Psycho was seen as a departure from Hitchcock's previous film North by Northwest, having been filmed on a low budget, in black-and-white, and by a television crew. The film initially received mixed reviews, but outstanding box-office returns prompted critical reevaluation, and it is now considered one of Hitchcock's greatest films.

The motel has 12 rooms, which form an L shape. Outside, there is a parking area and a large "Bates Motel" sign, which tells passing drivers if there are any vacancies.

Norman is an amateur taxidermist. He says he likes stuffing birds because they are "curious" and "passive," and several of his birds are displayed in the motel.

During a lunchtime tryst, Marion and her boyfriend Sam discuss how they can't afford to get married because of Sam's debts. After lunch, Marion returns to work, where a client leaves a $40,000 cash payment on a property. Marion decides to steal the money and drive to California where Sam lives.

Hitchcock chose candy corn because he said Anthony Perkins (Norman) had a neck like a chicken, and it reminded him of a chicken pecking for corn.

When Marion arrives at the motel during a rainstorm, Norman mentions that there is a big diner about ten miles up the road. However, sensing that Marion doesn't intend to go out again, he invites her to join him for a simple dinner of sandwiches and milk.

As Norman watches Marion eating her last supper, he remarks that she eats "like a bird". A curious choice of words, given his hobby.

The blood was chocolate syrup, the "fake blood" of choice in the industry for black and white films. There is some debate though whether it was Bosco chocolate syrup or Hershey's.

Hitchcock laid out an epic spread of every kind of melon available and tried them all until he found that perfect sound. The casaba melon sounded denser and less hollow than the others. And it sounded even more realistic when interspersed with a slab of steak!

A week after Marion's disappearance, her sister Lila arrives in California and confronts Sam about Marion's whereabouts. Private investigator Milton Arbogast approaches them and confirms that Marion is wanted for stealing the $40,000. Arbogast sleuths local motels and discovers Marion spent a night at the Bates Motel.