Monster Kids of a certain age know how hard it was to see classic horror films before the age of video. In retrospect, which films were worth the effort?
It's interesting to look back on childhood and see what we went through to watch old films and shows. My brother and I used our VHS recorder to record movies off of TV and cut out the commercials, when possible, but it was quite a struggle. We have it so easy today. I enjoy a lot of old horror films and recently discovered one season of a Hammer Horror show from the 1970s on Amazon Prime. We have things so easy now and no need to wake up at ass o'clock. Haha. Excellent post, Bill.
Thanks! Yeah, once video came into play, we discovered the “pause” button and cut the commercials out, too. Now, you just hit “click,” and the film is yours on demand. I can live with that. I appreciate your comments. 😎
Been anticipating your blog for about a week now, Bill. In the meantime, trying once again to understand the enjoyment some folks get out of the Mummy’s Hand, Tomb, Ghost and Curse, I tuned into my favorite horror podcast to listen in on their insightful narrative, interpretation and all around pleasurable journey into the realm of these little gems, as some may think of them. I am not one of these however. I have never liked the mummy films. I have tried for many years to enjoy them, a close friend even put them on a disc for me once in the hopes that watching them all in a row might change my perception. It didn’t. Anyway, here I was waiting for your blog and what do I see when I open the email - a poster image from The Mummy’s Tomb!
All right, so the blog isn’t about the Mummy’s Tomb, Ghost, Curse or… what’s the other one? Hand. (While listening to the podcast the other day, I made a little sticky note of the titles - in order - and taped it to my desk, because hell, it may come in handy someday.)
Was it worth it? I certainly thought so at the time. I too used to record the movie soundtracks on a little cassette recorder in the wee hours of the night. (I think I may actually still have some of those cassette recordings somewhere.) How my kid sister, who shared a bedroom with me, slept through it all, I don’t know. But when the alarm went off and woke her, I would tell her to go back to sleep and she complied.
I also used to thumb through TV Guide seeking out the Universals. Also, back in those days there was a Boston channel that showed non-horror Universals that featured the Andrews Sisters, the Ritz Brothers and Donald O’Connor and Peggy Ryan. (Oh, Universal, where have these films gone? Open that vault, you pikers!)
I think it was worth it, setting the alarm and getting up in the middle of the night to watch the old horror films. They got me through some rough times, those films.
Very good blog, Bill, even though it started off with one of the mummy pictures.
Hi, Janet….Good insights as always, and I appreciate your thoughts. For me, the Mummy pictures—including the 1932 Karloff original—aren’t among my faves. BUT…the influence they had on stalker pics like HALLOWEEN are obvious. Plus, as bad as the plots are, there are always a few excellent visuals. Thank you again for your support. 😎
Not a fan of those Halloween films. Too scary for me.
I like the 1932 mummy all right. But you know what I like best about it? That 3D pyramid that turns at the start of the picture. Man, that thing is cool.
It's interesting to look back on childhood and see what we went through to watch old films and shows. My brother and I used our VHS recorder to record movies off of TV and cut out the commercials, when possible, but it was quite a struggle. We have it so easy today. I enjoy a lot of old horror films and recently discovered one season of a Hammer Horror show from the 1970s on Amazon Prime. We have things so easy now and no need to wake up at ass o'clock. Haha. Excellent post, Bill.
Thanks! Yeah, once video came into play, we discovered the “pause” button and cut the commercials out, too. Now, you just hit “click,” and the film is yours on demand. I can live with that. I appreciate your comments. 😎
Been anticipating your blog for about a week now, Bill. In the meantime, trying once again to understand the enjoyment some folks get out of the Mummy’s Hand, Tomb, Ghost and Curse, I tuned into my favorite horror podcast to listen in on their insightful narrative, interpretation and all around pleasurable journey into the realm of these little gems, as some may think of them. I am not one of these however. I have never liked the mummy films. I have tried for many years to enjoy them, a close friend even put them on a disc for me once in the hopes that watching them all in a row might change my perception. It didn’t. Anyway, here I was waiting for your blog and what do I see when I open the email - a poster image from The Mummy’s Tomb!
All right, so the blog isn’t about the Mummy’s Tomb, Ghost, Curse or… what’s the other one? Hand. (While listening to the podcast the other day, I made a little sticky note of the titles - in order - and taped it to my desk, because hell, it may come in handy someday.)
Was it worth it? I certainly thought so at the time. I too used to record the movie soundtracks on a little cassette recorder in the wee hours of the night. (I think I may actually still have some of those cassette recordings somewhere.) How my kid sister, who shared a bedroom with me, slept through it all, I don’t know. But when the alarm went off and woke her, I would tell her to go back to sleep and she complied.
I also used to thumb through TV Guide seeking out the Universals. Also, back in those days there was a Boston channel that showed non-horror Universals that featured the Andrews Sisters, the Ritz Brothers and Donald O’Connor and Peggy Ryan. (Oh, Universal, where have these films gone? Open that vault, you pikers!)
I think it was worth it, setting the alarm and getting up in the middle of the night to watch the old horror films. They got me through some rough times, those films.
Very good blog, Bill, even though it started off with one of the mummy pictures.
Hi, Janet….Good insights as always, and I appreciate your thoughts. For me, the Mummy pictures—including the 1932 Karloff original—aren’t among my faves. BUT…the influence they had on stalker pics like HALLOWEEN are obvious. Plus, as bad as the plots are, there are always a few excellent visuals. Thank you again for your support. 😎
Not a fan of those Halloween films. Too scary for me.
I like the 1932 mummy all right. But you know what I like best about it? That 3D pyramid that turns at the start of the picture. Man, that thing is cool.
A miniature as I recall….
Another entertaining and informative article. As usual, I enjoyed it very much.
Thanx, Ralph. I appreciate your input.