Halloween is the time for ghosts, goblins, vampires, werewolves, witches and anything else that may scare you. Horror and suspense movies give just the right mix to put fear in the hearts of moviegoers. This is a list of movies that are just right for All Hallows’ Eve.
10. King Kong (1933)
This film directed by Marien C. Cooper and Ernest B. Shoedsack, wouldn’t automatically come to mind, with this list. It is a groundbreaking film with its special effects team of Harry Redmond Jr. Harry Redmond Sr. and Frank D.Williams. They were able to construct scenes of Kong fighting with dinosaurs and going on a rampage in New York City. They also manage with very little to get closeups of the ape when he goes on his rampage. These things contribute to the fear elements of the film.
Any film that stands the test of time, has good characters in it. King Kong is one of those. Carl Denham, played by Robert Armstrong, could be a composite of P. T. Barnum and Frank Buck. He is compassionate, but also driven to find Kong and exploit him. Faye Wray as Ann Darrow screams her way through most of the movie. That makes sense, since she is held captive by the Kong through most of the film. Ann Darrow’s romantic interest is John Driscoll, played by Bruce Cabot. The actor is good, but loses out to Kong and Armstrong.
The film is good from beginning to end. It has elements of horror, but King Kong’s legacy is beyond that. Films before it didn’t have soundtracks. The legendary film composer, Max Steiner is responsible for its score, making soundtracks the norm for films. Its effects may seem primitive by todays standards, but human craftsmanship was the norm, for several decades. The film is also a romance of sorts, with tragic elements. It can be enjoyed as well today, as it was when it was released.
9. Dracula (1931)
There have been many filmed versions of Dracula. This one helmed by Tod Browning and Karl Freund, is the most effective. It stars Bela Lugosi in his most famous role, as Dracula. It is the first major Universal horror film with sound. The film, has many chilling moments, that make it a stand out.We have the townsfolk, giving the condemned look to Renfield, when he tells them he’s going to Castle Dracula.There is Renfield, played by Dwight Frye, with his eerie cackle, when he is found on the ship: the sole survivor. There is the coachman refusing to take Renfield to the castle, and throwing out his luggage. When Dracula has dinner served, he tells Renfield he never drinks wine. Then there is Dracula coming for Mina Seward, (Helen Chandler). These all help make for the feel of the film.
The movie is made whole with the antagonist, Dracula and protagonist, Dr. Van Helsing (Edward Sloan). The two go back and forth throughout the film. Van Helsing theorizes that Dracula is one of the undead. He proves his theory when he shows a mirror to the count. Dracula angrily hurls it away, saying he doesn’t like mirrors. His mirror showed no reflection of the count, proving the doctor’s theory. Dracula threatens Van Helsing with death, but he does not back down. He continually presses on through the film, determined to end the vampire’s threat. It is Lugosi and Sloan’s acting against each other, that show the fight of good versus evil.
Dracula is based on Bram Stoker’s novel, which was adapted to the stage in 1927. Bela Lugosi played the vampire on stage, before gaining film immortality as the count. The movie has the feel of a stage production, mainly because of no soundtrack. Despite this, it succeeds in telling the story well. This is due in part to the exceptional directing, and Bela Lugosi’s portrayal of a charming, but terrifying creature of the night. This movie should be an introduction to anyone, wanting to become familiar with the horror genre of film.
8. The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
The phenomenal success of The Phantom of the Opera, on broadway, shows that you can’t keep a good story down. Many years ago, the groundbreaking actor, Lon Chaney brought the character to the screen. It is the best of his many film roles. He gives a masterful performance, that lends itself between pathos and villainy. Chaney is Erik the Phantom, a man consumed by hate, but falls hard for Christine Daae, (Mary Philbin). Christine is in the opera, Faust, but not the lead. Erik appeals to her vanity, and says he will make her a great opera singer. She leaves her beau, Raoul, (Norman Kerry) to pursue her training. Erik has what it takes to hone Christine’s talent. His Achilles heel is his infatuation with her. Erik, because he wants to remain a phantom, wears a mask. Christine, wanting to know her mentor’s identity, goes behind Erik, and pulls off his mask. This is one of the most famous scenes in horror cinema. Chaney as Eric slowly turns, and reveals a hideously scarred face to Christine. She turns away in terror, as he taunts her, for her curiosity. It is a testament to Chaney’s talent as a makeup magician and actor that the scene works. Chaney altered his features by placing a painful device up his nose. He would do anything to get his character right.
Although Chaney is the star, Mary Philbin does very well as the driven but naive, Christine. She also is very good in her scenes with Norman Kerry as Raoul. The two are particularly convincing, when they are on a rooftop, professing their love. This is overheard by an angry, broken hearted Erik. Norman Kerry is good as the boyfriend risking life and limb, to save Christine.
The Phantom of the Opera has terrific sets, and so many scenes that set the tone and mood of the movie. The directing team of Rupert Julian, Lon Chaney and Ernst Laemmle have made great scenes. Among them are Faust being performed, the chandelier falling from the ceiling, and the lovers on the roof of the Paris opera house, next to a statue, with the wind blowing. The stand alone scene is Erik, arriving at a ball dressed as The Red Death. This scene is tinted, making it very effective. It is enough for one director to manage a film. It is even harder with a team. They have managed to film the climactic chase, showing Erik’s desperation as well as his insanity and obsession with Christine. It is often difficult if not impossible to keep the story of a film flowing, but it is done well. The Phantom of the Opera has stayed relevant as a film because of its feel, and its unique story.
7. Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
Alfred Hitchcock was known as The Master of Suspense. Shadow of a Doubt shows that he is worthy of that title. He manages to show a peaceful little town of Santa Rosa. The peace is upended when Charlie Oakley, (Joseph Cotten) comes to town. Cotten is marvelous in this role. He is a man who may or may not be The Merry Widow Killer. He has come to town to see his sister, Emma Newton,(Patricia Collinge), and her family. Her family consists of her husband, Joseph (Henry Travers), and her daughter, Charlie, (Teresa Wright). Emma and Joseph are happy to have Charlie Oakley in their home. Charlie doesn’t get a warm feeling from her uncle. She increasingly feels uneasy about him. Her feelings are confirmed, when a detective, Jack Graham, (Macdonald Carey), informs her, that Uncle Charlie is suspected of being The Merry Widow Killer.
After this, a terrifying cat and mouse game begins, between Charlie and her uncle. It is a testimony to the underrated acting skills of Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright, that make this film so gripping. Cotten shows the right amount of paranoia and violent tendencies, as well as the look in his eyes. Wright makes her character one of the best Hitchcock heroines. Charlie, although knowing her uncle is dangerous, confronts him. It is because of Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright’s acting; that Shadow of a Doubt, is one of Hitchcock’s best films.
It was an ability of Hitchcock, to take something simple, and turn it into fear and suspense. He has done this with a family reunion. He also manages to show Charlie Oakley’s detachment from society, with his beginning shot, in the boarding house. Oakley’s fear is shown with his desperately throwing detectives off his trail. In the next shot, he shows Charlie Oakley, looking from the rooftop. It shows he has temporarily gotten rid of them. The climactic scene on the train, between the two Charlie’s is traditional Hitchcock. The director, with his own inimitable style, has made Shadow of a Doubt; a remarkable achievement in moviemaking.
6. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
The achievement of this film, is that it was made on a shoestring budget. It was made in black and white, and accomplishes what many big budget horror films don’t. It is the ability to keep the audience, interested and scared. George A. Romero deserves the credit for keeping this horror film relevant for so many years.
The story is simple. A woman, named Barbara, (Judith O’Dea) is traumatized, after she is attacked by zombies, and her brother is killed. She flees to a nearby farmhouse, and meets Ben, (Duane Jones). Ben fights off zombies with others who find the house. They are the Coopers, (Karl Hardman) and (Marilyn Eastman), Tom, (Keith Wayne) and Judy, (Judith Riley). Their best efforts cannot keep the multitude of zombies away. They fight valiantly, but the house is not a safe haven. Throughout the film, the horror and hopelessness of the situation is shown. No matter how many windows are boarded up, or how many doors nailed shut; the wave of zombies invade the house.
It is a testament to the actors in this film, that they never overact. Duane Jones is solid as the hero of the film. Judith O’Dea gives just the right effort showing her character’s trauma. Many of the actors had dual roles, as supporting characters and zombies. Credit must also be given to the many who played zombies in this movie. There must be a certain discipline, required to be undead on the big screen.
The uniqueness of this film, is the news reports throughout. Even though zombies are outside, and around the area of western Pennsylvania; they haven’t interrupted television or radio transmission. The reporters try to remain professional, despite the looming zombie threat.
The real legacy of Night of the Living Dead, is as a breakthrough zombie film. The black and white cinematography lend to it’s feel. It has very scary moments and never slows down. It would be advisable to keep the light on, while watching this film.
5. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Wes Craven was known for many B grade horror films. He achieved mainstream success with A Nightmare on Elm Street. He also cast an unknown Johnny Depp in his first film. He wrote and directed the movie, creating a horror film icon in Fred Krueger. It is a film with very good effects, but also a very effective story.
Teenagers are having nightmares about a menacing man chasing them. One, Tina Gray ( Amanda Weiss) dies during the nightmare. Her boyfriend, Rod Lane, (Jsu Garcia), is held for the crime. He is mysterious hanged, while in custody. Tina Gray’s best friend, Nancy Thompson, (Heather Langenkamp) is having the nightmares, with Fred Krueger chasing her. These cause her not to sleep. Her parents, Lt. Thompson, (John Saxon) and MargeThompson, (Ronee Blakley), have her treated by doctors, but nothing works. Nancy describes Fred to her parents, and they admit that Fred Krueger was a child killer. He managed to escape justice, but her parents and other parents, killed Krueger. They rationalize that Fred Krueger has come back for vengeance. Nancy asks her boyfriend, Glenn Lantz, (Johnny Depp), to talk to her on the phone; to keep her awake, but he falls asleep. This is a fatal mistake, and he is killed, in a gruesome death scene. After this, Nancy is chased by Krueger, setting up a seemingly fitting end to the nightmare, but not really.
When you think of horror films involving teenagers, they are usually stupid. A Nightmare on Elm Street is an exception. The main reason is the strong story, and solid acting by Heather Langencamp. She, along with John Saxon and Ronee Blakely, keep you interested. After watching, this film, you may want to keep a light on, when you go to sleep.
4. The Birds (1963)
Most people don’t consider birds a threat. Alfred Hitchcock has changed that with his movie,The Birds. His gift was being able to turn harmless things into something very menacing. He succeeds in giving the audience a level of suspense and terror, that is hard to match.
A socialite, Melanie Daniels, (Tippi Hedren), is taken with an attorney, Mitch Brenner, (Rod Taylor). She goes to the town of Bodega Bay, California, to deliver a pair of lovebirds, to him. The two develop a romance, that is interrupted by birds. It is not a few. It is many. For some unexplained reason, they decide to settle into town. At first, it is considered very odd, but then turns into a menacing situation.
The terror starts with a children’s birthday party, where seagulls descend, and attack the children and adults. Things only get worse from there. Melanie Daniels is outside of the school. One or two birds land in the playground. A moment later, she sees birds all over the playground. She explains it to the children’s teacher, Annie Hayworth, (Suzanne Pleshette). They leave the school, attempting to get past the feathered menace. It doesn’t work, and the birds attack. This scene, just keeps the terror going. The birds are everywhere, attacking indiscriminately. Nobody is safe. Even Mrs. Bundy, (Ethel Griffie), an expert on birds, doesn’t understand their strange behavior. There is nowhere to hide. Melanie Daniels and Mitch Brenner can’t find shelter, not even in his home.
The Birds is Alfred Hitchcock unleashing the terror. When a gas station fire, is started, the camera shows the birds’ perspective. He has a masterful scene, showing Tippie Hedron being attacked in a phone booth. Nothing could depict a helpless, hopeless situation, more than this. His living room scene with birds attacking, is terrifying, with Rod Taylor desperately trying to get them out. Tippie Hedron is good in her first film. Rod Taylor makes a good hero. Despite their acting, and the good dialogue, they take a back seat to birds. This film has an unusual premise, but it works.
3. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
This is the second entry in Universal’s Frankenstein movies. It is the best of them. It has a much better look and feel than Frankenstein (1931). James Whale directs again, and does well. He gives the right look and feel to a film that explores the monster’s emotions. The movie also shows the good and dark sides of human nature.
Bride like many horror films has a stormy night in it. The beginning sequence starts with Lord Byron, (Gavin Gordon), talking about Mary Shelley’s frightening story. He gives a recap of the first film. Mary Shelley, (Elsa Lanchester), then picks up the story, where Frankenstein left off.
Henry Frankenstein, (Colin Clive), is recovering from his injuries, when his mentor, Doctor Pretorius, (Ernest Thesiger), comes calling. He shows him life that he has created. Frankenstein is intrigued by this. Doctor Pretorius, convinces the Dr., that the monster : who escaped his fate; and is now terrorizing the countryside, should have a mate. Pretorius, to keep Frankenstein in line, has kidnapped his new bride, Elizabeth, (Valerie Hobson). The two demented doctors succeed in creating a mate; (Elsa Lanchester).
The most interesting thing about this film, is a role reversal. The monster, is placed as the tragic figure. Mankind is shown as evil, wanting the monster’s death. A mob captures him, in the woods, where he finds peace. The mob throw objects at him, and taunt him. He is brought into town, and chained to a chair and imprisoned. The monster escapes and goes back to the peaceful woods. He hears a violin, coming from a cottage. The monster enters and sees a blind hermit. The hermit is played by O. P. Heggie. He gives a great performance, as a good soul, who only understands that God has sent him a companion and friend. The hermit also teaches the monster, to speak. This was a good addition to the film, but taken away in the next film. The monster’s friend, also teaches him to smoke and drink, which make for funny scenes. These things give the monster human qualities.
Ernest Thesiger gives horror cinema, one of its best villains in Doctor Pretorius. He becomes the force of evil in the film; pushing the monster to the edge. Pretorius takes any good that the monster has by convincing him that mankind is against him. His goal is to control him; something that Frankenstein and others found impossible.
Boris Karloff is at his best, in his second appearance as the monster. He goes from simple grunts to having the ability to speak. He is also able to have the monster go from fits of anger, to peaceful moments. He is best in his scenes with O.P. Heggie, where he learns kindness. It is small wonder that he was the master of horror.
James Whale as a director of horror films has no equal. This film is his best achievement, visually and story wise. He manages to show the monster being at peace in the woods. Whale then shows his fear, trying to escape from the woods, when being pursued. There would be some who would have trouble, adapting the Mary Shelley novel to the screen. Whale does not. He manages to introduce the author in the beginning, and have the monster’s conscience, be Doctor Pretorius. James Whale also has Frankenstein as a victim of Pretorius.
The Bride of Frankenstein has everything that makes a horror film. It also gives intelligence to the genre. That is not always possible. This movie should be the sophisticated choice for horror fans.
2. Jaws (1975)
This movie is director, Steven Spielberg’s first major film. He does not disappoint. This is not only a scary film, but it is a film of extreme quality. The star of the film, is a great white shark, nicknamed Bruce, by the production crew. This fish, because he likes to attack and eat people, is hunted by Quint, (Robert Shaw), Chief Brodie, (Roy Scheider), and Hooper, (Richard Dreyfuss). It turns out to be a struggle between shark and man.
Jaws is a movie, that would make a horror film director, proud. There are scenes that are terrifying. A child is killed by the shark, with the chief and mayor witnessing it. The mayor, (Murray Hamilton), is shocked and horrified. He was skeptical, and didn’t close the beach. He later agrees to pay Quint, for his shark hunting services. Chief Brody’s son is also later attacked, but survives, but is traumatized. There are plenty of others, that make this a standout edge of your seat, spill your popcorn and soda, kind of movie.
The acting is solid throughout the movie. Robert Shaw, as Quint, the shark hunter, gives a reason, for his hatred and obsession with sharks. He explains to the others on his ship, The Orca, about The Indianapolis. It was a real life horror story about a shark attack. It is gripping, and Shaw gives his character, his reasoning. Roy Scheider as Brody, is a voice of reason, amid the panic and chaos. Scheider shows frustration at the town leaders, who won’t listen to him. Richard Dreyfus as Hooper, brings the right amount of smugness and professionalism to his character.
Jaws endures as a film, due to its story. It is how a threat can pull people together as well as tear them apart. The story is based on Peter Benchley‘s novel. Benchley and Carl Gottlieb wrote the script. It proves that good writing, is very helpful to a movie. It is where many horror films fail. Jaws remains a quality film, that is as good today, as it was in 1975.
- Alien (1979)
The Ridley Scott directed film, could be classified as sci-fi/horror. The story is as frightening as it gets. A merchant vessel, has an alien stowaway, with violent tendencies. It hitches a ride, on a crewman’s faceplate, of his helmet. The crewman, Kane, (John Hurt), seemingly recovers from this. Kane and the rest of the crew, are eating dinner, when he starts choking and convulsing. This is the beginning of one of the most shocking and disturbing scenes, in a movie. The alien bursts through Kane’s chest, killing him. It looks around, and speeds away. The crew pursue it through the the ship. The captain, Dallas, (Tom Skerritt) finds it, and is trapped. The crew sees the alien, but their warning is too late. Dallas’ demise isn’t shown, but the crew knows, because his transmission ends. One by one, the crew, Lambert, (Veronica Cartwright),Brett, (Harry Dean Stanton) and Parker, (Yaphet Kotto), are violently dispatched, by the alien, with only Ripley, (Sigourney Weaver), to face it. Sigourney Weaver’s character is a solid heroine, who never backs down from the threat. Weaver’s performance in Alien, is stellar. She became a star with this role, and had steady work, for years.
The most interesting thing about Alien, is how it frightens. It takes place, in space, on a freighter. The lighting is dim, and the pace of the film, is fast. The alien is hidden in the shadows. It makes sudden appearances, and the victims, see it, only when its too late. This is a very effective way to get the audience, to jump out of their seats, with fright. The best thing about this movie is, it is still scary, even after repeated viewings.
Horror films are different, in how they scare people. The list is full of films that do it well. Many like King Kong, Alien and A Nightmare on Elm Street rely heavily on effects. The Phantom of the Opera, relies on makeup and atmosphere. Alfred Hitchcock films rely on many things. Shadow of a Doubt, is a psychological masterpiece. The Birds, takes a common animal, and makes it dangerous. Frankenstein and Dracula are legendary screen monsters, that still have that frightening quality today. Jaws makes a person afraid of the water. The Night of the Living Dead, takes an innovative mind to produce credible fright. These films are to be enjoyed for Halloween, but can be viewed anytime. That is what makes these films last.