NO 15-MASTER OF THE WORLD-61- Always loved this film. It opens up so many questions to discuss in a moral sense. There always seems to me to be a bit of contradiction of how some see this film and how the film seems to be playing itself out. Who is good in this film? Who are bad? who are worst?Only the effects need improvement in this film. if there ever will be a remake I am sure that is what will be taken care of first . Vincent Price and cast , excellent.
NO-14-THE BLACK CAT-34-This effort is a film I have grown to love more as I have gotten older.A dreary atmospheric one of a kind classic from EDGAR ULMER. KARLOFF AND LUGUSI at their best. Incredible sets, fantastic music score and a great emotional ending. One of the best.What a line-I waited NOT TO KILL YOU, TO KILL YOUR SOUL. OH my how true how true.
NO-13-THE TINGLER-59- One of the strangest most enjoyable genre film ever. WILLIAM CASTLE[of course]. It always felt like it was two movies going on at the same time. One part of it moody and very effective. The other part[moviehouse scene] wacky and far fetched.Never saw an audience who didn't have fun with this one. We have Vincent Price, Von Dexter's great music score. solid murder scene and a great conclusion. It's a shame CASTLE/PRICE/ AND DEXTER didn't do more films together. This and HOHH were both winners.
NO-12-THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM-61-One of the eeriest films in the genre you will find. Possibly MR PRICE'S best performance ever. Tight knit direction, great sets.One of the most effective mood score causing chills you will find by LES BAXTER. One of the best of it's kind. The best that ever came from AIP.
As I mention earlier in this thread. These are 31 films I find to be just some of my favorites in the genre. I do not mean that one is better then 31, just a bunch of films I really enjoyed.
NO 11-THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL-51-Fine early SCIFI film with the classic closing lines that say a lot then, now and forever more.There will be 2 films from MR WISE on this list of mine.
NO-10-CARNIVAL OF SOULS-62-If indeed it would be safe to say this was one of the best low budget films ever made, I would also say this is one of the best genre films-PERIOD that ever came down the pipe. Mysterious, spooky, thought provoking film that really can create a outer mood from the viewer. Not many films can, From the beginning till the what do you know ending[some viewers still don't get it]this film works. Leaving a very true thought. It is those who feel they have been cheated in life or deny life at it's fullest who will fight not to die and enter the next existence the most. The biggest tragedy in this world is what we have not done with the limited days we have on this earth.
NO-9-SCREAMS OF A WINTER NIGHT-79-In nearly all list of this type someone always have a couple of films that were extremely obscure but they thought was a very good film. So is the case with this low budget anthology film, which has a mood hovering over it like a thick fog from beginning till the exciting ending which looks like a million bucks[the ending] A little winner.
NO 8-HORROR OF DRACULA-58- 0ne of my most liked genre film in the vampire cinema. Terence Fischer near perfect direction and editing makes this a genre classic. It moves so smoothly and RIGHT. Like the 41 WOLFMAN, there is so little to complain about. Just enough of everything to make it pure entertainment.
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE-NO-7-46- The media sometimes limit the perception of what a genre film really is. [horror scifi fantasy] People have often considered this to be a light genre film but like SCROOGE it is a ghost story[the uninvited, the changeling, carnival of souls] and a great one. At times just as eerie as the 3 mentioned here.
I've always found the long sequence towards the end of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE to be like an episode of "The Twilight Zone", but even creepier. All that stuff about James Stewart visiting the graveyard, with Tiomkin's chilly score, and the subsequent running through the streets he no longer knows, is real horror film territory.
Must mention again - although it's not a "Halloween" moment - the absolute perfection of the building emotional tension in the sequence when George Bailey is going off the rails, the daughter is hammering away on the piano, the little son wants help with his homework, and Bailey just cracks under the strain. With Jimmy Stewart's magnificent portrayal, it's about as close to cinematic perfection as I can think of.
NO-6- HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL-59-Just something about this whole film that just stood out to become a fun favorite. I am hardly the only one who really enjoy this cult classic. Many things have been said about this William Castle film. But of the many things I love about it, was the classic sharp dialogue. Right on the mark. Over the years I can recite every word. Enjoyable winner. DIG THAT ACID VAT.
NO-5- KING KONG- 33- Have to include that grand old ape here. For it's time it was a sensation. But they say the value of something is how timeless it becomes and this film in many ways holds up better then nearly any film from the early 30's. When you really think about it, it is a very unique one of a kind film in many ways.
HORROR HOTEL- NO 4-62-Another one of those films which I find just about perfect. Well made in all departments, Enjoyable to watch many times over the years and I wouldn't change one scene.It flows perfectly.
ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS-57- This little gem of a film from ROGER CORMAN, has a grand thought provoking premise with I just loved. Roger does a neat job with this effort, good acting, eerie claustrophobic settings, tight direction and solid music score by RONALD STEIN. But what makes me put this film on this list is how the plot holds a great perspective of the human race.Why has humans treated animals for centuries the way they do. because animals do not have the mental capabilities of humans. ok. This tale crabs are able through telepathic means absorb human brains and it makes the crabs have human thinking in large crabs- ho ho ho- A group of scientist have to face this situation on a island, Now where is the excuse to kill the crabs?Always wish they remade this film. At one time I would have loved to direct a remake.
NO-2-THE 27TH DAY -57-Another great story makes this one of my favorites in my book -Gene Barry leads the cast. 5 capsules of mass destruction or can human beings behave? Nicely made all around with a wonderful moral conclusion. Love it
NO-1- THE HAUNTING-63- The previous 30 films I listed I like basically at the same level however as for NO 1-?It does by number have a more distinctive meaning, This film to me stands by itself. Firstly, it is well made[acting, direction, photography, editing, music etc etc]. but what really is so unique about it is no matter how many times I have seen it. it is still a mood altering experience and from some sources this could be why. It's the one genre film that could actually be haunted. talk about a real reality show. Robert Wise's masterpiece.
The following 31 films I have listed are some of my favorite genre films ever made. On this thread I will continue to list other genre films that I feel are some of the best that have come down the pipe.Enjoy the holiday if it interests you?
DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE-68-Hammer's biggest hit and I can see why. Right from the start with JAMES BERNARD'S great bombastic opening credit music to the fine ending. This nice looking film from FREDDIE FRANCIS is a winner.
