Why the Psycho shower scene is an iconic moment in movie history

Originally published May 4, 2017

Alexandre O. Philippe argues that the shower scene in the 1960 film Psycho is "probably the most iconic scene in the history of movies." 

It's a hefty claim but one that he backs up in his new documentary, 78/52. "It's a 90-minute film about a two-minute scene," Philippe states. He understands how absurd that sounds but adds that he's "absolutely convinced I can spend the rest of my life studying this particular scene and never get to the bottom of it."

78/52 breaks down the scene in every way possible, from its memorable soundtrack (those terrifying screeches!) to the fascinating sound effects that went into the actual stabbing. Philippe explains that Hitchcock brought in a number of melons in order to find the perfect stabbing sound. The winner? A casaba.

"It's very bony, it's starchy and it has a very small, gooey core," Philippe notes. "It really gives you that sense that you're stabbing through not just flesh but bone and viscera, and it's a pretty horrible, realistic-sounding melon."

78/52 is screening now at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. For more information on it, head over to the festival's website. 

— Produced by Ben Edwards

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