classical shivers

[Robert_Dunbar]

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“… somehow the old black and white films have always felt more private … as though watching them alone and late at night transmutes the experience into something utterly … intimate.”
~ from “Film Moi” by Robert Dunbar

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Over the years, I’ve written scores of articles about classic films, many of them appearing in publications like Film Forum, Cineaste, Art & Understanding. With this article (which I’m busily developing into a book proposal) I was finally able to focus on the aspects of classic horror films that most fascinate me: aesthetic quality and literary details.

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Check it out at The Delirium Insider.


http://www.deliriumbooks.com/insider/?p=344 (http://www.deliriumbooks.com/insider/?p=344)

I’d be interested in hearing what you think.

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[madlove]

Robert...really enjoyed reading your movie list of must sees. I agree with you on so many of them, I also consider that scene in The Innocents one of the best ever. The film Witchcraft with Lon Chaney, Jr. is now available on Midnite Movies dvd. It has some terrific atmosphere and good directing. Its one of my favs up there with Night of the Eagle, City of the Dead & The Bloody Pit of Dr. M. Speaking of, have you seen any of the CasaNegra DVDs? Ive really enjoyed all of them so far. Best, Chris

[The_Raven]

Cat People was definitely ahead of it's time. The Innocents was also the single biggest influence on sheer terror, following the footsteps of The Haunting.

Good list, and good job making it.


Edgar

[Marya Zaleska]

That is an EXCELLENT list of movies!

I agree with you 100%.

I love all of the very atmospheric Val Lewton films. I have the set of 7 films on DVD of Val Lewton's masterpieces, with I Walked With A Zombie, The Cat People & The Leopard Man heading the list.

Both Seance On A Wet Afternoon and The Haunting are superior films. I still need to get Seance for my collection.

The Uninvited is probably the best ghost story going ( and no gore!). Great atmosphere and chills.

The Laughton version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame is my favorite and I never get tired of looking at it.

I have The Devil & Daniel Webster on VHS and it has a scrambler so I cannot transfer it to DVD. The DVD version is VERY expensive. This too is another great movie and fantasy and it stars one of my favorites, Edward Arnold.

I list Night of The Demon as my favorite horror movie. One of the most atmospheric and chilling ever.

The Thing from 1951 is one of the first major 50's sci fi movies and one of the best. 'Keep Watching The Skies"

The Old dark House with Karloff & Laughton is appropriately creepy.

Everything else on the list ( there are a couple I am unfamiliar with) are appropriately chosen.

Recommendations:

The Day The Earth Stood Still ( a superior & intelligent Sci fi film)

The Man From Planet X ( creepy alien visitor film set on Scottish moors)

The Devil Doll (Lionel Barrymore) - I have blogged on this one

Freaks

White Zombie

Well, that's it!

You and I have similar taste in films.


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Countess Marya

[Robert_Dunbar]

Robert...really enjoyed reading your movie list of must sees. I agree with you on so many of them, I also consider that scene in The Innocents one of the best ever. The film Witchcraft with Lon Chaney, Jr. is now available on Midnite Movies dvd. It has some terrific atmosphere and good directing. Its one of my favs up there with Night of the Eagle, City of the Dead & The Bloody Pit of Dr. M. Speaking of, have you seen any of the CasaNegra DVDs? Ive really enjoyed all of them so far. Best, Chris

Thanks, Chris. "The Innocents" and "Night of the Eagle" (aka "Burn, Witch, Burn") are among my favorties too. You've got some pretty esoteric choices here yourself: "City of the Dead" (also with a script by George Baxt) is amazing. And you're recommending "The Black Pit of Dr. M"? I don't actually know much about Mexican horror films, aside from "The Witch's Mirror," which of course is to die for.

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By the way, I hear "The Undying Monster" is just about to be released on DVD.

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[Marya Zaleska]

I forgot to comment on this one.

Burn, Witch, Burn with Janet Blair and Peter Wyngarde is one of the best of it's kind for this type of movie.

I have it on VHS and was able to transfer to DVD.

This was a great and chilling movie. Maltin gives it three stars, I give it four.

Also: THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN TO WATCH A CRISP, CLEAR BLACK AND WHITE FILM.

There is just something about them that I just love. I like the black and white better than the color ( with the exception of spectacles and movies filmed in scenic country).

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Countess Marya

[madlove]

Hi Robert...Yes, sorry, it is the Black Pit of Dr. M. I highly, highly recc. I have Black Pit, The Witch's Mirror, Curse of The Crying Woman, The Vampire Collection, Brainiac, The Man & The Monster & The Living Coffin. Here's a link with trailers: http://www.casanegrafilms.com/casanegra_catalog.html
I was wary too, not familiar w/ Mexican horror, I think they're all wonderful, dripping with everything we love. The Undying Monster? Ill keep my eyes open for it. There's an amazing German film called Der Nackte und der Satan ("The Nude and the Devil," aka The Head, West Germany, 1959). Horst Frank plays Dr. Ood. Need I say more? Best, Chris

[Robert_Dunbar]

"Cat People was definitely ahead of it's time."

Absolutely. And infinitely more sophisticated than the remake.

Isn't it funny? The remake had big stars, nudity, gallons of blood, expensive special effects, even David Bowie on the soundtrack. The original -- equipped only with taste and style -- blew it out of the water. Do you think Hollywood will ever get that message?

[Robert_Dunbar]

I list Night of The Demon as my favorite horror movie.

That is a great, great film. Depth. Subtelty. Atmosphere. Full of the sort of dreamlike imagery that inevitably finds its way into your own dreams.

You and I have similar taste

Praise from the master! Er, mistress. No, wait, that doesn't sound very nice either. Anyway, praise indeed. And thanks for the recommendations, Countess. If I ever do turn this into a book -- the essay started out as a book proposal -- there will definitely be a chapter on science fiction.

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[alkytrio666]

That is a great, great film. Depth. Subtelty. Atmosphere. Full of the sort of dreamlike imagery that inevitably finds its way into your own dreams.



Praise from the master! Er, mistress. No, wait, that doesn't sound very nice either. Anyway, praise indeed. And thanks for the recommendations, Countess. If I ever do turn this into a book -- the essay started out as a book proposal -- there will definitely be a chapter on science fiction.

http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/images/060419_gort_lg.jpg
Great list...Cat People will always remain the standard for atmospheric horror.

And in response to the above picture, several months ago I went to a screening of The Day the Earth Stood Still and met Patrica Neal. It was very cool.

[Robert_Dunbar]

And in response to the above picture, several months ago I went to a screening of The Day the Earth Stood Still and met Patrica Neal.

How exciting! I adore that woman.

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Cat People will always remain the standard for atmospheric horror

I couldn't agree more. I think that film more than any other helped me to understand what I wanted to write. See? It doesn't have to be pulp. Horror can be art.

[Blood Dragoness]

One of my very favorite black and white films was " Black Sunday" those eyes of Barbara Steele creeped me out. One of Mario Bava's best.

The Tingler was another one that I loved with Vincent Price

Experiment In Terror with Lee Remic ,and Ross Martin was superb as the villan

Lady In A Cage with Olivia DeHaveland

Whatever Haappened To Baby Jane? with Betty Davis

Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte with Betty Davis

Psycho


*just a few of my favorites* :)

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[Robert_Dunbar]

All fine choices. Yes, "Black Sabbath" is superb. So is "Black Sunday." (And I admit, I sort of get them confused. One is the story about the witch. One is the trilogy with the amazing vampire story at the end.)

I've always thought Barbara Steele was one the most extraordinary visions in horror films. Those eyes ...

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Love the Davis films as well, though never a fan of "Lady in a Cage." (Such a mean spirited film.) Much prefer "Die, Die, My Darling."

[Marya Zaleska]

[QUOTE=Robert_Dunbar;638229]All fine choices. Yes, "Black Sabbath" is superb. One is the trilogy with the amazing vampire story at the end.)

I've always thought Barbara Steele was one the most extraordinary visions in horror films. Those eyes ...



I like Black Sabbath very much. Really creepy. I have it ordered on DVD and is to come out soon.

Barbara Steele.....simply fantastic! And those eyes!

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Countess Marya

[Marya Zaleska]

[QUOTE=Blood Dragoness;638136]One of my very favorite black and white films was " Black Sunday" those eyes of Barbara Steele creeped me out. One of Mario Bava's best.

The Tingler was another one that I loved with Vincent Price

Experiment In Terror with Lee Remic ,and Ross Martin was superb as the villan

Lady In A Cage with Olivia DeHaveland

Whatever Haappened To Baby Jane? with Betty Davis

Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte with Betty Davis

Psycho


*just a few of my favorites* :)



Mine too!

I just got Experiment in Terror - Great film. I remember Ross Martin from The Wild Wild West!

The Tingler was on TCM the other night.

We have similar tastes!


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Countess Marya ( in costume) Lol!

[Robert_Dunbar]

In costume as ...? Oh wait, I get it. It's the evil little girl from THE BAD SEED, isn't it?
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http://www.deliriumbooks.com/insider/?p=344

[Marya Zaleska]

In costume as ...? Oh wait, I get it. It's the evil little girl from THE BAD SEED, isn't it?
http://filmfanatic.org/reviews/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/50s.JPG

http://www.deliriumbooks.com/insider/?p=344

Yes it is. It's Patty McCormick!

Did a few films as well as was on Peck's bad Girl, a 1959 TV series.

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That's a little out of my line to costume as! Elderly grannies are my specialty!
Lol!

Countess Marya

[Robert_Dunbar]

I knew it! That little cherub scared the hell out of me.

Of course, they ruin the film with that hideous tacked-on ending. (I mean, honestly, the mother survives a bullet to the head, and the little girl gets struck by lightning? Yeah, right.) But 99% of it is still brilliant, and it's worth it just to see those incredible performances carried over from the stage production ... especially Eileen Heckart. (Remember "Got a little drunk so I thought I'd come over"?) The novel is pretty damned disturbing too.

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[runchuckrun]

One of my very favorite black and white films was " Black Sunday" those eyes of Barbara Steele creeped me out. One of Mario Bava's best.

<snip>

Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? with Betty Davis



Agreed. Both of these are favorites of mine!

Barbara Steele is such a goth goddess, and Betty Davis creeped me out the first time I saw Baby Jane many years ago at a midnight movie. I couldn't sleep that night!

[Marya Zaleska]

Agreed. Both of these are favorites of mine!

Barbara Steele is such a goth goddess, and Betty Davis creeped me out the first time I saw Baby Jane many years ago at a midnight movie. I couldn't sleep that night!

You are right for Barbara Steele ( a great horror actress), the eyes have it!

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As far as Bette Davis as Baby Jane, the pictures says it all (frightening)!

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Countess Marya

[Robert_Dunbar]

Who played DRACULA'S DAUGHTER? Well, it's Gloria Holden of course. And she's amazing. Too bad she never did another horror film.

And what a shame the studio cut Bela Lugosi's part. (He was originally meant to appear to a prologue with her.) Still, the beginning of the film, where she steals his body and burns it, conveys a tremendous sense that this sequel is taking place immediately after the end of DRACULA. And I suppose that might have been lost if they'd used the prologue. Still it might have kept poor Bela's career from taking that instant, irreversible plunge. I mean, look what the FRANKENSTEIN sequels did for Karloff.

[Robert_Dunbar]

I'm suddenly in a very holiday frame of mind. Anyone want to suggest any Christmas/New Year's themed horror films? (Besides the obvious Santa with a bloody ax titles, I mean?)

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There's always CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE of course, though this photo seems to be from the alternative/unused ending.

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One remembers the ghost of Irena in the snow ...

[Marya Zaleska]

[QUOTE=Blood Dragoness;638136]One of my very favorite black and white films was " Black Sunday" those eyes of Barbara Steele creeped me out. One of Mario Bava's best.

The Tingler was another one that I loved with Vincent Price

Experiment In Terror with Lee Remic ,and Ross Martin was superb as the villan

Lady In A Cage with Olivia DeHaveland

Whatever Haappened To Baby Jane? with Betty Davis

Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte with Betty Davis

Psycho

Response To Blood Dragoness Favorites:

I too like Black Sunday. Barbara Steele has those creepy, horrifying staring eyes. Whew!

I just got Experiment In Terror on DVD. I had never seen it before. Ross Martin made an excellent villain I remember him as Artemus Gordon for The Wild, Wild West.

Whatever Happened To Baby Jane was excellent with Bette Davis, Joan Crawford and Victor Buono.

Bette Davis was made up like something out of a nightmare as Baby Jane. I would hate to meet her in a dark alley.

I watched Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte last night. Bette Davis gave her normal excellent performance. This is the first film I have ever seen Olivia DeHavilland in as the villainess. She was quite mean and convincing!

Hitchcock's Psyco was one of the great thriller/horror films with Anthony Perkins dressing up as his mother and killing people. Also the sight of the decayed mother sitting in a chair was frightening as well. It was an excellent, atmospheric thriller up to the usual Hitchcock standards.



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Countess Marya

[Rarebird]

Hey Robert,

I just finished watching "The Lodger" and "Hangover Square" both starring
Laird Cregar. Talk about atmosphere! I would recommend both to anyone interested in pschological horror films. I could not find your list, but I'd be surprised if they weren't included.

-Marlon-

[THE VAMPIRE]

"Haunting" is the among my top 5 best classic horrors

[crabapple]

Any film by Curtis Harrington. This great filmmaker is known by far too few. You can get "Ruby" (1977) fairly easily. I thought it was his best film. It's murky and much is left to the imagination (in a confusing way) but I believe this was intended...it's like a horror film painted in watercolor, with the individual colors blending and blurring together into unsettling gray tones.

[Marya Zaleska]

Hey Robert,

I just finished watching "The Lodger" and "Hangover Square" both starring
Laird Cregar. Talk about atmosphere! I would recommend both to anyone interested in pschological horror films. I could not find your list, but I'd be surprised if they weren't included.

-Marlon-

I have both of these films and they are great! It's hard to beat the atmosphere and both are psychologically facinating.

Laird Cregar was 6' tall and weighed over 300 lbs. He wanted to be a leading man and through a crash diet lost 100 lbs. The shock to his system was so great he had to have stomach surgery and he died from a heart attack shortly thereafter. He was only 28! So sad!


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Countess Marya