Robert Bloch

1917–1994 · American fiction writer

Robert Albert Bloch was an American fiction writer, primarily of crime, psychological horror, and fantasy, much of which has been dramatized for radio, cinema and television. He also wrote a relatively small amount of science fiction. His writing career lasted 60 years, including more than 30 years in television and film. He began his professional writing career immediately after graduation from high school, aged 17. He is best known as the writer of the novel Psycho (1959), the basis for the 1960 film Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Bloch wrote hundreds of short stories and over 30 novels. He was a protégé of H. P. Lovecraft, who was the first to seriously encourage his talent. However, while he started emulating Lovecraft and his brand of cosmic horror, he later specialized in crime and horror stories, often emphasizing psychological aspects of the characters within.

Robert Bloch, in order

1960 Psycho: wrote · directed by Alfred Hitchcock · critics 97%, audiences 95% · streaming on Netflix
1962 Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV series): wrote · audiences 92% · streaming on Prime Video, Peacock, Roku Channel
1962 The Cabinet of Caligari: wrote · directed by Roger Kay
1962 The Couch: wrote · directed by Owen Crump
1964 Strait-Jacket: wrote · directed by William Castle
1964 The Night Walker: wrote · directed by William Castle
1966–67 Star Trek: The Original Series (TV series): wrote, created · critics 75%, audiences 88% · streaming on Paramount+, Pluto TV
1966 The Deadly Bees: wrote · directed by Freddie Francis
1966 The Psychopath: wrote · directed by Freddie Francis
1967 Torture Garden: wrote · directed by Freddie Francis
1968 Journey to Midnight (TV movie): wrote · directed by Alan Gibson and Roy Ward Baker
1971 The House That Dripped Blood: wrote · directed by Peter Duffell
1972 Asylum: wrote · directed by Roy Ward Baker · critics 75%, audiences 53% · streaming on Philo, Roku Channel, Hoopla
1998 Psycho: wrote · directed by Gus Van Sant