Psycho (1960)

John McIntire: Sheriff Al Chambers

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Quotes 

• Sam Loomis : You mean the old woman I saw tonight wasn't Mrs. Bates?

  Sheriff Al Chambers : Now wait a minute, Sam, are you *sure* you saw an old woman?

  Sam Loomis : Yes! In the house behind the motel! I called and I pounded, but she just ignored me!

  Sheriff Al Chambers : You mean to tell me you saw Norman Bates' mother?

  Lila Crane : It had to be - because Arbogast said so too. And the young man wouldn't let him see her because she was too ill.

  Sheriff Al Chambers : Well, if the woman up there is Mrs. Bates... who's that woman buried out in Greenlawn Cemetery?

• Sheriff Al Chambers : He's a tranvestite!

  Sheriff Al Chambers : Ah, not exactly. A man who dresses in women's clothing in order to achieve a sexual change, or satisfaction, is a transvestite. But in Norman's case, he was simply doing everything possible to keep alive the illusion of his mother being alive. And when reality came too close, when danger or desire threatened that illusion - he dressed up, even to a cheap wig he bought. He'd walk about the house, sit in her chair, speak in her voice. He tried to be his mother! And, uh... now he is.

  [pause] 

  Sheriff Al Chambers : Now, that's what I meant when I said I got the story from the mother. You see, when the mind houses two personalities, there's always a conflict, a battle. In Norman's case, the battle is over... and the dominant personality has won.

  Dr. Fred Richmond : And the forty thousand dollars? Who got that?

  Sheriff Al Chambers : The swamp. These were crimes of passion, not profit.

  Officer : [enters room with blanket on arm]  He feels a chill. Can I bring him this blanket?

  Sheriff Al Chambers : [lighting cigarette]  Oh, sure.

  Police Chief James Mitchell : All right.

• Sheriff Al Chambers : Your detective told you he couldn't come right back because he was goin' to question Norman Bates' mother. Right?

  Lila Crane : Yes.

  Sheriff Al Chambers : Norman Bates' mother has been dead and buried in Greenlawn Cenetery for the past ten years!

  Eliza Chambers : I helped Norman pick out the dress she was buried in. Periwinkle blue.

  Sheriff Al Chambers : 'Tain't only local history, Sam. It's the only case of murder and suicide on Fairvale ledgers.

• Sheriff Al Chambers : You must've seen an illusion, Sam. Now, I know you're not the seeing illusion type; but, no woman was there and I don't believe in ghosts. So, there it is.