It’s that time of year again! Vampires, ghouls, demons, zombies, aliens, and psychos abound, that’s right–midterms! Seriously though, what are you going to watch on the scariest night of the year? Here are some humble suggestions from the crypt keeper of F&TVR’s horror vault based on the type of Halloween night you wish to celebrate.
PSYCHOS
Repulsion (1965)
Not Rated
Directed by Roman Polanski
Written by Roman Polanski & Gerard Brach
CAST: Catherine Deneuve (Carol), Ian Hendry (Michael), John Fraser (Colin), Yvonne Furneaux (Helen), Patrick Wymark (Landlord), Renee Houston (Miss Balch), Valerie Taylor (Madame Denise).
This Roman Polanski thriller stars Catherine Deneuve in a tour de force performance of a young woman’s spiral into insanity with special effects that belie the 1965 vintage. Influenced by Hitchcock’s Psycho, the film begins with Carol already out of her right mind. The progression is slow at first and then rapid as her behavior quickly deteriorates and becomes more and more erratic finally segueing into delusions.
The methodically paced direction of Roman Polanski, the vivid black and white photography of Gilbert Taylor (Dr. Strangelove, The Omen, Star Wars: A New Hope), and Chico Hamilton’s disorienting jazz score combine to bring you a true horror in the Psycho vein.
The juxtaposition of this beautiful young woman and the insanity that ensues is terrifying. This is a good choice for an extra creepy Halloween night. It lacks the humor of Psycho, but is heavy on the horror. This is a hands down classic and a dead on choice for a happy Halloween.
ZOMBIES/ALIENS
Slither (2006 Universal)
Rated R
Directed and Written by James Gunn
Cast: Don Thompson (Wally), Nathan Fillion (Bard Pardy), Michael Rooker (Grant Grant), Jennifer Copping (Margaret), Gregg Henry (Jack Macready), Zantha Radley (Uptight Mom), Elizabeth Banks (Starla Grant), Tania Saulnier (Kylie Strutemyer), Brenda James (Brenda Gutierrez), Lorena Gale (Janene).
I’m trying to keep this article short, so Slither is kind of a trick because it allows me to do zombies and aliens with one film. It’s sort of an Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets the Keystone cops or something like that, and that’s the treat! There is gore and laughs galore in this James Gunn gross out fromage (yes cheese) to horror and science fiction that heralds back to his days with Troma Films (Nuke’em High, The Toxic Avenger) and forward to Guardians of the Galaxy.
Nathan Fillion, Michael Rooker, Elizabeth Banks, Tania Saulnier, Gregg Henry and the entire supporting cast are excellent in this dead pan horror comedy, and there are even memorable lines! Not for the squeamish, but if you can get past the gore–a good time will be had by all.
DEMONS
Curse of the Demon (1957 Columbia Pictures)
( Original title, Night of the Demon)
Not Rated
Directed by Jacques Tourneur
Written by Charles Bennett and Hal E. Chester
Cast: Dana Andrews (John Holden), Peggy Cummins (Joanna Harrington), Nial MacGinnis (Doctor Karswell), Maurice Denham (Professor Harrington), Athene Seyler (Mrs. Karswell).
Demons are harder to come by than most other horrors. It seems you have to know what you’re doing to summon one. Oh well, here’s a fine British production that worked some magic on the summoning. Dana Andrews (Laura) and Peggy Cummins (Gun Crazy) do a fine job in what is one of the most frightening of supernatural horror films. Jacques Tourneur’s (Cat People, I Walked With a Zombie) direction of the well written Charles Bennett (The 39 Steps, The Man Who Knew to Much) script results in a well told story and memorably horrifying sequences. This is a most devilishly satisfying treat for the most diabolical of horror fans.
GHOULS
The Ghoul (1933 Gaumont)
Not Rated
Directed by T. Hayes Hunter
Written by Rupert Downing and John Hastings based on play by Leonard Hines & Frank King from a novel by King.
Cast: Boris Karloff (Professor Henry Morlant), Cedric Hardwicke (Broughton), Ernest Thesinger (Laing), Dorothy Hyson (Betty Harlon), Anthony Bushell (Ralph Morlant), Kathleen Harrison (Kaney), Harold Huth (Aga Ben Dragore), D.A. Clarke-Smith (Mahmoud), Ralph Richardson (Nigel Hartley).
For those who may want to enjoy a more tame but still spooky Halloween, this fine cast will supply you with the means. Boris Karloff is fittingly creepy and supported by the great Sir Cedric Hardwicke along with the ever deeply buried in the role, Ernest Thesinger (Bride of Frankenstein). Vintage British horror for the perfectly ghoulish Halloween.
VAMPIRES
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992 Columbia Pictures)
Rated R
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Screenplay by James V. Hart based on the Novel by Bram Stoker
Cast: Gary Oldman (Dracula), Winona Ryder (Mina Murray/Elisabeta), Anthony Hopkins (Professor Abraham Van Helsing), Keanu Reeves (Jonathan Harker), Richard E. Grant (Dr. Jack Seward), Cary Elwes (Lord Arthur Holmwood), Billy Campbell (Quincey P. Morris), Sadie Frost (Lucy Westenra), Tom Waits (R.M. Renfield), Monica Bellucci (Dracula’s Bride), Michaela Bercu (Dracula’s Bride), Florina Kendrick (Dracula’s Bride).
Probably the most opulently produced of all the vampire films. The sets and costumes star in this over the top adaptation of Stoker’s classic, but it remains a creep fest with an astonishing cast. Gary Oldman is at the top of his game as are Anthony Hopkins and Winona Ryder is a winsome Mina and plays wonderfully with Sadie Frost’s Lucy. Monica Bellucci, Michaela Bercu, and Florina Kendrick take the eroticism to new heights of horror as Dracula’s Brides. Certain to liven any Halloween gathering with fond memories of good times along the Borgo Pass.