Psycho III ** (1986, Anthony Perkins, Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey) – Classic Movie Review 5863

Anthony Perkins grabs his chance to direct, as well as star in, this 1986 Psycho second sequel, the reward for agreeing to his third appearance as Norman Bates.

The 1983 first sequel Psycho II is a success thanks to its concentration on suspense, but this one less so as Charles Edward Pogue’s screenplay takes the wrong route of sick jokes and gore.

Perkins, though, is again commanding and entertaining as Norman, this time falling for beautiful young runaway nun, Maureen (Diana Scarwid), who stops at the Bates Motel with a drifter musician, Duane (Jeff Fahey), making old mother Mrs Bates insanely jealous. A curious reporter is on Norman’s story and visits the Bates Motel…

A nun on the run turning up at the Bates Motel – what are the chances of that? Ah, well, life is strange and the movies stranger.

The story is set in 1982, a month after Psycho II (1983).

The film is full of jokey knowing references to the original Psycho and to Alfred Hitchcock (for example, the opening is set in a Vertigo-style church bell-tower), which should satisfy the series fans and annoy those wanting a straight thriller.

Also in the cast are Roberta Maxwell, Hugh Gillin as Sheriff John Hunt, Lee Garlington, Robert Alan Browne, Patience Cleveland, Donovan Scott and Jack Murdock.

This ends the Psycho cinema trilogy but the saga continued on TV. Next sequels: Bates Motel (1987 TV movie) and Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5863

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