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- 11/04 re Hitchcock: which Norman do you prefer?
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Considering how Norman is described and behaves in Robert Bloch’s novel,
why do you think Hitchcock (and screenwriter Joseph Stefano) changed him so drastically?I think Hitchcock changed Norman’s character so drastically because there is a deception in seeming confident. Because Norman is originally supposed to look like he’s middle-aged and balding, you’d look down on him, or think he was weak. In the film, Norman is lean, and he’s outwardly confident when talking to others or when he’s being slightly interrogated. I was a bit more nervous watching the film because Norman seemed so calm and collected.
Was the film’s Norman or the book’s Norman a better character?
Although I like understanding Normans thought process in the novel, I find the film version of him to be a much better character. He is more calm and collected when disposing the victims bodies and ridding their evidence. The novel version of Norman doesn’t have the stomach for dealing with the people that he murdered.
Which Norman do you prefer?
I prefer the film version for sure.
Why?
Besides everything above, I find the actor that plays Norman to be very attractive and a fantastic actor. Also, visually seeing Norman act as his mother (due to his split personality situation), it’s much more engaging and keeps you constantly wondering what would happen to every person that stops by his hotel.
Hello, Gabby, I agree that the film Norman is far more appealing than his novel counterpart. Anthony Perkins was something of a teen idol around the time of filming. His performance as Norman is awesome and he sadly did not receive any awards for it. The book’s Norman is so repellent. It’s pretty obvious that Mr. Hitchcock cast Perkins because his demeanor is rather shy and charming–all the better to fool us, yet at the same time he elicits our sympathy. Imagine being so alone and crazy and feeling the need to recreate his dead mother. I would not say he showed confidence, however, just charm.
Considering how Norman is described and behaves in Robert Bloch’s novel,
why do you think Hitchcock (and screenwriter Joseph Stefano) changed him so drastically?I think Hitchcock and Joseph Stefano changed him drastically because the movie would be too long. The novel showed many of the conversations Norman had with his mother personality. If the film included everything, the movie would be longer than two hours.
Was the film’s Norman or the book’s Norman a better character?
I believe Norman in the book was a better character because his character in the book was more detailed.
Which Norman do you prefer?
I prefer the film version of Norman.
Why?
I prefer the film version of Norman because he was scripted to be more mysterious than in the novel. His thought process was fully explained in the novel, but in the film you only understand him by his words and facial expressions.
Okay, Angel. It seems though if Hitchcock cast someone who was just like the Norman in the book, we would dislike him immediately.
In the film, when Norman drove Miss Crane’s car into the swamp, I imagine most people wanted him to succeed and were relieved when the stuck car finally submerged. We are essentially on his side now that Marion is gone. Our focus has shifted from her to him.Considering how Norman is described and behaves in Robert Bloch’s novel, why do you think Hitchcock (and screenwriter Joseph Stefano) changed him so drastically?
I believe Hitchock and Joseph Stefano substantially altered Norman’s appearance in order to appeal to a wider audience. People would probably be more suspicious of him if he were like the man in the novel, and the mystery would be lost.
Was the films Norman or the books Norman a better character?
Personally, I think the film holds a better Norman. Norman was a better character because he kept the audience engaged throughout the film, as though we were all waiting to see how the plot would unfold.
Which Norman do you prefer?
I prefer the film Norman
Why?
I prefer the film Norman because there was something about him that drew me in when I was watching him, which wasn’t the case when I was reading the book. I enjoyed how the character exhibited his anxiety when the private investigator kept asking him questions and Norman began to stutter and become genuinely terrified.
Shania, I agree wholeheartedly with you. By making Norman an appealing, vulnerable young man, audiences like him and wouldn’t suspect him of being the villain. The Norman in the book is totally unlikable.
Considering how Norman is described and behaves in Robert Bloch’s novel, why do you think Hitchcock (and screenwriter Joseph Stefano) changed him so drastically?
I believe Hitchcock and Joseph Stefano changed Norman from the book by changing his personality in the book of how less confident he is. Although in the film it shows he seems positive and with more confidence approaching a conversation with Marion. I remember In the book of the beginning Norman was having a conversation with his mother Norma. In the film, I don’t think Norman had ever had a conversation face to face. Expect there was a part where there were two voices in a room but with no faces were shown as if there’s a mystery behind it.
Well, in the book there are conversations, but there is only one person talking to himself in two voices (after all, he is crazy).
Was the film’s Norman or the book’s Norman a better character?
I have to go with Norman to the film. I believe his role in the film is crazier I would say and more active. Like in the scene where he *mimics his mother stabbing Marion to death it has more action and I like seeing it visually so I can see what is going on and the film shows it all. And I believe the film catches the audience’s attention because of the killing scenes and the mystery scene where there were two voices one was Norman and the other one was his mother Norma.
On two occasions in the film, Norman seems to be speaking to his mother because he is using two voices. It is easier for the book to pull that off so these conversations are kept to a minimum the movie.
*I do not understand what you mean by “mimics”? He thinks he is his mother and acts and dresses accordingly. Mimicking means something different, like making fun of someone…
Which Norman do you prefer?
I would have to go with the film Norman.
Why?
I say the film Norman because his action catches my attention because of the murdering and hiding the victim’s body. When reading the book I sometimes find it hard to read when certain parts don’t catch my attention. Most of the part in the film makes me wonder if there are two different people because of the different voices. But at the very last when Norman was in the jail room we can hear his mom talk but the scenes only show Norman. So I do believe Norman was mimicking his mother all along.
Considering how Norman is described and behaves in Robert Bloch’s novel,
why do you think Hitchcock (and screenwriter Joseph Stefano) changed him so drastically?
I believe Hitchock and Joseph Stefano drastically changed Norman’s appearance in order to appeal to a wider audience. People would be more suspicious of him if he were like the man in the novel.
Was the film’s Norman or the book’s Norman a better character?
I have to go with Norman to the film. I believe his role in the film is crazier I would say and more active. I feel like hey kept everyone engaged throughout the film
Which Norman do you prefer? Why?
I say the film Norman because his action catches my attention because of the murdering and hiding the victim’s body. And also he seems to be more mysterious in the film than the novel, him mysterious makes you think more and ultimately makes want to keep watching until you know what’s really going onJustin, okay, but the book’s Norman does many of the same things and also curses and drinks a lot. The main appeal of the film’s Norman
is that he is both sweetly shy and yet odd. I guess what you are saying is the one in the book is so clearly crazy and disgusting that there is no question of his guilt.
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