Showing posts with label Peter Cushing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter Cushing. Show all posts
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Horror Express - Starring Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing
Horror Express
An English anthropologist (Christopher Lee) has discovered a frozen monster in the frozen wastes of Manchuria which he believes may be the Missing Link. He brings the creature back to Europe aboard a trans-Siberian express, but during the trip the monster thaws out and starts to butcher the passengers one by one.
Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Telly Savalas
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Peter Cushing, The Gentleman Of Horror
Peter Cushing, The Gentleman Of Horror
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alan_Toner]Alan Toner
With his prominent cheek bones, sunken cheeks and aquiline nose, Peter Cushing is undoubtedly one of the most striking and iconic faces in the history of horror films. Coupling his dapper physical appearance with his quiet, well-spoken manner, Cushing has often been described as "the gentleman of horror." As a lifelong Peter Cushing fan, I would certainly agree with that appellation, as I believe he brought a certain kind of class and inherent quality to each role he played, be it a horror part or otherwise.
My earliest memories of watching a Peter Cushing movie go back to the late sixties, when I first saw him in the Hammer horror movies I grew to love so much. As a small boy staying up late to watch Appointment With Fear every Monday evening at 10.30 pm, I was instantly struck by this fantastic British actor with the compelling face, a man who could play either Baron Frankenstein or Dracula's arch nemesis, Dr Van Helsing, with equal charm and charisma. In those far off days, I had to be content with an old black-and-white TV set, so watching Mr Cushing in that context was thrilling enough in itself. But then, when we finally got our colour telly in 1975, and I was then able to view all those wonderful Hammer horror movies in glorious technicolor - well, that was an even bigger joy than my initial exposure to them on my old black-and-white set way back in the sixties!
It wasn't just the Hammer movies that I loved Mr Cushing in, for he did make some excellent appearances in the Amicus films too. Amicus were the main rivals to Hammer when it came to producing top-quality horror movies, and my favourite Cushing role in these portmanteau films was that of the tragic ex-garbage man Arthur Grimsdyke in Tales From The Crypt (1972), who is hounded into committing suicide by the cold-hearted actions of a snooty neighbour, who takes exception to the way Grimsdyke befriends local children and harbours dogs in his house, picking dirt out of what is, after all, just a simple case of a lonely, harmless old man playing the kindly uncle to the local kids. This is, without doubt, one of Cushing finest roles, and I really felt sorry for Mr Grimsdyke when his tormentor finally drives the poor old man to hang himself. But of course, this being a Cushing horror movie, and one where the character has been tampering with a Ouija board, it didn't all end there, for one year later, the rotting corpse of Grimsdyke rises from the grave to exact a grisly revenge on his ruthless neighbour, ripping out his heart and leaving it for his shocked father to find the next morning, wrapped up in a blood-soaked cloth bearing a Valentine's poem written in blood. Classic Amicus stuff!
Next to all his Hammer movies, the Cushing Amicus films take special pride of place on my DVD shelf. Whenever I look at my DVD collection, I often think to myself that when I used to watch Peter in all those fantastically creepy films years ago, I never once thought that one day I would actually own them all in this format, always there to watch whenever I want to.
It wasn't often that Peter Cushing played a baddie, but when he did, he could really impress, just as unforgettably as he could when he played the kindly gentleman roles. The movie that sees Mr Cushing at his most ruthless and nasty is, for me, the 1969 classic Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed. In fact, of all the Frankenstein films he starred in, this is the one that really portrays the Baron at his darkest, stooping to such shocking acts as rape and murder. He blackmails a young couple to assist him with his ever-fanatical experiments, and when the girl, Anna (played by the lovely Veronica Carlson), inadvertently sets the monster free, he cold-bloodedly knives her to death. Alongside the tragic image of poor Mr Arthur Grimsdyke hanging by his neck in Tales From The Crypt, the scene where poor Anna is lying dead with Frankenstein's scalpel protruding from her stomach in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed certainly ranks high in my list of Cushing movies which have the most shock value.
Of course, everybody knows that Peter Cushing did play many other roles outside the horror genre, and has appeared in countless stage productions portraying such literary characters as Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Oh yes, and who could forget his occasional guest appearances on The Morecambe and Wise Show, where he persistently harassed the two comedians for his "money." However, it is for his awesome performances as Baron Frankenstein and Abraham Van Helsing, along with all his other horror roles, that I shall mostly remember him. He made those parts his own - just as his great friend Christopher Lee did with Dracula and Boris Karloff did with the Frankenstein Monster - and nobody, but nobody, could fill his shoes in that respect.
The horror movie industry of today is, sadly, a much poorer place without Peter Cushing, the "gentleman of horror."
Alan To (real name Alan Toner) is a successful author of Kindle books. He writes mainly in the ghost and horror genres. In addition to writing Kindle books and articles, he is also currently at work on his first novel. His Amazon Author page is at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alan-Toner/e/B0088YISQ8/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
His official website is at: http://www.wirralwriter.co.uk
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Peter-Cushing,-The-Gentleman-Of-Horror&id=6539359] Peter Cushing, The Gentleman Of Horror
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alan_Toner]Alan Toner
With his prominent cheek bones, sunken cheeks and aquiline nose, Peter Cushing is undoubtedly one of the most striking and iconic faces in the history of horror films. Coupling his dapper physical appearance with his quiet, well-spoken manner, Cushing has often been described as "the gentleman of horror." As a lifelong Peter Cushing fan, I would certainly agree with that appellation, as I believe he brought a certain kind of class and inherent quality to each role he played, be it a horror part or otherwise.
My earliest memories of watching a Peter Cushing movie go back to the late sixties, when I first saw him in the Hammer horror movies I grew to love so much. As a small boy staying up late to watch Appointment With Fear every Monday evening at 10.30 pm, I was instantly struck by this fantastic British actor with the compelling face, a man who could play either Baron Frankenstein or Dracula's arch nemesis, Dr Van Helsing, with equal charm and charisma. In those far off days, I had to be content with an old black-and-white TV set, so watching Mr Cushing in that context was thrilling enough in itself. But then, when we finally got our colour telly in 1975, and I was then able to view all those wonderful Hammer horror movies in glorious technicolor - well, that was an even bigger joy than my initial exposure to them on my old black-and-white set way back in the sixties!
It wasn't just the Hammer movies that I loved Mr Cushing in, for he did make some excellent appearances in the Amicus films too. Amicus were the main rivals to Hammer when it came to producing top-quality horror movies, and my favourite Cushing role in these portmanteau films was that of the tragic ex-garbage man Arthur Grimsdyke in Tales From The Crypt (1972), who is hounded into committing suicide by the cold-hearted actions of a snooty neighbour, who takes exception to the way Grimsdyke befriends local children and harbours dogs in his house, picking dirt out of what is, after all, just a simple case of a lonely, harmless old man playing the kindly uncle to the local kids. This is, without doubt, one of Cushing finest roles, and I really felt sorry for Mr Grimsdyke when his tormentor finally drives the poor old man to hang himself. But of course, this being a Cushing horror movie, and one where the character has been tampering with a Ouija board, it didn't all end there, for one year later, the rotting corpse of Grimsdyke rises from the grave to exact a grisly revenge on his ruthless neighbour, ripping out his heart and leaving it for his shocked father to find the next morning, wrapped up in a blood-soaked cloth bearing a Valentine's poem written in blood. Classic Amicus stuff!
Next to all his Hammer movies, the Cushing Amicus films take special pride of place on my DVD shelf. Whenever I look at my DVD collection, I often think to myself that when I used to watch Peter in all those fantastically creepy films years ago, I never once thought that one day I would actually own them all in this format, always there to watch whenever I want to.
It wasn't often that Peter Cushing played a baddie, but when he did, he could really impress, just as unforgettably as he could when he played the kindly gentleman roles. The movie that sees Mr Cushing at his most ruthless and nasty is, for me, the 1969 classic Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed. In fact, of all the Frankenstein films he starred in, this is the one that really portrays the Baron at his darkest, stooping to such shocking acts as rape and murder. He blackmails a young couple to assist him with his ever-fanatical experiments, and when the girl, Anna (played by the lovely Veronica Carlson), inadvertently sets the monster free, he cold-bloodedly knives her to death. Alongside the tragic image of poor Mr Arthur Grimsdyke hanging by his neck in Tales From The Crypt, the scene where poor Anna is lying dead with Frankenstein's scalpel protruding from her stomach in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed certainly ranks high in my list of Cushing movies which have the most shock value.
Of course, everybody knows that Peter Cushing did play many other roles outside the horror genre, and has appeared in countless stage productions portraying such literary characters as Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Oh yes, and who could forget his occasional guest appearances on The Morecambe and Wise Show, where he persistently harassed the two comedians for his "money." However, it is for his awesome performances as Baron Frankenstein and Abraham Van Helsing, along with all his other horror roles, that I shall mostly remember him. He made those parts his own - just as his great friend Christopher Lee did with Dracula and Boris Karloff did with the Frankenstein Monster - and nobody, but nobody, could fill his shoes in that respect.
The horror movie industry of today is, sadly, a much poorer place without Peter Cushing, the "gentleman of horror."
Alan To (real name Alan Toner) is a successful author of Kindle books. He writes mainly in the ghost and horror genres. In addition to writing Kindle books and articles, he is also currently at work on his first novel. His Amazon Author page is at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alan-Toner/e/B0088YISQ8/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
His official website is at: http://www.wirralwriter.co.uk
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Peter-Cushing,-The-Gentleman-Of-Horror&id=6539359] Peter Cushing, The Gentleman Of Horror
Top Ten Horror Movies Of A Kindle Horror Book Writer
Top Ten Horror Movies Of A Kindle Horror Book Writer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alan_Toner]Alan Toner
As a published author of Kindle paranormal and horror books, and as a huge fan of horror movies, I would like to list my all time top ten horror movies. As there are some real classics here, I am sure that some of these movies will also feature highly in the top ten lists of many other horror fans.
1. Frankenstein (1931) - The granddaddy of them all: Frankenstein's Monster, played by the great Boris Karloff. This was the film that got me hooked on horror movies when I first saw it as a kid. Nobody has been able to play Frankenstein's creation quite like Karloff did, as he brought a remarkable sense of pathos to the role. I love everything about this movie, from Colin Clive's ecstatically crazed tones of "It's alive! Alive!" to the fiery finale in the old windmill. The ultimate Universal horror movie, and a true classic.
2. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - It's not often that a sequel to a popular movie lives up to the first. The Bride of Frankenstein was one of those pleasing exceptions. In fact, many cinema buffs regard this second film in the Karloff Frankenstein trilogy as being even better than the previous one. Again, Universal work their special movie monster magic here, as Dr Frankenstein is forced to create a mate for his creature - with disastrous results. Elsa Lanchester is brilliant as the Bride, as is Ernest Thesiger who plays the devious Dr Pretorius. This is also the movie where the monster learns to speak, albeit with a very limited vocabulary. Again, like the first film, a true horror classic.
3. Dracula (1958) - The movie that led me to becoming a BIG fan of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Seeing the Hammer Dracula for the very first time, with those terrifying blood-red eyes, razor-sharp fangs and hissing visage made the old black-and-white Dracula movies same so tame by comparison. The definitive Hammer horror movie, and one that should be in every horror fan's DVD collection. Christopher Lee is the best Dracula ever, a fact attested to when the studio had him coming back again and again in a new sequel. Nobody can play Dracula as brilliantly as Christopher Lee can, and I don't think anybody ever will.
4. The Wolf Man (1941) - Universal added a third movie monster to their chamber of celluloid horrors in the form of the Wolf Man, and although, unlike Frankenstein's monster and Dracula, this creature was not taken directly from a novel (it was from a Curt Siodmak script), it still proved to be every bit as terrifying and awesome as the other two. Lon Chaney Jr. played the cursed lycanthrope Lawrence Talbot magnificently, and his character's exploits were wonderfully enhanced by the atmosphere of fog-shrouded forests, creepy gypsy clans and brilliant musical score. And, of course, Jack Pierce did a brilliant job with the Wolf Man makeup.
5. Psycho (1960) - Famous for its notorious shower scene, Psycho (based on Robert Bloch's novel) is the King of the Slasher Films. Horror moves away from the fantasy world of monsters like The Wolf Man and Frankenstein and into a more close-to-real-life setting, namely a secluded motel run by a seemingly shy, inoffensive young man by the name of Norman Bates. But that initial impression is soon shattered when he dons his mother's clothes and goes on a demented killing spree. Psycho is truly one of Hitchcock's greatest movies.
6. Tales From The Crypt (1972) - You can't beat a good horror portmanteau movie, and of all the films of that type I have seen over the years, I found Tales From The Crypt to be the most enjoyable. Every story is brilliant, especially the one involving Joan Collins and the crazed Santa Claus, and that includes the framing story. Ralph Richardson is also fantastic as the Crypt Keeper. Thank you so much, Amicus, for bringing us masterpiece of portmanteau horror.
7. Halloween (1978) - This John Carpenter movie really proved that you can still scare viewers half to death with a good slasher story without resorting to excessive blood and gore. Masked Michael Myers - also known as "The Shape" - relentlessly stalks Jamie Lee Curtis through darkened streets and houses amid a creepy Halloween atmosphere. Donald Pleasance presents a memorable performance here too as Dr Loomis, who pursues his former patient Myers determinedly and fearlessly throughout the movie. A true horror classic.
8. Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968) - For me, this movie just embodied everything that was wonderful about Hammer: vibrantly lush settings, beautiful heroines (in this case, the lovely Veronica Carlson), great storyline, and, of course, the wonderful Christopher Lee as Count Dracula, who is revived from a watery grave by the spilling of the blood of a priest, whom he later makes his servant. I especially enjoyed the part where Paul, Maria's boyfriend, stakes Dracula in his coffin, but being an atheist can't recite the holy ritual necessary to ensure complete destruction of the evil vampire. I never get tired of watching this movie, it's that good.
9. Friday The 13th (1980) - An as yet hockey-mask-devoid Jason Voorhees makes his terrifying debut in this gory shocker from 1980. Although I did go on to enjoy all the sequels, the very first Friday The 13th movie will always be my special favourite, mainly because of the aura of mystery that surrounded the Voorhees character.
10. The Wicker Man (1973) - I cannot utter enough superlatives to describe this fantastic cult movie. Truly, one of the most unusual and original films that I have ever seen. Edward Woodward is superb in the role of Police Sergeant Neil Howie, who comes to the remote Hebridean island of Summerisle in search of a missing girl who the locals claim never existed. Being a devout Christian, Howie is disgusted to find that the islanders practise a weird form of Celtic paganism, including open copulation. Christopher Lee is also brilliant as Lord Summerisle, whose devious intentions lead Howie into a trap, culminating in one of the most horrific, heart-wrenching climaxes in horror movie history. The Wicker Man ranks not only in my all time horror movie top ten, but also in my all time top ten films ever.
Alan To (real name Alan Toner) is a successful author of Kindle books. He writes mainly in the ghost and horror genres. In addition to writing Kindle books and articles, he is also currently at work on his first novel. His Amazon Author page is at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alan-Toner/e/B0088YISQ8/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
His official website is at: http://www.wirralwriter.co.uk
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Ten-Horror-Movies-Of-A-Kindle-Horror-Book-Writer&id=8284372] Top Ten Horror Movies Of A Kindle Horror Book Writer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alan_Toner]Alan Toner
As a published author of Kindle paranormal and horror books, and as a huge fan of horror movies, I would like to list my all time top ten horror movies. As there are some real classics here, I am sure that some of these movies will also feature highly in the top ten lists of many other horror fans.
1. Frankenstein (1931) - The granddaddy of them all: Frankenstein's Monster, played by the great Boris Karloff. This was the film that got me hooked on horror movies when I first saw it as a kid. Nobody has been able to play Frankenstein's creation quite like Karloff did, as he brought a remarkable sense of pathos to the role. I love everything about this movie, from Colin Clive's ecstatically crazed tones of "It's alive! Alive!" to the fiery finale in the old windmill. The ultimate Universal horror movie, and a true classic.
2. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - It's not often that a sequel to a popular movie lives up to the first. The Bride of Frankenstein was one of those pleasing exceptions. In fact, many cinema buffs regard this second film in the Karloff Frankenstein trilogy as being even better than the previous one. Again, Universal work their special movie monster magic here, as Dr Frankenstein is forced to create a mate for his creature - with disastrous results. Elsa Lanchester is brilliant as the Bride, as is Ernest Thesiger who plays the devious Dr Pretorius. This is also the movie where the monster learns to speak, albeit with a very limited vocabulary. Again, like the first film, a true horror classic.
3. Dracula (1958) - The movie that led me to becoming a BIG fan of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Seeing the Hammer Dracula for the very first time, with those terrifying blood-red eyes, razor-sharp fangs and hissing visage made the old black-and-white Dracula movies same so tame by comparison. The definitive Hammer horror movie, and one that should be in every horror fan's DVD collection. Christopher Lee is the best Dracula ever, a fact attested to when the studio had him coming back again and again in a new sequel. Nobody can play Dracula as brilliantly as Christopher Lee can, and I don't think anybody ever will.
4. The Wolf Man (1941) - Universal added a third movie monster to their chamber of celluloid horrors in the form of the Wolf Man, and although, unlike Frankenstein's monster and Dracula, this creature was not taken directly from a novel (it was from a Curt Siodmak script), it still proved to be every bit as terrifying and awesome as the other two. Lon Chaney Jr. played the cursed lycanthrope Lawrence Talbot magnificently, and his character's exploits were wonderfully enhanced by the atmosphere of fog-shrouded forests, creepy gypsy clans and brilliant musical score. And, of course, Jack Pierce did a brilliant job with the Wolf Man makeup.
5. Psycho (1960) - Famous for its notorious shower scene, Psycho (based on Robert Bloch's novel) is the King of the Slasher Films. Horror moves away from the fantasy world of monsters like The Wolf Man and Frankenstein and into a more close-to-real-life setting, namely a secluded motel run by a seemingly shy, inoffensive young man by the name of Norman Bates. But that initial impression is soon shattered when he dons his mother's clothes and goes on a demented killing spree. Psycho is truly one of Hitchcock's greatest movies.
6. Tales From The Crypt (1972) - You can't beat a good horror portmanteau movie, and of all the films of that type I have seen over the years, I found Tales From The Crypt to be the most enjoyable. Every story is brilliant, especially the one involving Joan Collins and the crazed Santa Claus, and that includes the framing story. Ralph Richardson is also fantastic as the Crypt Keeper. Thank you so much, Amicus, for bringing us masterpiece of portmanteau horror.
7. Halloween (1978) - This John Carpenter movie really proved that you can still scare viewers half to death with a good slasher story without resorting to excessive blood and gore. Masked Michael Myers - also known as "The Shape" - relentlessly stalks Jamie Lee Curtis through darkened streets and houses amid a creepy Halloween atmosphere. Donald Pleasance presents a memorable performance here too as Dr Loomis, who pursues his former patient Myers determinedly and fearlessly throughout the movie. A true horror classic.
8. Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968) - For me, this movie just embodied everything that was wonderful about Hammer: vibrantly lush settings, beautiful heroines (in this case, the lovely Veronica Carlson), great storyline, and, of course, the wonderful Christopher Lee as Count Dracula, who is revived from a watery grave by the spilling of the blood of a priest, whom he later makes his servant. I especially enjoyed the part where Paul, Maria's boyfriend, stakes Dracula in his coffin, but being an atheist can't recite the holy ritual necessary to ensure complete destruction of the evil vampire. I never get tired of watching this movie, it's that good.
9. Friday The 13th (1980) - An as yet hockey-mask-devoid Jason Voorhees makes his terrifying debut in this gory shocker from 1980. Although I did go on to enjoy all the sequels, the very first Friday The 13th movie will always be my special favourite, mainly because of the aura of mystery that surrounded the Voorhees character.
10. The Wicker Man (1973) - I cannot utter enough superlatives to describe this fantastic cult movie. Truly, one of the most unusual and original films that I have ever seen. Edward Woodward is superb in the role of Police Sergeant Neil Howie, who comes to the remote Hebridean island of Summerisle in search of a missing girl who the locals claim never existed. Being a devout Christian, Howie is disgusted to find that the islanders practise a weird form of Celtic paganism, including open copulation. Christopher Lee is also brilliant as Lord Summerisle, whose devious intentions lead Howie into a trap, culminating in one of the most horrific, heart-wrenching climaxes in horror movie history. The Wicker Man ranks not only in my all time horror movie top ten, but also in my all time top ten films ever.
Alan To (real name Alan Toner) is a successful author of Kindle books. He writes mainly in the ghost and horror genres. In addition to writing Kindle books and articles, he is also currently at work on his first novel. His Amazon Author page is at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alan-Toner/e/B0088YISQ8/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
His official website is at: http://www.wirralwriter.co.uk
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Ten-Horror-Movies-Of-A-Kindle-Horror-Book-Writer&id=8284372] Top Ten Horror Movies Of A Kindle Horror Book Writer
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Monsters and Demons: A Short History of the Horror Film
Monsters and Demons: A Short History of the Horror Film
By Astrid Bullen
Going to the movies may not seem like a novel way for little kids to spend an afternoon. But have you ever brought your child to see a Disney flick and ended up viewing trailers for Jeepers Creepers 2 or Freddie vs. Jason? When this happened in a Birmingham, Alabama cinema last year, parents became concerned about what the main attraction would be. But before the managers at the cinema could turn off the previews, the main attraction came on, and it wasn’t Piglet. Instead they were presented with the gruesome opening of Wrong Turn, an 18-rated slasher flick in much the same vein as the previews.
Is there a more genre more criticized than the horror film? Not bloody likely. There’s the argument that horror films are socially and morally irresponsible, even influencing some people to imitate the brutal methods of the killers portrayed on screen. Horror films actually have the opposite effect on normal people – sick minds will commit atrocities anyway. Watching horror films lets us encounter our secret fears, share them with other viewers, and eliminate the terror by meeting it head-on.
The genre is almost as old as cinema itself – the silent short film Le Manoir du Diable directed by Georges Mèliès in 1896 was the first horror movie and the first vampire flick. The movie only lasted two minutes, but audiences loved it, and Mèliès took pleasure in giving them even more devils and skeletons.
In the early 1900’s German filmmakers created the first horror-themed feature films, and director Paul Wegener enjoyed great success with his version of the old Jewish folk tale Der Golem in 1913 (which he remade – to even greater success – in 1920). This fable about an enormous clay figure, which is brought to life by an antiquarian and then fights against its forced servitude, was a clear precursor to the many monster movies that flourished in Hollywood during the Thirties.
The most enduring early German horror film is probably F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu (1922), the first feature-length vampire movie. But one movie paved the way for the “serious” horror film – and art cinema in general – Robert Wiene’s work of genius The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, still held up as an model of the potent creativity of cinema even to this day.
Early Hollywood drama dabbles in horror themes including versions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) starring Lon Chaney, the first American horror-film movie star.
It was in the early 1930’s that Universal Studios, created the modern horror film genre, bringing to the screen a series of successful gothic-steeped features including Dracula, Frankenstein (both 1931) and The Mummy (1932) – all of which spawned numerous sequels. No other studio had as much success with the genre (even if some of the films made at Paramount and MGM were better).
In the nuclear-charged atmosphere of the 1950’s the tone of horror films shifted away from the gothic and towards the modern. Aliens took over the local cinema, if not the world, and they were not at all interested in extending the tentacle of friendship. Humanity had to overcome endless threats from Outside: alien invasions, and deadly mutations to people, plants, and insects. Two of the most popular films of the period were The Thing From Another World (1951) and Invasion of the Bodysnatchers (1956).
Horror movies became a lot more lurid – and gorier – in the late Fifties as the technical side of cinematography became easier and cheaper. This era saw the rise of studios centered exclusively on horror, particularly British production company Hammer Films, which focused on bloody remakes of traditional horror stories, often starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, and American International Pictures (AIP), which made a series of Edgar Allan Poe themed films starring Vincent Price.
The early 1960’s saw the release of two films that sought to close the gap between the subject matter and the viewer, and involve the latter in the reprehensible deeds shown on screen. One was Michael Powell’s Peeping Tom, the other was a very low-budget film called Psycho, both using all-too-human monsters rather than supernatural ones to scare the audience.
When Rosemary’s Baby began ringing tills in the late Sixties, horror film budgets rose significantly, and many top names jumped at the chance to show off their theatrical skills in a horror pic. By that time, a public fascination with the occult led to a series of serious, supernatural-themed, often explicitly gruesome horror movies. The Exorcist (1973) broke all records for a horror film, and led to the commercial success of The Omen.
In 1975 Jaws, directed by a young Steven Spielberg, became the highest grossing film ever. The genre fractured somewhat in the late 1970’s, with mainstream Hollywood focusing on disaster movies such as The Towering Inferno while independent filmmakers came up with disturbing and explicit gore-fests such as Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
John Carpenter’s Halloween introduced the teens-threatened-by-superhuman-evil theme that would be copied in dozens of increasingly violent movies throughout the 1980’s including the long running Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street series. Horror movies turned to self-mocking irony and downright parody in the 1990’s – the teenagers in Scream often made reference to the history of horror movies. Only 1999’s surprise independent hit The Blair Witch Project attempted regular scares.
So go ahead, take a stroll through these favourite horror movies of all time. But pick your way very carefully, this walk is not for the faint of heart. And if you happen to hear what sounds like some subdued whispering or soft creepy grating sounds, just pay no attention to it. It’s probably only the wind.
About The Author
Astrid Bullen is a freelance writer and movie buff living in St. George’s, Grenada. Visit her cool movie website at http://aboutfilm.info/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Astrid_Bullen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Monsters-and-Demons:-A-Short-History-of-the-Horror-Film&id=22044
By Astrid Bullen
Going to the movies may not seem like a novel way for little kids to spend an afternoon. But have you ever brought your child to see a Disney flick and ended up viewing trailers for Jeepers Creepers 2 or Freddie vs. Jason? When this happened in a Birmingham, Alabama cinema last year, parents became concerned about what the main attraction would be. But before the managers at the cinema could turn off the previews, the main attraction came on, and it wasn’t Piglet. Instead they were presented with the gruesome opening of Wrong Turn, an 18-rated slasher flick in much the same vein as the previews.
Is there a more genre more criticized than the horror film? Not bloody likely. There’s the argument that horror films are socially and morally irresponsible, even influencing some people to imitate the brutal methods of the killers portrayed on screen. Horror films actually have the opposite effect on normal people – sick minds will commit atrocities anyway. Watching horror films lets us encounter our secret fears, share them with other viewers, and eliminate the terror by meeting it head-on.
The genre is almost as old as cinema itself – the silent short film Le Manoir du Diable directed by Georges Mèliès in 1896 was the first horror movie and the first vampire flick. The movie only lasted two minutes, but audiences loved it, and Mèliès took pleasure in giving them even more devils and skeletons.
In the early 1900’s German filmmakers created the first horror-themed feature films, and director Paul Wegener enjoyed great success with his version of the old Jewish folk tale Der Golem in 1913 (which he remade – to even greater success – in 1920). This fable about an enormous clay figure, which is brought to life by an antiquarian and then fights against its forced servitude, was a clear precursor to the many monster movies that flourished in Hollywood during the Thirties.
The most enduring early German horror film is probably F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu (1922), the first feature-length vampire movie. But one movie paved the way for the “serious” horror film – and art cinema in general – Robert Wiene’s work of genius The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, still held up as an model of the potent creativity of cinema even to this day.
Early Hollywood drama dabbles in horror themes including versions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) starring Lon Chaney, the first American horror-film movie star.
It was in the early 1930’s that Universal Studios, created the modern horror film genre, bringing to the screen a series of successful gothic-steeped features including Dracula, Frankenstein (both 1931) and The Mummy (1932) – all of which spawned numerous sequels. No other studio had as much success with the genre (even if some of the films made at Paramount and MGM were better).
In the nuclear-charged atmosphere of the 1950’s the tone of horror films shifted away from the gothic and towards the modern. Aliens took over the local cinema, if not the world, and they were not at all interested in extending the tentacle of friendship. Humanity had to overcome endless threats from Outside: alien invasions, and deadly mutations to people, plants, and insects. Two of the most popular films of the period were The Thing From Another World (1951) and Invasion of the Bodysnatchers (1956).
Horror movies became a lot more lurid – and gorier – in the late Fifties as the technical side of cinematography became easier and cheaper. This era saw the rise of studios centered exclusively on horror, particularly British production company Hammer Films, which focused on bloody remakes of traditional horror stories, often starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, and American International Pictures (AIP), which made a series of Edgar Allan Poe themed films starring Vincent Price.
The early 1960’s saw the release of two films that sought to close the gap between the subject matter and the viewer, and involve the latter in the reprehensible deeds shown on screen. One was Michael Powell’s Peeping Tom, the other was a very low-budget film called Psycho, both using all-too-human monsters rather than supernatural ones to scare the audience.
When Rosemary’s Baby began ringing tills in the late Sixties, horror film budgets rose significantly, and many top names jumped at the chance to show off their theatrical skills in a horror pic. By that time, a public fascination with the occult led to a series of serious, supernatural-themed, often explicitly gruesome horror movies. The Exorcist (1973) broke all records for a horror film, and led to the commercial success of The Omen.
In 1975 Jaws, directed by a young Steven Spielberg, became the highest grossing film ever. The genre fractured somewhat in the late 1970’s, with mainstream Hollywood focusing on disaster movies such as The Towering Inferno while independent filmmakers came up with disturbing and explicit gore-fests such as Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
John Carpenter’s Halloween introduced the teens-threatened-by-superhuman-evil theme that would be copied in dozens of increasingly violent movies throughout the 1980’s including the long running Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street series. Horror movies turned to self-mocking irony and downright parody in the 1990’s – the teenagers in Scream often made reference to the history of horror movies. Only 1999’s surprise independent hit The Blair Witch Project attempted regular scares.
So go ahead, take a stroll through these favourite horror movies of all time. But pick your way very carefully, this walk is not for the faint of heart. And if you happen to hear what sounds like some subdued whispering or soft creepy grating sounds, just pay no attention to it. It’s probably only the wind.
About The Author
Astrid Bullen is a freelance writer and movie buff living in St. George’s, Grenada. Visit her cool movie website at http://aboutfilm.info/.
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