MovieChat Forums > Bates Motel (1987) Discussion > Robert Bloch's 'PSYCHO HOUSE'

Robert Bloch's 'PSYCHO HOUSE'

posted 17 years ago by re_zuleta
13 replies | jump to latest

Anyone else familiar with the two-alternate timelines, or storylines, timelines) which started, or diverged, from the conclusion of the original "PSYCHO" novel, and the "A.Hitchock" movie adaptation, and later spinned-off into a movie and book series?

I recently heard of 2 additional "PSYCHO" books penned by author/creator 'Robert Bloch,' related somewhat to the original book/novel; but which differ greatly from the direction Universal Studios decided/chose to expand the story in it's sequels.

There's "Robert Bloch's PSYCHO II"(1982) which parallels very little with the movie ... where it does pick up 20-years later, but in this version Norman is not aquitted or rehabilitated, he escapes from the asylum and heads for Hollywood when he hears their making a movie based on his earlier exploits.

Then came "PSYCHO HOUSE"(1990)(aka.'PSYCHO III') an aparent story, somewhat reminicing of "BATES MOTEL"(TV movie) - which mentions uses the character of 'Norman Bates' for story background, not for lead - in this story, the famed "Bates Motel" and "Bates Residence/House" have been rebuilt and turned into a tourist attraction. But unfortunately, although 'Norman' has been dead for 10-years, someone is continuing on his legacy of murder.

REZuleta

[–] eddiedeezenrules 17 years ago

I have not read PSYCHO II yet (read PSYCHO HOUSE many years ago - need to re-read, as I just finished re-reading PSYCHO and am looking for PSYCHO II at some used bookstores). Anyway, from what I heard, Robert Bloch was upset by the filming of Psycho II, so he decided he would write his own sequel, which caused two separate storylines.

After re-reading Psycho, I think this is a book that deserves a new adaptation. Nothing against Hitchcock, but I liked the book a lot and think it could use some fresh blood.

[–] drofduf 17 years ago

Actually, Robert Bloch wrote Psycho II before the movie was made, he talks about it in his "unauthorized autobiography" Once Around The Bloch, he retained literary rights, which meant he could write as many sequels as he wanted, while the movie studio retained sequel rights, meaning they could make as many movie sequels as they wanted, Psycho II, according to Mr Bloch was a reaction to the advent of splatter films, which he thought were terrible, he did submit the book to the studio, and they disliked it because it portrayed Hollywood in such a negative light, but it was the success of the book Psycho II that made them eventually decide to make another Psycho movie, but Mr Bloch had nothing to do with it or any of the sequels, this site is a great source of interviews, essays, and tons of information on Mr Bloch

http://mgpfeff.home.sprynet.com/interviews.html

I think his third book in the trilogy, Psycho House was a reaction to the publics fascination with the house itself, it's still one of the most popular things to see on the Universal backlot, which is pretty impressive considering the movie is almost 50 years old, today the Psycho House and Bates Motel are sandwiched between the sets of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and War Of The Worlds, yet even people who haven't seen Psycho still want to see the house and motel

[–] TwentyThree42 17 years ago

There could be other reasons they didn't want to make the book Psycho II into the film squel...
Such as: The book, while containing some good writing, sucked. Norman isn't in about 90% of the book, and you're constantly wondering why (considering the most powerful parts of the book are the 10% with him). The ending is also horrific and would have made every Psycho fan really mad. I mean, extra mad, since they would have all gotten screwed out of seeing Anthony Perkins for most of the film.

[–] whitehairproductions 17 years ago

The two book sequals are great. Any fan of the films should read all three novels. I've never heard of "Bates Motel" before now. Does anyone know where I can get my hands on this? It looks like it was never released on DVD or VHS.

[–] CharlesVariations 17 years ago

I was definitely enjoying the Psycho II book up until the end. That whole twist ruined it for me.

[–] dougb2877 17 years ago

I can not find the book anywhere - could someone who has read Psycho 2 PM me and tell me the ending?

[–] Littlebitsofgaming 17 years ago

There was a "twist" ending?
As soon as I had read about the "nuns" in the bus in the first few chapters I had already worked out the ending.

God didn't create man, man created God

[–] BartDudeInX 15 years ago

I'm pretty sure it ended up revealing that Norman died in a car crash or something earlier in the novel, and the killings were actually committed by his psychiatrist who had taken on Norman's personality. It's been so long since I've read it, but I do recall hating the book.

"Psycho II" the film was a much better sequel than Bloch's sequel novel. And "Psycho House" was even more of a disappointment. Just a boring story overall. I haven't seen "Bates Motel", but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that it's nowhere in the league of Hitchcock's seminal film or even the other film sequels that followed.

[–] SinisterTwist 14 years ago

I think that's about right.

I remember reading that Norman & a few other inmates had escaped & that there was a fire somehow, but that Norman had died in the fire. (Maybe it was a car fire? I don't entirely remember.)

[–] conhager9301 12 years ago

Bates Motel(from 1987) WAS released on VHS in the UK

"Whether you think you can, or think you can't, either way, you are right." - Henry Ford

[–] wallacesawyer 14 years ago

The films are great, but I've never read any of the novels. Read about the second one, and how it apparently ended.

I'm watching BATES MOTEL now. Downloaded it.

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[–] MissTexasMcCoy 12 years ago

There really ought to be some spoiler warnings in this thread for those of us who haven't read the books yet.

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[–] mcgill_j 12 years ago

I preferred the direction Psycho II went as a film..but the book timeline shares more akin with Halloween--and its meta movie in a movie gimmick would have beaten Scream 2 to the punch by a good two decades. Well 15 years.but considering the structure of the book, I do prefer having the film as Perkins was just magnetic to watch as Norman no matter how sub par the film may have been but Perkins was always top notch.