It speaks volumes about the work done in the 1925 silent version of Phantom of the Opera that its still the version of the story most people are familiar with, and which evokes images in the mind somehow more powerful than a smash Broadway musical that's been running for 250 years.
For reasons as mysterious to myself as anyone else, I read the original novel by Gaston Leroux when I was 15. The book was a spirited, if creepy, adventure story about a very odd, very deadly music enthusiast living in the catacombs beneath the Paris Opera House.
If you've never seen the Chaney-starring version of the movie, you absolutely should. I saw it the first time in high school when I bought a copy of the movie out of a bin of movies which had seen their copyrights expire and I've tired to own a copy in whatever has been the latest video technology. You can watch the film now at Netflix!
However, that's not the version that came with my new Universal Monsters boxed set, likely because of the lapsed copyright. Instead, I got this 1943 version starring the always terrific Claude Rains as The Phantom.
Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts
Monday, October 15, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
October Watch: Frankenweenie (2012)
I had actually planned to go see Hotel Transylvania this weekend, but then I looked at Rottentomatoes and had second thoughts. That movie had scored a 43%, but I noticed Frankenweenie was cruising at around 86%.
The trick is that I like Halloween movies, and Jamie will not watch anything scary. I've had The Thing on BluRay forever, and one day she'll watch it, but that day has not yet come. But we can do movies where all the monsters are silly, etc... My biggest issue is that I haven't really cared much for Tim Burton's work since the golden age of Ed Wood and Mars Attacks.* I know he has his devoted following, and good for you. I am not to be counted among your number.
Anyone who's marginally aware of Burton's history knew he was working at Disney when he made Vincent and the original short of Frankenweenie, which, in the post-Batman brouhaha, used to be available on VHS for rent, but for some reason I never did.
The trick is that I like Halloween movies, and Jamie will not watch anything scary. I've had The Thing on BluRay forever, and one day she'll watch it, but that day has not yet come. But we can do movies where all the monsters are silly, etc... My biggest issue is that I haven't really cared much for Tim Burton's work since the golden age of Ed Wood and Mars Attacks.* I know he has his devoted following, and good for you. I am not to be counted among your number.
Anyone who's marginally aware of Burton's history knew he was working at Disney when he made Vincent and the original short of Frankenweenie, which, in the post-Batman brouhaha, used to be available on VHS for rent, but for some reason I never did.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Octoberama! "The Haunted Castle" (1896) from Melies!
From the artist we learned a bit about in Scorsese's Hugo.
Friday, October 12, 2012
October Watch: Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
Probably the weirdest thing about this movie, an all ages movie featuring classic Universal Monsters at their least scary meeting the comedy duo of Abbott & Costello, is that there's a sort of continuity to the Universal Monster pictures, and this movie is absolutely a part of the long narrative tied together by meetings of Frankenstein, Wolfman and Dracula.
In fact, in addition to the stars in the title, this movie also features Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Chaney Jr. as Talbot/ The Wolfman, and Glenn Strange as Frankenstein's monster (who he'd played in at least 2 prior films). It's 17 years after the first Dracula film and 16 years after Frankenstein (and 7 years after The Wolfman, so you don't need to look that up).
In fact, in addition to the stars in the title, this movie also features Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Chaney Jr. as Talbot/ The Wolfman, and Glenn Strange as Frankenstein's monster (who he'd played in at least 2 prior films). It's 17 years after the first Dracula film and 16 years after Frankenstein (and 7 years after The Wolfman, so you don't need to look that up).
Octoberama! Fridays with Elvira!
Elvira has her own line of wine, but for some reason we can't get it in Texas. No idea why. I'd like to try the "Macabrenet". Californians are encouraged to get me box.
Nice to know Elvira hangs out in her sofa with her laptop during her downtime, too.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Octoberama! Esther Williams!
You will not recognize Ms. Williams at first as she is nowhere near a swimming pool or dozens of other swimmers. But Ms. Williams takes some time off from submerging herself to enjoy the holiday.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Octoberama! Carole Lombard!
We will forgive Ms. Lombard her whack jack-o-lantern and focus on the ruffle on that blouse. That's amazing.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Octoberama! Betty Grable!
In my long history of blogging, I've use this picture before, but I don't believe I knew this was Betty Grable. Nonetheless, let us join Betty in her spooky moment.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
October Watch: Dracula's Daughter (1936)
I can't remember if I'd watched this movie before or not, because bits looked familiar, but I'm counting this as my first viewing of Dracula's Daughter (1936).
Following quickly on the heels of 1935's Bride of Frankenstein, this movie took a different angle from the Frankenstein sequel, and this one features a lot of the titular character instead of a scant few minutes and mostly hissing at Karloff. However, it lacks any of the over-the-top insanity of Bride.
Following quickly on the heels of 1935's Bride of Frankenstein, this movie took a different angle from the Frankenstein sequel, and this one features a lot of the titular character instead of a scant few minutes and mostly hissing at Karloff. However, it lacks any of the over-the-top insanity of Bride.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Octoberama! See the 1910 "Frankenstein" from Edison Studios!
I'll be honest with you cats. I thought this film was lost until I stumbled across it this week while doing something completely unrelated. Apparently, totally not lost.
So, spend 12 minutes with a movies made 110 years ago, why don't you?
So, spend 12 minutes with a movies made 110 years ago, why don't you?
Friday, October 5, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
October Watch: Lake Mungo (2008)
Remember when I said "hey, give me some ideas for spooky movies to watch during October?" Well, some of you humans did so.
One of those humans was Nathaniel Capp, who recommended the 2008 documentary Lake Mungo to me. I knew it was Australian and creepy, and that's all he'd told me. "Go in without knowing anything" he said, and so I did. To discuss the movie is to spoil the movie, so... anything you read below is your problem.
But I will say, it is definitely some decent October Halloween viewing.
Okay. SPOILERS NOW.
One of those humans was Nathaniel Capp, who recommended the 2008 documentary Lake Mungo to me. I knew it was Australian and creepy, and that's all he'd told me. "Go in without knowing anything" he said, and so I did. To discuss the movie is to spoil the movie, so... anything you read below is your problem.
But I will say, it is definitely some decent October Halloween viewing.
Okay. SPOILERS NOW.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Octoberama! Joan Crawford!
Each day of October, we'll be counting down to Halloween with Signal Watch Worthy imagery, movie reviews, posts, etc...
If you want to contribute anything from pictures to guest posts, feel free to contact me, and let's do it!
For our first post, what's creepier than a smashingly happy Joan Crawford? I believe this is Halloween, 1933.
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