When Hitchcock’s thriller “Psycho” is mentioned, so is its famous shower scene. Janet Leigh’s body double in that scene, model Marli Renfro, happens to be a Hi-Desert resident, and she spoke with Rebecca Havely about a new documentary film based on the iconic scene she starred in…
Z107.7: I understand this documentary is rather unique.
Renfro: It’s the first movie that’s ever been made that is based solely on one scene from another movie.
Z: What is the significance of the title 78/52?
Renfro: There’s 78 cuts and 52 set ups in the shower scene of Psycho.
Z: Who came up with this movie concept?
Renfro: Alexandre Phillipe; he wrote the movie and directed it, and he just did an outstanding job.
Z: Sounds like it would be a great tool for teaching.
Renfro: I really believe that it should be mandatory viewing in film classes.
Z: Can you tell us what was it like being directed by a legend?
Renfro: I was a huge Hitchcock fan; I would have done it for free. He was fantastic and he knew exactly what he wanted.
Z: How was Anthony Perkins to work with?
Renfro: Very, very, very nice. Between shots, he and I and the wardrobe lady would play word games while waiting for the next set up.
Z: Tell us about the book that’s been written about you.
Renfro: Robert Gray Smith wrote it, it’s called “The Girl in Alfred Hitchcock’s Shower.”
Z: And that is available for sale on Amazon.
The documentary “78/52” was shown at the Sundance Film Festival and the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, and will be in wider release later this year.
