Saturday, October 31, 2015

Happy Halloween!

Previously on this date: Dracula (1931) and The New Annotated Dracula!

I hope you've enjoyed all the classic horror goodness this past month! You can catch up on any of it you may have missed, this year or in years past, by clicking here. Today I'll be sharing a bunch of cool old posters and ads that, for one reason or another, have never been featured here before. Enjoy, and everyone have a fun and safe Halloween!









Friday, October 30, 2015

Frankenstein Friday: Boris Karloff's Frankenstein Monster through the decades

Previously on this date: The Masque of the Red Death and Blood-Curdling Bottles!

As with previous posts featuring Bela Lugosi's Dracula and Lon Chaney Jr's Wolf Man, today we'll be looking at the evolution of Karloff's Frankenstein Monster over the years.
Here is an early makeup test of the Monster that still shows up on licensed merchandise from time to time.

Here is the iconic Monster from the first Universal Frankenstein:


Bride of Frankenstein:


Son of Frankenstein:

Karloff donned the neck bolts for a charity baseball game alongside other celebrities in 1940:


Finally, he appeared as the Monster alongside Lon chaney Jr. and Peter Lorre in an episode of Route 66 in 1962:

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Throwback Thursday: The Old Dark House

Previously on this date: Young Frankenstein and Monster Busts! (That refers to monster statues, not really big boobs. No false advertising here!)

Today I'll point you in the direction of my post about the delightful James Whale classic The Old Dark House. This is one of my favorite movies, and deserves to be held in the same esteem as all-time classics such as The Mummy and The Bride of Frankenstein. Go check it out!



Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Werewolf Wednesday: The Wolf Man Makeup Process

Previously on this date: Nosferatu: A Symphony of HorrorFrankenstein, and Macabre Monster Nails!

Today we'll be looking at various photos of Lon Chaney Jr. enduring the long makeup process that transformed him into the Wolf Man again and again over the years, mostly at the hands of Jack Pierce. Enjoy!




Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Transylvania Tuesday: Bela Lugosi's Dracula through the decades

Previously on this date: Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror!

Bela Lugosi is best known for portraying the vampire king in the 1931 film, but his career included many other performances as the character, spanning most of his life. Enjoy this collection of photos spanning Bela's decades as the immortal Count!

Here is a young Bela during his stage days, shortly before starring in Universal's film adaptation:

Here's a collection of photos from the 1931 classic:




MGM's Return of the Vampire wasn't technically a sequel to Dracula, but Bela's character is the Count in every way that matters:

Bela's Dracula got one last hurrah in 1948's Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein:

Lastly, here are photos from some of Bela's public appearances in full Dracula regalia in the 1950s, including one with Vampira!



Monday, October 26, 2015

Mummy Monday: Jack Pierce works his magic on Karloff

Previously on this date: Dracula (1979) and Skeleton Decorations!

Today, we'll be taking a look at these cool photos of makeup master Jack Pierce turning Boris Karloff into Imhotep the mummy in the 1932 classic. Enjoy!






Saturday night's outdoor showing of Nosferatu

As you may have gathered from the title, there was an outdoor showing of Nosferatu Saturday night. Presented by Little Dog Cinema, it was hosted by T-Bone's Records, and the band Invincible Czars performed a live musical accompaniment that is my favorite of all I've heard for the film. I've seen this film dozens of times, and heard many different musical accompaniments for it, so that is no faint praise. I had to pick up the CD afterward. It was interesting to observe the reactions of the audience, knowing that nearly all of them were viewing their first silent film. I saw a couple of people leave early on, during the rather slow first fifteen minutes of the film, but most seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. Thankfully, despite a very cloudy day, there was no rain. Frankly, you couldn't have ordered better weather. By the time the movie began, the heat of the day had subsided, and there was a nice steady breeze. All in all, it was a marvelous time, and I'm damn glad I was able to make it. Scroll down for a few photos!



Friday, October 23, 2015

Frankenstein Friday: The Hammer Frankenstein Monsters

Previously on this date: Mad Monster Party and The Thing On the Doorstep!

Today, we'll be taking a look at the various monsters that appeared in the Hammer Frankenstein series. (Monsters other than Baron Frankenstein himself, that is.) Enjoy!

First we have Christopher Lee in The Curse of Frankenstein (1957):
Michael Gwynn in The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958):

Kiwi Kingston in The Evil of Frankenstein (1964):

Susan Denberg in Frankenstein Created Woman (1967):

Freddie Jones in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969) is certainly one of the least intimidating monsters:

David Prowse, best known for wearing the Darth Vader costume in the original Star Wars trilogy, in The Horror of Frankenstein (1970):

And lastly, Prowse returns in Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974):