Anthony Perkins : Oedipus complex

Oedipus complex

I've heard he had an Oedipus complex in real life ....anyone know more about this?

Re: Oedipus complex

Well,I've read his biography Split Image and there it is said that Tony had a very intense relation to his mother.In contrast,he did not feel so close to his father who wasn't with the family very often.So,there was a lot of distance beetween them.Another line says that Tony once wanted his father to die because Osgood was never there but there are so many things in the book which are not true I guess.It is said that Tony felt in a way responsible when his father Osgood Perkins actually died.However,nobody can tell whether all this is true.

I have to say that I'm a huuuuuuuuuge Tonyfan and I do not believe that all this is true.Tony hat a lot of problems with his mother.She was rude and strict and Tony suffered a lot when he was young.He was too sensitive.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes from Germany,

Mony

Re: Oedipus complex

Osgood Perkins died in 1937 when Tony was five years old.

I remember reading that after Tony took over 'Tea and Sympathy' from John Kerr, his mother said "You'll never be as good as John Kerr". Very cutting.

Re: Oedipus complex

Yeah,I remember that quote as well.Janet Perkins was so mean sometimes.Tony suffered a lot from that but he never told her about it.

Re: Oedipus complex

He admitted himself in an interview that he had sometimes wished his father was dead so he could have his mother to himself. When his father died he thought he was responsible. He also felt that he couldn't love his mother as much anymore because loving her was the reason his father was dead. His mother also would try to sexually stimulate him by stroking the inside of his thighs. (He had blocked that memory until he had been in analysis a long time).

She was also verbally abusive. She cut him down every chance she got. When he told her that he was going to marry Berry Berenson, she said, "I hope you're good enough for her." When he told her he took over John Kerr's roll in "Tea and Sympathy" she said, "You'll never be as good as John Kerr."

Tony's relationship with his mother wasn't much better than Norman's was.

Re: Oedipus complex

Poor guy, he was so screwed up. I hope he had some happiness later in life.

Re: Oedipus complex

There are women who molest or attempt to molest their sons as well. But we only hear about the sicko dads most of the time. That is sad his mom was so cold and harsh to him. I wonder what she was like as a MIL and grandma?

Re: Oedipus complex

I read the "Split Image" book many years ago, and I think that it said that when Tony Perkins married in 1973, his mother told his wife Berry that she was too good for her son

His mother died of cancer in 1979, in Massachusetts

I don't think that she was involved at all with Perkins' 2 sons, as Tony and his wife lived in New York City until about 1978, then moved to California for the rest of his life




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