Eddie! What in tarnation you after, Eddie?
Shh!
They know.
What are you yammering about?
The know about me.
They know what I've been doing.
They found me.
They know what I've been doing.
They're gonna do what I've been doing. They're gonna do it to me.
Are you out of your mind?
There's nobody there.
Gein was schizophrenic, was he not?
Yes. They are often triggered in early adulthood.
And for Eddie,
it really seemed like the trigger was these photographs of Nazi atrocities.
And had he not seen them…
Might have stayed a small-town simpleton.
Such is the power of the photographed image.
That's right. You cannot hide from what a photograph shows you.
You cannot pretend a photograph is anything other than what it is.
-A photograph is truth. -That's right.
And Eddie, when he saw what the Nazis did,
he couldn't wrap his head around it.
He was completely stunned,
but I really think that the horror of it never registered.
Hm.
What Eddie saw in those photos was the truth,
and the truth is,
here's just another thing that people did.
Like riding a bike or drawing a picture.
And so, Eddie wanted to do it too.
Some sort of morbid fascination.
And he really couldn't understand what was wrong about it.
About digging up dead bodies, do you mean?
Well, uh… among other things.
You'll have to excuse me, Mr. Bloch.
Psycho is a fantastic book, and I congratulate you on its success.
But Alfred, no one's going to want to watch this film.
You'll have to excuse me before I say something I'll regret.
Good night, Joyce.
She's right, of course.
This is not cinema that anyone will recognize.
It is entirely new.
But she's dead wrong to say people won't want to watch it.
Our audience lives in a world in which God has been banished.
They live in daily fear of nuclear annihilation.
They have stared, quaking, minds numb,
at the sheer magnitude of the evil that was the Nazi Holocaust.
Seen for the first time in history what human beings are capable of
when the moral compass is off.
Lost.
Frankenstein, Phantom of the Opera.
They won't cut it anymore, Mr. Bloch.
Our audience has found a new monster.
That monster is us.
What was his childhood like?
You have to understand, he was born in 1906.
Dead heart of Wisconsin.
Not long before, that had been the frontier.
So some of our soldiers
gave the savages a taste of their own medicine
and took their sabers and pressed them to their painted foreheads
and scalped them from the forehead to behind their ears.
This was told to children in your schools, was it?
-It's a violent country. -Charming.
A cannibal is somebody who eats people.
You see, this fella here killed this guy and then took his boat.
But then he got marooned on an island and look at this.
Here, trade you.
No, I've got that one already.
He was fascinated by South Sea tales.
Shrunken heads.
And these were told in comic books.
They were sold coast to coast, hugely popular.
So by the time he was a teenager, he was hooked.
Couldn't get enough of those new true crime magazines.
And these mixed blood with sex.
So suddenly he's not just fascinated, he's titillated.
He was sexualizing.
What shocks you most about him?
Well, you know, it's all shocking.
But most.
Well...
There is something strange that I hadn't really thought of before.
Gein would, uh, return the bones to the graves sometimes
when he was done with them.
-But this means that he was, um… -What?
He was stripping the flesh from the bodies.
How did he do it?
Boric acid, probably.
Some sort of vat.
Are you there, Mother?
Just rest.
Because the bones weren't what he wanted, it turns out.
The main thing that he wanted, was the skin.
He flayed them.
How did he learn to do that?
Ilsa taught him.
Ah, the bitch of Buchenwald.
She would pick a prisoner that she liked.
And she would make things out of them.
Things like, uh…
The lamp.
Yeah, the lamp.
Couldn't wrap his head around it. He had to try to normalize it somehow.
And one of the ways to normalize something…
Is to replicate it.
Dagnabbit…
You're working too fast!
I'm sorry, Mother!
Cheese and crackers.
Just go slow and steady.
Start again. Take your time, sweet boy.
Take your own sweet time.
Yes, Mother.
My dream would come true
Where are you, old gal?
Mother, have you seen my bowl?
What do you mean, "which one"?
My special one.
Oh, there she is.
Eddie, you're a mess.
Yeah, all right.
Look at yourself. No idea how to make it on your own.
Don't you think I know that, Mother?
That's why I need a woman.
Oh, no. No, you don't. Not in this house.
I can't stay a bachelor forever.
Not that Jezebel. Pandora is what she is.
Pandora with that stinking, filthy box.
Her name's Adeline. And I like being with her.
It's the only time I don't feel off my rocker.
You're not bringing a Jezebel into this house.
I'll do as I rightly please, Mother.
There's nothing you can do about it.
I still love you.
I'll be with you
You gotta hold hands, Eddie.
You don't gotta.
It's a couple's date. Of course we've got to.
I'll be with you
You ever feel like getting out of this town?
Out of Wisconsin?
Can't say I ever thought about it.
Do you?
All the time. I feel hemmed in here.
Well, where the heck would you even light out for?
Oh, I'd go to New York City.
You ever heard of Weegee?
Like, board game?
No. Weegee.
It's not his real name, but it's what he goes by.
He's a crime scene photographer.
I'd look him up and ask to follow him.
-See what I could learn. -What, take photos of the crime scenes?
Yes! It's fascinating.
He goes on patrols with the homicide unit.
Or sometimes they just call him with a tip,
"Hey, this came on the radio. Meet us at so-and-so."
"Could be a real doozy."
Oh. Murders, you mean.
Mm-hmm.
And like, sometimes he's taking photos of murders that just happened.
And you can tell it by the photos too.
The bodies are still warm.
Something about it… is just so intimate.
I'll be with you in apple blossom time
So that's what I'd do if I could.
I'd help out Mr. Weegee until I could branch out on my own,
after I learned all the tricks of the trade.
I think I'd be good at that too.
And I wouldn't be scared by it.
I think I could find the beauty in it, if there was such a thing.
I know, it sounds strange.
You know, you're the only person I could have told that to.
Church bells will chime
You will be mine
In apple blossom time
Oh.
-You know the ashtray? -Which?
The photo you showed me. The one with the skull.
The one Ilse made.
Oh. Yeah, what about it?
Well, I took that idea, and I just kind of ran with it.
Eddie Gein, what on earth are you japin' about?
I'm not japin'.
Hand to God, I saw that picture, and I thought,
"Well, I could make something like that."
So I did. I made a bowl out of one.
Mother, where's my bowl?
It's my favorite bowl.
You sure are one, Mr. Gein.
They really broke the mold when they made you. Hmm?
I'm serious.
Yeah, sure.
Well, I can prove it.
You want to see it?
What, at your house?
Sure, I want to show you.
So you're inviting me home? Now?
Why not?
Sure. Yeah.
Let's get out of here.
In apple blossom time
What?
Who were you waving at?
Mother.
Come on.
Oh!
-Sorry. -Come on, hey. It's dark.
I can't see anything.
It's all right.
Oh!
Eddie, were you joking about your mother?
Why do you always think I'm joking?
Just cause.
Last you told me, you said she had a stroke.
Oh, yeah.
Keeps her upstairs most days.
Sometimes I carry her down into a sitting room back there.
Eddie, will you turn on the light, please?
Hold your horses.
Just hold your damn horses.
Eddie?
Shh.
I'm right here.
Oh, Eddie.
I know. It's a mess.
It's more than a mess. You can't live like this, Eddie.
That's what I'm saying.
Ever since Mother got sick.
Oh! Sheesh, at least let me help you clean up a bit.
You need a woman's touch.
That's mighty kind of you.
-Ugh! -Trash can's right there.
If you know where the trash is, then why is all the trash in the sink?
Ugh! What is this?
-It's chewing gum. -Chewing gum?
Just in case.
Just in case what?
In case it has some flavor left.
Let's go steady.
Then I can introduce you to Mother.
You're the one person who understands me.
I know she's gonna see that.
What do you say?
Okay.
Eddie, what is this?
Hacksaw.
I was gonna rinse it.
Like you said, I need a woman's touch.
Come on.
Mother!
Are you awake?
Eddie, this isn't a prank, is it?
Prank? What do you mean?
Come on, she might actually be sleeping.
Eddie, what's that smell?
It's like sickly sweet.
Oh.
That's Mother's perfume.
Eddie, what is this?
What's what?
This chair.
Did you make this?
Oh.
Just repaired it.
What's the…
There's a mark on it.
Yeah, that's why I used it.
I like the way it looked.
What is it?
It's a nipple.
What kind of nipple?
Well, all kinds of beasts got nipples.
No, but you know what I'm saying.
It's from an udder, right?
You could call it that.
Come on.
Mother!
I have a surprise for you.
Hello, Mrs. Gein.
Eddie said you were poorly,
and I'm sure glad to see that you're on the mend.
She's a little deaf. Just talk a little louder.
Mother!
Don't pout now. Be polite.
This is my friend, and I'd like you to be friends.
I was just saying hello, Mrs. Gein.
She and I are going steady, Mother.
It's not polite to just sit there.
Is she asleep?
No, she's just being stubborn.
Mother!
I'm not gonna let you just sit there.
I think I should come back another time.
No, she's being rude, and I don't like it.
Mother!
No, no, I gotta get out of here.
No.
No, where are you going? No.
What is going on in this house, Eddie?
-I told you, she's just, she's a little… -I don't feel right.
-Next time she'll be sweet as pie. -No, I have to go.
Oh, come on. This is not how I wanted this to go!
Could you just… could you give me a kiss before you go?
No.
Maybe sit on my lap for a minute?
Eddie, that didn't feel right.
I'm leaving.
Well, can I drive you?
No.
Well, can I take you out next weekend?
Mother!
How dare you treat her like that?
She's a Jezebel.
I won't speak to streetwalkers, and no son of mine will ever touch one!
-You understand me? -No! No!
I'm not gonna take that from you!
A woman like that should be put to death!
A woman like that should be stoned in the street!
I love her!
No! I love her!
No! Mother!
I love her!
Things are going to change around here.
When I bring a friend to meet you, you say hello!
Don't you tell me what to do.
No! I've been good to you.
I've given you everything you've asked of me.
I've devoted my life to you!
Even I have limits.
Where are you going?
-I'm going drinking. -No, you're not!
Oh, yes, I am!
Yes, I am!
I should have guessed, just like your useless, wastrel father,
sitting around with a bunch of shiftless drunkards.
Get your rifle, why don't you?
Let the drunkards out of their misery!
Ezekiel 18:20!
Quit your shouting, woman!
"The soul that sinned shall die!"
"The wages of sin are death!"
Hello, Eddie.
Mary.
What's the gun for?
Just thought I'd try for a squirrel if I seen one.
No such luck.
Can I get you a beer?
Schlitz, please.
I haven't seen you around.
Well…
What's botherin' ya?
Oh, just…
girl trouble.
I thought you were seeing that Adeline girl.
One that lives with her mother.
Oh. Not anymore, I don't think.
Sorry about that.
Just so you know, if it's a girl you'd like,
I can arrange that.
I still got a lot of lady friends from my time in Chicago,
just so you know.
Girls who'd love to make a trip up here
and spend some time with a…
handsome man like you.
You don't say.
Just letting you know.
You're from Germany, right?
Yes, Bavaria.
Same as Mother.
Mother's people.
Got the same body as her.
That's no way to talk to a lady.
Didn't mean nothing by it.
But you ain't a lady anyhow,
asking if I need you to call a girl for me.
You want to finish your drink, or do you want to go someplace else?
It's up to you.
I need to use the washroom.
Just complimentin' ya is all, Mary.
I love my mother.
You gonna let her talk to you like that?
Yeah. Okay.
Arrest this man!
Karl, you should answer to no one but Himmler!
I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Mary.
It's all right.
You're actually nothin' like her.
She's a saint.
And you're a madam, Mary.
A Jezebel.
We were waltzin' together
To a dreamy melody
When they called out "change partners"
And you waltzed away from me
Now my arms feel so empty
As I gaze around the floor
And I'll keep on changing partners
Till I hold you once more
Though we danced for one moment
And too soon we had to part
In that wonderful moment
Somethin' happened to my heart
Now my arms feel so empty
As I gaze around the floor
And I'll keep on changing partners
Till I hold you once more
Ta-da!
Jesus Christ, Tony!
You nearly gave me a fucking heart attack.
Sorry, I told you I was gonna show you something.
Yeah, well, I didn't think you'd be dressed
like my dead fucking grandma.
Sorry. I said I was sorry.
Well, what's with the… the get-up?
Is this supposed to be some kind of turn-on?
It's for the… the movie, Tab.
I'm trying to get into character for Psycho.
This part is the biggest shot of my career.
Yeah, that's hard to forget when it's all you ever talk about, darling.
The guy's a cross-dresser,
so I need to understand how to... how you feel, how you move different.
Yeah, okay, well, don't let me get in your way.
I am gonna take myself down to the bar,
find some square,
and have a normal conversation.
You're jealous.
It's not fair. You're jealous I got this role,
and you're trying to sabotage me.
Yeah, and who told you that, Tony? Huh?
Your therapist?
The one you talk to so someday you can settle down with some nice gal
instead of shacking up in hotel rooms with me?
Don't be cruel.
Well, she is right about one thing.
You are a head case, Mr. Perkins,
if you want to take a quick glance in the mirror there.
So, forgive me if I don't relish the idea of you doing a deep dive
into the mind of a cross-dressing mass murderer.
When Alfred Hitchcock asks you to do something, you do it.
Yeah, that's the spirit.
Oh, yeah… well…
You know what? This is none of my business.
It's your career, you can do whatever you want with it,
but if you take this part, you're gonna regret it.
Mark my words.
I... I couldn't sleep last night, I was so excited.
I hope that's okay to admit.
I'm just thrilled to meet the great Janet Leigh.
Uh, and goodness, reading that again, the scene,
killing the heroine off 30 minutes into the picture.
Audiences are gonna go wild.
Yes, I'm afraid I've cancelled rehearsals with Janet today.
There's something else I'd like to do first.
There's something I need to show you.
Okay…
Is this, uh…?
This is the set.
This was his home, exactly how the police found it,
down to the smallest detail.
Are those…?
Shrunken heads, yes.
He was enamored of South Sea tales of headhunters and cannibals.
Is this…
This is a skull.
Oh yes, it is.
He made it into a bowl.
Ate every meal out of it.
Now I'd like to show you something worse.
Open the icebox.
What… What are those?
Those…
are nine preserved vulvas.
Mr. Hitchcock?
No. No.
Stop.
Okay, Mother, I'll be with you in just a minute.
No, stop doing that.
You can't do that.
No one would ever do that.
Mother, you asked me to fix this chair.
So let me do the thing you asked for.
You can't… you can't make people…
You can't make something like this.
Well, it ain't for nobody but you.
You can't make people look at something like this.
It's not right.
You're the one who can't look away.
Help!
Mother!
Help!
Stop doing that.
Help!
Help.
-Stop… -Help!
Huh.
Mr. Hitchcock, they're never going to let you make this film.
Thankfully, that is none of your concern, Mr. Perkins.
Leave the censors to me.
I wish to change cinema to reflect how we are,
not how we wish we were.
The urges of some individuals are baser than others,
but polite society burdens us
with the fiction that these urges do not exist.
This transforms these urges into secrets we must hide,
and these secrets make us sick.
Gein had a secret.
A sexual dysfunction he could not express,
and his inability to express his version of the sexual act turned inwards
and transformed into sickness.
Schizophrenia.
Gynephilia.
Necrophilia.
Many actors wanted this role, Mr. Perkins.
Montgomery Clift, Roddy McDowell, Lawrence Harvey.
But I chose you,
because you alone understand this sickness.
You have a secret, Mr. Perkins, don't you?
Well, like you said, we all do.
Don't you?
Yes.
And this secret is making you sick.
I had to cast you, Anthony.
You're like him.
And cut.
Well, we don't have that shot.
We'll go again after lunch.
Where is lunch?
We have a table for you at the commissary, Mr. Hitchcock.
Right this way, I'll take you.
I've got a, uh…
-What time are we back from lunch? -We're back at 4:45.
Okay.
Well, I'm in love with him.
I know I shouldn't be, but…
I am.
Uh...
The problem is…
is when we, uh…
Fornicate.
Yes. When we fornicate…
Um…
Afterwards, I…
…become ill.
Every time.
You said the, um…
act of sodomy felt…
Monstrous.
And are you a monster?
No. No.
You ought to consider these episodes a warning, Anthony.
You're the star of an Alfred Hitchcock picture.
This is the opportunity of a lifetime, is it not?
Yes.
The sodomy threatens this.
So the sodomy has to stop.
How?
Well, there's all manner of treatment.
There's electroconvulsive therapy.
Of course, the lobotomy has fallen out of favor,
though it remains terrifically effective.
You see, Anthony, we have many tools at our disposal,
but what it all really boils down to is this,
do you wish to get better?
I...
I do.
I really want to get better.
Truly, I do.
I asked if she needed me to stay, help her close up.
Mary told me to go home, so that's the last time I seen her.
So you left her here by herself?
Yeah, but…
Mary can take care of herself.
She… She told me to go home.
And I seen a truck pull up as I was leaving, but…
I didn't think nothing of it.
Did you see whose truck it was?
Well, I... I thought it was Eddie Gein's.
Cathedral bells were tolling
Did somebody shoot her?
And our hearts sang…
Did somebody shoot her?
-You saw Eddie's truck back here? -No, out front.
And it couldn't have been Eddie Gein. Eddie Gein wouldn't do this.
He wouldn't hurt a fly.
-Did... Did somebody shoot her? -All right, well, thank you.
Well, what do I do?
You stay here. We'll send people back to Mary Hogan's.
Again
I thought I liked him is all. He's the reason I stopped seeing Randy.
No, you are going back to Randy.
In every lovely summer's day
You tell him,
"Look, I'm sorry, I was running around with this fella in town."
"I beg your forgiveness."
No, I will not beg for his forgiveness.
I wasn't going steady with him, not with Eddie either.
You say, "I am sorry."
"I was going down the back stair on you, Randy."
"I will straighten out. I will act like a lady."
"Please take me back."
-You need to beg him. -No, I will not!
Say, "I'm sorry. Please take me back."
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing
You
I'm not staying for this, Alfred.
I like the screaming.
I'll be in the car. I trust you'll join me.
Yes, Mother.
Hmm.
I need water! My daughter just fainted!
Somebody call an ambulance! My wife is going into labor!
Here, you can keep it.
What a diffrence a day made
Twenty-four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Mm, where there used to be rain
My yesterday was blue, dear
Today I'm a part of you, dear
My lonely nights are through, dear
Since you said you were mine
Lord, what a diffrence a day makes
There's a rainbow before me
Skies above can't be stormy
Since that moment of bliss
That thrilling kiss
It's heaven when you
Find romance on your menu
What a diff'rence a day made
And the difference is you