, a picture fell off the wall, and hit the floor. Hitch was setting something else up, so I said, “Look, this bird picture fell off the wall. Why don’t we include that? We could even do an insert shot of this picture hitting the floor…?” And suddenly, that got the entire set quiet.

    Because it’s one thing to fool around with the dialogue, or do your own clothes. But when you tell The Master of Suspense to shoot an insert, you may be sticking your head into the lion’s mouth.

    But all he said was “Oh, lovely. We’ll do that.” So, to answer your question: Yes, it was spooky how far he went with me. And I, of course, never tried to take advantage of his generosity.

     JL: Do you know why he cast you as Norman Bates?

     AP: Well, Hitchcock was unique in those days — and probably in these days as well. He never used to cast actors from readings or auditions of any kind. He cast them from seeing them in other pictures and previous roles. That was his way. He’d seen me in Fear Strikes Out (1957), in which I played Jim Piersall — the baseball player who had a nervous breakdown. So, by the time of my first meeting with him, I already more or less had the part.

    But I didn’t realize that he would be so relaxed to the point of where he would pull $100 out of his pocket and say, “Here, now that we’ve talked, I have to be on to some other business. But why don’t you go down to a store and buy what you think Norman Bates would wear, and give it to the wardrobe man? Those can be your costumes.”

    I thought that was awfully good of him to trust me that way, first of all. And second of all, it was good of him to demonstrate that trust, not by just saying “I’m sure you’re gonna be wonderful, and I’m looking forward to this,” but by doing something pragmatic and evidential of his trust.

    I immediately went out and bought $100 worth of — well, I don’t want to say low-class stuff. But it was definitely the slouchy early ’60s look. And Hitchcock barely looked at it when I returned with it.

     JL: Despite his actions, Norman had always remained an oddly sympathetic character. Why do you think that’s so?

     AP: Well, I think one of the things that made the first Psycho an enduring film is that Norman’s crimes were always committed out of love, out of an excess of love, rather than an excess of hate. Norman never hated anyone. And he’s not a person who works from the emotion of hate, or even responds to it. So I think that is one thing that has kept audiences kind of on Norman’s side, because they realize he’s been pushed to these extremes out of love.

    Also, it’s because Hitchcock had the brainstorm to cast the role not as it was written in the original Robert Bloch novel, as an older, overweight, disconsolate sort of half-stupefied man. Instead, he made Norman a younger, more sympathetic character. I think that was a very intelligent thing for him to do.

    Look, over the years, maybe tens of thousands of people have come up to me in airports and theater lobbies and hotel lobbies and restaurants. And no one has ever walked up to me with anything but a smile. That’s because they found Norman was someone they could warm up to. No one has ever seen me and cried, “Oh, my God! It’s Norman Bates!”

     JL: Even so, weren’t you resentful for a long time at being so closely associated with Norman Bates? I have the impression you weren’t able to resign yourself to your image until well into the 1970s, when you spoofed Norman on Saturday Night Live.

     AP: I have definitely made peace with peace with it. Years ago, my wife pointed out to me that the more resistance I had to the public association of me and Norman Bates — and vice-versa — the more people would come away from an encounter with me confirmed that their suspicions were correct. And from that very casual remark of hers on, it’s been very much easier for me to accept that people still literally say, “Hi, Norman,” when they meet me.

    Actually, it’s an honor to be associated with a movie that has lasted and gone on through a generation, and is still able to quicken the pulse. I think it’s great. I prefer that to walking down the street and having people say, “Oh, look, that’s … that’s… uhhhhh …”

    Once Mad magazine has done you, and Saturday Night Live has done you, and once you’ve been anthologized in everything, and your sequences are shown to film schools — you’re just part of the national grain, that’s all.

    unspecified
    news/entertainment

    celebrating space city

    More than 20 deals and specials celebrating Houston's 713 Day

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jul 10, 2025 | 9:30 am
    Houston Zoo entrance
    Courtesy of the Houston Zoo
    Visit the Houston Zoo for $7.13 this weekend.

    Is it just us, or has 713 Day blown up these past few years?

    Although this holiday that’s named for Houston’s original area code is still unofficial, that hasn’t stopped bars, restaurants, and other venues from celebrating July 13 by creating big, blowout events and/or food and drink specials.

    Here is a thorough rundown of all the places locals can go to this weekend and be — as they say around these parts — Houston Proud.

    Axelrad will host “Houston 713 Day,” complete with $1 off all Houston-based draft beer, special guest hip-hop legend Grimm, and Chicano Boulevard. Lowriders, slabs, DJs, vendors, food, a full bar, and live art by Meenr will all round out the event. 5 pm.

    Bayou Heights Biergarten is throwing it back to Houston’s roots with 713 FEST — a night dedicated to all things H-Town. Houstonians are invited to enjoy high-energy DJ sets, flash tattoos, local vendors, and Houston-themed sips. 8 pm.

    Cafe Leonelli at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston invites Houstonians to celebrate their city with its festive 713 Day cocktail, the Astro Fizz, for $7.13. The restaurant will also offer a 713 Day food special: brisket flautas ($16) and sweet potato succotash ($7.13). 9:30 am.

    Craft Pita will have its third annual “Craft Pita Cookout.” The restaurant will team up with Houston’s newest James Beard Award winner Thomas Bille (of Belly of the Beast) and ice-cream shop Milk and Sugar for a special 713 Day cookout collaboration. 11 am.

    Doves Restaurant is celebrating with an all-day happy hour, along with its signature, Southern cuisine-with-an-Asian twist brunch. Guests are encouraged to show their Houston pride by wearing their favorite Astros, Rockets, Texans, or H-Town gear. 11 am.

    Over at Fielding’s River Oaks, customers will enjoy happy hour brunch with 50 percent off Fielding’s cocktails, $3 off wine by the glass, and $2 off all beer. Brunch options include lemon cream cheese pancakes, crab avocado toast, and the classic Eggs Benedict. 11 am.

    Giant Texas Distillers will hold a 713 Day celebration that includes a car show full of slabs and lowriders, a vendor market, and other delights. There will also be live performances from Dat Boi T, GT Garza, Dank OG and others. 1 pm.

    Happy Liquor will host a “713 Day Mafia Takeover” block party. Along with vendors, food, games for kids, and a whole bunch of tricked-out slabs, we also have live performances from Brattz NuNu and other local artists. 3 pm.

    Hidden Bar, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked inside Norigami in West U., is serving up the 713 Day-exclusive cocktail Side the Sunrises. For $7.13, this cocktail mixes butterfly pea tea-infused gin, yuzu, cucumber, and shiso that brings the chill and flavor in one sip. 3 pm.

    Hongdae 33 Korean BBQ will pairs its all-you-can-eat Korean feasts ($25 for lunch, $36 for dinner) with buy-one-get-one beers all day on Sunday.

    Houston Zoo is offering $7.13 admission tickets on Saturday and Sunday. This offer is part of the Zoo’s ongoing effort of offering Houstonians the opportunity to rediscover their zoo and connect with animals and take action to save wildlife. 9 am.

    H-Town Bingo will have a Saturday-night, 713 Day kickoff party featuring a live performance from local rap great Lil’ Keke. It costs $10 to get in, but the $50 VIP package includes skip-the-line access and an official Lil’ Keke “SLFMADE” T-shirt. 7:30 pm.

    Karbach Brewing Co. will have a full day of music, market vendors, and H-Town pride in the Biergarten. Lil’ Flip & Friends will be doing a live performance and photographer/taco journalist Marco Torres will be spinning some Houston classics. 3 pm.

    Kazzan Ramen & Bar invites Houstonians to enjoy Ube Bae ($7.13), a cocktail made with Awamori, Batavia Arrack, ube, guava, lime, nutmeg and purple yam. It pairs with the restaurant’s signature ramen that’s served in a 350-degrees Celsius hot stone bowl. 11 am.

    Le Jardinier, the Michelin-starred French restaurant at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, will offer the Astro Fizz, an Astros-inspired drink special. It’s made with vodka, orange juice, and blue curacao. 5-6:30 pm.

    Meow Wolf Houston and Saint Arnold Brewing Company are teaming up to throw a neighborhood-sized celebration. Guests of all ages can expect live music, local merch, ice-cold drinks, and a wild pop-up portal that opens straight into the unexpected for free. Noon.

    The Original Ninfa's Uptown location will offer chile con queso (sharp cheddar and melting cheese, pico de gallo, flour totopos) and Ninfaritas (Houston’s most famous margarita, made with 100% agave tequila blanco) for $7.13. 10 am.

    Peachez HTX is throwing an R&B-infused bash. Signature cocktails like Purple Syrup, Screw 75, and Chopped and Screwed will be flowing alongside all frozen drinks for just $7.13. There will also be a soulful Sunday brunch with live music. Noon.

    Pitch 25 Beer Park will have a ”713 Takeover,” powered by the Houston Dynamo FC and local art collective Free Walls. Kick off the day by signing up for Cascarita, a free pick-up soccer tournament, then shop a lineup of local vendors from The Good Market HTX. 10 am.

    Pizaro’s Pizza will offer its classic, Neapolitan-style margherita pizza for 7.13 (plus tax) for phone orders, carry out, and dine-in only. The offer is available all day and customers should mention "713 Day" to claim their offer. Noon.

    River Oaks Theatre will have fine dining and live music for its celebration. International hip-hop violinist Josh Vietti will perform a tribute to iconic, Houston hip–hop songs live on stage, while DJ Kiotti spins favorite Houston classics. 7:15 pm.

    Salad and Go will be giving love to H-Town by slinging out salads and wraps for only $7.13, from Saturday to Monday. It’s valid at all drive-thru locations during regular business hours. For online orders, use the code “713.” 7 am (8:30 am Monday).

    The Savoy is hosting mechanical bull-riding contests on Friday and Saturday at 7:13pm. First Prize is $713, to be awarded on Sunday. Also on Sunday, they’ll have $7 specialty cocktails, along with $13 brunch and dinner specials. 11 am.

    Social Beer Garden HTX will have the one-and-only Michael “5000” Watts spin for its free party. DJs Charlee Brown and Vic G will do special sets, while a special “Purple Drank” cocktail, served in a medical bottle, will be available for a limited time. Noon.

    Over at Solarium, customers can enjoy the signature Purple Drink cocktail for $7.13. Made with 12-year aged rum, coconut, ube, pineapple, and lime, the cocktail is a tribute to the city’s culture. $1 from every Purple Drank cocktail will be donated to Kerr County relief efforts. 10 am.

    On Saturday, Soluna will partner with Do713 for the “Splash & Slabs Pool Party.” The event will be complete with DJ sets, cocktails, classic car displays, and major giveaways, including a free Heights House Hotel stay. 2 pm.

    Taste Kitchen + Bar will feature three 713 Day specialty cocktails, served in custom Taste styrofoam double cups for customers to keep. Featured drinks include the Screwed Up Smash, the Lavender Rita, and a Screwtown Punch tribute to the Astros. 8 am.

    Tavola is offering three special cocktails priced at $7.13 each all day. The lineup includes the Biggio Loves Espresso, a nod to the Astros; Orbit’s Soul, a vibrant green cocktail; and the Post Oak Sunset, a tribute to Tavola’s neighborhood. 11:30 am.

    Both WILD Concepts locations in Montrose and the Heights will have two $7.13 cocktails: Still Sippin (Maker’s Mark 101, Four Roses Single Barrel, maple, and bitters) and Purple Rain (Rémy Martin, coconut, ube, butterfly pea tea, pineapple, clarified citrus, and Topo Chico). 8 am.

    Houston Zoo entrance
      

    Courtesy of the Houston Zoo

    Visit the Houston Zoo for $7.13 this weekend.

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