Introducing a newbie to Classic Horror!

[Prince_Vajda]

Originally Posted by Demdike

if i was in the same situation as you Prince this would be my choice of viewing.

Frankenstein (1931) - This film sums up the best of Universal's classic output and is an ideal choice thanks to the iconic image of Karloff's monster. Agreed there are one or two better films especially from the Lewton stable, but to me this is an ideal choice to fit the whole black and white era.

The Devil Rides Out - A brilliant example of gothic horror, with a fast pace that hardly lets up throughout its ninety minutes. Also encompases the satanic wave of films that took off during the sixties and seventies.

The Omen - The Exorcist may be seen as a better film, but the Omen to me is more exciting and has more thrills and spills. Fortunately it also has a brilliant cast and death scenes that once seen are never forgotten. People i know either find the Exorcist briliantly scary or laughable.

Zombie Flesh Eaters - By far the best of the gut munching zombie films. Decently acted with memorable gory kills which have yet to be bettered to this day. There is a case for a Romero film but which one? As you aren't going for all three of his original classics i would leave them all out and advise your mate to pick them up for a treat if he likes ZFE. This film is a brilliant introduction to classic Italian horror.

Inside - Superb tense French thriller, ultra gory and will appeal to all modern horror fans including the Saw generation. It may just make your mate want to check out other French / Italian horror films. In my opinion the best horror of the last twenty years.

I would completely ignore Argento at first. Although he has made some classic films, i think they could be a bit numbing to a newbie.

Apart from Inside, I own all of the movies. I have been thinking about showing my pal some really old movie like Frankenstein, but the question is - is he up to it? From Saw to the original Frankenstein... I have me doubts.

Greetings!

[VicDakin]

I say tie him to a chair and force his eyes open,or is that going to far

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Prince_Vajda

Apart from Inside, I own all of the movies. I have been thinking about showing my pal some really old movie like Frankenstein, but the question is - is he up to it? From Saw to the original Frankenstein... I have me doubts.

Greetings!

Originally Posted by VicDakin

I say tie him to a chair and force his eyes open,or is that going to far

See Prince. Vic has the answer.

[Prince_Vajda]

Originally Posted by Demdike

I would completely ignore Argento at first. Although he has made some classic films, i think they could be a bit numbing to a newbie.

Problem is, he's a great fan of Motörhead and Iron Maiden. If he finds out about Phenomena's soundtrack, it'll be one of his picks.

Greetings!

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Prince_Vajda

Problem is, he's a great fan of Motörhead and Iron Maiden. If he finds out about Phenomena's soundtrack, it'll be one of his picks.

Greetings!

Go for Demons then.

[Prince_Vajda]

Originally Posted by Demdike

Go for Demons then.

I've got no copy of that one... as I'm still waiting for Arrow's release...*

Greetings!

* That's why my beard looks like this:

[Prince_Vajda]

The final list my friend will pick Thursday evening's films from:

The list:
1) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
2) The Witchfinder General
3) Psycho
4) Pieces
5) Maniac
6) The New York Ripper
7) The Living Dead At Manchester Morgue
8) Tenebrae
9) Phenomena
10) City of the Living Dead
11) The Beyond
12) A Bay Of Blood
13) Night of the Living Dead
14) Dawn of the Dead
15) The Evil Dead
16) The Burning
17) Zombie Flesh Eaters
18) The Prowler

And the modern ones - I'll take them with me just in case of an emergency!
Piranha 3D
Storm Warning
Switchblade Romance
Mother of Tears


I've also added the traditional
19) Frankenstein with Karloff, and
20) Theatre of Blood starring Vincent Price.

So he will be able to choose from exactly twenty classics of the horror genre - nice!

Greetings!

[Gojirosan]

Films made after 1960 aren't old!

[Prince_Vajda]

Originally Posted by Gojirosan

Films made after 1960 aren't old!

That's true, in a way. See my Classic Horror thread.

But if you're used to Saw and similar movies, everything before 1990 seems incredibly old!

Greetings!

[Prince_Vajda]

I've been thinking about Dem's suggestion of the original Frankenstein for quite a while, and I've come to the conclusion that this movie has to be mandatory, as my friend has never watched any Universal Horror before - which is a .

As I want him to pick the other movies from a round twenty films, I will add one more. It'll be either Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde as a moody Horror spoof, or The Last House On The Left as an example of Rape&Revenge.

What do you think?

Greetings!