classic horror movies | Hollywood Yesterday

Director Tod Browning, Carroll Borland, and Bela Lugosi behind the scenes of Mark of the Vampire

October 27, 2022 By Joi

Director Tod Browning, Carroll Borland, and Bela Lugosi behind the scenes of Mark of the Vampire

One of the best classic horror films, in my “in love with the genre” opinion is 1935’s Mark of the Vampire. Directed by Tod Browning, the phenomenal cast includes Lionel Barrymore, Donald Meek, Ivan F. Simpson, Carroll Borland, Holmes Herbert, James Bradbury Jr., Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, Jean Hersholt, Elizabeth Allan, Henry Wadsworth, Leila Bennett, June Gittelson, and Jessie Ralph.

If you haven’t seen this one in a while (and certainly if you’ve never had the pleasure), I hope you’ll find it this Halloween season and enjoy every deliciously entertaining moment.

You can watch Mark of the Vampire on Prime Video (Amazon link).

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein: My Love for this Classic Knows NO Limits!

October 25, 2022 By Joi

Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Bela Lugosi, and Glenn Strange

When it comes to horror movies, I’m a bit of a chicken… okay, I’m a big chicken, feathers and all. Sure, I can handle most classic horror films (with Mark of the Vampire and The Spiral Staircase being a few of my favorites), but when it comes to modern era horror movies…. thanks but no thanks. All the buttered popcorn in the world couldn’t get me to watch.

I’d much, much, MUCH rather watch Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (one of my favorite movies in the world). I’d rather watch ANY of their movies for that matter. They were comedic geniuses and their films never fail to make me laugh so much my cats think I’ve finally and completely lost it.

You can (and should!) find Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein on dvd (Amazon link). You can also find the Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters Collection on Amazon… it’s linked below.

Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters Collection

Mark of the Vampire: One of my Very Favorite Classic Horror Films (What Ambiance!)

October 22, 2022 By Joi

Carroll Borland, Holmes Herbert, James Bradbury Jr., and Bela Lugosi

Everyone has their favorite Classic Horror films and I’m certainly no exception. All Abbott and Costello “Meet the Monsters” films are among my favorites, as are the original Dracula and The Bride of Frankenstein but there isn’t a single one I like any better than the one you see pictured here, Mark of the Vampire. The directing by Tod Browning is outstanding and the cast is absolute perfection.

Lionel Barrymore is one of my top 6 favorite actors and Donald Meek and Ivan F. Simpson are two of my absolute favorite character actors… all three are in this film and figure heavily in the story!

While that’s part of the reason why I love this one so much, another is the absolutely delicious classic horror atmosphere the director and crew created. From the early scenes with the townspeople to the bats and the music – it is one of the most entertaining and enjoyable of all the classic horror films and I honestly grow to love it more with each passing year.

In addition to Lionel Barrymore, Donald Meek, Ivan F. Simpson, Carroll Borland, Holmes Herbert, James Bradbury Jr., and Bela Lugosi, the WONDERFUL cast also includes Lionel Atwill, Jean Hersholt, Elizabeth Allan, Henry Wadsworth, Leila Bennett, June Gittelson, and Jessie Ralph.

I hope you’ll include it in your Halloween movie-watching this year. You’ll be frightfully glad you did.

You can watch Mark of the Vampire on Prime Video (Amazon link). I haven’t been able to find it on dvd yet but hope to soon!

Boris Karloff and James Whale on the Set of The Bride of Frankenstein

October 19, 2022 By Joi

Boris Karloff and James Whale, The Bride of Frankenstein

While we give the wonderful Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester their due credit for the brilliance of The Bride of Frankenstein, we need to always remember to mention the name of its brilliant director James Whale. He’s also the director responsible for Frankenstein (1931).

(About Boris Karloff) “His face fascinated me. I made drawings of his head, adding sharp bony ridges where I imagined the skull might have joined.” ~ James Whale

You can find The Bride of Frankenstein on dvd or Blu-ray or watch the classic horror on Prime Video.

James Whale, Ernest Thesiger, and Elsa Lanchester: Behind the Scenes of The Bride of Frankenstein

October 18, 2022 By Joi

Director James Whale and Ernest Thesiger (“Dr. Pretorius”)

One of the most popular and beloved classic horror movie is the 1935 The Bride of Frankenstein, directed superbly by James Whale. Whale also directed Frankenstein (1931) , The Old Dark House (1932) and The Invisible Man (1933). He clearly had a wonderful feel for the genre.

You can find The Bride of Frankenstein on dvd or Blu-ray or watch the classic horror on Prime Video.

Elsa Lanchester – The Bride of Frankenstein

Ethel Barrymore in The Spiral Staircase (PERFECT Suspense/Horror Movie from 1946)

September 26, 2022 By Joi

Ethel Barrymore, The Spiral Staircase

One of my favorite movies (not just favorite classic horror movies, but favorite movies, period) is the spell-binding 1946 horror film The Spiral Staircase (directed by Robert Siodmak). While it is categorized as a horror movie, I’d call it more of a suspense, but we’ll just go with “horror” since we’re this close to Halloween.

The movie stars one of my absolute favorites, Ethel Barrymore, Dorothy McGuire, George Brent, Rhonda Fleming, Gordon Oliver, Elsa Lanchester (SUBLIME as ever), Sara Allgood, and Kent Smith.

The cast is absolutely flawless in a film that’s suspenseful, extraordinarily directed, entertaining, well-written, and downright spellbinding. If you’ve never seen this one, I really hope you’ll check it out this Halloween season. It isn’t necessarily “scary” and won’t give even the biggest scaredy cat (ME!) nightmares. It’s just an outstanding film, period.

You can find The Spiral Staircase on dvd or Blu-ray (Amazon link).

Fay Wray and Lionel Atwill, The Vampire Bat (1933)

September 23, 2022 By Joi

Fay Wray and Lionel Atwill, The Vampire Bat

The Vampire Bat came out the same year as King Kong… our heroine Fay Wray went through an awful lot during the early 30s… monsters everywhere! Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray are excellent in this film which also stars the wonderful Melvyn Douglas, Maude Eburne, and George E. Stone.

This one’s perfect for getting in the mood for Halloween and VERY much worth adding to your movie collection!

You can find The Vampire Bat on dvd (Amazon link), on Blu-ray (Amazon link), or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Fay Wray and Lionel Atwill, The Vampire Bat

Bela, Boris, and Basil in Son of Frankenstein (1939)… Talk about a 1, 2, 3 Punch!

October 30, 2021 By Joi

Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, and Bela Lugosi

Some films boast casts and some films boast ICONIC casts. Son of Frankenstein (1939) is the latter. Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, and Bela Lugosi.. in ONE film?! That’s what I call a film for the ages.

The classic horror was directed by the wonderful Rowland V. Lee and I call him wonderful not just because he was an outstanding (and way ahead of his time) director but also because (as a huge Bela Lugosi fan) I love the extent he went to in order to give Lugosi more respect, credit, and even money while making this film.

Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, and Basil Rathbone

Sadly, Bela Lugosi’s career was beginning to decline when he signed on to make Son of Frankenstein and his fee reflected this decline. Fortunately, director Rowland V. Lee was VERY much in his corner. He realized that Lugosi wasn’t being treated fairly and was perhaps even being taken for granted, so he gave Bela’s character (Ygor) more dialogue and a bigger role in the film, causing Bela be paid (and respected) more.

This role, IMO, is one of Lugosi’s absolute best performances. He more than rewarded Lee’s wonderful efforts!

You can watch Son of Frankenstein on Prime Video (Amazon link). I’m having a heckuva time finding it on dvd for my collection, but if I’m ever to find it, I’ll let you know.

Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi

Madge Bellamy and Bela Lugosi: White Zombie (1932)

October 14, 2021 By Joi

Madge Bellamy, White Zombie

White Zombie is a horror film you really don’t hear much about. Oddly enough, it was believed to be lost until its rediscovery in the Sixties. I really hate that this movie is hardly ever shown on television because it is very entertaining and Bela Lugosi is, as one would expect, completely mesmerizing.

The plot of White Zombie: A lovestruck young man turns to a voodoo doctor to help him lure a beautiful woman away from her fiancé. He, instead, turns her into a zombie slave!

HATE when that happens.

The 1932 classic horror movie stars Bela Lugosi and Madge Bellamy. It was directed by Victor Halperin.

According to his son, Bela Lugosi, Jr., this was one of Bela Lugosi’s favorite films. He is absolutely and completely wonderful in the role of “Murder” Legendre.

You can find White Zombie on dvd (Amazon link).

Bela Lugosi, White Zombie

Helen Chandler and Bela Lugosi, Dracula (Girl.. RUN!)

October 10, 2021 By Joi

Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler, Dracula

I remember the first time I saw Dracula (1931)… even as a child I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how anyone didn’t know Bela Lugosi was bad news the minute they saw him! Seriously… how could they not run as far and as fast as they could in the opposite direction the minute they laid eyes on him.

I’m pretty sure I would have outrun a cheetah to get away from his creepy vibes.

Then again, it wouldn’t have made much of a movie, would it?

I read something unusual a little while back. Apparently Bette Davis was considered for the role of Mina but someone “up the line” didn’t think she had enough sex appeal. Really? When the role dictated, she oozed it! Think “In This Our Life,” “Jezebel,” and “The Star” just to name a few.

I mean, her career did okay without this role but I thought the reasoning was preposterous.

You can buy the iconic 1931 film Dracula on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Sorry but the Bette Davis fan in me feels compelled to add a particular photo to the post… It’s like she’s telling Mr. Up the Line, “Boy, please.”