# It is October and it is time for horror movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 3, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320 "2004-10-03T14:11:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/21 "2004-10-03T19:44:04Z")
The Puppet Master is one I forgot earlier. Someone posted about Leech Woman and that prodded my memory. You’ll understand when you see it. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/22 "2004-10-03T19:58:26Z")
Turner Classic Movies will be featuring the John Barrymore version of [Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde](http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/ThisMonth/Article/0,,82848%7C82849%7C82853,00.html) and the Lon Chaney version of [The Phantom of the Opera](http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/ThisMonth/Article/0,,82848%7C82849%7C36162,00.html) on their Sunday Night Silents. Then there’s TCM’s [full October schedule](http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/ThisMonth/Article/0,,82823,00.html) of Evil Children, Evil Animals, Evil Aliens, Evil Doctors, and Evil Houses. [The Horror Channel](http://www.horrorchannel.com/index.php) goes on the air on October 31. If your local cable company doesn’t have it, _SCREAM!!!_ ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/23 "2004-10-03T21:01:29Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > A warning about the 1931 _Dracula_ — it’s very slow and static. After the first twenty or so atmospheric minutes, showing Harker’s visit to Dracula’s castle, it bogs down into a talky drawing room melodrama once we get back to England. As does the book, for that matter. I don’t know if they have the Spanish version, but it’s good. I’m a little surprised that you pulled down that list and didn’t mention [Peeping Tom](http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?trkid=73&movieid=848669), one of the greatest horror movies ever made. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/24 "2004-10-03T21:06:30Z")
**The Prince of Darkness** is great–very creepy! ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/25 "2004-10-03T21:07:07Z")
My recommendation is [The Changeling](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080516/) _cue creepy trance-sounding woman’s voice_ “Are you the boy…the boy killed by the coal cart?” Whoacreepyshivertingle ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/26 "2004-10-03T21:16:40Z")
For sheer camp appeal, it’s hard to beat the “trilogy”-type flicks, given their penchant for gory, sadistic morality tales and “B-list” casting: the two **Trilogy of Terror** movies, the **Tales from the Crypt** series, etc. One that doesn’t get played all the time on basic cable here is the original 1972 British **Tales from the Crypt** , featuring Ralph Richardson, Peter Cushing, Joan Collins and Ian Hendry (the unhappy band manager in **This is Spinal Tap** ). (This is the one that was mentioned earlier as the one about a “fortuneteller” who reveals to five damned souls their doom.) Another early-70’s British classic is **The Wicker Man** , starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, and Britt Ekland. While I can’t promise you that you’ll love it (some people really hate it), I can vouch for its originality in both storyline and style. Its original full-length version has been apparently lost, but several cobbled-together versions are widely available. Personally, I prefer the fuller musical coverage of the 99-min. longer-length one (the “wooden box” limited-edition), but the shorter, 88-min. (original U.S. release version) actually works better as a detective story/suspense thriller, with its swifter, without the clumsy foreshadowing that marred the original. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/27 "2004-10-03T21:19:48Z")
:smack: “…with its swifter _pacing_,…” ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/28 "2004-10-03T21:22:08Z")
One of my favorite horror movies is an early film by Richard Wise, who later did things like _The Sound of Music_ and\* West Side Story\*. He collaborated with horror producer Val Lewton on _The Body Snatcher_, a really great old movie starring Karloff in a non monster role, and Lugosi in a supporting role. Another fun old horror flick is _The Old Dark House_, directed by James Whale of Frankinstein fame. It’s a comedy at heart, but only because the horror is so campily over the top. It’s very clear, however, that Whale was having fun with the camp; it’s not by any means a misfire. A really great old fun movie. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/29 "2004-10-03T22:33:25Z")
Candyman ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/30 "2004-10-03T22:53:48Z")
Fright Night The Thing (both versions) Funny Games The Devil’s Backbone Session 9 The Hitcher Sleepy Hollow ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/31 "2004-10-03T23:05:17Z")
[QUOTE=The Scrivener] the original 1972 British **Tales from the Crypt** , featuring Ralph Richardson, Peter Cushing, Joan Collins and Ian Hendry (the unhappy band manager in **This is Spinal Tap** ). (This is the one that was mentioned earlier as the one about a “fortuneteller” who reveals to five damned souls their doom.) You’re thinking of [url=“[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0376676/](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0376676/)”] Tony Hendra\*\*, who currently has a book on the bestseller lists, “Father Joe: The Man Who Saved My Soul.” I’d also recommend some great drive-in horror flicks: **Count Yorga, Vampire The Return of Count Yorga The Deathmaster The Abominable Dr. Phibes Dr. Phibes Rises Again The Haunted Palace** Really, you can’t go wrong with any of the Roger Corman/ Vincent Price films American International in the 60s. I also like **Hocus Pocus** , which has a terrific version of “I Put a Spell on You” by Bette Midler. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/32 "2004-10-03T23:10:59Z")
I’ve seen bits of, and tried to forget, Hocus Pocus- but mostly I wanted to say I can’t imagine anybody coming close to Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’s version of that song. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2004, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/33 "2004-10-03T23:41:40Z")
One of the very best vampire movies ever made: Mario Bava’s [Black Sunday](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0054067/) (originally **Maschera del demonio** ). Rarely seen, highly recommended. I believe it has been released on DVD. **The Pit and the Pendulum** is probably the best of Roger Corman’s Poe “adaptations”. Curiously, the always excellent Barbara Steele starred in both of these movies… ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/34 "2004-10-04T00:45:48Z")
[Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311361/) [Count Floyd] Oooo, it’s gonna be scary… [/Count Floyd] ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/35 "2004-10-04T01:09:43Z")
The original [The Haunting](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057129/) . Probably the best haunted house movie ever made. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/36 "2004-10-04T01:18:31Z")
600th recommendation over five years… Roman Polanski’s 1965 [Repulsion](http://imdb.com/title/tt0059646/). You won’t sleep for a week. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/37 "2004-10-04T03:09:30Z")
Ooh, I like your idea and I may just steal it. Of course, I’d be cutting down… I recommend… the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre- on DVD only, 'cause it’s tough getting scared of grainy grey blobs Cabin Fever- more funny than scary, but better than a lot of the crap that’s come out lately (e.g. Valentine, Urban Legends movies…) A Nightmare on Elm Street- one of the best. Especially if you read a little Freud beforehand the original The Ring The Lost Boys (aka Coreys on Parade) Ginger Snaps- original, and quite good for a Canadian flic the original Night of the Living Dead, and then Return of the Living Dead The People Under the Stairs- original, scary and highly entertaining. Underrated. Bram Stoker’s Dracula- the ultimate campfest Bride of Chucky- once again, more funny and campy than actually scary, but it does what it does well. And John Ritter (rest his soul) is a complete creep. Scream (if you haven’t already seen it a million times) Oh, I could go on forever… ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/38 "2004-10-04T03:16:46Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Candyman I. Love. This. Movie. ---
**Author:** ![MidnightRadio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@MidnightRadio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MidnightRadio)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/39 "2004-10-04T03:35:20Z")
> [@Ukulele Ike](#): > > 600th recommendation over five years… > > Roman Polanski’s 1965 [Repulsion](http://imdb.com/title/tt0059646/). You won’t sleep for a week. You know, I’ve liked other Polanski movies, but I just didn’t get _Repulsion_. I didn’t think it was scary at all and it didn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense. Maybe I need to rewatch it, I don’t know. It was really late at night when I saw it with a friend. The only thing either of us can really remember about it was the unplugged iron, which sent us into hysterics and which still gives us a good chuckle to this day. Oh, and I seem to remember something happening with the walls, but I can’t remember what. Maybe I’ll put it on my Netflix queue and give it another shot. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2004, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320/40 "2004-10-04T04:12:31Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > One of my favorite horror movies is an early film by Richard Wise, who later did things like _The Sound of Music_ and\* West Side Story\*. Robert Wise. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-october-and-it-is-time-for-horror-movies/267320.md?page=3)