While there are a number of horror films that are considered classic (“The Exorcist’, “Rosemary-s Baby’, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’), when you think of ‘Classic Horror Movies- you think of the genre-s archetypes: Dracula, Frankenstein, and so on. Many films that laid the groundwork for horror cinema were produced between the 1930s-1950s, so we-ll seek our celluloid candidates from that era(s).
Classic horror movies were adapted from classic novels like “Dracula’ and “Frankenstein’ (both 1931). Continuing through that decade: “ Freaks’ and “The Mummy’ (both 1932), “The Invisible Man (1933), and “Bride of Frankenstein’ (1935).
1940s: “The Wolf Man’, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ (both 1941), and “Cat People’ (1942).
The 1950s brought another wave of seminal horror movies albeit with a science fiction angle: “The Thing From Another World’ (1951), “Them!’ (1954), “The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954), “Godzilla’ (1954), “Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ (1956), “The Incredible Shrinking Man’ (1957), and “The Fly’ (1958).
That list contains films with some of the most familiar horror iconography of all time. Almost all of the movies listed here have influenced generations of filmmakers while also permeating the popular culture. But what is the Greatest Classic Horror Movie of All Time?
Any decision is bound to provoke controversy and dissent, but here goes: “Bride of Frankenstein’ (1935). Even though it-s technically a sequel, James Whale-s follow up to “Frankenstein’ improves on the original to such an extent that “Bride’ more than stands on its own merits.
Indeed, look at all the classic moments and imagery packed into its scant 75-minute run time: the angry villagers, the blind hermit, the dark humor, the special effects (which still hold up), Una O-Connor-s screeching, and of course, the unforgettable look of the Bride herself. Some may argue with the choice of “Bride of Frankenstein”, but is there another horror movie that is so entertaining, iconic and influential all at once?
