Dark and stormy nights….screams from the forest….the bay of a wolf by the light of the full moon! If these are a few of your favorite things, you are in for a bone-chilling treat. My guest, Robert Herold offers a list of classic horror movies guaranteed to appeal to the dark side. So tuck the little ghouls in bed, fill your goblet with blood red wine, and settle in for a movie night of terror.
Oh, and by the way, Robert has a new book out–check out the excerpt from Moonlight Becomes You below. BONUS: Visit Robert Herold Author Website to get a FREE short story by Robert Herold.
Movie Maven Mausoleum(Films To Die For!)
By Robert Herold
Author of the Eidola Project & Moonlight Becomes You
Finding obscure and/or largely forgotten gems in our genre is a bloody-good treat. And, in addition to sex and reading a great book (not at the same time), what better way is there to pass the time in a pandemic?
Curse of the Demon/Night of the Demon (1957)
The film opens with an admittedly goofy-looking monster. Don’t let that put you off! The director, Jacques Tourneur (of Cat People fame) did not want the creature in the film, but he was overruled by the studio. Night of the Demon is the British version of the film and is thirteen (lucky) minutes longer. Given this is one of my all-time favorites, I’d go with the longer version.
A Chinese Ghost Story I, II, & III (1987, 1990, 1991)
(Note: The first of the series was remade in 2011 by Wilson Yip (of Ip Man fame) I have not seen the remake, but most reviewers rate the original higher. I love the original, so I recommend you go with it.)
The first film is about a hapless but good-hearted tax-collector in Medieval China who is forced to stay in a haunted locale and falls in love with a beautiful ghost. Too bad for him, and anyone else who strays near the place, the ghost is under the control of a nasty tree witch. A wonderful story, great special effects for the time, humor, romance, and insane action—what more could one want?
Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1972)
Made toward the end of Hammer Studios’ heyday, this gem is largely forgotten. Too bad, because it’s a great film. Dashing Captain Kronos, accompanied by his faithful hunchback friend, Professor Grost, gallop all over the 18th Century English countryside in search of vampires. They’re in luck, or maybe not, depending on your perspective. There’s some nice variations on the familiar vampire theme. This would have made a marvelous television series. I’ve love to write it, if there are any producers out there!
Eyes of Fire (1983)
A precursor to the marvelous film The Witch (2015), which you must see if you haven’t, Eyes of Fire is also a tale of witchcraft set in early rural America. A group of settlers stumble upon a haunted locale and are terrorized by dangerous spirits. A mysterious girl appears who may hold the key to their survival. The excellent story, acting, and production values make this a great film!
Borgman (2014)
Few people saw this Danish film in America when it was first released. Fortunately, it is available on a ton of streaming services (many for free). This is one of the creepiest films I have ever seen. It gets under your skin like a parasite, making your flesh crawl, and then wiggles around in your brain for days afterward. Are you ready? Prepare for a little confusion, it’s meant to be so, as it is a horror mystery, but you will never be the same again. ‘Enjoy!
The Wicker Man (1973) – Original Film
You may be familiar with the 2006 remake, but I am recommending you go back to review the vastly superior original, starring Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee. Cinefantastique Magazine at the time declared it “The Citizen Kane of horror films,” and I agree. It’s an eerie film with excellent acting and a great story. It involves a strait-laced religious policeman who is sent to a remote British isle to investigate a missing girl. Things are amiss in this seemingly idyllic town.
Dark City (1998)
The line between horror and SF is often blurry (consider Alien and its sequels), so you may have missed this gem from the 90’s.
The director of The Crow, Alex Proyas, takes us on a noir nightmare with wonderful special effects and acting. The actors and production values are top-notch. The actors include Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland (in one of his best roles), Jennifer Connelly, and William Hurt. It’s a heady mix of horror, mystery, and science fiction you’re sure to love!
A Portrait of Jennie (1948)
If your taste runs toward paranormal romance, I recommend The Portrait of Jennie. This well-acted film features many top actors from the time: Joseph Cotten, Jennifer Jones, Ethel Barrymore, and Lillian Gish. Cotton plays a down on his luck artist, whose career starts to change when he meets an enigmatic young woman.
Nosfertatu The Vampyre (1979)
You have probably seen the original film (if not, do so!), but you may have missed Werner Herzog’s outstanding remake. It is a stylized horror film with excellent acting and sets. Klaus Kinski and Isabelle Adjani are wonderful in the lead roles, and the rats deserve a shout-out too! (I hope they got paid union-scale wages!)
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
Set the Way-back Machine ™ for one hundred years ago: Following the nightmare of deaths and dashed dreams of glory experienced by Germany because of World War One (to say nothing of the other countries involved) came the genius of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. From the expressionistic sets to wonderfully weird characters and expressionistic acting, the film still has remarkable power to unnerve you. Incidentally, Conrad Veit, who plays the somnambulist, was later considered for the role of Dracula (ultimately
given to Bela Lugosi) and still later went on to chew up scenes as Major Strasser in Casablanca.
Note: I strongly recommend seeing a version with the contemporary orchestral score by Rainer Viertelboeck. Since Caligari is a silent film, music is a key component, and this soundtrack adds to the creepiness!
Do you crave more!! Check out this post Ten Modern Gothic Movies and Even More at the Big Movie List!
Meet Robert Herold
The supernatural always had the allure of forbidden fruit, ever since my mother refused to allow me, as a boy, to watch creature features on late night TV. She caved-in. (Well, not literally!)
As a child, fresh snow provided me the opportunity to walk out onto neighbor’s lawns halfway and make paw prints with my fingers as far as I could stretch. I would retrace the paw and boot prints, then fetch the neighbor kids and point out that someone turned into a werewolf on their front lawn! (They were skeptical.)
I have pursued many interests over the years, but the supernatural always called to me. You could say that I was haunted. Finally, following the siren’s call, I wrote The Eidola Project, based on a germ of an idea I had as a teenager.
Ultimately, I hope my books give you the creeps, and I mean that in the best way possible!
Robert Herold Author Website
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Animated Book Trailer for The Eidola Project (17 seconds!)
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Moonlight Becomes You by Robert Herold
19th Century paranormal investigators attempt to overcome evil forces–or die trying.
The Eidola Project travels to Petersburg, Virginia, to investigate a series of murders in the Black community—rumored to be caused by a werewolf. Once there, danger comes from all quarters. Not only do they face threats from the supernatural, the KKK objects to the team’s activities, and the group is falling apart. Can they overcome their human frailties to defeat the evil that surrounds them?
Winner of two 1st place wins from the Southeastern Writers Association, including Best Novel!
Here’s a Taste of Moonlight Becomes You
Doc Curtis fought for every reserve of strength and managed to quicken his pace. He could hear them shouting behind him and dared not look back, fearing it might slow him just that much more. He made it through the field and emerged onto a rough access road running between the cultivated land on one side and the woods on the other.
The doctor dashed across the dirt road and through the weeds and scrub bordering its opposite side. The trees stood twenty yards ahead. He would make it, find a thick trunk to hide behind, and fire a warning shot. If he could drive them off, it would be best. If not, he would do what needed to be done. Life had reduced itself to its most basic terms: kill or be killed.
Just five yards from the trees, a gigantic black beast bounded from the woods and landed before him. The doctor skittered to a stop, and his feet went out from beneath him.
The creature stepped closer, looming. Its eyes glowed red, and the skin around its muzzle drew back, revealing a mouthful of sharp canine teeth.
The Klan had come at him in two directions, the doctor realized.
He raised his pistol and fired into the snarling face above him.
3 thoughts on “Novel Magic: Movie Maven Mausoleum”
Thanks for being my guest, Robert! I thought I’d seen them all, but you’ve added to my movie list!!
A cool post! I own the 1973 version of The Wicker Man, and Curse/Night of the Demon and Nosferatu are must-sees in our house during the Halloween season. Wishing you continued success with Moonlight Becomes You!
Sex and a good book (but not at the same time)–ha ha ha! Love it. Good luck with your book!