Based on Victor Hugo’s 19th century novel, Paul Leni’s The Man Who Laughs is one of the most influential achievements in film history, if for no other reason than as the inspiration for The Joker. A soulful Conrad Veidt stars as Gwynplaine, a circus clown whose permanent grimace is a mocking reminder of his miserable fate. Mary Philbin plays his beloved Dea, a blind girl with the ability to “see” the real Gwynplaine. Olga Baclanova, villainess of 1932’s Freaks, co-stars, and Jack Pierce, the make-up genius behind Frankenstein’s monster and The Mummy, created Veidt’s nightmare smile.
A high quality print of Leni’s film can be seen here: The Man Who Laughs.
The post The Man Who Laughs appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
A high quality print of Leni’s film can be seen here: The Man Who Laughs.
The post The Man Who Laughs appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
- 12/20/2022
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
Following the release of Frankenstein, Boris Karloff, at nearly 45 years of age and having spent twenty years as a professional actor, became an overnight sensation. As the film was still raking in its rewards, Universal signed him to a star contract and immediately began searching for a property for him. As it turned out it took nearly a year, between his outstanding commitments to other studios and Universal’s inability to find a suitable script, for Karloff to appear in his first starring role for the studio. The film was a decidedly different, but no less remarkable, from Frankenstein. Instead of being quickly paced and sensationalistic, The Mummy was deliberately plotted with a slowly unfolding story, but its restrained direction and masterful performances made it a unique entry in Universal’s growing library of horror cinema of the early 1930s.
Writer and journalist Nina Wilcox Putnam was tasked by Universal...
Writer and journalist Nina Wilcox Putnam was tasked by Universal...
- 11/30/2022
- by Brian Keiper
- bloody-disgusting.com
Rick Baker is a legend. The special makeup effects master is responsible for creating work for "Videodrome," "Thriller," "Harry and the Hendersons," "Coming to America," "Men in Black," "The Nutty Professor," and so much more. His work is iconic (and I don't use that word lightly) and arguably unparalleled. Hell, he won the very first Oscar for Best Makeup for his groundbreaking work on "American Werewolf in London," and he would go on to win the award a record seven times. In short, Rick Baker is one of the best to ever do it.
Not only is Baker an artist, but he's also a fan of the classic makeup work of cinema, particularly the Universal Monsters, most of which were created by Jack Pierce. So it makes sense that when Universal decided to remake "The Wolfman," Baker would want to be on board to bring the lycanthrope to life. Baker...
Not only is Baker an artist, but he's also a fan of the classic makeup work of cinema, particularly the Universal Monsters, most of which were created by Jack Pierce. So it makes sense that when Universal decided to remake "The Wolfman," Baker would want to be on board to bring the lycanthrope to life. Baker...
- 10/12/2022
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Click here to read the full article.
Paramount’s Smile, in theaters Sept. 30, is the latest fright flick to benefit from a sinister grin. But the granddaddy of all scary smile films dates back to 1928, when Universal Pictures released The Man Who Laughs, an adaptation of the 1869 Victor Hugo novel.
The studio had success with another Hugo novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which it had adapted into a Lon Chaney showcase in 1923. Chaney would physically transform once again into a deformed gothic antihero — this time, Gwynplaine, a nobleman’s son who is hideously disfigured when the king orders a permanent smile carved into his face. But the project was sidelined because of a rights issue, and Chaney instead made 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera, based on the 1910 Gaston Leroux novel. That film was a hit, too, so Universal chief Carl Laemmle resurrected Laughs for its next “super-production.”
To direct,...
Paramount’s Smile, in theaters Sept. 30, is the latest fright flick to benefit from a sinister grin. But the granddaddy of all scary smile films dates back to 1928, when Universal Pictures released The Man Who Laughs, an adaptation of the 1869 Victor Hugo novel.
The studio had success with another Hugo novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which it had adapted into a Lon Chaney showcase in 1923. Chaney would physically transform once again into a deformed gothic antihero — this time, Gwynplaine, a nobleman’s son who is hideously disfigured when the king orders a permanent smile carved into his face. But the project was sidelined because of a rights issue, and Chaney instead made 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera, based on the 1910 Gaston Leroux novel. That film was a hit, too, so Universal chief Carl Laemmle resurrected Laughs for its next “super-production.”
To direct,...
- 9/30/2022
- by Seth Abramovitch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Marvel gets into the Halloween spirit this year with a new Disney+ special that introduces new characters to the MCU with a stylish twist. Werewolf by Night presents as a classic horror movie, dropping viewers into the middle of a secret world of monster hunters. The retro stylings and a pair of endearing leads successfully distract, at least for a while, from some of the more conventional MCU traits that prevent it from venturing too far into horror territory.
Ulysses Bloodstone’s passing leaves the throne open for a new leader of his monster hunter guild. His wife has assembled a group of the most ruthless monster slayers at Bloodstone Castle for a ceremonious hunt to determine their new ruler. The winner of the quest must successfully retrieve the Bloodstone from a creature prowling the castle grounds, and the hunters are free to take out their competition if it suits them.
Ulysses Bloodstone’s passing leaves the throne open for a new leader of his monster hunter guild. His wife has assembled a group of the most ruthless monster slayers at Bloodstone Castle for a ceremonious hunt to determine their new ruler. The winner of the quest must successfully retrieve the Bloodstone from a creature prowling the castle grounds, and the hunters are free to take out their competition if it suits them.
- 9/26/2022
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
¡Ai Caramba! It’s the best movie ever made about a killer Spanish Conquistador from beyond the grave. This is probably the most satisfying of Richard Cunha’s monster romps despite being rudimentary in all respects. The script is dire and the monster just a generic bogeyman, but the actors are pleasant and the locations attractive. The filmmakers had the last laugh anyway, as the plain-wrap show garnered a nationwide theatrical release. The Film Detective wisely brought on Tom Weaver to front the extras, as he had the picture fully documented years ago.
Giant from the Unknown
Blu-ray
The Film Detective
1958 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 78 min. / Street Date January 15, 2021 / Available from The Film Detective / 24.95
Starring: Ed Kemmer, Sally Fraser, Bob Steele, Morris Ankrum, Buddy Baer, Gary Crutcher, Oliver Blake, Jolene Brand, Billy Dix.
Cinematography: Dick Cunha
Makeup: Jack P. Pierce
Original Music: Albert Glasser
Written by Frank Hart Taussig, Ralph Brooke
Produced by Marc Frederick,...
Giant from the Unknown
Blu-ray
The Film Detective
1958 / B&w / 1:85 widescreen / 78 min. / Street Date January 15, 2021 / Available from The Film Detective / 24.95
Starring: Ed Kemmer, Sally Fraser, Bob Steele, Morris Ankrum, Buddy Baer, Gary Crutcher, Oliver Blake, Jolene Brand, Billy Dix.
Cinematography: Dick Cunha
Makeup: Jack P. Pierce
Original Music: Albert Glasser
Written by Frank Hart Taussig, Ralph Brooke
Produced by Marc Frederick,...
- 2/2/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
In the 1818 novel “Frankenstein,” Mary Shelley invented a creature that was philosophical, articulate and vengeful. But most people remember the Hollywood version: barely speaking, lumbering and with bolts in his neck, memorable thanks to Boris Karloff and the makeup designed by Jack P. Pierce. November 21 marks the anniversary of the film’s 1931 debut. At the time, Variety wrote that the studio added a prologue only two days before prints shipped, in which audiences were warned what to expect, since horror was a newish genre for U.S. films. The Variety story added that Universal and director James Whale reshot the ending after previews: “New scenes keep the doctor, who treats the monster, alive instead of burning him to death with his robot.”
Kansas City still wasn’t pleased. In those days, local communities could censor films, and K.C. demanded 34 cuts including the climax, because the movie “shows cruelty and tends to debase morals.
Kansas City still wasn’t pleased. In those days, local communities could censor films, and K.C. demanded 34 cuts including the climax, because the movie “shows cruelty and tends to debase morals.
- 11/23/2018
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
It’s a genuine Universal horror classic that to my knowledge has never been available in a decent presentation — but The Cohen Group has come through with a nigh-perfect Blu-ray, both image and sound. Karloff is creepy, Gloria Stuart lovely and Ernest Thesiger is at his most delightfully fruity. And the potato lobby should be pleased, too.
The Old Dark House (1932)
Blu-ray
The Cohen Group
1932 / B&W / 1:37 flat full frame / 72 min. / Street Date October 24, 2017 / 25.99
Starring: Boris Karloff, Melvyn Douglas, Charles Laughton, Lilian Bond, Ernest Thesiger, Rebecca Femm, Raymond Massey, Gloria Stuart, John (actually Elspeth) Dudgeon, Brember Wills.
Cinematography: Arthur Edeson
Film Editor: Clarence Kolster
Special Makeup: Jack Pierce
Written by Benn W. Levy, from the novel by J. B. Priestley
Produced by Carl Laemmle Jr.
Directed by James Whale
I suppose fans of horror films will forever hope that some pristine copy of the lost 1927 London After Midnight will someday appear.
The Old Dark House (1932)
Blu-ray
The Cohen Group
1932 / B&W / 1:37 flat full frame / 72 min. / Street Date October 24, 2017 / 25.99
Starring: Boris Karloff, Melvyn Douglas, Charles Laughton, Lilian Bond, Ernest Thesiger, Rebecca Femm, Raymond Massey, Gloria Stuart, John (actually Elspeth) Dudgeon, Brember Wills.
Cinematography: Arthur Edeson
Film Editor: Clarence Kolster
Special Makeup: Jack Pierce
Written by Benn W. Levy, from the novel by J. B. Priestley
Produced by Carl Laemmle Jr.
Directed by James Whale
I suppose fans of horror films will forever hope that some pristine copy of the lost 1927 London After Midnight will someday appear.
- 10/14/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Jim Knipfel Sep 18, 2017
One of the earliest scary clown movies, The Man Who Laughs was also an influence on the creation of Batman villain, The Joker...
Clowns, both creepy and, well, slightly less creepy, were lurking about in the shadows for thousands of years before Stephen King’s evil clown Pennywise shambled along with those sinister red balloons of his. The Egyptians had them, the Greeks had them, the Romans had them. But in the 17th and 18th centuries, an interesting and telling thing happened.
See related The Croods 2 has been cancelled
During the Middle Ages, the clown and the performing freak were essentially one and the same. The jesters and fools who entertained in the royal courts of Europe were usually attired in flamboyant and garish costumes and makeup, and were often physically deformed in some way. After that, however, the two began to tear themselves apart, with the...
One of the earliest scary clown movies, The Man Who Laughs was also an influence on the creation of Batman villain, The Joker...
Clowns, both creepy and, well, slightly less creepy, were lurking about in the shadows for thousands of years before Stephen King’s evil clown Pennywise shambled along with those sinister red balloons of his. The Egyptians had them, the Greeks had them, the Romans had them. But in the 17th and 18th centuries, an interesting and telling thing happened.
See related The Croods 2 has been cancelled
During the Middle Ages, the clown and the performing freak were essentially one and the same. The jesters and fools who entertained in the royal courts of Europe were usually attired in flamboyant and garish costumes and makeup, and were often physically deformed in some way. After that, however, the two began to tear themselves apart, with the...
- 9/13/2017
- Den of Geek
What horrors lurk within The Basement? You'll find out soon enough, as Breaking Glass Pictures acquired North American rights and set a September home media release date for the Hungarian horror film. Also in today's Horror Highlights are details on Show Pieces now being on Shudder, info on Ghosts of Shepherdstown Season 2, a ScareLA 2017 announcement, and the Indiegogo campaign for the short film The Ball.
The Basement: Press Release: "Philadelphia, Pa, June 14, 2017--Breaking Glass Pictures has acquired North American rights to the Hungarian occultist horror feature The Basement. Breaking Glass acquired North American rights to the film in June in a deal negotiated between Breaking Glass CEO Rich Wolff and Galen Christy of High Octane Pictures. The film will be released on DVD/VOD on September 5, 2017.
Chosen as one of the “21 Horror Movies That Will Make You Scream in 2017” (Boom Howdy), The Basement stars Caroline Boulton (Hercules, ‘Dr. Who’), Richard Rifkin (The Martian,...
The Basement: Press Release: "Philadelphia, Pa, June 14, 2017--Breaking Glass Pictures has acquired North American rights to the Hungarian occultist horror feature The Basement. Breaking Glass acquired North American rights to the film in June in a deal negotiated between Breaking Glass CEO Rich Wolff and Galen Christy of High Octane Pictures. The film will be released on DVD/VOD on September 5, 2017.
Chosen as one of the “21 Horror Movies That Will Make You Scream in 2017” (Boom Howdy), The Basement stars Caroline Boulton (Hercules, ‘Dr. Who’), Richard Rifkin (The Martian,...
- 6/29/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Universal’s explosion of the horror genre in the 1930s gave us two legendary actors in Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. Lugosi, who I’ve covered before in this column, was the leading-man type in that whomever he played, he was still pretty much Bela Lugosi (arguments could be made either way as to whether this was to his benefit or his detriment). Karloff, however, often had a tendency to get lost in his roles. Granted, part of this was done via the magic of FX. In movies like Frankenstein and The Mummy, Jack Pierce covered Karloff in enough prosthetics to make him unrecognizable. But credit must also be given to Karloff’s performances. Few people could pull off his take as Frankenstein’s monster where even with his face completely covered, and not a word of dialogue in script, he still managed to make this hulking monster come across as sympathetic.
- 6/28/2017
- by Bryan Christopher
- DailyDead
The 2016 blu ray release of the Frankenstein and Wolf Man Legacy Collections was a moment of celebration for movie and monster lovers everywhere, bringing together all the golden age appearances of Frankenstein’s misbegotten creation and Larry Talbot’s hairy alter-ego. Universal Studios treated those dusty creature features to luminous restorations; from Bride of Frankenstein to She Wolf of London, these essential artifacts never looked less than impeccable and, at times, even ravishing. Colin Clive’s frenzied declaration, “It’s Alive!”, never felt more appropriate.
Now Universal has turned their attention to their other legendary franchise players, Dracula, the sharp-dressed but undead ladies’ man and Im-ho-tep, the cursed Egyptian priest who loved not wisely but too well.
Dracula: Complete Legacy Collection
Blu-ray
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
1931, ’36, ’43, ’44, ’45, ’48 / 449 min. / B&W / 1:33 / Street Date May 16, 2017
Starring: Actors: Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr. , Boris Karloff, Bud Abbott, Lou Costello
Cinematography: Karl Freund,...
Now Universal has turned their attention to their other legendary franchise players, Dracula, the sharp-dressed but undead ladies’ man and Im-ho-tep, the cursed Egyptian priest who loved not wisely but too well.
Dracula: Complete Legacy Collection
Blu-ray
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
1931, ’36, ’43, ’44, ’45, ’48 / 449 min. / B&W / 1:33 / Street Date May 16, 2017
Starring: Actors: Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr. , Boris Karloff, Bud Abbott, Lou Costello
Cinematography: Karl Freund,...
- 5/29/2017
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
We'll probably never see Robert Englund reprise his role as Freddy Krueger in another Nightmare on Elm Street movie again. But thanks to an upcoming documentary called Nightmares in the Makeup Chair, we get to see Englund all decked out as Freddy Krueger at least one more time. The documentary pays tribute to the practical effects artists who have brought the iconic horror movie character to life over the years.
The film was directed by Mike Kerz, and as Englund is having his Freddy makeup applied by makeup artist Robert Kurtzman, the actor recalls his years playing the villain and pays tribute to Wes Craven and the other people he worked with on the franchise. In a statement to EW, Englund said:
"Nightmares in the Makeup Chair is my love letter to the Nightmare on Elm Street series and to practical makeup. I’ve always been in awe of the multi-talented makeup effects artists.
The film was directed by Mike Kerz, and as Englund is having his Freddy makeup applied by makeup artist Robert Kurtzman, the actor recalls his years playing the villain and pays tribute to Wes Craven and the other people he worked with on the franchise. In a statement to EW, Englund said:
"Nightmares in the Makeup Chair is my love letter to the Nightmare on Elm Street series and to practical makeup. I’ve always been in awe of the multi-talented makeup effects artists.
- 2/3/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Robert Englund may have hung up his bladed glove on the big screen after Freddy vs. Jason, but not long ago, the legendary actor was transformed into the boogeyman from Elm Street once again by makeup maestro Robert Kurtzman, and the fascinating process will be featured in the new documentary Nightmares in the Makeup Chair.
You can get a sneak peek at director Mike Kerz’s Nightmares in the Makeup Chair in the images and trailer below, and look for it to premiere at a yet-to-be-announced film festival sometime this year.
Press Release: Robert Englund is back in the Freddy Krueger makeup in the new documentary “Nightmares In The Makeup Chair”. Fans will enter the makeup room and see the entire process as special makeup effects artist Robert Kurtzman transforms Robert Englund into Freddy Krueger once again!
Robert Englund takes fans on an exciting, funny, and emotional journey through his...
You can get a sneak peek at director Mike Kerz’s Nightmares in the Makeup Chair in the images and trailer below, and look for it to premiere at a yet-to-be-announced film festival sometime this year.
Press Release: Robert Englund is back in the Freddy Krueger makeup in the new documentary “Nightmares In The Makeup Chair”. Fans will enter the makeup room and see the entire process as special makeup effects artist Robert Kurtzman transforms Robert Englund into Freddy Krueger once again!
Robert Englund takes fans on an exciting, funny, and emotional journey through his...
- 2/2/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
This kitty needs no introduction: Simone Simon is the purring-sweet immigrant with a dark atavistic secret. It's Val Lewton's debut smash hit. The real hero is director Jacques Tourneur, who conveys a feeling of real life being lived that won over audiences of 1942 and drew them into his web of fantasy. Cat People Blu-ray The Criterion Collection 833 1942 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 73 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date September 20, 2016 / 39.95 Starring Simone Simon, Kent Smith, Tom Conway, Jane Randolph, Jack Holt, Elizabeth Russell, Theresa Harris. Cinematography Nicholas Musuraca Art Direction Albert S. D'Agostino, Walter E. Keller Film Editor Mark Robson Original Music Roy Webb Written by De Witt Bodeen Directed by Jacques Tourneur
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Val Lewton never had to be 'discovered,' actually. Life magazine awarded him his own photo layout and the critics praised him as the maker of a new brand of psychologically based horror films.
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Val Lewton never had to be 'discovered,' actually. Life magazine awarded him his own photo layout and the critics praised him as the maker of a new brand of psychologically based horror films.
- 9/2/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
In 1813, renowned writer Jane Austen published a book called Pride and Prejudice, which tells the story of the Bennet sisters, who are gussied up and married off to wealthy suitors, one by one. The only sister who seems to question this system is Elizabeth, the rebellious member of the family, who feels strong disdain for the system that treats her more like property than a proper citizen. In 2009, author Seth Grahame-Smith put a new twist on the old tale by creating a parody novel called Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which loosely follows the same basic outline, but adds an entirely different obstacle to the tale: the living dead.
In Grahame-Smith’s story, the girls are not only fighting for the right to be married into regal families, but also battling for their lives on a daily basis. An outbreak has occurred within these humble streets, and now flesh-eating zombies...
In Grahame-Smith’s story, the girls are not only fighting for the right to be married into regal families, but also battling for their lives on a daily basis. An outbreak has occurred within these humble streets, and now flesh-eating zombies...
- 6/1/2016
- by Kalyn Corrigan
- DailyDead
Our series on remakes continues and since Universal Studios has announced a new version of the Mummy, set for a 2017 release, it seemed like a good time to dissect the previous attempt to redo this story. This week, Cinelinx looks at The Mummy (1999).
It’s hard to really compare the original Universal Studios version of the Mummy (1932) to the more whimsical remake (1999) because the two are so immensely different. The new version takes the seed of the first film and transforms it into something almost unrecognizable. The 1999 version meets one of the two criteria of making a good remake…Keep the spirit of the original but make it into something new and special. Well, this remake does successfully make the concept of the Mummy into something quite different, but it totally loses the spirit of the 1932 original.
The original is one of the seminal horror classics, creating one of the...
It’s hard to really compare the original Universal Studios version of the Mummy (1932) to the more whimsical remake (1999) because the two are so immensely different. The new version takes the seed of the first film and transforms it into something almost unrecognizable. The 1999 version meets one of the two criteria of making a good remake…Keep the spirit of the original but make it into something new and special. Well, this remake does successfully make the concept of the Mummy into something quite different, but it totally loses the spirit of the 1932 original.
The original is one of the seminal horror classics, creating one of the...
- 3/7/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Rob Young)
- Cinelinx
Welcome back to the Crypt o’ Xiii, my creeps! I’m pleased as putrid punch to be joined today by none other than Mitch Hyman; the creator of Bubba The Redneck Werewolf! As you will find out soon (or maybe you already have… I have no idea what order these things are gonna run in, and I ain’t no internet focused Kreskin), I loved the fleas right off of the ol’ sin-e-matic version of Bubba, and after seein’ it I wanted to learn all I could about the fury freak!
Famous Monsters. Welcome to my humble abode, Mitch! Just push that gut pile aside and have yourself a seat! So, how in the hairy hell did ya come up with the character of Bubba The Redneck Werewolf, and what are some of the arcane adventures he’s been up to in your frightful funny books?
Mitch Hyman. Well, I...
Famous Monsters. Welcome to my humble abode, Mitch! Just push that gut pile aside and have yourself a seat! So, how in the hairy hell did ya come up with the character of Bubba The Redneck Werewolf, and what are some of the arcane adventures he’s been up to in your frightful funny books?
Mitch Hyman. Well, I...
- 1/14/2016
- by DanielXIII
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
The Frankenstein Monster is arguably the greatest monster in all fiction. There have been a few genuinely excellent films made about him, but all too many of them are pretty bad. While the latest attempt in Victor Frankenstein falls flat, Cinelinx looks at the film history of Frankenstein to see which of them worked and which of them didn’t.
The Frankenstein Monster was the invention of 18 year old Mary Shelly (wife of poet Percy Shelly) who was vacationing in Switzerland with her husband, their close friend Lord Byron and John Polidori. Incessant rain left them housebound and reading ghost stories to each other. This led to a challenge from Byron, daring them all to create the scariest story ever told. Mary Shelly seemed outclassed by her literary companions until she heard legends of a crazy scientist named Conrad Dipple who performed illegal experiments using parts of dead bodies and electricity.
The Frankenstein Monster was the invention of 18 year old Mary Shelly (wife of poet Percy Shelly) who was vacationing in Switzerland with her husband, their close friend Lord Byron and John Polidori. Incessant rain left them housebound and reading ghost stories to each other. This led to a challenge from Byron, daring them all to create the scariest story ever told. Mary Shelly seemed outclassed by her literary companions until she heard legends of a crazy scientist named Conrad Dipple who performed illegal experiments using parts of dead bodies and electricity.
- 11/28/2015
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Rob Young)
- Cinelinx
Article by Jim Batts, Dana Jung, and Tom Stockman
No other actor in the long history of horror has been so closely identified with the genre as Boris Karloff, yet he was as famous for his gentle heart and kindness as he was for his screen persona. William Henry Pratt was born on November 23, 1887, in Camberwell, London, England. He studied at London University in anticipation of a diplomatic career; however, he moved to Canada in 1909 and joined a theater company where he was bit by the acting bug. It was there that he adopted the stage name of “Boris Karloff.” He toured back and forth across the USA for over ten years in a variety of low-budget Theater shows and eventually ended up in Hollywood. Needing cash to support himself, Karloff landed roles in silent films making his on-screen debut in Chapter 2 of the 1919 serial The Masked Rider. His big...
No other actor in the long history of horror has been so closely identified with the genre as Boris Karloff, yet he was as famous for his gentle heart and kindness as he was for his screen persona. William Henry Pratt was born on November 23, 1887, in Camberwell, London, England. He studied at London University in anticipation of a diplomatic career; however, he moved to Canada in 1909 and joined a theater company where he was bit by the acting bug. It was there that he adopted the stage name of “Boris Karloff.” He toured back and forth across the USA for over ten years in a variety of low-budget Theater shows and eventually ended up in Hollywood. Needing cash to support himself, Karloff landed roles in silent films making his on-screen debut in Chapter 2 of the 1919 serial The Masked Rider. His big...
- 11/23/2015
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
It’s Halloween, the time of year for watching horror films with the lights out. You may be trying to decide which films you should watch for your Halloween scare-fest. There are many good films, depending on your taste. As a Halloween gift to you, Cinelinx lists 25 of the best horror films to watch, for your Halloween enjoyment. All these films are of excellent quality and convey the requisite eeriness and suspenseful mood to keep you in the creepy Halloween mood.
First…here’s a couple of Honorable Mentions:
Silence of the Lambs (1991) Hugely successful suspense thriller film that isn’t technically a horror movie but it’s close. This classy chiller became one of the few movies ever to capture the 'Big Five' awards at the Oscars. (Best picture; Best director for Jonathan Demme; Best actor for Anthony Hopkins; Best Actress for Jodie Foster; and best screenplay by Ted Tally.
First…here’s a couple of Honorable Mentions:
Silence of the Lambs (1991) Hugely successful suspense thriller film that isn’t technically a horror movie but it’s close. This classy chiller became one of the few movies ever to capture the 'Big Five' awards at the Oscars. (Best picture; Best director for Jonathan Demme; Best actor for Anthony Hopkins; Best Actress for Jodie Foster; and best screenplay by Ted Tally.
- 10/31/2015
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Rob Young)
- Cinelinx
As I set out looking for sponsors for our Broken Moon Monster Makeup Challenge, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to speak with Academy Award winner and long-time monster kid Matthew M. Mungle! For those
who don’t know, Matthew is a highly regarded member of the movie makeup effects world, whose credits include Edward Scissorhands (1990), Bram Stroker’s Dracula (1992)—which earned him his Academy Award— Schindler’S List, Bedazzled, The Skeleton Key, Red Dragon, Anchorman, The X-Files, Inception, and more, not to mention his numerous TV and Broadway credits. Matthew is still very active in film while continuing to work on shows like C.S.I., NCIS, and Wgn’s new series Salem. Matthew was extremely generous in his donation of prizes for our contest, and was even gracious enough to take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for me!
Famous Monsters.
who don’t know, Matthew is a highly regarded member of the movie makeup effects world, whose credits include Edward Scissorhands (1990), Bram Stroker’s Dracula (1992)—which earned him his Academy Award— Schindler’S List, Bedazzled, The Skeleton Key, Red Dragon, Anchorman, The X-Files, Inception, and more, not to mention his numerous TV and Broadway credits. Matthew is still very active in film while continuing to work on shows like C.S.I., NCIS, and Wgn’s new series Salem. Matthew was extremely generous in his donation of prizes for our contest, and was even gracious enough to take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for me!
Famous Monsters.
- 10/29/2015
- by Caroline Stephenson
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
The day monster kids have dreaded for some time has arrived. Mournful, nostalgic, and melancholy – it’s the end of an era for more than one generation of horror fans. It seemed like Christopher Lee would live through all eternity, but unlike some of the characters he played, there’s no bringing him back to life this time. He made it to 93 and went out on a high note, appearing in the final Hobbit film just this past winter. He had an amazing career of fantastic performances and remains the greatest villain actor in film history. Rip to the last classic horror star and thank you for all the monster memories.
Christopher Lee was married to his wife Birgit (Gitte) for 54 years.
Here, according to Movie Geeks Jim Batts, Dana Jung, Sam Moffitt, and myself, are Christopher Lee’s ten best roles.
10. Frankenstein
It’s only fitting that The Curse Of Frankenstein,...
Christopher Lee was married to his wife Birgit (Gitte) for 54 years.
Here, according to Movie Geeks Jim Batts, Dana Jung, Sam Moffitt, and myself, are Christopher Lee’s ten best roles.
10. Frankenstein
It’s only fitting that The Curse Of Frankenstein,...
- 6/11/2015
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
First the garage, now the whole workshop. Rick Baker, the legendary Hollywood make-up and special effects wizard, has officially announced his retirement. Fresh from a sale of some of his career memorabilia, Baker shared the news with Californian public radio station Kpcc that he was putting away the prosthetics for good."I said the time is right, I am 64 years old, and the business is crazy right now,” he explained. "I like to do things right, and they wanted cheap and fast. That is not what I want to do, so I just decided it is basically time to get out.”Baker, of course, is the make-up artist behind some of the most memorable, marvellous and maquetted cinematic creations of the past four decades. He emerged as the heir apparent to Jack Pierce in the mid-‘70s, collaborating with fellow SFX guru Carlo Rambaldi on King Kong in 1976 and going...
- 5/29/2015
- EmpireOnline
Happy Monday everyone! For today’s installment of Daily Dead’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide, we’re bringing you some stellar gift ideas perfect for horror, sci-fi and pop culture fans including collectibles from Neca, a new book celebrating Planet of the Apes, the ultimate box set from Universal and much more.
After you check out today’s gift guide, be sure to enter our Holiday Horrors trivia contest below for your chance to get your hands on some fantastic prizes from our sponsors at HorrorDecor.net, Anchor Bay Entertainment, and Scream Factory.
Vendor Spotlight: Cutestreak Designs
Launched in 2013 by Chelsea Patterson, Cutestreak Designs creates original pop culture infused artwork that’s inspired by some of the most iconic movies and television series of all time (and also creates the killer art for Deadly Magazine each and every month.
And if you’re on the lookout for something non-horror related, Cutestreak...
After you check out today’s gift guide, be sure to enter our Holiday Horrors trivia contest below for your chance to get your hands on some fantastic prizes from our sponsors at HorrorDecor.net, Anchor Bay Entertainment, and Scream Factory.
Vendor Spotlight: Cutestreak Designs
Launched in 2013 by Chelsea Patterson, Cutestreak Designs creates original pop culture infused artwork that’s inspired by some of the most iconic movies and television series of all time (and also creates the killer art for Deadly Magazine each and every month.
And if you’re on the lookout for something non-horror related, Cutestreak...
- 12/8/2014
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
In October, Rick Baker appeared in an Academy-approved video, touring industry outsiders around his makeup studio, a treasure trove of special effects wonderment. The inside look came tinged with sadness; With modern blockbusters opting for more CG effects over practical makeup, Baker’s craft has slowly faded into the history books, prompting him to move out of his sprawling warehouse. For those left weeping over the video comes a hint of good news: The Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards will honor the monster movie make-up master during its 2015 ceremony. Iatse, Local 706 announced today that Baker and hair stylist Kathryn Blondell were the honorees of the guild’s annual lifetime achievement awards. Baker is a seven-time Academy Award winner, holding the record for the most wins and nominations bestowed upon any make-up artist. His prosthetics and nightmarish visions have appeared in "American Werewolf in London", "Harry and the Hendersons", "Ed Wood,...
- 11/6/2014
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
The Curse of the Werewolf
Directed by Terence Fisher
Written by Anthony Hinds
UK, 1961
The original Universal Studios Wolf Man left an indelible mark on film history, particularly in it’s painstakingly specific make-up transformation that turned Lon Chaney, Jr.’s Larry Talbot into the title character. That effect has hung over every werewolf feature since, with films trying to compete with makeup maestro Jack Pierce’s legendary design. 20 years after the first Wolf Man film, Hammer Horror took a stab at the monster, utilizing a script based on A Werewolf in Paris and a barrel-chested Oliver Reed in his first film role.
By the time Hammer got around to making their werewolf film they’d already found success with multiple Peter Cushing/Christopher Lee vehicles such as The Mummy, Dracula and Frankenstein, all of which displayed exciting makeup effects, and they continued the trend early on in The Curse of the Werewolf.
Directed by Terence Fisher
Written by Anthony Hinds
UK, 1961
The original Universal Studios Wolf Man left an indelible mark on film history, particularly in it’s painstakingly specific make-up transformation that turned Lon Chaney, Jr.’s Larry Talbot into the title character. That effect has hung over every werewolf feature since, with films trying to compete with makeup maestro Jack Pierce’s legendary design. 20 years after the first Wolf Man film, Hammer Horror took a stab at the monster, utilizing a script based on A Werewolf in Paris and a barrel-chested Oliver Reed in his first film role.
By the time Hammer got around to making their werewolf film they’d already found success with multiple Peter Cushing/Christopher Lee vehicles such as The Mummy, Dracula and Frankenstein, all of which displayed exciting makeup effects, and they continued the trend early on in The Curse of the Werewolf.
- 10/17/2014
- by Jae K. Renfrow
- SoundOnSight
After seeing ABC’s Of Death 2 at Fantastic Fest (you can read my review of the film Here), I was able to sit down with the director of one of my favorite shorts in the anthology – Larry Fessenden. His short “N is for Nexus” is a break-neck countdown through the streets of New York as Halloween night approaches. A couple preparing their Frankenstein costumes for a party sets in motion a series of events that intersect and slowly affect one another, leading to a devastating conclusion. Fessenden is practically a legend in the indie horror genre. He has worked as an actor, cinematographer, writer and director since the later 70’s and has created a named for himself with such feature films like Habit, Wendigo, and The Last Winter, while also appearing in films like I Sell The Dead, Stake Land, and Jug Face. I was lucky enough to sit down...
- 10/14/2014
- by Michael Haffner
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
With WolfCop out now on disc, Ryan takes a look at how werewolf myths have faded in and out of cinema history...
It might seem strange, from our interconnected, know-it-all 21st century perspective, that people really did once believe that werewolves existed. Legends of wolf-men date back to antiquity, but really began to bite into society’s fear centres in Europe of the Middle Ages.
Take, for example, Peter Stumpp, a 16th century man whose strange story was related in a pamphlet published shortly after his death. A resident of a small town in Cologne, Stumpp claimed to have been given a belt of wolf skin by the Devil, which when worn, gave him the ability to transform into a wolf. In this form, Stumpp said he’d killed and eaten a dozen or so people over the course of 25 years - crimes described in grisly detail in that old pamphlet.
It might seem strange, from our interconnected, know-it-all 21st century perspective, that people really did once believe that werewolves existed. Legends of wolf-men date back to antiquity, but really began to bite into society’s fear centres in Europe of the Middle Ages.
Take, for example, Peter Stumpp, a 16th century man whose strange story was related in a pamphlet published shortly after his death. A resident of a small town in Cologne, Stumpp claimed to have been given a belt of wolf skin by the Devil, which when worn, gave him the ability to transform into a wolf. In this form, Stumpp said he’d killed and eaten a dozen or so people over the course of 25 years - crimes described in grisly detail in that old pamphlet.
- 10/10/2014
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Abbott: “You’re making enough noise to wake up the dead! “
Costello: “I don’t have to wake him up. He’s up!”
Abbott And Costeelo Meet Frankenstein Screens Saturday October 11th at St. Louis’ fabulous Hi-Pointe Theater (1005 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, Mo) at 10:30am.
It’s interesting that Lou Costello initially was reluctant to do Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein, since it became probably the most popular and successful instalment in their career. It was so popular, in fact, that many of the Abbott & Costello movies to follow were along similar lines — they would go on to meet The Mummy, The Invisible Man and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. You can sort of see where he was coming from … horror/comedy isn’t exactly a highly respected genre, although there have been several classics in it since (Young Frankesntein comes to mind).
The story starts when...
Costello: “I don’t have to wake him up. He’s up!”
Abbott And Costeelo Meet Frankenstein Screens Saturday October 11th at St. Louis’ fabulous Hi-Pointe Theater (1005 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, Mo) at 10:30am.
It’s interesting that Lou Costello initially was reluctant to do Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein, since it became probably the most popular and successful instalment in their career. It was so popular, in fact, that many of the Abbott & Costello movies to follow were along similar lines — they would go on to meet The Mummy, The Invisible Man and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. You can sort of see where he was coming from … horror/comedy isn’t exactly a highly respected genre, although there have been several classics in it since (Young Frankesntein comes to mind).
The story starts when...
- 10/7/2014
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Abbott: “You’re making enough noise to wake up the dead! “
Costello: “I don’t have to wake him up. He’s up!”
Abbott And Costeelo Meet Frankenstein Screens October 2nd at Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood
It’s interesting that Lou Costello initially was reluctant to do Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein, since it became probably the most popular and successful instalment in their career. It was so popular, in fact, that many of the Abbott & Costello movies to follow were along similar lines — they would go on to meet The Mummy, The Invisible Man and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. You can sort of see where he was coming from … horror/comedy isn’t exactly a highly respected genre, although there have been several classics in it since (Young Frankesntein comes to mind).
The story starts when a couple of crates arrive in the Us, to an...
Costello: “I don’t have to wake him up. He’s up!”
Abbott And Costeelo Meet Frankenstein Screens October 2nd at Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood
It’s interesting that Lou Costello initially was reluctant to do Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein, since it became probably the most popular and successful instalment in their career. It was so popular, in fact, that many of the Abbott & Costello movies to follow were along similar lines — they would go on to meet The Mummy, The Invisible Man and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. You can sort of see where he was coming from … horror/comedy isn’t exactly a highly respected genre, although there have been several classics in it since (Young Frankesntein comes to mind).
The story starts when a couple of crates arrive in the Us, to an...
- 9/22/2014
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
September gets off to a fantastic start if you’re a genre fan, as Universal Home Entertainment is unloading a Ton of Universal Monsters-related titles on Blu-ray and DVD, including Universal Classic Monsters: The Complete 30-Film Collection and Dracula (1979) starring Frank Langella as the titular bloodsucker.
Also being released by Universal this week are a handful of horror and sci-fi themed 4-Movie Packs, an 8 Film Collection of Hammer horror titles and several other modern horror classics in high definition, including The People Under the Stairs and Firestarter. The third Cabin Fever film, Patient Zero, is also finally arriving on DVD & Blu-ray as well.
Spotlight Titles:
Cabin Fever: Patient Zero (Rlj Entertainment, Blu-ray & DVD)
A group of friends planned the perfect vacation in the Caribbean, but when they head ashore to explore a remote island, their ultimate bachelor weekend devolves into their worst nightmare. After an ill-fated swim in contaminated water,...
Also being released by Universal this week are a handful of horror and sci-fi themed 4-Movie Packs, an 8 Film Collection of Hammer horror titles and several other modern horror classics in high definition, including The People Under the Stairs and Firestarter. The third Cabin Fever film, Patient Zero, is also finally arriving on DVD & Blu-ray as well.
Spotlight Titles:
Cabin Fever: Patient Zero (Rlj Entertainment, Blu-ray & DVD)
A group of friends planned the perfect vacation in the Caribbean, but when they head ashore to explore a remote island, their ultimate bachelor weekend devolves into their worst nightmare. After an ill-fated swim in contaminated water,...
- 9/1/2014
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Attention, Universal monster fans... that means, well, all of you. The big U is releasing a gargantuan 30-film box set which spans their history of horror from 1931 to 1956, and we have your chance to score a copy on us!
To enter for your chance to win, just send us an email at contests@dreadcentral.com including your Full Name And Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest.
This contest will end on at 12:01 Am Pt on September 1st.
Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection Description
They informed our dreams and nightmares, each and every one. Brilliant actors, craftspeople, and filmmakers combined to deliver these indelible characters who may have died on screen, but they will surely live forever. They are the one and only Universal Classic Monsters.
Now, for the first time ever, all 30 Universal Pictures' Classic Monster films will be available together on DVD in...
To enter for your chance to win, just send us an email at contests@dreadcentral.com including your Full Name And Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest.
This contest will end on at 12:01 Am Pt on September 1st.
Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection Description
They informed our dreams and nightmares, each and every one. Brilliant actors, craftspeople, and filmmakers combined to deliver these indelible characters who may have died on screen, but they will surely live forever. They are the one and only Universal Classic Monsters.
Now, for the first time ever, all 30 Universal Pictures' Classic Monster films will be available together on DVD in...
- 8/28/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
All you cats out there who refuse to upgrade to Blu-ray are about to get one hell of a present from Universal! That is, if you're a Universal monster fan. The big U is releasing a gargantuan 30-film box set which spans their history of horror from 1931 to 1956!
The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection is set for release on September 2nd and includes the following films, which are also available in smaller themed collections.
Dracula (1931)
Frankenstein (1931)
The Mummy (1932)
The Invisible Man (1933)
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Werewolf of London (1935)
Dracula’s Daughter (1936)
Son of Frankenstein (1939)
The Mummy’s Hand (1940)
The Invisible Woman (1940)
The Invisible Man Returns (1940)
The Wolf Man (1941)
Invisible Agent (1942)
The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942)
The Mummy’s Tomb (1942)
Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman (1943)
Phantom of the Opera (1943)
Son of Dracula (1943)
The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944)
The Mummy’s Ghost (1944)
House of Frankenstein (1944)
The Mummy’s Curse (1944)
House of Dracula (1945)
She-Wolf of London...
The Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection is set for release on September 2nd and includes the following films, which are also available in smaller themed collections.
Dracula (1931)
Frankenstein (1931)
The Mummy (1932)
The Invisible Man (1933)
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Werewolf of London (1935)
Dracula’s Daughter (1936)
Son of Frankenstein (1939)
The Mummy’s Hand (1940)
The Invisible Woman (1940)
The Invisible Man Returns (1940)
The Wolf Man (1941)
Invisible Agent (1942)
The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942)
The Mummy’s Tomb (1942)
Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman (1943)
Phantom of the Opera (1943)
Son of Dracula (1943)
The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944)
The Mummy’s Ghost (1944)
House of Frankenstein (1944)
The Mummy’s Curse (1944)
House of Dracula (1945)
She-Wolf of London...
- 7/7/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
Since the era of silent films, Universal Pictures has earned a reputation as the home of the monster movie, producing landmark films that defined the horror genre for all time.
Now for the first time ever, all 30 Universal Classic Monster films will be available together on DVD in the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection, available on September 2, 2014.
Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection showcases every original film featuring Hollywood’s most iconic monsters, including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Phantom of the Opera and The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Starring legendary actors Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester in the roles they made famous, these films set the standard for decades to come with revolutionary makeup, mind-blowing cinematography and groundbreaking special effects. Featuring hours of revealing bonus features, Universal Classic Monsters: Complete...
Now for the first time ever, all 30 Universal Classic Monster films will be available together on DVD in the Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection, available on September 2, 2014.
Universal Classic Monsters: Complete 30-Film Collection showcases every original film featuring Hollywood’s most iconic monsters, including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Phantom of the Opera and The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Starring legendary actors Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester in the roles they made famous, these films set the standard for decades to come with revolutionary makeup, mind-blowing cinematography and groundbreaking special effects. Featuring hours of revealing bonus features, Universal Classic Monsters: Complete...
- 6/25/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Interview and photo by Michael Lizarraga.
When Lon Chaney Sr. drove by a tall, thin contract actor waiting for a bus one night in the pouring rain, the famous movie star did more than just offer this unassuming Englishman a ride home; he gave his passenger some acting tips that would forever change his life: “Find something that no one else is doing or willing to do, and do it better than anyone else; leave your mark.”
The unassuming passenger, of course, was Boris Karloff.
From its 1910 screen debut to the recent I, Frankenstein and upcoming Whale/Karloff remake, Mary Shelley’s “man playing God” tale has cinematically endured for over a century, largely due to the “quarterback” and “maestro” of all monsters, Boris Karloff. Twice inscribed on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, twice featured on the U.S. stamp, his voice heard every Christmas throughout millions of homes, Karloff...
When Lon Chaney Sr. drove by a tall, thin contract actor waiting for a bus one night in the pouring rain, the famous movie star did more than just offer this unassuming Englishman a ride home; he gave his passenger some acting tips that would forever change his life: “Find something that no one else is doing or willing to do, and do it better than anyone else; leave your mark.”
The unassuming passenger, of course, was Boris Karloff.
From its 1910 screen debut to the recent I, Frankenstein and upcoming Whale/Karloff remake, Mary Shelley’s “man playing God” tale has cinematically endured for over a century, largely due to the “quarterback” and “maestro” of all monsters, Boris Karloff. Twice inscribed on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, twice featured on the U.S. stamp, his voice heard every Christmas throughout millions of homes, Karloff...
- 5/15/2014
- by Holly Interlandi
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
“I saw Lon Chaney Junior Dancing with the Queen!”
There will be a full moon Thursday May 1st when The Wolf Man screens at Schlafly Bottleworks in Mapelwood at 7pm.
“Even a man who is pure at heart and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright”. This is one of the most classic lines from Universal’s Gloden Age of Horror along with “It’s Alive”(Frankenstein) and “Listen to them, the children of the night….what music they make”(Dracula). In The Wolf Man (1941) Lon Chaney stars as Lawrence Talbot, who returns home to England, is bitten by a werewolf and then becomes one himself. It is very easy to become sympathetic toward Talbot and Chaney well-portrays the anguish and shame at what he has become. Claude Rains is excellent as Sir John Talbot’s father and Ralph Bellamy,...
There will be a full moon Thursday May 1st when The Wolf Man screens at Schlafly Bottleworks in Mapelwood at 7pm.
“Even a man who is pure at heart and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright”. This is one of the most classic lines from Universal’s Gloden Age of Horror along with “It’s Alive”(Frankenstein) and “Listen to them, the children of the night….what music they make”(Dracula). In The Wolf Man (1941) Lon Chaney stars as Lawrence Talbot, who returns home to England, is bitten by a werewolf and then becomes one himself. It is very easy to become sympathetic toward Talbot and Chaney well-portrays the anguish and shame at what he has become. Claude Rains is excellent as Sir John Talbot’s father and Ralph Bellamy,...
- 4/24/2014
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Books are often the source for some of the greatest film and television adaptations, but flip the scenario and it can be said that movies and TV can also be among the greatest sources for books. Behind the scenes nonfiction offers a peak behind the curtain of the dream factory. Art books often enhance a reader’s perspective of film and television. Companion books do both, expanding a reader’s attachment and understanding of the source material while giving a glimpse into the detailed world building of its creators. This past month, three books, Guillermo Del Toro: Cabinet of Curiosities, Crazy 4 Cult: Cult Movie Art 2 and The Adventure Time Encyclopedia have each improved on the visual experience of the films and shows they celebrate.
Guillermo Del Toro: Cabinet of Curiosities
Guillermo Del Toro is one of the most imaginative filmmakers working today. He is influenced by everything from Lovecraft,...
Guillermo Del Toro: Cabinet of Curiosities
Guillermo Del Toro is one of the most imaginative filmmakers working today. He is influenced by everything from Lovecraft,...
- 11/21/2013
- by Tony Nunes
- SoundOnSight
In addition to screening The Wolf Man, Beyond Fest also screened a 35 mm print of another of Universal’s classics, The Mummy. Despite perhaps being its most profitable overall, thanks to the Hammer sequels and the Brendan Fraser franchise that followed it in the 90′s/00′s, The Mummy might be one of the more overlooked tenets of horror, as Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolf Man, and Creature normally supersede it in discussions of everyone’s favorites.
I tend to agree with that sentiment, as the cheesy love-at-first-kidnapping romance between David Whemple and Helen Grosvener (Zita Johann) is more than a little distracting. But the opening scenes, with Bramwell Fletcher’s Ralph Norton going crazy at the sight of the Mummy reborn… is Almost as manic and crazy as Colin Clive’s “It’s Alive!” moment in Frankenstein. The film is still as wonderful and inspiring as the first time you watched it,...
I tend to agree with that sentiment, as the cheesy love-at-first-kidnapping romance between David Whemple and Helen Grosvener (Zita Johann) is more than a little distracting. But the opening scenes, with Bramwell Fletcher’s Ralph Norton going crazy at the sight of the Mummy reborn… is Almost as manic and crazy as Colin Clive’s “It’s Alive!” moment in Frankenstein. The film is still as wonderful and inspiring as the first time you watched it,...
- 10/27/2013
- by Andy Greene
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Halloween is nigh, and that means horror movies aplenty, not that we need any more of an excuse to dust off the classics of our favorite genre. But Beyond Fest, an event taking place in La throughout this October, is making that experience interactive, bringing together some of the finest filmmakers, the best movies, and even infusing screenings with live music from the likes of Umberto, Goblin, and Alan Howarth.
Perhaps the day I was most looking forward to was this past Saturday’s “Full Moon” double feature, serving up perhaps the two best werewolf movies of all-time, right after one another. Kicking off the evening is 1981′s The Howling, followed by the movie that it (and every werewolf movie) is indebted to: Universal’s The Wolf Man, with Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, and Bela Lugosi. That right there is reason enough to make the trek to the movie theater…...
Perhaps the day I was most looking forward to was this past Saturday’s “Full Moon” double feature, serving up perhaps the two best werewolf movies of all-time, right after one another. Kicking off the evening is 1981′s The Howling, followed by the movie that it (and every werewolf movie) is indebted to: Universal’s The Wolf Man, with Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, and Bela Lugosi. That right there is reason enough to make the trek to the movie theater…...
- 10/26/2013
- by Andy Greene
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
God, I love The Monster Squad. So much, in fact, that the old VHS copy bought for me from a ramshackle jumble sale many years ago still has its place in my film collection, the cover worn and tattered, visible signs of the many house moves the damn thing has survived. Odd this obsession may be, but this almost forgotten "dud" from 1994 still has a plethora of fan sites loaded with petitions screaming for a sequel, with its director Fred Dekker at the helm. It's not total madness when you really think about it: that childlike, wide-eyed admiration for the truly old school cinematic macabre, the passion behind the article that you now see before you... Dekker's film is dripping with it. Who better to put together a love letter to old school horror than a storyteller who cut his fangs on the classics? After concocting the idea for the Steve Miner's 1986 film House,...
- 10/11/2013
- by Aaron Williams
- FEARnet
“The brain you stole, Fritz. Think of it. The brain of a dead man waiting to live again in a body I made with my own hands!”
Celebrate two classics from Universal’s Golden Age of Horror this Saturday morning at St. Louis’ fabulous Hi-Pointe Theater as part of their Classic Film Series. It’s a double bill from director James Whale; the original Frankenstein (1931) and The Invisible Man (1933). It’s Saturday, October 12th at 10:30am at the Hi-Pointe located at 1005 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, Mo 63117. Admission is only $5.
I just saw the original Frankenstein on the big screen last Halloween season when it played with Bride Of Frankenstein as part of a Fathom Event. The 82-year old film holds up as stark, solid, and impressive, overshadowed (a bit unfairly) by the later barrage of Whale’s wit in the more delirious and cinematic Bride. In Frankenstein, Karloff gives...
Celebrate two classics from Universal’s Golden Age of Horror this Saturday morning at St. Louis’ fabulous Hi-Pointe Theater as part of their Classic Film Series. It’s a double bill from director James Whale; the original Frankenstein (1931) and The Invisible Man (1933). It’s Saturday, October 12th at 10:30am at the Hi-Pointe located at 1005 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, Mo 63117. Admission is only $5.
I just saw the original Frankenstein on the big screen last Halloween season when it played with Bride Of Frankenstein as part of a Fathom Event. The 82-year old film holds up as stark, solid, and impressive, overshadowed (a bit unfairly) by the later barrage of Whale’s wit in the more delirious and cinematic Bride. In Frankenstein, Karloff gives...
- 10/7/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Even if the name Rick Baker doesn’t immediately ring a bell, I can promise you that you’re quite familiar with his body of work. One of the top special makeup effects artists in the game, Baker got his start on a little film called The Exorcist, serving as legendary makeup master Dick Smith’s assistant. From there, Baker quickly rose to prominence as a master of the art in his own right, making history when he became the first makeup artist ever to win an Academy Award: it was in 1981 when the Makeup and Hairstyling category was added, and Baker took the statue home thanks to his incredible work on An American Werewolf in London. David Kessler’s transformation from human to wolf in that film is without a doubt the best the genre has ever seen, and it was Rick Baker who was responsible for pulling off that incredible magic trick.
- 9/27/2013
- by John Squires
- FEARnet
You don’t need me to tell you that the original The Mummy is one of the long standing tenets of horror, the third classic Universal picture following Dracula and Frankenstein, and one that featured a singularly iconic performance by legendary Boris Karloff, aided with tremendous makeup by Jack Pierce and directed by Dracula auteur Karl Freund. But I just did anyways.
The Mummy is no stranger to sequels, remakes, or reboots. Just eight years after the original, Universal released The Mummy’S Hand, which didn’t pick up the original storyline nor featured any of the same characters. The film spawned three sequels, with Lon Chaney Jr. taking over as the Mummy for The Mummy’S Tomb, The Mummy’S Ghost, and The Mummy’S Curse.
Fast forward to 1959, when the infamous Hammer Studios lent their take on the classic story, remaking The Mummy’S Hand in the form...
The Mummy is no stranger to sequels, remakes, or reboots. Just eight years after the original, Universal released The Mummy’S Hand, which didn’t pick up the original storyline nor featured any of the same characters. The film spawned three sequels, with Lon Chaney Jr. taking over as the Mummy for The Mummy’S Tomb, The Mummy’S Ghost, and The Mummy’S Curse.
Fast forward to 1959, when the infamous Hammer Studios lent their take on the classic story, remaking The Mummy’S Hand in the form...
- 9/3/2013
- by Andy Greene
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Article by Jim Batts, Dana Jung, Sam Moffitt, and Tom Stockman
The film career of legendary English actor Sir Christopher Lee began in 1948 and continues to the present day. Lee is best known for his roles in horror films, especially the string of seven Dracula movies he starred in for Hammer Studios between 1958 and 1974, but be may be best known to younger audiences for his roles in the Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Almost all of the roles that Lee has played have been villains and here, according to We Are Movie Geeks, are his ten best.
10. Frankenstein
It’s only fitting that The Curse Of Frankenstein, the film that truly began England’s Hammer Studios’ theatrical run of full color gothic horror epics, should team (well, they’re both in the 1948 Hamlet, but have no scenes together) their greatest stars, Peter Cushing as Baron Victor Frankenstein...
The film career of legendary English actor Sir Christopher Lee began in 1948 and continues to the present day. Lee is best known for his roles in horror films, especially the string of seven Dracula movies he starred in for Hammer Studios between 1958 and 1974, but be may be best known to younger audiences for his roles in the Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Almost all of the roles that Lee has played have been villains and here, according to We Are Movie Geeks, are his ten best.
10. Frankenstein
It’s only fitting that The Curse Of Frankenstein, the film that truly began England’s Hammer Studios’ theatrical run of full color gothic horror epics, should team (well, they’re both in the 1948 Hamlet, but have no scenes together) their greatest stars, Peter Cushing as Baron Victor Frankenstein...
- 8/6/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Review by Sam Moffitt
I grew up a monster kid in the 1960s. I tried to watch any movie with Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Lon Chaney or Peter Lorre, whether the movie was horror or not, I loved all these actors. But Bela Lugosi has always had a special place in my heart and I’ve made every effort to see all his films. Phantom ship was one title that has eluded me for years, until now.
Courtesy of Image Entertainment and Netflix I finally caught up with Phantom Ship, also known as The Mystery of The Mary Celeste. Was it worth the wait and worth seeing? Yes and no, depending on how you feel about Lugosi. This is one film that allowed Lugosi room to move and create a character not really related to horror movies and it show cases just how good an actor he really was.
I grew up a monster kid in the 1960s. I tried to watch any movie with Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Lon Chaney or Peter Lorre, whether the movie was horror or not, I loved all these actors. But Bela Lugosi has always had a special place in my heart and I’ve made every effort to see all his films. Phantom ship was one title that has eluded me for years, until now.
Courtesy of Image Entertainment and Netflix I finally caught up with Phantom Ship, also known as The Mystery of The Mary Celeste. Was it worth the wait and worth seeing? Yes and no, depending on how you feel about Lugosi. This is one film that allowed Lugosi room to move and create a character not really related to horror movies and it show cases just how good an actor he really was.
- 6/24/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A packed house of movie makeup students and enthusiasts gathered Thursday to honor pioneering makeup artist Jack Pierce at the opening of Cinema Makeup School’s new Jack Pierce memorial gallery for makeup and character arts.
The gallery, which is open to the public on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., showcases makeup pieces and props from professional artists and special effects firms as well as work from up-and-coming artists who graduated from … Continue reading →...
The gallery, which is open to the public on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., showcases makeup pieces and props from professional artists and special effects firms as well as work from up-and-coming artists who graduated from … Continue reading →...
- 6/21/2013
- by HorrorNews.net
- Horror News
After their boxed set of classic horror titles were released last year, Universal has announced that they are splitting up the set and selling the movies as individual Blu-rays. The first wave will be released on June 4th, and includes The Mummy, Creature From the Black Lagoon, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Invisible Man. Continue reading for a look at the cover art and a list of bonus features for each title:
Creature From the Black Lagoon: “ Perfectly blending Universal’s classic monster heritage with the science-fiction explosion of the 1950s, Creature from the Black Lagoon tells the mythical story of a dangerous half-human, half-fish creature lurking in the depths of the Amazon. After discovering a unique prehistoric claw fossil on an expedition deep in the jungle, archeologists investigate its origins which lead them directly to a mysterious creature. Led by marine life specialist David Reed (Richard Carlson...
Creature From the Black Lagoon: “ Perfectly blending Universal’s classic monster heritage with the science-fiction explosion of the 1950s, Creature from the Black Lagoon tells the mythical story of a dangerous half-human, half-fish creature lurking in the depths of the Amazon. After discovering a unique prehistoric claw fossil on an expedition deep in the jungle, archeologists investigate its origins which lead them directly to a mysterious creature. Led by marine life specialist David Reed (Richard Carlson...
- 3/28/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Film #7 on Doctor Gash’s Top 10 Greatest Horror Movies… Ever! is a classic that was censored and scrutinized in its day for scenes of blasphemy and violence against children.
That’s right, today we may think of Frankenstein as just an old black and white monster movie, but upon its release in 1931, this movie was shocking.
#7-Frankenstein
Henry Frankenstein: Look! It's moving. It's alive. It's alive...It's alive, it's moving, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, It's Alive!
Victor Moritz: Henry - In the name of God!
Henry Frankenstein: Oh, in the name of God! Now I know what it feels like to be God! "
We’ve been completely numbed to the power of Frankenstein. We’re hyper-exposed to The Monster as a cute, smiling Halloween staple, a clown (Herman Munster) and a character in children’s books (Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex,...
That’s right, today we may think of Frankenstein as just an old black and white monster movie, but upon its release in 1931, this movie was shocking.
#7-Frankenstein
Henry Frankenstein: Look! It's moving. It's alive. It's alive...It's alive, it's moving, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, It's Alive!
Victor Moritz: Henry - In the name of God!
Henry Frankenstein: Oh, in the name of God! Now I know what it feels like to be God! "
We’ve been completely numbed to the power of Frankenstein. We’re hyper-exposed to The Monster as a cute, smiling Halloween staple, a clown (Herman Munster) and a character in children’s books (Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex,...
- 2/21/2013
- by Doctor Gash
- DreadCentral.com
Feature Sarah Dobbs Jan 31, 2013
As the anniversary of his passing approaches, Sarah looks back over the career of Boris Karloff - one of cinema's true icons...
If there’s one classic movie star I’d love to have met, it’s Boris Karloff. Now, he’s mostly remembered for his breakthrough role in Universal’s 1931 adaptation of Frankenstein: if you close your eyes right now and imagine Karloff, chances are it’s in green face paint with bolts in either side of his neck. But there was a hell of a lot more to him than that.
Karloff was an amazingly talented actor who brought something special to just about every role he played, and it would have been amazing to get the chance to sit down and talk to him about his life and career, to get his perspective on fame, Hollywood, horror, acting, and all the rest of it.
As the anniversary of his passing approaches, Sarah looks back over the career of Boris Karloff - one of cinema's true icons...
If there’s one classic movie star I’d love to have met, it’s Boris Karloff. Now, he’s mostly remembered for his breakthrough role in Universal’s 1931 adaptation of Frankenstein: if you close your eyes right now and imagine Karloff, chances are it’s in green face paint with bolts in either side of his neck. But there was a hell of a lot more to him than that.
Karloff was an amazingly talented actor who brought something special to just about every role he played, and it would have been amazing to get the chance to sit down and talk to him about his life and career, to get his perspective on fame, Hollywood, horror, acting, and all the rest of it.
- 1/30/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
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