I love reading peoples stories of when they went to see something at the cinema especially ones from the 70's/80's, so I'd love to hear yours about this one, did you go to see it at a matinee or late at night was it packed or were you the only one there, thanks in advance.
shareSaw this in July, 1986, in a small, cruddy mall in Columbia, MO during a particularly lousy point in my life. I was living with a friend, unemployed with no prospects, and relied upon small cash loans from friends and my mom. Thank goodness things eventually turned around. Whenever I watch this film it reminds me of how I felt vainly trying to be distracted from my tribulations. Still, Norman Bates and the Psycho series holds a place in my heart. I guess I always felt sorry for both Norman and Tony Perkins for being permanently typecast.
sharePSYCHO III was the only one I managed to see in a theatre (after both my Dad and me felt PSYCHO II was much better than the original). The three of us went-- me, my Dad and my Mom. Normally a film like this might be an uncomfortable thing for me to watch with both of them-- all the nudity, sex, violence & profanity. But I think it was a sort of "must see" film for all 3 of us, because my Mother suffered from mental illness for much of her life (as, I believe, my Dad also did, except HE was never treated for it). I suppose seeing this was almost a sort of therapy.
I sensed even before seeing it that, since Norman was back the way he was at the start of the 1st film, that the 3rd film might be a bit of a retread... and it was. Except this time, the audience KNEW he was crazy. It was interesting to see how the story played with your expectations, especially when Norman goes to kill Maureen... and instead, winds up saving her life.
As with PSYCHO II, you wind up hoping that somehow Norman can come thru this without going nuts, without killing anyone... but unlike the previous film, he was deeply gone in this one, but still fighting all the way.
The one thing that realy hurt was when Maureen accidentally got killed. It just seemed so pointless, that was the moment you knew that, no matter what, the film had to have a bad ending.
All the same, it was a nice jolt to see him KILL "MOTHER", and finally overcome her. (The last scene in the police car was uncalled for, however, and clearly was there for no reason but to set up ANOTHER sequel!!)
As we were in the parking lot walking back to the car, I told my Dad right then and there, IF they felt the absolutely HAD to do a 4th film after this, then to avoid repeating themselves, they should either KILL Norman-- or CURE him. Whatta ya know-- I was right! (One of the main reasons I like PSYCHO IV. They did the right thing.)
I remember seeing this movie when it first came out in the theaters... Having already been a fan of the Psycho series, I could not wait to go see it! I saw it in a matinee showing in a mall theater... Not many people in the theater when I saw it... At the location I saw it, Top Gun was the "big movie" showing at the time - hence the low attendance at the viewing I went to... Having been an avid fan of the series, I enjoyed the "touches" from Psycho 2 at the beginning of Psycho 3 - Mary's book in the yard... Fingerprints on the fruit cellar window... As far as viewing the total movie - the minimal crowd and I chuckled at all the right moments... I do remember letting out a whispered "ohhhh noooo!" when Maureen met her fate...... And as an added comment - I love each and every one of the Psycho films equally in their own way... In my eyes, each one has their own special moments... :)
shareI saw it in a theater in 1986.
I saw it with a fair size crowd,too.
I remember everyone oohing and cheering, even a little applause, when Norman and Maureen fall onto the bed making out, LOL.
I remember everyone going, "Ewwww..." when the sheriff ate the bloody ice, and when Norman kissed the dead girl.
The first murder, where the hand and knife come crashing through the glass, was a good jump scare and there were one or two screams.
Overall, a fairly enthusiastic crowd...
My girlfriend (now wife) saw it as she was just about to graduate high school. Fun crowd, I was glad to go as I'm a big Psycho fan. The one scene I remember loving was Dwayne telling Norman that he wasn't planning on staying and the reply of "Nobody ever does."
Somewhat related:
I read the book sequel to the original, which opens up with the rape/murder of a Nun. My, uh, Mother wanted to see the movie and I was stressing out the entire way to the theater, trying to think of a way I could warm her ahead of time. Luckily, Psycho II only had a couple of random teens getting killed in a basic stalker fashion.
I saw this at a pokey suburban cinema on a Friday night, the week it opened. It was rated R16, but I was old enough at the time so not an issue. I love PSYCHO II and prefer it to III, but wanted to see it at the same city cinema I saw PSYCHO II at in 83 and sit in the same spot, at the front row middle of the balcony, with the screen right in front of me. It allowed me to get right into the movie. My friend convinced me instead to go see at the rat infested suburban, because it was a double feature with FT13th part 6 Jason Lives', which I had already seen a few times. I guess he was right though, in that we got an extra movie at a cheaper price than one film in town.
I liked the film enough—though not Diana Scarwid—and thought it really came alive in the last 30mins and had a terrific atmosphere. The film also didn't disappoint in the horror\violence department and was more sexual in tone than part II, which gave the film a more kinky and bizarre feel about it. I just didn't like how it turned the revelation of PSYCHO II around on it's head again. It became a bit too ridiculous and contrived story wise.
Don't eat the whole ones! Those are for the guests. 🍪
I went to see it on the day it opened and caught the first showing.
shareI didn't even know this movie existed until I saw a VHS copy in a video rental back in the day.
No internet back then. Unless it was advertised on TV we had no clue what was coming out.