This is not the Plaza Classic Film Festival’s first showing of Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous and notorious film, but it is our first showing of the original theatrical version, unavailable until three years ago when an original 35mm print was found in Germany. It’s a horrific tale of murder and madness that was controversial for its time (it was the first time a couple was seen in the same bed) and gave censors and studio and network executives headaches, resulting in numerous edits. This version, Hitchcock’s approved cut, includes previously edited footage of Marion undressing, Norman cleaning up of the bloody shower, and detective Arbogast being stabbed four times instead of two. Immorality, larceny, and guilt lead Marion Crane (Leigh) to the isolated Bates Motel, where she meets its lonely proprietor Norman (Perkins) and hears his domineering mother. Imitated, yet never equaled. It was nominated for four Academy Awards. — Jay Duncan

Rated: R