Horror History: Friday, May 2, 1941: The Black Cat was released in theaters

Set in the old dark Winslow house, The Black Cat is a frightening mystery thriller starring Basil Rathbone, Bela Lugosi and Alan Ladd. A wealthy but embittered matriarch makes a deathbed recovery only to be murdered by someone in the greedy clan gathered for the reading of her will. The family is frustrated to learn that nobody receives a penny until the very last of the old lady’s multitude of beloved cats perish. Along with the family and servants, an eager real estate agent and a single-minded antique dealer have arrived to pounce on what seemed to be a sure-fire, moneymaking opportunity. Trapped in the mansion by a raging storm, one by one, people and cats turn up dead. The only thing that remains more mysterious than the revolving doors and passageways scattered throughout the grand estate, is the identity of the murderer.

Read more “Horror History: Friday, May 2, 1941: The Black Cat was released in theaters”

Horror History: Friday, September 20, 1940: The Mummy’s Hand was released in theaters

In this frightening chiller masterpiece, an expedition of American archaeologists travels to Egypt in search of the undiscovered tomb of Princess Ananka.

Read more “Horror History: Friday, September 20, 1940: The Mummy’s Hand was released in theaters”

Horror History: Friday, January 13, 1939: Son of Frankenstein was released in theaters

Set 25 years after the explosive death of Frankenstein, this critically acclaimed sequel to the original horror classic stars screen legends Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff.

Read more “Horror History: Friday, January 13, 1939: Son of Frankenstein was released in theaters”

Horror History: Monday, May 11, 1936: Dracula’s Daughter was released in theaters

When Countess Marya Zaleska (Gloria Holden) appears in London, mysterious events occur leading Dr. Von Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) to believe the Countess must be a vampire.

Read more “Horror History: Monday, May 11, 1936: Dracula’s Daughter was released in theaters”

Horror History: Friday, April 26, 1935: Mark of the Vampire was released in theaters

The master of fangs, Bela Lugosi and Lionel Barrymore star in this horror-spoof about a policeman who hires vaudeville actors to pose as vampires in order to solve an old murder.

Read more “Horror History: Friday, April 26, 1935: Mark of the Vampire was released in theaters”

Horror History: Saturday, April 20, 1935: Bride of Frankenstein was released in theaters

Mary Shelley reveals the main characters of her novel survived: Dr. Frankenstein (goaded by an even madder scientist) builds his monster a mate.

Read more “Horror History: Saturday, April 20, 1935: Bride of Frankenstein was released in theaters”

Horror History: Tuesday, August 14, 1934: Vampyr was released in US theaters

With Vampyr, Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer channeled his genius for creating mesmerizing atmosphere and austere, unsettling imagery into the horror genre. The result-a chilling film about a student of the occult who encounters supernatural haunts and local evildoers in a village outside of Paris-is nearly unclassifiable.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, August 14, 1934: Vampyr was released in US theaters”

Horror History: Monday, November 13, 1933: The Invisible Man was released in theaters

Claude Rains stars in this thriller, based on H.G. Wells’ novel, about a mysterious doctor who discovers a serum that makes him invisible and then slowly drives him to commit acts of terror.

Read more “Horror History: Monday, November 13, 1933: The Invisible Man was released in theaters”

Horror History: Monday, April 24, 1933: Night of Terror was released in theaters

The heirs to a family fortune are required to attend a seance at the spooky old family mansion. However, throughout the night members of the family are being killed off one by one.

Read more “Horror History: Monday, April 24, 1933: Night of Terror was released in theaters”

Horror History: Saturday, February 18, 1933: Mystery of the Wax Museum was released in theaters

Bodies are mysteriously disappearing all over the town, and a new wax museum has just opened. Is there a connection ? But of course! In this horror classic, Fay Wray (King Kong) stars as the intended victim of a mad wax sculptor obsessed by her resemblance to one of his prior creations.

Read more “Horror History: Saturday, February 18, 1933: Mystery of the Wax Museum was released in theaters”

Horror History: Thursday, December 22, 1932: The Mummy was released in theaters

The legendary Boris Karloff stars as the mummy Im-Ho-Tep, a high priest who is revived by British archaeologists 3,700 years after being embalmed alive for trying to save the woman he loved.

Read more “Horror History: Thursday, December 22, 1932: The Mummy was released in theaters”

Horror History: Thursday, October 20, 1932: The Old Dark House was released in theaters

From Frankenstein director James Whale comes this atmospheric horror/comedy starring Charles Laughton and featuring the first starring horror role for Boris Karloff.

Read more “Horror History: Thursday, October 20, 1932: The Old Dark House was released in theaters”

Horror History: Sunday, February 21, 1932: Murders in the Rue Morgue was released in theaters

Dr. Mirakle, a deranged scientist in Paris, kidnaps a beautiful young woman as a “prospective bride” for his pet gorilla. Her fiancé must race against time to save her life.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, February 21, 1932: Murders in the Rue Morgue was released in theaters”

Horror History: Saturday, February 20, 1932: Freaks was released in theaters

This pre code movie, shocking for it’s time, still pushes the edge of filmmaking with it’s riveting tale of love and betrayal between a normal circus performer and the wealthy carnival midget whom she marries for money and then betrays.

Read more “Horror History: Saturday, February 20, 1932: Freaks was released in theaters”

Horror History: Saturday, November 21, 1931: Frankenstein was released in theaters

Boris Karloff is the screen’s most memorable creature in the story of Dr. Frankenstein, who tampers with life and death when he pieces together salvaged body parts to create a human monster.

Read more “Horror History: Saturday, November 21, 1931: Frankenstein was released in theaters”

Horror History: Saturday, February 14, 1931: Dracula was released in theaters

Relive all the terror, mystery and intrigue of the original vampire masterpiece starring Bela Legosi that has inspired hundreds of adaptations and launched the Hollywood horror genre.

Read more “Horror History: Saturday, February 14, 1931: Dracula was released in theaters”