How Bernard Herrmann's Score Transformed Hitchcock's Psycho

In October 2023, Alfred Hitchcock's seminal horror film *Psycho* marks its 65th anniversary, a milestone that invites reflection on the profound impact of Bernard Herrmann's unsettling score. The film, featuring iconic performances by Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins, might not have achieved its status as a cinematic classic without Herrmann's innovative musical contributions.

Initially, *Psycho* faced skepticism from Paramount executives who doubted its commercial viability, leading to a budget of only $800,000. Hitchcock's vision for the film, however, was revitalized by Herrmann, whose orchestral score played a crucial role in enhancing the film's emotional and psychological depth. According to Steve C. Smith, author of *Hitchcock and Herrmann: The Friendship and Film Scores that Changed Cinema*, "Psycho was certainly not a bad film before it was scored, but it lacked tension." Herrmann's decision to compose for an all-string orchestra resulted in a soundscape that was both haunting and evocative, transforming scenes of terror into visceral experiences.

The unforgettable shower scene, where Marion Crane meets her untimely demise, exemplifies Herrmann's genius. The score, characterized by high-pitched screeches and throbbing bass lines, redefined the use of music in horror cinema. Rachel Zeffira, a film composer and member of the duo Cat’s Eyes, notes, "That music is everything. It’s the birds, it’s the bees, and it’s the voices in the back of your head.” Herrmann’s ability to infuse meaning into every note created a psychological landscape that left audiences unsettled.

Historically, Herrmann’s career was shaped by his early experiences in radio, where he honed his skills in creating atmospheric soundscapes. His collaboration with Orson Welles on the 1938 radio adaptation of *War of the Worlds* demonstrated his capacity for suspenseful storytelling through sound. By the time he worked on *Psycho*, he had already established himself as a formidable composer, having collaborated with Hitchcock on several earlier films, including *Vertigo* and *North by Northwest*.

The creative partnership between Hitchcock and Herrmann was characterized by intense collaboration and occasional conflict. Herrmann's insistence on a powerful score for *Psycho* led to a pivotal moment in filmmaking history. "Herrmann forced an initially dismissive Hitchcock to watch the shower sequence both with and without his jump-scare music. ‘Oh yes, we must use it!’ Hitchcock concurred,” Smith recounts.

The score not only propelled *Psycho* to success, grossing $32 million against its modest budget, but also influenced countless films and genres thereafter. The film's thematic elements have been echoed in various other works, with John Williams’ score for *Jaws* being a notable example. Michael Vincent Waller, a contemporary composer, emphasizes that *Psycho* revolutionized how tension is built in film music. “Whenever you hear creepy violins in a horror movie, or feel like a film score has become its own character, then that can all be traced back to *Psycho*,” he states.

The legacy of Herrmann’s work on *Psycho* is profound, not only for the horror genre but for cinema as a whole. The film's music serves as a cultural reference point for building tension, an achievement that remains relevant in contemporary filmmaking. Even after his falling out with Hitchcock over *Torn Curtain*, Herrmann continued to innovate, leaving an indelible mark on film music until his death in 1975. His collaboration with directors like Martin Scorsese further cemented his status as a pioneering composer. In fact, Scorsese’s *Taxi Driver* features echoes of *Psycho*, illustrating how Herrmann’s influence has permeated the film industry.

As *Psycho* approaches its 65th anniversary, it is essential to acknowledge the significant role that Bernard Herrmann's score played in shaping the film's narrative and emotional impact. The film not only redefined horror but also established a new standard for how music can enhance storytelling in cinema. As Herrmann himself remarked, “A composer writes a score for a picture, and he gives it life.” This sentiment encapsulates the transformative power of music in film, a legacy that continues to inspire filmmakers and composers today.