Confessions of a Pop Culture Addict’s House of 100 Horrors (page 3)

Dana Andrews faces the demon in "Curse of the Demon"

21. Curse of the Demon (1957) Long before the skeptical Gillian Anderson tried to disprove supernatural phenomena on The X-Files, Dana Andrews played skeptical Dr. John Holden, a physiologist who makes a career out of trying to prove that paranormal activity does not exist. Andrews travels to London to try to expose satanic cult leader Jullian Karswell, played by Niall McGinnish, as a phony.  However, when he is passed a mysterious parchment, Holden realizes that the next supernatural death will be his own!  Now Holden must embrace all that he does not believe in so that he doesn’t become the next victim of the demon!   Full of subtle and fantastic performances, Curse of the Demon has one of the best monsters of the 1950’s and the final train yard scene is one of the very best of the decade.  However, make sure to watch the British cut of the film.  The American version, titled Night of the Demon, runs fifteen minutes shorter and cuts out some important scenes.  I swear, I have no idea who makes the decisions to cut scenes out.  Luckily, both version of the film are available on the same DVD. 

David Hedison in "The Fly"

22.  The Fly(1958) David Hedison and Patricia Owens star in this classic film about science gone horribly wrong.  Hedison plays scientist Andre Delambre who is working on creating a transporter that can break solid objects into atoms and send them across space.  Perfecting his invention, Hedison uses himself as the first human test subject, but disaster strikes when a common house fly enters the transporter with him, mixing their atoms up.  Now the search is on for a house fly with a white head and a funny leg in hopes that Andre Delambre can regain his humanity.  Great build up, and memorable final scene bookends this tense chriller.  Hedison’s character is unlike the majority of the scientist characters from the horror genre because he is not a mad scientist, but a scientist with an optimistic view of the future who is seeking to better society.  When his plan backfires, he is not a monster as much as a sympathetic and tragic figure, who manages to create a sense of frustration and despair out of simple body language and the pressure in which he “knocks.”  However, it is Patricia Owens who truly carries the film on her shoulders, as the heartbroken and horrified wife who, despite his appearance, stands by her husband as she frantically searches for the fly. Vincent Price and Herbert Marshall co-star in this excellent entry to the 1950’s sci-fi/horror genre.  Followed by two lack luster sequels, and a decent remake by David Cronenberg in 1986. However, as usual, the original is still the best.

Christopher Lee becomes a horror icon in Hammer's "Horror of Dracula"

23.  Horror of Dracula (1958) Although this retelling of Dracula is incredibly weak on plot and story, Hammer’s Horror version of Bram Stoker’s famous tale remains to be one of the landmark Dracula films and should not be neglected by fans of the character. Marking the very first appearance of Christopher Lee as the famed vampire, Lee would go on to play Dracula more then any other actor (another nine features), and become, arguably, the greatest screen Dracula of all time! Making the same agreement with Universal Studios that they did for Curse of Frankenstein, Hammer agreed not to copy the Universal take on the Dracula tale, thus Hammer was forced to create a bear bones story that deviated completely from the original book, but was close enough that you could still recognize it. Still, Hammer studios managed to work well with what they had. When Jonathan Harker kills Dracula’s vampire concubine, Dracula seeks revenge by attempting to replace her, creating a domino effect of terror for the Homewood family. Now it is up to Michael Gough and Peter Cushing, in his famous portrayal of Dracula’s arch nemesis Dr. Van Helsing, to save the Homewood women and stop Dracula! Christopher Lee’s Dracula was the first time that the character was brought to the screen as a handsome sexual predator, who can be eloquent and graceful in one instant, but turn into a savage creature with glaring eyes and a bloody teethy sneer who violently rips the throats of his victims at the drop of a crucifix. Meanwhile, Cushing plays the role of Van Helsing like an action hero, resembling James Bond more then the aged old doctor in previous versions of the story. Finally, The Horror of Dracula is rich in both style and class. Sure, the whole thing drips of sex and death, but the film still remains to have a lot of dignity which I think many modern horror films could learn from. The Horror of Dracula proves that you don’t need naked girls to make a good vampire film. All you need is excellent performances, the air of erotic mystery and a few buckets of fake blood.

Dick Miller as wannabe beatnik Walter Paisley in Roger Corman's black comedy "A Bucket of Blood"

24.  A Bucket of Blood(1959) Despite a very misleading and unfortunate title (there is no Bucket of Blood actually in this film), Roger Corman dishes out one of the funniest serial killer movies ever made in this hilarious black comedy which lampoons both the beatnik movement and modern art.  Corman regular Dick Miller plays socially retarded simpleton Walter Paisley, a simple young man who clears tables at The Yellow Door coffee house and who idolizes the beatniks, poets, artists and phonies that make up the cliental despite their jeers and rejection of the meek young man.  In an attempt to impress these phonies, including cafe owner Leonard de Santis, pompous poet Maxwell H. Brock, and kind hearted artist, and the apple of Walter’s eye, Carla, Walter buys himself a block of clay and brings it home in attempts to begin a career as an artist, only to find out that sculpture is far more difficult then it looks.  However, when Walter accidentally kills his landlady’s cat, he encases the cat’s corpse in clay, complete with the knife, and brings it to the Yellow Ear claiming it to be his first sculpture titled Dead Cat.  Now, quicker then Maxwell can say “Walter Paisley Is Born,” the beats that rejected him take him in as his own, making Walter the newest art sensation since Willem de Kooning!  Now in order to keep his status amongst the beatniks, Walter must keep killing in order to keep making more masterpieces, such as Murdered Man, Strangled Nude and Decapitated Head.  Full of colorful characters, hilarious moments and throw away lines, A Bucket of Bloodis easily one of Corman’s greatest achievements.  Made on a budget of a mere $5000 and shot in only five days, Corman proves that you can do a lot with very little.  Dick Miller gives a heart felt performance as the timid loser Walter Paisley, making the viewer sympathetic towards him despite the fact that he is a serial killer.  However, the real highlight is the clever and very funny script which pokes fun at the beat generation.  For instance, Maxwell H. Brock’s poetry is both pretentious and hilarious all at the same time.  A real crowd pleaser, A Bucket of Bloodhas proved to be popular with everybody I have ever shown it to.  Easily one of the best black comedies ever filmed, and my personal favorite of all of Corman’s brilliant cheapies..

25. The Giant Gila Monster (1959) One of my favorite drive-in films. Chase Winston is the ultimate 1950s every boy hero. He drives hot rods, works at a garage to support his widowed mother and crippled sister, has a beautiful French girlfriend, is leader of the gang, works with the police, and sings rock and roll on the ukulele (which is scarier then the actual monster). However, what will Chase do when a giant lizard crawls out of the swamp and starts feasting on the locals? Hot Rods and nitroglycerin are the only answer. The Giant Gila Monster is campy 50′s drive-in fun with a pet lizard stomping toy houses and Hot Wheels cars. Godzillathis film is not, but the pure hilarity of the terrible acting, plot, script, editing, filming, lack of direction and, of course, the god awful original songs performed by the film’s star Don Sullivan makes this one of the classic drive-in cheapies of all time!  Not much plot, but then you didn’t want much of a plot if you were bringing a girl to a drive-in anyways.  I mean, who REALLY watched the movie?  Anyhow, if you do watch the movie you’ll still have a lot to enjoy.  Not brilliant in any way, but a fun group movie for a Halloween party.

26.  House on Haunted Hill(1959)  Although low on both chills and thrills, this fun little horror cheapie is motivated by a likeable cast, a great plot and fantastic over the top performances by the films stars, Vincent Price and Elisha Cook Jr.  Vincent Price plays Frederick Loren, an eccentric millionaire who rents an old house on a hill in which a series of murders were committed in order to throw a strange party at the request of his conniving gold digging wife .  Assembling a group of five strangers to the house, Loren tempts them with an offer they can’t refuse.  If the five guests can spend the entire night in the house on Haunted Hill, and leave the next morning alive, Frederick Loren will reward them with $10,000 each.  Now, with the doors locked, the guests are subjected to a series of mysterious happenings as they wait for morning.  However, are all the hauntings what they seem, and what kind of ulterior motive do the Loren’s have for this party?  A few good twists and turns make this film a memorable and fun watch, and a classic entry in the haunted house genre.  Vincent Price camps it up just the way we love watching him do it.  This is really Vincent Price at his very best.  One of the great “gimmick” films by B movie king William Castle, House on Haunted Hill originally featured a skeleton that would rise out of a box during the climax of the film and fly over the theatre audience during its original release via a gimmick Castle called “Emergo.”  However, the skeleton prop was quickly dropped when audience members would bring objects to throw at it, causing damage to the contraption.  Unfortunately, the skeleton doesn’t come with the DVD release, but you can buy cheap rubber skeletons at most dollar stores and toy shops, and you can dangle it over the TV yourself or something.

Vampira and Tor Johnston in Edward D. Wood Jr.'s "classic" "Plan 9 From Outerspace"

27. Plan 9 From Outer Space(1959) Affectionately known as the worst film of all time, Plan 9 From Outer Spaceis infamous director Edward D Wood’s masterpiece.  Despite the fact that the film is best known for its terrible production values, even worse acting, and strange script that doesn’t often make sense, the movie does actually have a plot.  In what is supposed to be a prediction of the future by famed psychic and Hollywood weirdo the Amazing Criswell, aliens attempt to take over the planet Earth before Earth accidentally discovers the technology to destroy the universe.  However, when plans one through eight doesn’t work, the mysterious aliens put plan nine into effect, which is to destroy the human race by raising the dead. Silly and nonsensical, Plan 9lives up to it’s reputation by featuring some of the worst sets, acting, and editing in film history but keeps a certain amount of charm to maintain the viewers interested. Furthermore, it has a fun cast of Hollywood odd balls such as wrestler Tor Johnston, sexy horror television host Vampira, psychic Criswell and the final screen appearance of horror legend Bela Lugosi who died before the film was even written! However is it the worst film ever made?  I say no.  There are far worse.  But, it might be the most endearing worst movie ever made, and is a genuine kitsch classic which viewing is a passage of right for all film buffs.

Johnathan Haze, Mel Welles and Jackie Jospeh admire Audrey Jr, the famous man eating plant of Mushnik's Flower Shop in Roger Corman's "Little Shop of Horrors"

28. The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)  Despite the fact that it was shot in only two days and on a budget of $3000, as well as being nothing but a partial rewrite of A Bucket of Blood, The Little Shop of Horrorsis, without a doubt, Roger Corman’s greatest achievement.  Corman rounded up his favorite character actors from past films, and stirred them all together in this hilarious and dark black comedy about an awkward little man named Seymour Kelboin and his man eating plant Audrey Jr.  When Seymour, played by Jonathan Haze, is fired (again) by his poor skid row flower shop employer Gravis Mushnik, played by Mel Welles, Seymour announces that he has an odd plant that will change Mushnik’s life, and make millions for the shop.  Convinced by his customers and his beautiful shop girl Audrey, played by Jackie Joseph, Mushnik gives Seymour twenty-four hours to produce this amazing plant.  Thing is the plant has a special kind of plant food – human blood!  Unveiling the plant, named Audrey Jr., to the public, Mushniks soon becomes a local sensation, making life exciting at the little shop.  However, in order to make sure that the money keeps flowing, Audrey Jr. must keep growing meaning Seymour must keep killing to provide the food that satisfies Audrey’s taste buds.  The clever script, written by Charles B. Griffith (author, naturally, of A Bucket of Blood) is full of colorful characters and tons of funny throw away lines.  Jonathan Haze is loveable as the bumbling and naive Seymour, whose romance with co-worker Audrey is absolutely charming.  Mel Welles is also hilarious as the overbearing and temperamental Mushnik.  The Little Shop of Horrorsis also filled with a number of interesting co-stars in memorable small parts, such as Corman regulars Dick Miller as a carnation eating customer, John Shaner as a sadistic dentist and future Hollywood leading man and Academy Award winner Jack Nicholson, in his film debut, as an eccentric dental patient who gets off on pain, as well as a token appearance by real life murder victim and JFK conspiracy girl Karen Kupicent as a teenage girl looking for flowers for a rose parade float.  Of course, The Little Shop of Horrorswould go on to be turned into a successfully Broadway musical, which would go on to be filmed in 1986 with Rick Moranis and Steve Martin.  However, despite the fact that the musical is a really fun film as well, don’t pass over the original.  Possibly one of the funniest black comedies of the 1960s.

Anthony Hopkins iconic role as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchock's thriller "Psycho"

 29. Psycho(1960) Skip the imitations because Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller is still the best. Janet Leigh plays Marion Crane, a woman on the run with a bundle of money in her suitcase stolen from her employer who stops at the deserted Bates Motel for the night. This hotel is run by the kooky and disturbed Norman Bates, played by the marvelous Anthony Perkins, and his mysterious sadistic mother. After an evening of sandwiches and coffee talk, Marion retires to her room, and what follows is the now legendary shower scene. Co-starring Vira Mills as Marion’s sister and Martin Balsam as the detective hired to find the missing woman, Psycho is more of a psychological thriller or a crime drama then a horror film, but it’s element of the unknown, as well as it’s early influence on the slasher genre makes it a staple of the horror genre.  Psycho, unfortunately, would be spun off into a number of dreadful sequels and even, foolishly, remade without the masterful vision of Hitchcock, which cheapened the film greatly.  Yet, don’t let these remakes and sequels fool you.  Psycho is a classic study in terror, and a disturbing look into the mind of a strange and lonely young man.  It can also be argued that Psycho could be the only slasher film worth watching.   However, it will shock you, not only of the story and the slaughters, but because of the beauty of the cinematography.  Psycho is a beautifully, yet brutally, executed film that must be seen.

Albino alien children terrorize Midwitch, England in "Village of the Damned"

30.  Village of the Damned(1960) Great British entry in the sci-fi horror genre, Village of the Damnedshowcases the creepiest group of kids ever to grace the screen.  When the small village of Midwitch, England falls victim to a phenomenon where everything in the village falls asleep, ten women awake to find themselves mysteriously pregnant. Even more odd is that they all give birth on the same day to ten emotionless blonde haired children with glowing eyes and who with powers to will people to do whatever they want. Now Midwitch lives in fear of the children that make them do what they don’t want to do.  George Saunders stars as the man who stands up to the children, although his own son David is one of them.  Children this evil and scary weren’t seen again until Linda Blair in the 1970’s.  Unfortunately, Village of the Damned was the victim of a lackluster sequel and a terribly executed remake in the 1990’s.  Skip over these entries and stick to the original.   BTW, if you’re ever trying to pick up an albino girl in a bar, making a reference to this film is not a good idea.  Trust me.  I know this for a fact.