Hitchcock’s villains with SOMAS

Anthony Perkins in ‘Psycho’

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Stephen Whitty, a writer, film critic and lecturer, will discuss Alfred Hitchcock’s villains on Tuesday, Oct. 2, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Columbia High School’s Black Box Theatre, 17 Parker Ave. in Maplewood, as part of the South Orange-Maplewood Adult School fall lecture series.

The Master of Suspense was known for his lovely blonde heroines, but his films’ real thrills were provided by his surprising villains — amusing, elegantly dressed gentleman who could charm you to death. Literally. Sometimes it seemed the director even preferred the villain to the hero — a favoritism which fueled some of his darkest themes. In the lecture, attendees will explore those, and some of Hitch’s best bad guys, including Joseph Cotten in “Shadow of a Doubt,” Robert Walker in “Strangers on a Train” and, the ultimate mama’s boy, Anthony Perkins in “Psycho.”

Attendance is charged. For more information, call 973-378-7620 or visit www.somadultschool.org.