Queer Horror Nights celebrates queer icon Anthony Perkins with a double-bill of THE PSYCHO SEQUELS at The Cinema Museum (Sunday 24 July at 6.30pm)
Alfred Hitchcock’s recently restored and now uncut PSYCHO (1960) is arguably one of the most influential horror films of all time, a low budget, black and white masterpiece that is synonymous with the word fear. But we’re taking a path less well travelled… what Norman Bates did next.
For our next and most ambitious show so far, Queer Horror Nights is proud to present a very rare double-bill of THE PSYCHO SEQUELS, featuring Richard Franklin’s acclaimed follow-on PSYCHO II (1983) and Anthony Perkins’ own attempt at sticking a knife in the heart of the franchise that would forever define him, PSYCHO III (1986).*
The sequels tell a near-continuous tale of Norman’s misadventures after 22 years in the asylum. Franklin’s film is a well-crafted chiller that brings its own dark humour to proceedings. As film critic Kim Newman puts it, “The wittiest dark joke is that the entire world wants Norman to be mad, and ‘normality’ can only be restored if he’s got a mummified mother in the window” (Empire Magazine).
But it’s down to star Anthony Perkins to really turn the dial on the franchise, collaborating with the Coen Brother’s noted tunesmith Carter Burwell (right after BLOOD SIMPLE!). Together, they bring a sweaty, overheated atmosphere to the swamp that boarders on southern-fried melodrama. With Diana Scarwid’s suicidal nun, Norman’s peanut butter taxidermy, Jeff Fahey’s seduction by lamplight, and ‘mother’s’ severed limb on the backseat, there’s an awful lot to be enjoyed. Just don’t ask for ice…
We’re showing THE PSYCHO SEQUELS as part of our Q-RATED! launch season, a celebration of horror films made by out/queer directors. Whilst we can’t speak for Mr Franklin, Anthony Perkins is much more our cup of tea (and sympathy). Famed for his ambiguous roles, stuttering delivery, and teen idol/ film star good looks, Perkins was gay (boyfriends include the similarly swoonsome Tab Hunter and Grover Dale), attempted conversion therapy, married a woman (Berry Berenson) and had two children (Oz and Elvis Perkins), before dying of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1992.
Anthony Perkin’s funeral urn is inscribed with the legend Don’t Fence Me In and rests in an altar on the terrace of his former home in the Hollywood Hills. Which we love. And we think Norman would too…
THE PSYCHO SEQUELS will be presented with an introduction by horror hosts Token Homo and Last Frame Club, and a brief intermission. Join us at the historic Cinema Museum in Lambeth from 5.30pm for a bar social.
Queer Horror Nights presents: The PSYCHO SEQUELS
The Cinema Museum, Sunday 24 July at 6.30pm. Bar social from 5.30pm
2 Dugard Way, Renfrew Rd, London SE11 4TH. Tickets £12.
Booking now: http://www.cinemamuseum.org.uk/2022/queer-horror-nights-presents-the-psycho-sequels/
PSYCHO II (1983/1hr 53min)
“It’s 22 years later, and Norman Bates is coming home.”
Directed by Richard Franklin and starring Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Meg Tilly and Robert Loggia. Rated 18.
PSYCHO III (1986/1hr 33min)
“Norman Bates is back to normal. But Mother’s off her rocker again.”
Directed by Anthony Perkins and starring Anthony Perkins, Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey, Roberta Maxwell and Hugh Gillin. Rated 15.
*We won’t have time to show TV movie PSYCHO IV, but we’ll certainly be talking about it 😉
Queer Horror Nights is a film club devoted to queer, cult and classic horror cinema. Follow your co-hosts @tokenhomo x @lastframeclub #QueerHorrorNights for all the gory details.
https://www.instagram.com/tokenhomo/
https://www.instagram.com/lastframeclub/
Programme supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery.
