FILM · 1990
Psycho IV: The Beginning
29 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (29)
- #001
While filming the first murder scene, Henry Thomas became so involved in the stabbing that part of the knife went into his hand, causing nerve damage. He still has the scar to this day.
- #002
When Anthony Perkins watched the film's first screening, he said it was the best of the Psycho sequels.
- #003
When screenwriter Joseph Stefano began writing this film, he ignored the Mrs. Spool story established in the previous two films and used mostly the first film as his source material.
- #004
Anthony Perkins and Psycho III (1986) screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue first came up with an idea for Psycho IV in which Norman's house and motel were turned into a tourist attraction for horror weekends. Norman then escapes from a mental hospital with a mute patient. The actor hired to play Norman Bates for the horror weekend quits, and when Norman returns home he is hired to play himself. Pogue maintains it was meant to be a black comedy, but Universal opposed the idea.
- #005
Contrary to popular belief, only one ending was shot for the film. In interviews, director Mick Garris stated that Janet Leigh's remark during her introduction to the Showtime broadcast that multiple endings had been filmed was merely a Universal publicity stunt.
- #006
During pre-production, it was mentioned that the flashbacks to Norman's youth would be shot in black and white to reference the original film.
- #007
Director Mick Garris described Anthony Perkins as the most difficult actor he had ever worked with.
- #008
The psychologist in this film is named Dr. Leo Richmond. The psychologist who explained Norman's condition in the first film was named Dr. Fred Richmond.
- #009
Olivia Hussey did not have to audition for the role of Norma Bates; she was offered the part directly, and when asked whether she was interested in playing it despite a nude scene, she immediately said yes.
- #010
The interior of the mother's bedroom is somewhat different from the sets in previous Psycho films. In this film the room contains a bathroom and an extra closet.
- #011
It is the only one of the Psycho sequels to use Bernard Herrmann's original 'Psycho' theme music.
- #012
The scene in which Norman cuts the apple in two was improvised by Anthony Perkins. The script originally had Norman picking up a butcher knife and striking the apple, but Perkins thought that was too stale.
- #013
When Norman first calls the radio program, he says his name is Ed. Robert Bloch, author of the original "Psycho" novel, based Norman Bates on the real-life Wisconsin suspect, serial killer and body snatcher Ed Gein.
- #014
During the making of this film, Anthony Perkins was diagnosed with HIV; he was undergoing treatment during the shoot.
- #015
The film takes place in 1940, 1949, July 4, 1951 and 1990.
- #016
This is the first "Psycho" film in which Virginia Gregg does not voice Norma Bates. Gregg died on September 15, 1986, at the age of 70.
- #017
The bed in Norma Bates's bedroom is actually the original bed from Psycho (1960).
- #018
Kurt Paul (Raymond Linette) had previously served as Anthony Perkins's stunt double on Psycho II (1983) and Psycho III (1986). He also played Norman Bates in Bates Motel (1987).
- #019
Steven Spielberg was so impressed by the film that he personally wrote Mick Garris a fan letter. The letter still resides permanently in Mick's office to this day. Spielberg had of course worked with Henry Thomas eight years earlier on E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).
- #020
The film premiered on November 10, 1990, on Showtime in the US as part of a special "Psycho" retrospective mini-series. It was hosted and introduced by Janet Leigh, the actress who played Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock's original 'Psycho'.
- #021
The film reveals that the two previously unidentified women killed by Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) were Holly (Sharen Camille) and Gloria (Bobbi Evors).
- #022
This film was shot in 24 days.
- #023
According to the website 'The Psycho Movies', this film was the first feature film shot at the Universal Studios Florida complex in Orlando. The facades of the house and the motel were built so close to the Hard Rock Cafe that the producers had to ask the manager to turn off the lights and music during filming.
- #024
It is the only 'Psycho' film not shot on the backlot of Universal Pictures in Los Angeles, California. The film was instead shot at the same studio's new facilities in Florida. 'Psycho' (1960), 'Psycho II' (1983), 'Psycho III' (1986) and 'Psycho' (1998) are all remakes shot on the backlot at Universal Studios in Hollywood.
- #025
It is the only nude scene of Sharen Camille's career. She said it was a big problem for her but she did it anyway because she did not think it was unnecessary. However, her boyfriend at the time went completely crazy, and this ended their relationship.
- #026
This was the only sequel to Psycho (1960) that Stephen King liked (director Mick Garris would soon direct two King adaptations: Sleepwalkers and The Stand).
- #027
This is the only 'Psycho' film that shows Norma Bates alive. In the previous films she was a corpse.
- #028
The film depicts what happens in the flashback scenes differently from what is seen in the original film and the sequels. It is possible that Norman tells his story to Fran Ambrose the way he wants and exaggerates events while leaving out other facts.
- #029
In the opening title sequence, the various shots of the making of Norman's birthday cake were done by a real baker.
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