Janet Leigh was the star of Psycho, even though she was in the movie only a short while. She plays Marion Crane who works for a realtor whom she embezzles money from.

Leigh was born Jeanette Helen Morrison in Merced, California on July 6, 1927. She was discovered by Norma Shearer and received a contract. She left the University where she was studying music and psychology to work in film. Leigh starred in numerous films in the 40s, 50s and 60s.

Her third husband was Tony Curtis and they had two children, Kelly and Jamie Lee. Jamie Lee, of course, starred in her own horror film – Halloween. Curtis, who constantly cheated on Leigh, left her in 1962 for his 17 year old co-star. Leigh remarried Robert Brandt and they remained married until her death. One of her last film appearances was in Halloween H20: 20 years later.

Leigh died on October 3, 2004 after suffering cardiac arrest.

I was flipping through the channels last night and came across the great classic – Psycho. What a great film that is! The film was released in 1960 and was directed by Alfred Hitchcock based on a screenplay by Joseph Stefano. Stefano based his screenplay on the novel by Robert Bloch. This novel was inspired by the crimes of a serial killer by the name of Ed Gein.

Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) hides in a motel after embezzling some money from her employer. The motel’s owner, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) gives her a room. I can’t tell you what else happens, because that would ruin the surprise.

The film received mixed reviews but did well at the box-office and the film was nominated for four Academy Awards. There have been several remakes, but none quite as good as the original.

Paramount did not want Hitchcock to make Psycho, so he used his production crew from his television series for most of the work and both Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins agreed to less salary for the film ($25,000 and $40,000 respectively).

Since the film was shot in black and white, chocolate syrup was used for blood in the famous shower scene. The Bates Motel was built on the studio lot and is still standing.