What classic horror would you recommend for a newbie?
 

Although I am a horror fan in general, classic horror is the one part of the genre I've always had a problem with. I'm a fan of some movies (The Haunting, Psycho, etc.), but those seem to be the ones that "everyone" has seen. What would you recommend for someone like me who really wants to appreciate classic horror but has problems with it?

Well, first of all, we need to identify those problems in order to find your classic nitch.



But to start out, I highly recommend checking out:

-Cat People (1942)

-Carnival of Souls (1962)

-The Body Snatcher (1945)

-Doctor X (1932)

Last Man on Earth and The Abominable Snowman are both fun but what kind of horror films do you like now? If you like the more disturbing and graphic stuff I'd say Freaks, if you enjoy "psychological horror" I'd check out Repulsion, and if you're into Asian horror I would give Kwaidan or Onibaba a shot. Alky's picks are also spot on, don't miss out on those.


Oh and the Universal Monster series as well as Hammer's horror stuff, more good ones.

and

Freaks

The Bride of Frankestein

The Mummy (1932) an oft-overlooked masterpiece of creeping mood

Night of the Living Dead

and the following Thrillers

Gaslight

Shadow of a Doubt

Diabolique (1955)

Mad Love
The Creature from the Black Lagoon
The Old Dark House
Freaks
Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hyde (1932 with Frederick March)
Doctor X
Dr Cyclops
White Zombie
I Walked with a Zombie


(A random assortment)

Both excellent films, but I don't know if it'd be good to start him off with them. For some people those are a little trickier to watch.

Dracula (1931)
Frankenstein (1931)
Bride Of Frankenstein
The Mummy
Creature From The Black Lagoon
Horror Of Dracula
The Exorcist
Night Of The Living Dead (1968)
The Cat People
Curse Of The Demon
Son Of Dracula
The Wolf Man
Psycho

Probably, however I got hooked on them when I started writing my own electronica score for them. Had to put that project off for when I have more free time.

Thanks for the wealth of possibilities. I'll have to keep my eyes open the next time I hit the rental store.

@alkytrio666 - I don't know why I have a hard time with classic horror. It's not the black-n-white format, the old style special effects, etc. Maybe I just haven't watched the right ones.

@Despare - I basically like any and all horror: splatter, psychological, Asian, etc. I've seen Kwaidan at the video store but always passed it by. I guess I'll have to give it a go.