Horror Movie Maven, Author at Horror Movie Maven

Author: Horror Movie Maven (page 8 of 11)

Werewolf of London (1935)

November 12, 2014 / Horror Movie Maven / 0 Comments

My take: A classic monster movie that provided an intriguing back story to the myth of the werewolf.

I feel like I know a lot about werewolves at this point. When you’ve watched horror movies all of your life, they crop up time and again. From Teen Wolf and Twilight to Underworld and An American Werewolf in London, I feel as though I have seen the gamut.

Poster for Werewolf of London

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Werewolf of London had a new take and history on the vampire myth. The film starts in Tibet (which looks distinctly like California desert set to look like Tibet), where a botanist is hunting for a famed flower that only blooms under the light of the moon. The locals warn him and his companion that the flower is located in a valley teeming with demons.

He does not listen to their warning, thinking it is mere superstition. When he spots the flower and goes to dig up a specimen, he is violently attacked and bitten.

Back in London, he learns that he was bitten by a werewolf. He will suffer the curse of transformation under the full moon unless he uses a blossom from the plant he acquired in Tibet, which is the only known antidote to the affliction.

The plot was interesting, the acting was compelling, and the makeup was very well done. As a result, I found this to be an entertaining monster movie from Universal Studios. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a classic monster movie.

To watch the movie, I had the DVD sent to me by Netflix. You can also order it online.

Here is a trailer so you can get a sense of the movie:

Like AHS Freak Show? Try Tod Browning’s Freaks.

November 10, 2014 / Horror Movie Maven / 1 Comment

If you have been enjoying this season of American Horror Story (AHS) as much as I have, you may not have the patience to wait until Wednesday for more freakiness. I certainly don’t. And while I have been pouring over old horror classics in my attempt to become an expert in horror, I keep seeing reference to Tod Browning’s Freaks. I finally watched it and found an amazing number of parallels between the two stories.

About the Movie Freaks

Tod Browning was a director at the top of his game when he directed and produced the feature film Freaks in 1932. Just the year before, his movie Dracula starring Bel Lugosi had swept the nation with amazing success.

Browning had worked in the circus before becoming a director. He even performed daring acts himself, including being buried alive in order to be “resurrected” before a paying crowd. With Freaks, he wanted to represent the true world of circus-folk in the 1930s. He used real freaks and performers from the era, seeking out performers from freak shows across the United States.

Unfortunately, audiences and censors couldn’t handle the grotesque nature of the plot and the deformities of some of the characters. Freaks was banned in many countries, including the UK. It was also banned in many cities across the U.S. Many copies of the movie were actively destroyed, including the original cut of the film.

Similarities Between AHS and Freaks

It is strange that what was banned just over 80 years ago is now fine for a TV program. Times certainly change. Just like American Horror Story: Freak Show, the movie Freaks includes:

1. Siamese Twins

In Freaks, the Hilton sisters played themselves. Daisy and Violet Hilton were twins conjoined at the hip and were popular stars on the vaudeville circuit.

Violent and Daisy Hilton, conjoined sisters, in Freaks.

Right now, on Netflix instant watch, there is a terrific documentary about the lives of these two sisters, who were exploited throughout their lives. It is called Bound by Flesh, and it cast a new light on the types of issues freaks had to face as entertainment changed in the middle of the 20th century.

2. Little People

Much of the plot of Freaks centers around a couple of little people, Hans and Frieda. That pair, while engaged in the movie, were actually real life brother and sister. The were part of a quartet of midget siblings who were known as the “doll family” given their small stature.

Real life brother and sister played a central role in Freaks.

3. Pinheads

Microcephaly is a real neurodevelopment disorder that causes an enlarged cranium, stunted intellectual development and shorter lifespan. In Freaks and in AHS: Freak Show, the characters are known as pinheads. Tod Browning’s Freaks showcased one of the more famous pinheads of the day, Schlitzie. He even gets talking time on-screen, though it is difficult to understand what she is saying.

Schlitzie the pinhead in Freaks.

4. A Hermaphrodite

Like Angela Bassett’s character in AHS, there was also a hermaphrodite in Freaks. He/she was known as Josephine Joseph and claimed to be half man/half woman. There is no known evidence that this was actually the case, but his/her makeup was quite convincing:

Josephine Joseph: half man and half woman.

5. Legless People

In AHS, the legless individual is a woman, but in Freaks the legless character was played by real-life freak Johnny Eck. Eck had a condition that left his legs and feet tiny and useless. As a result, he only grew to be 18 inches tall. He hid his legs and feet under his costume and billed himself as the “Half-Boy.”

Johnny Eck as the half boy in Freaks.

Freaks also steps it up a notch, with Prince Randian, aka The Living Torso. With no arms or legs, he does everything with his mouth. Watching him light a cigarette is downright fascinating.

Prince Randian (on the left) with his inexplicably lit cigarette in Freaks.

Freaks also had a bearded lady, strong men, a circus owner who sounds a bit like Elsa Mars, and a variety of other performers. As a result, it is hard to take your eyes off the screen while watching Freaks.

If you like AHS: Freak Show, I highly recommend that you go watch the original Freaks. It can help tide you over until next Wednesday.

El Fantasma Del Convento (1934)

November 8, 2014 / Horror Movie Maven / 2 Comments

My take: While I don’t know Spanish, this film had some good creepy shots and scenes. Even without knowing what they were saying, I enjoyed it.

One problem you run into when trying to watch all of the movies in a list: not all are available in the US. The Internet may make everything accessible, but there are no guarantees that you will find the movie you want in English, especially when that movie is a Mexican horror film from 1934.

Just one of many thoroughly creepy shots from El Fantasma Del Convento

So, I was forced to watch El Fantasma Den Convento in the original Spanish on youtube, without subtitles. Even my attempts to translate the subtitles using youtube’s translate feature failed. Although, if you want a laugh, I recommend translating the Portuguese subtitles into English. The garbled gibberish made the first few minutes into a comedy for me.

So how did I know what was going on? I cracked open the book Studies in Terror and read the synopsis. I also read the synopsis on Wikipedia. With the basic plot points down, I was able to follow the film relatively well.

The story is about a married couple and their friend who end up having to spend the night in a very creepy monastery. The trio are in a bit of a love triangle, and the ghosts of the convent play off those tensions.

I would certainly watch it again if I could find a version with English subtitles.The film is filled with eerie scenes shot in a real ruined monastery. The monastery was fascinating and foreboding. The monks were terrifyingly silent and reminiscent of zombies. And the howling winds coupled with pained groans behind closed doors sent chills down my spine.

Even so, I would only recommend this movie to those who like classic horror and know a good bit of Spanish. I might also recommend it to those of you who, like me, know no Spanish but like silent horror films.

Here is the movie on youtube, in Spanish with no English subtitles:

The Black Cat (1934)

November 4, 2014 / Horror Movie Maven / 0 Comments

My take: I was very happy to fall upon a unique story for a change. It was also fun to see Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi in the same film duking it out.

The Black Cat (1934 version) was the first movie to put Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff together. As a result, it was big box office smash for Universal. I can understand why.

Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi in The Black Cat

This is the 18th movie in Studies in Terror, and I am really starting to get a hang of the big names in early horror. I’ve also started developing a bit of an obsession with the actors from that period, even going so far as to buy a couple of books with huge sections about Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff.

As a result, I was excited to see this movie. But unlike the last film I watched (The Ghoul), it did not disappoint.

The story starts with two newlyweds on their honeymoon. They have the unfortunate luck of sharing a ride with Dr. Vitus Werdegast, played by Bela Lugosi. When their ride crashes, they end up at the home of Werdegast’s “friend,” Hjalmar Poelzig, played by Boris Karloff. Friend is in quotation marks because he is really no friend at all.

There is death, satanism, hints of necrophilia and host of other nefarious things happening in Poelzig’s house. And Poelzig wants to keep the fair young bride for one of his satanic rituals.

After having seen so many basic horror stories, it was refreshing to see something new and unique. The summary above does not do the plot justice. It is a complex story, though still entertaining to watch. Most of all, it is great to see two masters of the horror genre go head-to-dead in this film.

I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes classic horror movies, movies with Bela Lugosi, and movies with Boris Karloff.

I found a gritty version on the Internet Archive, though I think this one may still be under copyright and not the public domain. Here is a trailer someone made that I found on youtube:

Signed Robert Englund/Freddy Krueger Photo

November 2, 2014 / Horror Movie Maven / 0 Comments

For my birthday this year, my husband did excellent work. It is clear he knows me well. He ordered me a signed a personalized photo of Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger:

I giggled like a school girl when I unwrapped this.

While I am utterly proud of this photo (and the fact that my husband got me such a great gift), I am not posting it just to brag. Instead, I wanted to point out that you can get one of these bad-boys too. Robert Englund sells these signed photos on his site. I think that is pretty awesome, and really shows how much he cares about his fans.

If you know a horror-lover like me, this would make an awesome birthday or Christmas gift. Trust me; I know I was a very happy girl.

Do you know of any other horror stars who do this sort of thing outside of conventions? If so, leave a comment. I would love to know about it and so would my husband for future gifting ideas.

The Ghoul (1933)

October 31, 2014 / Horror Movie Maven / 0 Comments

My take: I fell asleep watching this one. Twice.

I had high hopes for The Ghoul, starring Boris Karloff, which is the 17th film covered in Studies in Terror. I really liked Karloff in Frankenstein, and since he is so famous, I thought this movie would be a slam dunk.

Karloff as the Ghoul.

The movie even started out with a terrific premise. A wealthy old Egyptian scholar dies. But not after having left explicit instructions for his burial in line with ancient Egyptian rituals. If those instructions are not properly followed, then he will come back from the grave to kill.

Of course no one followed the instructions. You can guess how well that went for them.

Unfortunately, this great premise was muddled with too many characters and not enough action. After the death of Boris Karloff’s character it takes about 30 minutes for him to rise from the grave. In a mere 80-minute film, this feels like ages.

I would only recommend this movie to someone who is obsessed with Boris Karloff or monster movies from that era.

I watched it on youtube:

How to Survive as a Zombie

October 30, 2014 / Horror Movie Maven / 0 Comments

Face it. If a zombie outbreak occurs, odds are that you will become a zombie. It’s okay. We can’t all be Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead or Alice from Resident Evil.

Zombie hunters love arguing about the essentials of their bug-out bag and the weapons they need to defeat poor little zombies like yourself. You should be equally prepared. You need a plan so you can stay undead and keep eating brains for years to come.

Items a Zombie Will Need During the Apocalypse

1. Good sneakers.

Comfortable, quiet shoes are essential.

As a member of the undead hordes, you are going to be doing a lot of shambling. You will need comfortable shoes to keep your rotting feet intact for as long as possible. Otherwise, you could have trouble catching up with those pesky humans who are always running away from you.

You are also going to want quiet shoes. The loud smack of those expensive leather-soled shoes is going to give you away to humans hiding nearby. With a good pair of sneakers, you can ensure it’s not your shoes that give you away.

2. Super glue, duct tape, or better yet, taxidermy adhesive.

You are dead and rotting. Things are going to fall off. You are going to need some sort of adhesive to keep those body parts attached. Taxidermy adhesive, like caulk, is the best solution for dried out and desiccated zombie parts, but super glue or duct tape will work in a pinch.

3. Portable bonesaw.

This bone saw oscillates!

Skulls are hard, and as your limbs limbs decay, it might become harder and harder to smash open those craniums to get at the delicious brains inside. A portable bone saw can help you cut right through skulls and other pesky bones to get at that tasty flesh you crave.

4. A helmet, preferably bulletproof.

Your head is your weak spot. You want to give as few opportunities as possible to the humans. Get a good, high-quality helmet to protect yourself from those pesky head shots and double taps.

5. The book How to Win Friends and Influence People.

As a zombie, there is safety in numbers. As part of a zombie horde, you can overtake small groups of human survivors with ease. So, you are going to want to make friends with other zombies as quickly as possible. While geared toward humans, this book can still provide you with lots of good tips for making other zombies like you. For example, don’t argue or fight over the brains; you can make friends by limiting confrontation. There is plenty of flesh to go around and lots of humans left to kill.

6. A hearing aid.

Better hearing = more delicious brains.

Your hearing is our best hunting device. Why not heighten it? With a hearing aid, you can hear humans and other living creatures from a distance, so you can shamble after them.

7. Athletic Attire.

In addition to good shoes, you are going to want clothing that allows for maximum movement and breathes well to vent the reek of decay. If possible, get clothing that is stain-proof and water-proof. Blood stains are hard to get out.

Is there anything essential that I have missed? What do you think is necessary to be a successful zombie?

Horror Block Subscription From October 2014

October 29, 2014 / Horror Movie Maven / 0 Comments

I’m a sucker for all things related to horror. So, when I saw that there was a monthly subscription to get horror-themed things in the mail, I said, “Shut up and take my money.”

The service is called Horror Block and for 19.99 + shipping, they send you goodies monthly. This month was the first month that I’ve gotten a box, and I am quite happy with what I got.

Shot of the box as I was opening it:

Am amused before I even get it open.

What did I get? A Jason toy:

A Jason Voorhees for my cubicle, which was decidedly lacking in Friday the 13th paraphernalia

I also got some fun Cereal Killers stickers:

A little fake cereal box filled with funny horror stickers.

A bluray copy of Puppet Masters:

Now I can watch Blade in HD, as he was meant to be seen.

Make my own zombie kit:

The kit comes with putty and instructions for making my own undead.

A copy of the November issue of Fangoria:

This issues is chock full of Nightmare on Elm Street articles, which makes me very happy.

Last, but not least, my favorite thing in the box is this awesome Friday the 13th t-shirt:

I’m going to look so good in this.

Now I am excited for next month’s surprises. Do you subscribe to any services like this? Got anything good? If so, leave a comment.

Top 3 Things I Learned at Crypticon 2014 in Minneapolis

October 27, 2014 / Horror Movie Maven / 0 Comments

I swung by Crypticon 2014 in Minneapolis this past weekend and went to a few Q&A sessions. These are the top three things I learned at the annual horror convention:

1. Shooting Gremlins took a long, long time.

The first Q&A I saw was with Zach Galligan of Gremlins fame. Here’s a shot of him answering questions:

Zach Galligan at Crypticon 2014 in Minneapolis

Zach mentioned that Gremlins took over 34 weeks to shoot. The first 17 were with the actors and gremlins. The last 17 were entirely with the Gremlins. This was back in the days before CGI, so the gremlins and Gizmo were animatronics, operated by people off screen. They were fragile and finicky creatures.

According to Zach, the dog in the films, whose real name is Mushroom, was obsessed with the Gizmo creature/robot. In the scene where Zach’s character is opening the box with Gizmo inside, Mushroom got excited and jumped on Gizmo. The dog broke off a piece of Gizmo’s ear. It took 10-11 hours just to fix the ear and be ready to shoot again.

2. Bodega Bay makes for good, creepy filming.

At the next Q&A, Tom Atkins took the stage:

Tom Atkins at Crypticon 2014.

He has been in a whole host of movies, from Escape from New York to Halloween 3 to My Bloody Valentine. He was also in The Fog, which was directed by John Carpenter.

Tom Atkins pointed out that The Fog was actually shot on-location in Bodega Bay. That is the same location as Hitchcock’s The Birds. Clearly, that is one creepy town.

Tom Atkins also mentioned how difficult it was to film a movie like The Fog in the days before CGI. He said that the special effects guys would spend hours creating fog and trying to make it look “more ominous.”

3. Goonies 2 is a “distinct possibility.”

The last Q&A I went to had none other than Corey Feldman. He has been in about a hundred films, spanning throughout the time I was growing up, including The Burbs, Goonies, The Lost Boys, and Gremlins Here he is answering questions with Frog Brother Jamison Newlander:

The Frog Brothers came together to answer some questions. Sorry for the graininess.

Of course, someone asked Corey Feldman whether there would be a Goonies sequel. He said that it is a “distinct possibility.” That’s good enough for me. I’d watch it, even if it has been nearly 30 years since the original came out.

My husband, always the asker of questions at every conference or convention we attend, asked Corey, “What makes a good horror movie?” His simple reply: “suspense.” He noted that the best horror movies don’t show too much gore and rely on suspense to build the tension. He specifically referenced Halloween in this regard, and I have to agree with him here. Suspense is the backbone of any decent horror movie.

Do you agree that suspense is essential? Did you go to Crypticon and learn something cool that I missed? Leave a comment.

Mystery of the Wax Museum (1932)

October 26, 2014 / Horror Movie Maven / 0 Comments

My take: If you’ve seen Vincent Price’s House of Wax, you know this story. And the Vincent Price version was better.

The 16th movie in Studies in Terror left me unsatisfied. I started watching it, and everything seemed familiar. I had seen this plot before.

Ad for Mystery of the Wax Museum

An artist runs a wax museum and creates beautiful representations of famous historical scenes. His business partner is only in it for the money, however, and sets fire to the precious wax figures for the insurance money. The artist, Ivan Igor played by Lionel Atwill, is struck down by his business partner while trying to stop the fire and falls victim to the flames.

But he survives. While he is no longer able to sculpt, he runs a new museum in New York. Around the same time, a famous actress is killed and her body goes missing. A new wax figure who looks surprisingly like her appears in the museum.

It’s actually not a bad story, but I have seen the Vincent Price version of this same movie. In my opinion, nearly anything with Vincent Price is going to be better.

Additionally, the main protagonist in Mystery of the Wax Museum, who discovers the actress’s visage in the museum, is a fast-talking newspaper gal. Her overly-quick banter and witty zingers become too much as the movie goes on, and I was tempted to mute the TV every time she came on the screen.

I would only recommend this movie to people who like the wax museum horror subgenre. It seems niche, but there must be an audience because there seem to be a lot of these movies (Waxworks (1924), House of Wax (1953 and 2005), Waxwork (1988)).

I watched this movie via youtube: