The Trouble With Vertigo

For the past couple of weeks I've been suffering from bouts of vertigo. It's been murder, but even more disappointing has been the fact that Kim Novak hasn't appeared.

I confess, every morning I descend the thirty nine steps to my rear window, part the torn curtain and, spellbound, look longingly for her. I search south by southeast as well as north by northwest. Even on my way to work I search the faces of strangers on a train hoping that I will find the young and innocent visage of Ms. Novak. If she is aboard, the lady vanishes before I can espy her.

Without a shadow of a doubt, I'm at the end of my rope. In fact, I'm in a bit of a frenzy. I even have my suspicion that her absence might be a family plot. Who, I wonder, can be the saboteur?

Jeez, I sound like some kind of a psycho, don't I? I'm telling you, man, this obsession is strictly for the birds.


Please help out the National Film Preservation Foundation.

Angry Young Man-iac

When eyeing the feminine form
The psycho inside him gets warm
Then in bedroom and bath
Vents his oedipal wrath
All prior to Mama Bate's Norm.


John Barrymore Jr. as the "Lipstick Killer" in While the City Sleeps (Fritz Lang, 1956). With Virginia Mayo.

Gore Score

In a house that's perched high on a hill
lives a son who is shy but quite ill
When he checks in a guest
you can guess what comes next...
With the strings screeching psycho and shrill

The stabbing strings of Psycho are just one example of the many uniquely memorable film scores written by the great Bernard Herrmann. We're de-composing the Countdown to Halloween.

Chop 'til You Drop

She's having psychotic attacks
and chopping off heads with an ax

Since Joan's been released

the death rate's increased
and heads have been piling in stacks

Recently released nutcase Joan Crawford is soon wielding a bloody ax in director William Castle's uncharacteristically gimmick-free shock-fest, Straight-jacket (1964). One of several films that followed in Psycho's bloody footprints that were written by Psycho author Robert Bloch.

Beyond the Norman

Post-Psycho there followed a flood
A torrent of knock-offs and blood
No match for the master
they're each a disaster
But don't blame Sir Al for the crud



The enormous success of Psycho in 1960 paved the way for many lesser imitations. One of them was Homicidal (William Castle, 1961). The Couch (Owen Crump, 1962) , Strait-Jacket (Castle, 64) and The Psychopath (Freddie Francis, 1966) were all written by Robert Bloch, who wrote the source novel for Psycho. Psycho Week has checked out of Limerwrecks.

Fly by Nightmare

He's really a sweet, gentle guy
He wouldn't hurt even a fly
But at his motel
please lock your door well
or Norm might drop in and say "Hi."


Anthony Perkins in Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960).

Arbogasp

A private detective was hired
To find what had lately transpired
He climbed up the stairs
Was caught unawares
And found that his license expired.

Martin Balsam as P. I. Milton Arbogast, whose investigation is cut short in Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960). This limerick and it's title were inspired by the blog Arbogast on Film.

Bates Waits

You dragged her and all of her junk
and dumped the whole mess in the trunk
But then, in the muck
the car became stuck
You sucked on your thumb till it sunk


Anthony Perkins gets nervous in Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960).

Dressed to Spill

Relieving his day-to-day stresses
this mamma's boy likes to wear dresses
And whiles away hours
by taking cold showers
and mopping up horrible messes

Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960)

Crane Shot

Have pity on Marion Crane
who stopped to get out of the rain
She chatted with Norm
and planned to reform
but all of it went down the drain


Janet Leigh washes away her sins in Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960).

Stare-way to Heaven

He's nervous and terribly shy
and can't look a girl in the eye
But while she undresses
his face to wall presses
and catches a glimpse on the sly

Anthony Perkins peeps in Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960). Psycho image: Film Sufi.

Mommy Queerest

Though mom's left this world for another
he still has a thing for his mother
To ma's apron strings
he more than just clings
When hugging she tended to smother


Anthony Perkins in Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960). Welcome to Psycho Week at Limerwrecks. Happy Mother's Day!