Comments on: Playing Horror Catchup: 2009 Edition

By: Jandy Stone

Jandy Stone — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:38:34 +0000

I was hugely impressed by Haxan, even more so because at the last minute one of my friends came along – she’s not that big a movie person (but does enjoy foreign films and docs), and this was the first silent film she’d ever seen. She was rapt throughout, and texted me the next day to say she still couldn’t stop thinking about it.

And Mystery of the Wax Museum was a really pleasant surprise. I kept toying with giving it four stars, actually – I think Horror of Dracula is better, but I honestly think I enjoyed Wax Museum more. Partially that’s my enjoyment of the 1930s style, though. And I kind of liked the two-color Technicolor on it – made it moodier and more heightened somehow. Hadn’t seen a two-color film before (aside from tinted silents, which isn’t really the same thing) – it’s an interesting aesthetic.

By: Marina Antunes

Marina Antunes — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:31:47 +0000

I’m happy to report that I’ve seen a few of the films on the list but the one I’m missing which I’m most looking forward to seeing is Haxan. Looks bloody awesome! Definitely making an effort to see that ASAP.

By: Bob Turnbull

Bob Turnbull — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:04:14 +0000

“Haxan” is all kinds of wickedly good awesomeness isn’t it? The effects are indeed quite remarkable – I thought it would be cheesy, but these are some of the best representations of demons I’ve seen on film.

I’m glad you liked the Curtiz “Mystery Of The Wax Museum” too. I was surprised at how much fun it was since I expected (I’m not sure why to be honest) it to be a minor B picture. Fay Wray is just lovely too, isn’t she?

If you haven’t seen it, you’d probably also like Andre de Toth’s “House Of Wax” (1953) with Vincent Price – it’s full colour images (and of course Price himself) give it the edge out of the two of them for me (but it’s close).

I haven’t seen “Revenge of Frankenstein”, but your description sounds right. Part of my love of Hammer is their set design and use of colour. The plots are almost secondary sometimes…