Now enjoyable on multiple levels

Rating: 10/10 (13 October 2006)

I recently saw this classic again - unexpectedly - at a friend's home. One of the people visiting mentioned she'd never seen it, so he popped-in a tape and we all enjoyed it again.
It now presents not only the same "classic" genius of a great director's most famous work - but with the decades since it was made provides an historic view of the "noir" genre, and stars of the past in their more youthful days.
This was perfect for Tony Perkins. His constant twitches, peculiar mannerisms and demeanor, and always somewhat weird persona, were perfect for Norman. Janet Leigh was beautiful to view, even in this key. but necessarily shortened. role.
Although the two sequels, and another "prequel," never equaled this original (no surprise), I couldn't help but run them through my mind as I watched the original again.
I also remembered one professional reviewer's subsequent humorous comment (I believe for Psycho III), remarking that (after therapy) "Norman's doing better, but 'Mother' isn't doing so well."