Sir Alfred Hitchcock was born on August 13, 1899. As a tribute to the Master of Suspense, I've written the following "what if" scenario. If you're an avid Hitchcock fan, you will have no trouble identifying the "twisted" characters. If you're new to Hitchcock's movies, I think you'll find these profiles entertaining, as well as educational.
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Today, I begin with the introduction and will continue with actual scenes of what happens when these Hitchcock characters come together in one room. If you stop by and leave a comment on each of the six days, my publisher will enter your name into a hat for a free copy of my book: The Alfred Hitchcock Triviography and Quiz Book, recently updated and reissued. Have fun and watch your back.
Twisted Minds and
What If’s
What
if several of Alfred Hitchcock’s notoriously psychotic characters collectively were
committed to a mental hospital and these poor people were finally getting the
help they needed? And what if Dr. Constance Petersen, A/K/A Ingrid Bergman, once
a Hitchcock character in her own right, was the psychiatrist in charge of their
recovery? And what if Dr. Petersen composed a patient profile on each one and
recorded their counseling session?
Well . . .
Norman
Bates: Patient suffers
from schizophrenia and amnesia brought on by trauma resulting from discovering
his mother in bed with a stranger. It is believed that he murdered them both.
He has subsequently taken on the identity of his mother. Due to Mother’s
controlling nature, Patient failed to develop mature, healthy attitudes
concerning sex. His anger is extremely suppressed, and his denial of her sordid
past is reflected in his references to his mother as his best friend. He also
frequently murmurs, “psycho.”
Brandon
Shaw: Patient is a
cold-blooded murderer. He killed a college friend whom he considered
dispensable. He’s an egocentric psychopath who lacks a conscience. He suffers
from delusions of grandeur and considers murdering to be a privilege granted to
a few exceptional humans, such as himself. He is fascinated with "rope."
Margaret Edgar: At the age of five, Patient, who goes
by “Marnie,” witnessed her prostitute mother’s brutal attack by one of her
tricks. Patient, trying to protect her mother, killed the sailor by striking
him with a fireplace poker. This traumatic experience resulted in a
psychoneurotic condition that developed into amnesia and kleptomania. Patient’s
memory has now returned; however, she still has difficulty dealing with the
attack and her mother’s profession. Patient’s hostility is displayed in sarcasm
and occasional angry outbursts.
John “Scottie” Ferguson: A retired police detective from San
Francisco, Patient suffers from "vertigo" and reoccurring amnesia resulting from
a fall he took while chasing a suspect. Soon after his accident, Patient became
involved in two sordid affairs with the same woman who was posing as two
different ones. Patient often confuses fantasy with reality. His mental
condition worsened when he witnessed his lover fall to her death, a nightmare
that he constantly relives due to the initial fall.
Charlie
Oakley: The source of
Patient’s psychosis has not yet been determined beyond of "shadow of a doubt." He
suffered a near-fatal injury as a child, but the connection of this accident
with his crimes is uncertain. Patient is a misogynist who especially hates
wealthy widows, whom he murders and steals their “undeserved” money.
Lady
Henrietta Flusky:
Patient suffers from neurotic guilt, which drove her to alcoholism. She killed
her brother and allowed her husband to take the blame. He is now in prison.
Patient’s weak physical condition is the result of her maid slowly poisoning
her. Patient is now gaining back her physical strength and self-confidence. Her
husband, though still confined, is very supportive of her recovery. Milly, the
maid, was fired. Patient’s recovery appears to increase during the "Capricorn" astrological period.
Bob
Rusk:
Patient’s a perpetrator of sex crimes against women. His sexual perversions
eventually led to brutal murders of his victims. Patient feels sexually
inadequate. He appears to be a very dangerous man, prone to episodes of "frenzy."
John
Ballantine: Patient accidently killed his brother when they were children by pushing him onto a
picket fence. This emotional burden, along with war-related trauma, and the
death of his first psychiatrist from an accident similar to the one that caused
his brother’s death, has caused Patient’s amnesia. He is also prone to fits of
rage when he sees parallel lines. He often appears to be "spellbound."
Stay tuned tomorrow for the first therapy session. Dr. Peterson does not know what she's gotten herself into!