I heard that Universal didn't like the original ending of the film and Anthony Perkins was called back to shoot the final scene in the back of the police car. Has anyone ever found out what the original ending was? Because the film is great except for the corny ending tacked on by Universal.
We all go a little mad sometimes...
SPOILERS
I read somewhere that at first they had intended on Duke being the killer, but changed it. As far as the ending that they did film, it probably just would have ended after Norman stabbed the corpse of his aunt. I don't know, though.
As I understand it, the only bit that was added was him pulling Mother's hand out from his jacket and stroking it. I think it would have ended with his line about finally being free. I never really did understand the arm thing - if it was trying to suggest he wasn't really over her after all then it kinda messes up the climax of the movie where Norman finally rejects "Mother".
shareI never really did understand the arm thing - if it was trying to suggest he wasn't really over her after all then it kinda messes up the climax of the movie where Norman finally rejects "Mother".
The way I tend to look at it, it took years to "cure" him before Psycho II because people were trying to forcibly take "Mother" away from him but at the end of Psycho III he rejects her which is why, only a couple of years later in Psycho IV he seems completely "over" her! The whole thing with the arm really messes that up for me so I tend to ignore it!
shareI agree the ending used kind of spoils the fact we thought Norman was finally, truly 'free'.
That said, I still love the ending, tacked-on or no. Love Norman's creepy look-up and direct nod back to the end of the original film.
Music, lighting, everything there... perfect.
Just my $0.02.
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Wait a minute... who am I here?
As I understand it, the only bit that was added was him pulling Mother's hand out from his jacket and stroking it. I think it would have ended with his line about finally being free. I never really did understand the arm thing - if it was trying to suggest he wasn't really over her after all then it kinda messes up the climax of the movie where Norman finally rejects "Mother".
Yes, The reshoot ending was just a jab and even some dark humor at the Psycho trilogy as a whole. Like mentioned, likely not wanting to completely wrap up the entire story.
Originally, the police car drive away and the camera pans up, around, and over the House. Mother's rocking chair is seen. <Something along those lines.
Originally.... Duke was obsessed with Norman Bates and tracked him down to his motel. He does some of the killings and it looks like Norman did it.
Moureen was a psychiatric doctor send to replace Dr.Raymond.
Aside from those points, everything was pretty much kept the same.
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I would have liked it if they had gone with the original script and made Duke the killer.
Poorly Lived and Poorly Died, Poorly Buried and No One Criedshare
When I first saw this movie, I actually thought Duke was the killer.
I also didn't get that Mrs. Spoole was the real killer in Psycho II either.
These sequels were enjoyable (especially II) but very confusing to me.
I thought the ending (in the car) was good.
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