TCM Classic Horror Cinema (October 2011)

**Jake Featherston** · 10-12-2011, 04:36 AM

http://www.tcm.com/this-month/articl...id=443507%7C0#

I wish I'd found this out prior to the evening of the 10th (as I may have missed some already), but Turner Classic Movies is doing a big tribute to classic horror cinema this month (not every day, mind you). Yesterday, I saw three classic horror films in a row:

"Dead of Night" (1945)

This was by far the best of the three. I was enormously impressed by this British horror film about a man suffering from a recurring nightmare, which he believes is a warning. Its like a feature film-length episode of "The Twilight Zone," albeit the creepiest episode ever, and fifteen years earlier to boot. This movie has some really creepy stuff, like a cursed mirror that gives you the "wrong" reflection, and a sentient ventriloquist's dummy with a predilection for strangulation (this film is considered to be the first English-language* horror anthology film). I'm really glad I saw this, and highly recommend you see it too, if this is anything like your thing (I'm not sure if TCM plans to show it against this month, although I suspect so).

Next up:

"I Walked with a Zombie" (1943)

I was a little distracted while this was on, but it was definitely pretty good. This is old-school, Haitian voodoo-style zombie cinema, by the way (seeing as it pre-dates "Night of the Living Dead" by 25 years, after all...this is the only kind of zombie movie there was prior to '68). Some of the "twists" were kinda obvious, but I still dug it (although it was the weakest of the evening's trio).

Finally:

"Cat People" (1942)

I've never seen the 1980s remake (although I hear it sucks), so this was my introduction to the concept, and while it wasn't quite as good as others have led me to believe (a LOT of people are partisans of this film; that this is one of the greatest classics of horror cinema is something I've been hearing for the last 30 years), it was pretty good, and I did enjoy (and do recommend) it.

They also showed "Curse of the Cat People," the film's sequel, but I had a job interview the next day, and had to get to bed.

Anyhoo, I'm very curious if any of you are familiar with this "Dead of Night" film in particular. I'd really like to hear what others think of it.

*Its apparently the second overall, preceded by the 1924 German film Das Wachsfigurenkabinett ie., "The Waxworks."

**Electronic God-Man** · 10-12-2011, 05:58 AM

I don't have tv or I'd definitely watch.

**Jake Featherston** · 10-14-2011, 01:21 AM

Beginning this Monday at 8pm (Eastern), TCM is showing another 10-12 hour block of classic horror films. The one you should DEFINITELY make it a point to see is 1958's "Curse of the Demon." Tragically, this outstanding horror film (arguably the single best of the 1950s), is not showing until 2:15 am. I may very well stay up to see it again, but if you've never seen it, and can possibly watch a film at that time on a Monday night (Tuesday morning), then I urge you to do so. I very much doubt you will be disappointed.

Movies I haven't seen, but which I will probably see that evening, include "The House on Haunted Hill," and "The Tingler," both from 1959 (at 9:30 & 11:00 pm, respectively).