Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense and the grandfather of the slasher genre. For its time, his famous film Psycho (1960) was a real mind-bender. Indeed, the movie received four Oscar nominations, including one for Best Director. Since then, the American Film Institute ranked the horror flick the most thrilling pic of all time. Perhaps that’s why it spawned several sequels — Psycho II (1983), Psycho III (1986) and Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990) — as well as Gus Van Sant’s 1998 remake. Yet none of these motion pictures stack up against the original crime classic. The plot begins when Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) checks into a motel with $40,000 of stolen money. As she awaits her lover (John Gavin), the blonde beauty touts her bra-clad breasts. Unfortunately, the Bates Motel is run by Norman (Anthony Perkins), a demented mama’s boy in a dress. Back in 1960, audiences presumed Ms. Leigh was the leading lady and therefore couldn’t die at the top of the movie. But they got a big surprise when the motel’s knife-wielding proprietor stabs Marion in the shower. As he offs her, fans can get off on seeing Janet’s bare body! Considered to be one of cinema’s most significant film sequences, the murderous montage is killer. Even though the skintastic actress is completely nude, Hitch’s quick editing makes it difficult to catch more than a hip, a nip, and a side boob. Nevertheless, the flesh flashing will reward eagle-eyed viewers. Yes, Psycho can drive you mad with desire!