I can’t even begin to tell you how much I absolutely love the videos you put out on classic films from the 1930’s - 1950’s. They are my favorite decades of film and they make up the bulk of my film library. This video was fantastic and I added a few titles to my Amazon wishlist. Thanks for all the time and attention you put into these videos, they’re incredible.
Agreed. It's nice to watch a perspective of horror from a fan of classic movies in general. I'm 57, so I was raised on old movies that got to continue with the old incarnation of AMC and, of course, TCM with the great Robert Osborne to further my education. Anyway, great list, and I look forward to more new content and digging through your archive. P.S. John Carradine may not be the right Dracula, but looking back from the perspective of it being the horror icon of John Freakin' Carradine!!! I think it's more than just acceptable that this is baked into our cinema history.
@@alienmindwarp3455 Big fan of this channel, i am in my 50s myself but growing up in the U.K, we didn't have TCM when i was growing up, The BBC would put classic horror movies on every weekend and they were always these type of movies.
@bushmanblu426 TCM (Turner Classic Movies) started in 94, and it was in the 70s that I originally saw a lot of these on local broadcast TV. But TCM is 24/7 old movies, and I got to see a whole lot more. I believe that TCM is geo-restricted in the UK now.
Tom Tyler, who played the Mummy in “The Mummy’s Hand,” is actually best remembered for having played the eponymous superheroes Captain Marvel and the Phantom in the 1940’s serials.
Actually, the word 'weird' refers to witchcraft. In Macbeth the witches are called 'the three weird sisters'. So for those in the know the title 'weird woman' is quite clear.
Cat People is SO GOOD!!! The swimming pool scene... wow!!! Love the top of your charts, though. A few of the lower rung movies I don't recognize and will need to search out.
I think its top tier as well. Teh youtuber dislikes it for a reason that it actually works. he had no chemistry with the leading woman on purpose. She was an outsider and was incapable of connecting with him. His inability to connect with her kind of made her weirdly attractive and him to seem in adequate. This is because of their inability to connect. If they connected in a romantic way the movie would be very different... more normal.
Tom Conway was the brother of the great George Sanders. He was signed by RKO, first to replace his brother as "The Saint", then to play in "The Falcon" series, as well as appearing in Val Lewton's low budget horror films. Later, on radio, he replaced Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. BTW ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD narrated by Bing Crosby was released in 1948.
One of the things I love about Vincent Price's performance in The Invisible Man Returns is that in the beginning, he sounds like a generic hero, but then, once the madness starts to kick in, he starts to sound more and more like... Vincent Price. Re: Flesh and Fantasy -- It's hard to go wrong when you put Edward G. Robinson and the unacknowledged treasure Thomas Mitchell in a segment together. Yay! The Body Snatcher made the Top Ten! It would make my top five, but that's just the Karloff superfan in me. Henry Daniell is also very good in it, and their adversarial scenes together are electric. I'm totally NOT surprised at seeing Ichabod and Mr. Toad at #3. It comes from a time when Disney films weren't afraid to be scary, if not downright terrifying; heck, 1937's Snow White comes downright close to being a horror film. Also, the Ichabod section is probably the most faithful adaptation of Irving's story. Of course The Wolf Man was going to be #1. It was inevitable. And appropriate.
I am an avid horror movie fan and I love the movies you have included in this. Firstly, the Dead of Night. A classic English movie. SO well done. I have loved Vincent Price in everything that he's done. He was wonderful in the film noir classic "Laura". I'm surprised that you didn't include The Hound of the Baskervilles which, to me, is the best Sherlock Holmes movie. So glad you included The Spiral Staircase - the atmosphere, the music, the superb acting, the story. How can you miss with Dorothy McGuire, George Brent and Ethel Barrymore? I completely agree with the Wolf Man. Wonderful story and you really do feel for Laurence Talbot. I think it's the best werewolf movie ever made!
Among my favorites: The Undying Monster (1942). Werewolf. The Devil Commands (1941). Communication with the dead. Strangler of the Swamp (1945). Ghost. The Devil Bat (1940). Giant bat. The last two were PRC (Producers Releasing Corporation) cheapies; but "Swamp" is critically admired, and "Bat" is just looney fun.
The 1940s was AWESOME! The vast majority of the Universal Classic Monster movies came out in the 1940s. It was awesome. 1931-1956 was amazing. That is the entire Universal Monster franchise timeline.
First, I love your enthusiasm for the 40's horror movies. Being born in 1936 and growing up during the "monster era," I have your enthusiasm. I agree with your choices! "The Panther's Claw" (another Val Lewton movie) is one of my all-time favorites. The opening - with the murder of the little girl, showing blood coming under the door was unbelievable for the time! What would I do without horror movies in my childhood! So glad to have DVD copies of these movies for immediate satisfaction!
Great video!! You made a great point about Frankenstein meets The Wolfman, being more of a Wolfman sequel. Chaney actually played the monster in Ghost of Frankenstein. Chaney was going to play both roles of the monster and the Wolfman, but it was nixed because it would've been too much. Bela got the role and it made sense. In Ghost of Frankenstein, the monster gets Ygor's brain, so it's Bela's voice coming from Chaney's body. There was even dialogue for the monster. You can search it on TH-cam. It was cut because the studio executives thought Lugosi's accent coming out of the monster was ridiculous. Also, the monster being blind was cut out to. You can see Bela walking, his arms stretched out, as if he's looking to grab something. In House of Frankenstein, Chaney makes reference to the previous film, saying how the monster wanted strength and life. I loved the continuity. It reminds me of the Hammer Horror films. Although, I don't think they ever explained how Talbot came back in House of Dracula. I could be wrong, but I think Talbot just showed up at the doctor's door. At least he got cured. That is, until he met up with Abbott and Costello. Keep up the good work!!
@@cobwebschannel I wish all of the footage that was cut from the release print of "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman" could be found so that the movie could be released as it was originally conceived.
The Body Snatcher should be much higher on your list. And.. hello? Black Friday (1940)? Where’s Black Friday? How could you forget Black Friday? We did enjoy the video, tho.
I would call The Ghost and Mrs. Muir more of a romantic genre than horror, but it's soooo good! I rewatched recently and was blown away by Bernard Hermann's score. I can't believe this was the same guy who wrote Psycho and Vertigo!
What a terrific list! I've seen some of them, but now have more to check out. I love that you included The Adventures of Ichabod...I've adored it since I first saw it as a kid. And I really like that there's no possibility that the Horseman is Brom in disguise, like the story implies. That's a real headless horseman. The animation of the chase is superb, with amazing details. And I also love Arsenic and Old Lace. Most of it is so funny...Cary Grant was a master at physical comedy, and he's hilarious. But then there's the bit with him tied up and Jonathan and the doctor about to start torturing him, and that was genuinely chilling, if only for a moment.
One of my favorite cinematic performances is Karloff in the Body Snatcher. Sheer brilliance! Also, it's the crime of the century that I Walked with a Zombie isn't on bluray (in America) yet...
Highly recommend checking out the Laird Cregar double feature of The Lodger (1944) and Hangover Square (1945). Both great films with a fantastic performance from Cregar. Great video! Going to have to check out Flesh or Fantasy!
Lots of great movies on your list, a few I haven't seen and will have to find. I might add 1944's The Lodger, about a man who may or may not be Jack the Ripper. There was a movie about a ventriloquist's dummy taking over the ventriloquist, which precedes the segment in Dead of Night, called The Great Gabbo, from 1929. It seems to have been less a horror film than a psychological drama
Fantastic List! Thanks for another great video. I would probably only substitute a few: Doctor Cyclops (1940) The Night Has Eyes (1942) The Leopard Man (1943)
My Top 5 1940s Horror Films : 5. I Walked with a Zombie (1943) 4. Dead of Night (1945) 3. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) 2. The Wolf Man (1941) 1. The Body Snatcher (1945)
Great video! I would tell you what my favorite horror movies of the 1940's are, but YOU'VE GOT THEM ALL! There is not one of these I would replace. I think 'Ichabod' is the best adaptation of Legend Of Sleepy Hollow yet made. Your opinion of Son Of Dracula almost matches my own. I do like Lon Chaney Jr's performance more. Okay, he's not convincing as a European vampire, but his Count Alucard has this creepy inhuman feel to him.
More Karloffian goodness: The Black Room (1935), in which he plays twins brilliantly, and The Walking Dead (1936), perhaps his most sympathetic portrayal.
I know most of these films are available 24/7 nowadays but I used to look forward to the Turner classic horror marathons on Halloween. They still do it I guess but it doesnt seem as special.
@7:54, In "Arsenic and Old Lace", the character of Jonathan Brewster (Raymond Massey's character who is said to look like Boris Karloff), was actually played BY Boris Karloff in the Broadway play. (The film was an adaptation of the hugely successful play).
I’m so happy that, not only do you have The Uninvited on the list, but it’s ranked so high. It’s a ghost film I absolutely adore! And like you said, it’s partly due to the fact it takes the subject matter very seriously. Something I had never seen before with “older” films. And does such an effective job at laying on the creepy factor. Especially “that room” that can go from pleasant to cold in an instance…and it is indeed chilling! Nice job as always 🍻
Ooooh, you've got some of my favorites on this list! I completely adore Arsenic and Old Lace, Dead of Night, I Walked with a Zombie, The Uninvited and Shadow of a Doubt. And I watch the animated Icabod every year, and watched Wolf Man repeatedly when I was a teenager. I'd never even heard of The Spiral Staircase but I'm going to watch it for sure! Fantastic list, thank you!
OMG, thank you for bringing up Boris Karloff's fantastic acting in "The Body Snatcher". I think you're right; his works as monsters in heavy make-up and costumes has over shadowed this movie and his talent as a consummate actor. I consider it his finest work, with a couple of monologues that really put a spotlight on his talent and skills.
1. Shadow of a Doubt RULES. 2. Cheney Jr. brings down Son of Drac so much that it took me a while to appreciate it - and all for the reasons you mentioned. Just a great list. Not a dud on it. 10/10 fricheks
Awesome list. Glad you included flicks like "Shadow of a Doubt" for sheer creepiness. "I Walked With A Zombie" is a little known gem. And Disney's "Sleepy Hollow" take is such a delight.
I do agree that the Forties was a great decade for horror. "The Wolf Man" is superb. The cast is outstanding. Maria Ouspenskaya adds so much to the movie, as does Claude Rains. Heck, you have Ralph Bellamy and Patric Knoles as supporting men in that film as well. That is an embarrassment of riches.
"I Walked With A Zombie" does not specify in which Caribbean country it is set, but it has much of the atmosphere and language of Haitian Voudoun. Quite well made and absorbing.
Dude, I love that you appreciate older films n not just, like, the 70s horror genre. If you haven't already, please do a segment on silent horror films
THANK YOU for introducing me to Flesh and Fantasy. I just watched your video and to discover something new to me (after I thought I’d seen it all) is such a thrill. Can’t wait for my Blu-ray to arrive. Thank you!
I love that you do top 20 lists rather than just top 10. Because it's so dependent on taste, and 20 allows you to include more offbeat films like Abbott and Costello, and Arsenic and Old Lace, and Ichabod. I have a lot of movies to check out now! I love how highly you ranked I Walked with a Zombie--it's one of the most potently atmospheric films I've ever seen.
Always enjoy your videos. I've seen all these films save THE SCARLET CLAW. I'll have to check that out. Two lesser known films I'd like to recommend are ALIAS NICK BEAL, starring Ray Milland as the devil, determined to corrupt an honest politician with the help of film noir femme fatale, Audrey Totter. And THINGS HAPPEN AT NIGHT, a British poltergeist themed horror-comedy about a teenage girl, Gwynneth Vaughan, tormented by a poltergeist with comic legend Gordon Harker spending the entire film giving a master class on dry wit. Keep up the good work work!
I was so happy to see some my favorite odd-ball films are being seen by you too! SCARLET CLAW is a great choice and just has so much atmopshere. I was surprised not to see SON OF FRANKENSTEIN which is one of my top picks.
Great ranking. I would have Cat People higher if only because of the great swimming pool scene. I Walked With A Zombie is one of my all-time favorite films of any genre and I love its creepy atmosphere. I would probably also include The Leopard Man because it has one of the scariest scenes in horror.
I love old black and white spooky movies. I have seen some you mentioned but a couple of them I have heard of but haven't seen yet. Flesh and Fantasy and Dead of Night look interesting I will definitely check those two out I very much like anthology movies so thanks for those recommendations. I'm really glad I stumbled on to your channel I love getting new recommendations for horror movies from different eras.
I enjoy your videos, and I respect your opinions, even though I often disagree with them. HOWEVER, I also love Val Lewton, and "I Walked with a Zombie" is my favorite Val Lewton film. In addition to the things you mentioned, "I Walked with a Zombie" challenges the viewer to consider the relative social positions of the White main characters and the Black residents of the island, who are all descendents of a group of slaves brought over by an ancestor of the male lead. The anchor of the slave ship has been placed as a monument in the town square and features prominently in the scenes that take place in the cafe. The anchor, and its meaning for all the residents of the island, Black and White, underpins all of the action in the film.
Another just excellent rundown. _Really_ love this one, because I have a rather huge knowledge gap when it comes to 1940s horror, so this is essential education for me. And, as always, your enthusiasm and genuine love of horror (classic horror in particular) makes every video an absolute joy to watch. Thank you, Daniel!
I love Val Lewton!! Saw The Body Snatchers by accident one day (I adore Karloff - in anything) and immediately bought a Val Lewton boxed set. If you haven't watched The Seventh Victim - watch it. Creepy as hell. Also, have you ever seen Cry of the Werewolf? Another much overlooked 1940s horror movie. Thanks for your reviews - you hit virtually every one of my favorite 40s flicks.
Also, FYI, Lon Chaney, Jr. is the only actor to portray the "Big Four"...Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Mummy, and of course, the Wolf Man. Keep up the good work. I guess I should subscribe...
I've seen most of these filmes and loved them!!! On Saturdays it was one after the other, plus there was Zacherley. You could include "Isle of the Dead" starring Boris Karloff.
You're right, Lou had misgivings about A&C meet Frankenstein but at the premier, his mother turned to him and said this is the best thing you guys have done which was enough to convince Lou that they may have something here.
I really like your channel, you do such a good job. I would love for you to consider doing a top 20 silent era horror movie list. Also, I'd love to see you make more videos concerning other genres of movies. Keep up the good work!
I would put Spencer Tracy's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"(1941) on mine, it suffers IMO from MGM's uber-glossiness that was a hallmark of their productions, but I still enjoy it - but do prefer Fredric March's '31 version. Great list & concur w/most of it. Your vids are quickly becoming my favorite. 👏
I just finished watching the Spiral Staircase. What an amazing who done it. You were spot on with liking it to a Giallo. Great movie and recommendation
@10:16, Lugosi wasn't good as the Monster because in the original script the Monster was supposed to be blind (a carryover from the ending to "Ghost of Frankenstein"). Lugosi played it that way, stumbling around with outstretched arms (as he's feeling for things in his path). However, that idea was scrapped in post-production and they edited out all references to the Monster being blind. It made Lugosi's actions look strange because they lacked context. As well, he was over 60 when he made this film and was not in the best shape required for a fairly physical role like this one.
You’ve just inspired me to count and finally organize my blurays. Also watch a bunch of my Universal Sequels. I came up with 437. With so many doubles! How do you all keep track of these things? I just counted my blus and dvds 437 and 119. That’s after I pulled out the doubles. I think I found 13? Not including DVDs. I know it’s not rocket science but I’m genuinely interested in your technique for keeping track when you’re shopping.
One of first creepy memories was The Beast With Five Fingers from 1946..and one of my favorite performances by Peter Lorre ..when it crawls out of the fireplace and up towards to his throat...nightmares as a kid.
People don't cover as much of the classics as they should. As you said, "overlooked." I need to watch more of these, but I do own The Uninvited and I adore The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad. Really creepy animation! Otherwise, I've seen The Wolf Man (so long ago), Shadow of a Doubt, and Abbott & Costello Meets Frankenstein is hilarious! Thank you for the list, would love to see more. I'm feeling inspired to return to the classics! 📽🎥🎞🎬
Something I wish you mentioned is that The Uninvited was the #1 movie of the year when it released. That does not happen with ghost stories, which tells you how great of a movie it was. Also, the doctor in the movie (Alan Napier) was also the butler on the Batman TV series 1966.
I enjoyed the video. Differences of opinion are a good thing. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt about the rankings. Each to their own, but I will note that Cat People is on Criterion, and most of the films you have above it are not. The "bus" alone makes it significant. Similarly, Isle of the Dead (Lewton/Robson) is on Criterion but not your list. It's at least as much a horror movie as Shadow of a Doubt.
Fantastic top 20, very refreshing to see a TH-camr dedicated to classic horror, I do prefer films like this that are full of atmosphere, not a big fan of most modern horror that rely on jump scares, Give me the classics any day. Thankyou.
There is an earlier example of a creepy dummy movie. Check out “The Great Gabbo” from 1929. One of the first talkies. The Kino Blu ray is great. I guess it’s not really horror but definitely creepy and Erich Von Stroheim plays the ventriloquist who is also the villain. The dummy itself LOOKS incredibly creepy even though it’s not a “haunted dummy” movie.👍Great channel.
Good list. I agree with most of your choices. Would have liked to see the inclusion of Val Lewton's "Isle of the Dead" and Jean Cocteau's 1946 French version of "Beauty and the Beast".
Great choices. I would have put Dead of Night, one of my all-time favorites, as number one. The Body Snatcher also would be higher, one the spookiest of all time. But a great and unique one you may not have seen, 1941's The Monster and the Girl. One of the best imo
I really like Son of Dracula, so I'm glad you rate it highly - I even like Lon Chaney in it. Accent aside, it's a really good performance - so unlike anything else I've seen him do. Personally I'd have had Lewton's Isle of the Dead in here somewhere. Flesh and Fantasy sounds well worth seeking out!
An entertaining video again! Though I would rank some of the movies differently (of course). . "Dead Of The Night" feels like the inspiration for "Twilight Zone", it has the same sense of subtle creepiness. The fact that it's shot mostly on bright daylight makes it even more... irritating and weird. Didn't knew about "Flesh And Fantasy", have to check that out! "The Uninvited" feels very inspired by "Rebecca" but it's far more entertaining. My quibble is that it's a little bit too lighthearted on occasion. The characters don't seem to be too scared about the ghost... ("The Undying Monster" has the same Cornwall-atmosphere though it's a clearly a lesser movie with a ridiculous ending) As you've pointed out the lacl of chemistry of the two leads in "Cat People"... that's kind of the point of the story... that both had been a mismatched couple. Anyway, I think it's a masterpiece. I can see lots of Noir-influences in 40s Horror, "Shadow Of A Doubt" is regarded as one of the classics. Isn't the "goth" girl in "Son Of Dracula" kind of a femme fatale? Looking forward for your next projects!
It made me laugh that Arsenic and Old Lace is on here, but yeah, your'e right - it fits. Bully! I think either Invisible Ghost (Bela Lugosi) or King of the Zombies (Mantan Moreland) should have been on this list too. I recommend them.
Even a man who is pure of heart can make a good 1940s horror movie review video when the wiolfsbane blooms.
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I absolutely love the videos you put out on classic films from the 1930’s - 1950’s. They are my favorite decades of film and they make up the bulk of my film library. This video was fantastic and I added a few titles to my Amazon wishlist. Thanks for all the time and attention you put into these videos, they’re incredible.
Thank you so much John!!
Agreed. It's nice to watch a perspective of horror from a fan of classic movies in general. I'm 57, so I was raised on old movies that got to continue with the old incarnation of AMC and, of course, TCM with the great Robert Osborne to further my education. Anyway, great list, and I look forward to more new content and digging through your archive. P.S. John Carradine may not be the right Dracula, but looking back from the perspective of it being the horror icon of John Freakin' Carradine!!! I think it's more than just acceptable that this is baked into our cinema history.
@@alienmindwarp3455 Big fan of this channel, i am in my 50s myself but growing up in the U.K, we didn't have TCM when i was growing up, The BBC would put classic horror movies on every weekend and they were always these type of movies.
@bushmanblu426 TCM (Turner Classic Movies) started in 94, and it was in the 70s that I originally saw a lot of these on local broadcast TV. But TCM is 24/7 old movies, and I got to see a whole lot more. I believe that TCM is geo-restricted in the UK now.
Nobody mentioned "The Picture of Dorian Gray" (1945), so I thought I would.
With a young, and vy, vy Beautiful Angela Landsburry(Murder She Wrote).❤ AL.😊
Yessss, should def have been on this list
Good call. It's superior to most of this list.
@@PhilipDarraghCreepy....
Love this movie! Hurd Hatfield and George Sanders are perfect!
Tom Tyler, who played the Mummy in “The Mummy’s Hand,” is actually best remembered for having played the eponymous superheroes Captain Marvel and the Phantom in the 1940’s serials.
Good film. It's the use of shadows that makes it scary.
Did I miss it or did you mention The Hand with J. Carrol Nash. Or maybe it's called the walking had.
Actually, the word 'weird' refers to witchcraft. In Macbeth the witches are called 'the three weird sisters'. So for those in the know the title 'weird woman' is quite clear.
I got boxes of classic horror films, I prefer old Black and white horror films to what you see today.
I saw The Uninvited when I was 19 and it literally scared me to death. My favorite from the 40’s.
Sorry to hear about your passing.........
Lol. You write pretty well for a corpse.
Cat People is SO GOOD!!! The swimming pool scene... wow!!!
Love the top of your charts, though. A few of the lower rung movies I don't recognize and will need to search out.
I think its top tier as well. Teh youtuber dislikes it for a reason that it actually works. he had no chemistry with the leading woman on purpose. She was an outsider and was incapable of connecting with him. His inability to connect with her kind of made her weirdly attractive and him to seem in adequate. This is because of their inability to connect.
If they connected in a romantic way the movie would be very different... more normal.
*Jane Randolph* looked so lovely in that scene. Always thought she was *more beautiful* than Simone Simon.
Tom Conway was the brother of the great George Sanders. He was signed by RKO, first to replace his brother as "The Saint", then to play in "The Falcon" series, as well as appearing in Val Lewton's low budget horror films. Later, on radio, he replaced Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. BTW ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD narrated by Bing Crosby was released in 1948.
Wow, I can’t believe I flubbed the year! Thanks for posting that correction.
Speaking of *George Sanders,* I can't believe Cobwebs overlooked *_Picture of Dorian Gray_* [1945].
One of the things I love about Vincent Price's performance in The Invisible Man Returns is that in the beginning, he sounds like a generic hero, but then, once the madness starts to kick in, he starts to sound more and more like... Vincent Price.
Re: Flesh and Fantasy -- It's hard to go wrong when you put Edward G. Robinson and the unacknowledged treasure Thomas Mitchell in a segment together.
Yay! The Body Snatcher made the Top Ten! It would make my top five, but that's just the Karloff superfan in me. Henry Daniell is also very good in it, and their adversarial scenes together are electric.
I'm totally NOT surprised at seeing Ichabod and Mr. Toad at #3. It comes from a time when Disney films weren't afraid to be scary, if not downright terrifying; heck, 1937's Snow White comes downright close to being a horror film. Also, the Ichabod section is probably the most faithful adaptation of Irving's story.
Of course The Wolf Man was going to be #1. It was inevitable. And appropriate.
I am an avid horror movie fan and I love the movies you have included in this. Firstly, the Dead of Night. A classic English movie. SO well done. I have loved Vincent Price in everything that he's done. He was wonderful in the film noir classic "Laura". I'm surprised that you didn't include The Hound of the Baskervilles which, to me, is the best Sherlock Holmes movie. So glad you included The Spiral Staircase - the atmosphere, the music, the superb acting, the story. How can you miss with Dorothy McGuire, George Brent and Ethel Barrymore? I completely agree with the Wolf Man. Wonderful story and you really do feel for Laurence Talbot. I think it's the best werewolf movie ever made!
Hound of the Baskervilles (1939), so it just misses out on the 1940s
Among my favorites:
The Undying Monster (1942). Werewolf.
The Devil Commands (1941). Communication with the dead.
Strangler of the Swamp (1945). Ghost.
The Devil Bat (1940). Giant bat.
The last two were PRC (Producers Releasing Corporation) cheapies; but "Swamp" is critically admired, and "Bat" is just looney fun.
I love the Devil Bat more than I should
Daughter of Dr Jekyll Curse of the Cat People. Mad Monster
UNDYING MONSTER should have been included, yes
The 1940s was AWESOME! The vast majority of the Universal Classic Monster movies came out in the 1940s. It was awesome. 1931-1956 was amazing. That is the entire Universal Monster franchise timeline.
Great choices!.. My personal fave horror film of the forties is 'Isle Of The Dead' with Boris Karloff
First, I love your enthusiasm for the 40's horror movies. Being born in 1936 and growing up during the "monster era," I have your enthusiasm. I agree with your choices!
"The Panther's Claw" (another Val Lewton movie) is one of my all-time favorites.
The opening - with the murder of the little girl, showing blood coming under the door was unbelievable for the time!
What would I do without horror movies in my childhood!
So glad to have DVD copies of these movies for immediate satisfaction!
You're thinking of "The Leopard Man". "The Panther's Claw" is a PRC movie.
@@creech54 Oops!!!!
I have never seen any Universal movies from the 1940's. Will have to check them out xx
Great video!! You made a great point about Frankenstein meets The Wolfman, being more of a Wolfman sequel. Chaney actually played the monster in Ghost of Frankenstein.
Chaney was going to play both roles of the monster and the Wolfman, but it was nixed because it would've been too much.
Bela got the role and it made sense. In Ghost of Frankenstein, the monster gets Ygor's brain, so it's Bela's voice coming from Chaney's body.
There was even dialogue for the monster. You can search it on TH-cam. It was cut because the studio executives thought Lugosi's accent coming out of the monster was ridiculous.
Also, the monster being blind was cut out to. You can see Bela walking, his arms stretched out, as if he's looking to grab something.
In House of Frankenstein, Chaney makes reference to the previous film, saying how the monster wanted strength and life. I loved the continuity. It reminds me of the Hammer Horror films.
Although, I don't think they ever explained how Talbot came back in House of Dracula. I could be wrong, but I think Talbot just showed up at the doctor's door.
At least he got cured. That is, until he met up with Abbott and Costello. Keep up the good work!!
Frankenstein meets the Wolfman is my favourite Universal Monster mash up. Great video!
Good choice! And thanks!
@@cobwebschannel I wish all of the footage that was cut from the release print of "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman" could be found so that the movie could be released as it was originally conceived.
The Body Snatcher should be much higher on your list. And.. hello? Black Friday (1940)? Where’s Black Friday? How could you forget Black Friday? We did enjoy the video, tho.
My favorite 1940s horror movies are The Wolf-man and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
I would call The Ghost and Mrs. Muir more of a romantic genre than horror, but it's soooo good! I rewatched recently and was blown away by Bernard Hermann's score. I can't believe this was the same guy who wrote Psycho and Vertigo!
Great list! I would add "Dr. Cyclops" (1940) and "She-Wolf of London" (1946). Definitely my favorite channel!!
What a terrific list! I've seen some of them, but now have more to check out. I love that you included The Adventures of Ichabod...I've adored it since I first saw it as a kid. And I really like that there's no possibility that the Horseman is Brom in disguise, like the story implies. That's a real headless horseman. The animation of the chase is superb, with amazing details. And I also love Arsenic and Old Lace. Most of it is so funny...Cary Grant was a master at physical comedy, and he's hilarious. But then there's the bit with him tied up and Jonathan and the doctor about to start torturing him, and that was genuinely chilling, if only for a moment.
One of my favorite cinematic performances is Karloff in the Body Snatcher. Sheer brilliance! Also, it's the crime of the century that I Walked with a Zombie isn't on bluray (in America) yet...
Absolutely a horrific crime. I need it!
Me too! :)@@cobwebschannel
Highly recommend checking out the Laird Cregar double feature of The Lodger (1944) and Hangover Square (1945). Both great films with a fantastic performance from Cregar. Great video! Going to have to check out Flesh or Fantasy!
Lots of great movies on your list, a few I haven't seen and will have to find.
I might add 1944's The Lodger, about a man who may or may not be Jack the Ripper.
There was a movie about a ventriloquist's dummy taking over the ventriloquist, which precedes the segment in Dead of Night, called The Great Gabbo, from 1929. It seems to have been less a horror film than a psychological drama
I would also include "Picture of Dorian Gray" (1945) from MGM and "Queen of Spades," a British film from 1948 or so.
Picture of Dorian Gray is amazing. I adore George Saunders.
@@katherinepereira9088 Yes, he really is great in that movie.
Fantastic List! Thanks for another great video. I would probably only substitute a few:
Doctor Cyclops (1940)
The Night Has Eyes (1942)
The Leopard Man (1943)
My Top 5 1940s Horror Films :
5. I Walked with a Zombie (1943)
4. Dead of Night (1945)
3. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
2. The Wolf Man (1941)
1. The Body Snatcher (1945)
Great list!
@@cobwebschannel Thank you.
Great video! I would tell you what my favorite horror movies of the 1940's are, but YOU'VE GOT THEM ALL! There is not one of these I would replace. I think 'Ichabod' is the best adaptation of Legend Of Sleepy Hollow yet made. Your opinion of Son Of Dracula almost matches my own. I do like Lon Chaney Jr's performance more. Okay, he's not convincing as a European vampire, but his Count Alucard has this creepy inhuman feel to him.
The Invisible Man is the Wolfman's father. Check out Karloff in The Black Cat. I can't decide if he is more creepy in this or The Body Snatcher.😂
More Karloffian goodness: The Black Room (1935), in which he plays twins brilliantly, and The Walking Dead (1936), perhaps his most sympathetic portrayal.
Arsenic & Old Lace and Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein are 2 of my favorite movies ever.
I absolutely love Lon Chaney, Jr. in just about anything.
Classic era of horror movies, great video 👌🏼
I know most of these films are available 24/7 nowadays but I used to look forward to the Turner classic horror marathons on Halloween. They still do it I guess but it doesnt seem as special.
I really want someone turn Arsenic And Old Lace into a musical.
It is a play already and I would love to get to see it sometime.
@7:54, In "Arsenic and Old Lace", the character of Jonathan Brewster (Raymond Massey's character who is said to look like Boris Karloff), was actually played BY Boris Karloff in the Broadway play. (The film was an adaptation of the hugely successful play).
I’m so happy that, not only do you have The Uninvited on the list, but it’s ranked so high. It’s a ghost film I absolutely adore! And like you said, it’s partly due to the fact it takes the subject matter very seriously. Something I had never seen before with “older” films. And does such an effective job at laying on the creepy factor. Especially “that room” that can go from pleasant to cold in an instance…and it is indeed chilling! Nice job as always 🍻
Great list.
A favourite of mine from the 40s is "Fog Island"
Oh cool, I haven’t seen that one!
@@cobwebschannel It's a pretty good flick . Was on Amazon Prime. It has some outdated humor in it, but regardless, it's still a good one.
I don't think I've seen that one either. George Zucco and Lionel Atwill from 1945. Gotta be good stuff, thanks.
Wolfman with Channey the absolute bet. 'Magic' with Anthony Hopkins and Ann Margaret was the best with the puppet. Luv ya thanks for sharing
I still need to see Magic!
@@cobwebschannel Get to it and to be honest I was jealous of Ann Margaret on the bed scene Anthony so sexy shy innocent yet whoa moves
Ooooh, you've got some of my favorites on this list! I completely adore Arsenic and Old Lace, Dead of Night, I Walked with a Zombie, The Uninvited and Shadow of a Doubt. And I watch the animated Icabod every year, and watched Wolf Man repeatedly when I was a teenager. I'd never even heard of The Spiral Staircase but I'm going to watch it for sure! Fantastic list, thank you!
OMG, thank you for bringing up Boris Karloff's fantastic acting in "The Body Snatcher". I think you're right; his works as monsters in heavy make-up and costumes has over shadowed this movie and his talent as a consummate actor. I consider it his finest work, with a couple of monologues that really put a spotlight on his talent and skills.
1. Shadow of a Doubt RULES.
2. Cheney Jr. brings down Son of Drac so much that it took me a while to appreciate it - and all for the reasons you mentioned.
Just a great list. Not a dud on it. 10/10 fricheks
Awesome list. Glad you included flicks like "Shadow of a Doubt" for sheer creepiness. "I Walked With A Zombie" is a little known gem. And Disney's "Sleepy Hollow" take is such a delight.
I do agree that the Forties was a great decade for horror. "The Wolf Man" is superb. The cast is outstanding. Maria Ouspenskaya adds so much to the movie, as does Claude Rains. Heck, you have Ralph Bellamy and Patric Knoles as supporting men in that film as well. That is an embarrassment of riches.
Insanely good cast!
...and Bela in a small but appreciated role.
❤❤Arsenic & Old Lace.
Love when Cary Grant says to his brother “ Hey Handsome “always cracks me up .
"I Walked With A Zombie" does not specify in which Caribbean country it is set, but it has much of the atmosphere and language of Haitian Voudoun. Quite well made and absorbing.
Dude, I love that you appreciate older films n not just, like, the 70s horror genre. If you haven't already, please do a segment on silent horror films
Just found Shadow of a Doubt on streaming. Getting ready to watch! Thanks Brother!
THANK YOU for introducing me to Flesh and Fantasy. I just watched your video and to discover something new to me (after I thought I’d seen it all) is such a thrill. Can’t wait for my Blu-ray to arrive. Thank you!
I love that you do top 20 lists rather than just top 10. Because it's so dependent on taste, and 20 allows you to include more offbeat films like Abbott and Costello, and Arsenic and Old Lace, and Ichabod. I have a lot of movies to check out now! I love how highly you ranked I Walked with a Zombie--it's one of the most potently atmospheric films I've ever seen.
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoy! I like that I have room to talk about more than just the major classics.
Always enjoy your videos. I've seen all these films save THE SCARLET CLAW. I'll have to check that out. Two lesser known films I'd like to recommend are ALIAS NICK BEAL, starring Ray Milland as the devil, determined to corrupt an honest politician with the help of film noir femme fatale, Audrey Totter. And THINGS HAPPEN AT NIGHT, a British poltergeist themed horror-comedy about a teenage girl, Gwynneth Vaughan, tormented by a poltergeist with comic legend Gordon Harker spending the entire film giving a master class on dry wit. Keep up the good work work!
I love Alias Nick Beal! Very cool to meet another fan.
'Return Of The Vampire,' and 'I Walked With A Zombie' also feature in mine.
I was so happy to see some my favorite odd-ball films are being seen by you too! SCARLET CLAW is a great choice and just has so much atmopshere. I was surprised not to see SON OF FRANKENSTEIN which is one of my top picks.
1939, so misses out by a year
#3 has a truly creepy scene when Ichabod looks up and sees the clouds surrounding the moon like hands grasping a head. Eerie.
Awesome as always, Daniel! I’ve got a good one for you……. Le Corbeau (The Crow) from 1943. Criterion has it on Blu Ray.
Kudos for putting Wolf Man at #1! An absolutely fantastic film that doesn't get the love and respect that it deserves
Great list! Many of my favorites are on here. I would add "The Undying Monster" & "Return of the Vampire"
I actually just rewatched Return of the Vampire. Didn’t quite make my list, but I do love Lugosi in it.
Great ranking. I would have Cat People higher if only because of the great swimming pool scene. I Walked With A Zombie is one of my all-time favorite films of any genre and I love its creepy atmosphere. I would probably also include The Leopard Man because it has one of the scariest scenes in horror.
I love old black and white spooky movies. I have seen some you mentioned but a couple of them I have heard of but haven't seen yet. Flesh and Fantasy and Dead of Night look interesting I will definitely check those two out I very much like anthology movies so thanks for those recommendations. I'm really glad I stumbled on to your channel I love getting new recommendations for horror movies from different eras.
Late to this video, but great list, Daniel. Now I need to watch several of these films.
I enjoy your videos, and I respect your opinions, even though I often disagree with them.
HOWEVER, I also love Val Lewton, and "I Walked with a Zombie" is my favorite Val Lewton film. In addition to the things you mentioned, "I Walked with a Zombie" challenges the viewer to consider the relative social positions of the White main characters and the Black residents of the island, who are all descendents of a group of slaves brought over by an ancestor of the male lead. The anchor of the slave ship has been placed as a monument in the town square and features prominently in the scenes that take place in the cafe. The anchor, and its meaning for all the residents of the island, Black and White, underpins all of the action in the film.
A few I never heard of and now want to see - thanks! Return of the Vampire (1943) with Lugosi is great.
I was surprised RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE w/ BELA LUGOSI wasn't on the list, it's one of my favorites. Also, BLACK FRIDAY with Karloff and Lugosi.
High-quality content, I always enjoy watching your videos.
Thank you, brother! Hope all is well!
Another just excellent rundown. _Really_ love this one, because I have a rather huge knowledge gap when it comes to 1940s horror, so this is essential education for me. And, as always, your enthusiasm and genuine love of horror (classic horror in particular) makes every video an absolute joy to watch. Thank you, Daniel!
My god Daniel. This channel is fast becoming my favorite. Another great video on a favorite horror genre. Keep them coming!!
Thank you so much!
You gone done it again - I’ve gotta check out Flesh and Fantasy
I love Val Lewton!! Saw The Body Snatchers by accident one day (I adore Karloff - in anything) and immediately bought a Val Lewton boxed set. If you haven't watched The Seventh Victim - watch it. Creepy as hell. Also, have you ever seen Cry of the Werewolf? Another much overlooked 1940s horror movie. Thanks for your reviews - you hit virtually every one of my favorite 40s flicks.
Give props due to Curt Siodmak who was screenwriter on 6 of the films you chose on a truly fun list.
Also, FYI, Lon Chaney, Jr. is the only actor to portray the "Big Four"...Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Mummy, and of course, the Wolf Man. Keep up the good work. I guess I should subscribe...
Great listing as always; you gave me titles to flicks that scared me as a kid! Curious what your take on Benicio Del Toro.s "The Wolfman"...
I've seen most of these filmes and loved them!!! On Saturdays it was one after the other, plus there was Zacherley. You could include "Isle of the Dead" starring Boris Karloff.
You're right, Lou had misgivings about A&C meet Frankenstein but at the premier, his mother turned to him and said this is the best thing you guys have done which was enough to convince Lou that they may have something here.
I really like your channel, you do such a good job. I would love for you to consider doing a top 20 silent era horror movie list. Also, I'd love to see you make more videos concerning other genres of movies. Keep up the good work!
I would put Spencer Tracy's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"(1941) on mine, it suffers IMO from MGM's uber-glossiness that was a hallmark of their productions, but I still enjoy it - but do prefer Fredric March's '31 version. Great list & concur w/most of it. Your vids are quickly becoming my favorite. 👏
I agree - the horror genre rarely sees the likes of Spencer Tracy and Ingrid Bergman at the height of their powers.
I just finished watching the Spiral Staircase. What an amazing who done it. You were spot on with liking it to a Giallo. Great movie and recommendation
Awesome, so glad you enjoyed!
I would think Shadow of a Doubt is more of a mystery thriller. Not horror.
@10:16, Lugosi wasn't good as the Monster because in the original script the Monster was supposed to be blind (a carryover from the ending to "Ghost of Frankenstein"). Lugosi played it that way, stumbling around with outstretched arms (as he's feeling for things in his path). However, that idea was scrapped in post-production and they edited out all references to the Monster being blind. It made Lugosi's actions look strange because they lacked context. As well, he was over 60 when he made this film and was not in the best shape required for a fairly physical role like this one.
You’ve just inspired me to count and finally organize my blurays. Also watch a bunch of my Universal Sequels. I came up with 437. With so many doubles! How do you all keep track of these things? I just counted my blus and dvds 437 and 119. That’s after I pulled out the doubles. I think I found 13? Not including DVDs. I know it’s not rocket science but I’m genuinely interested in your technique for keeping track when you’re shopping.
"The Vampire's Ghost" is worthwhile, and surprisingly original.
One of first creepy memories was The Beast With Five Fingers from 1946..and one of my favorite performances by Peter Lorre ..when it crawls out of the fireplace and up towards to his throat...nightmares as a kid.
Arsenic and Old Lace, my absolute favorite Cary Grant film. A must watch for me Halloween Week. Still holds up so well.
People don't cover as much of the classics as they should. As you said, "overlooked." I need to watch more of these, but I do own The Uninvited and I adore The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad. Really creepy animation! Otherwise, I've seen The Wolf Man (so long ago), Shadow of a Doubt, and Abbott & Costello Meets Frankenstein is hilarious! Thank you for the list, would love to see more. I'm feeling inspired to return to the classics! 📽🎥🎞🎬
I love this channel! Your awesome
Something I wish you mentioned is that The Uninvited was the #1 movie of the year when it released. That does not happen with ghost stories, which tells you how great of a movie it was.
Also, the doctor in the movie (Alan Napier) was also the butler on the Batman TV series 1966.
Such an awesome list!
Really the 3 Werewolf movies plus The Uninvited are the only ones I really like from this list.
I enjoyed the video. Differences of opinion are a good thing. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt about the rankings. Each to their own, but I will note that Cat People is on Criterion, and most of the films you have above it are not. The "bus" alone makes it significant. Similarly, Isle of the Dead (Lewton/Robson) is on Criterion but not your list. It's at least as much a horror movie as Shadow of a Doubt.
Fantastic top 20, very refreshing to see a TH-camr dedicated to classic horror, I do prefer films like this that are full of atmosphere, not a big fan of most modern horror that rely on jump scares, Give me the classics any day. Thankyou.
A+ video!
Awesome 1940s Horror movies, very cool!
Thank you Ben!
There is an earlier example of a creepy dummy movie. Check out “The Great Gabbo” from 1929. One of the first talkies. The Kino Blu ray is great. I guess it’s not really horror but definitely creepy and Erich Von Stroheim plays the ventriloquist who is also the villain. The dummy itself LOOKS incredibly creepy even though it’s not a “haunted dummy” movie.👍Great channel.
Good list. I agree with most of your choices. Would have liked to see the inclusion of Val Lewton's "Isle of the Dead" and Jean Cocteau's 1946 French version of "Beauty and the Beast".
Great choices. I would have put Dead of Night, one of my all-time favorites, as number one. The Body Snatcher also would be higher, one the spookiest of all time. But a great and unique one you may not have seen, 1941's The Monster and the Girl. One of the best imo
i cant give this list enough likes! Such great movies on here!
the art of The Headless Horseman pretty much set the Halloween aesthetic for generations
Great list!
I really like Son of Dracula, so I'm glad you rate it highly - I even like Lon Chaney in it. Accent aside, it's a really good performance - so unlike anything else I've seen him do. Personally I'd have had Lewton's Isle of the Dead in here somewhere. Flesh and Fantasy sounds well worth seeking out!
I LOVE The Uninvited!! One of my all time favorites!
An entertaining video again! Though I would rank some of the movies differently (of course).
.
"Dead Of The Night" feels like the inspiration for "Twilight Zone", it has the same sense of subtle creepiness. The fact that it's shot mostly on bright daylight makes it even more... irritating and weird.
Didn't knew about "Flesh And Fantasy", have to check that out!
"The Uninvited" feels very inspired by "Rebecca" but it's far more entertaining. My quibble is that it's a little bit too lighthearted on occasion. The characters don't seem to be too scared about the ghost...
("The Undying Monster" has the same Cornwall-atmosphere though it's a clearly a lesser movie with a ridiculous ending)
As you've pointed out the lacl of chemistry of the two leads in "Cat People"... that's kind of the point of the story... that both had been a mismatched couple. Anyway, I think it's a masterpiece.
I can see lots of Noir-influences in 40s Horror, "Shadow Of A Doubt" is regarded as one of the classics. Isn't the "goth" girl in "Son Of Dracula" kind of a femme fatale?
Looking forward for your next projects!
It made me laugh that Arsenic and Old Lace is on here, but yeah, your'e right - it fits. Bully!
I think either Invisible Ghost (Bela Lugosi) or King of the Zombies (Mantan Moreland) should have been on this list too. I recommend them.
Jimmy Stewart should’ve been cast in Arsenic and Old Lace. Great list! I will have to check out the Hitchcock movie.
I love Jimmy, but agree to disagree there! haha