By Melissa Antoinette Garza
During the next few weeks, you may be looking for some horror movies you’ve never seen. Without video rental stores being an option, you may never find the nightmare you’re looking for.
I’ve compiled a list from the 1920s – 2010s, of some of the greatest classics that most audiences today haven’t seen. Whether it’s a Halloween Party, a sleepover with friends, or just some late night viewing, here are some of the best obscure films that the genre has to offer.
London After Midnight (1927)
LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT has one of the scariest villains of all time. I’m certain THE BABADOOK (2014) was based after this character, and as great as that film was, it doesn’t hit the same eerie spot that LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT does.
Now, be warned it’s a silent film and unfortunately the original version is currently lost. Thankfully, you can watch a reconstructed version using stills of the movie. This copy is available in parts on youtube and is set to music. Personally, I think this is great for parties. Many times, people aren’t sitting around watching TV, but instead chitchatting, playing games, etc. Put the mute button on, and your favorite haunting musical number on. This way every now and then, as your guests glance at the TV, they may catch glimpse at one of the most frightening visuals of all time. For film buffs, the film’s history is a conversation starter and for horror fans the plot is enticing.
A wealthy man is thought to have committed suicide five years prior, though many suspect it was homicide. The home is purchased, by what some ghoulish creatures – possibly vampires.
It’s a suspense thriller filled with Halloween horror to entice any fan of the genre. The late great Lon Chaney stars in this masterpiece that has inspired so many productions, but is practically forgotten by the modern mainstream audience.
Freaks (1932)
You have probably heard the phrase or ditty “One of us, one of us; gooble gobble, gooble gobble.” It’s been parodied both by SOUTH PARK (1997) and THE SIMPSONS (1989) among many other shows and movies. It originated from this bizarrely horrifying film called FREAKS. The film follows Cleopatra (Olga Baclanova), a beautiful trapeze artist, who feigns love for Hans (Harry Earles), a little person who works at the sideshow. The two plan to get married, but unbeknownst to Hans, Cleopatra is just in it for money. When his crew at the sideshow find out her plans, they handle it in a most unusual way.
FREAKS certainly has a cult following. It’s had more than its share of controversy for utilizing people who really worked on a side show and many who suffered with life-altering deformities. Both the UK and many states within the United States, banned the movie for its content. Even the majority of actors within the movie, regretted their involvement because of the way it depicted their characters.
Still, the movie is haunting, cringe-worthy in the best possible way. It’s something one can’t un-see. Sadly, the film is not available in its entirety and was actually only shown once upon its original release. The edited version is available via streaming and for purchase via DVD.
The Spiral Staircase (1945)
If you’re looking for something to leave you with the unsettling feeling that one is after you, THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE is up your alley. It’s based in a New England down where a serial killer is after women with disabilities. Helen (Dorothy McGuire) is mute. She is warned to be careful and advised to be on the lookout even within her own home. That’s enough to make anyone paranoid, and it certainly makes the viewer feel the same way.
The filmography and angles used within the production is what causes the most tension. I know it has been done as a radio play. I never heard that version so I’m not sure the impact it would have, but I certainly can attest that the movie packs the punch that won’t leave for quite some time.
I Bury the Living (1958)
I BURY THE LIVING is one of the best films ever made. It’s an underrated classic that plays like a long perfect episode of THE TWILIGHT ZONE. Robert Kraft (Richard Boone) is the new chairman of a cemetery. He has a map where black pins represent the plots where people are buried, and white pins represent the plots owned by people who are still living. Kraft accidentally puts black pins, rather than white ones, on a plot sold and the people die. At first he thinks it’s a coincidence, so he does it again to convince himself. The bodies begin stacking up and Robert wants to find out whether he has some sort of dark power or if someone around him is playing a sinister and deadly game.
Homicidal (1961)
Nearly everyone who has seen this film compares it to PSYCHO (1960). PSYCHO is my favorite film of all time (tied with 12 ANGRY MEN). There are similarities, but the tone is different and the style is its own. I love the movie – not as much as I love PSYCHO, but it’s an enjoying, crazy whodunit with a shocking ending that few see coming. It’s definitely the best of director William Castle’s horror films.
If you haven’t heard about the ending – you won’t read it here. Try not to read it anywhere else. Don’t go to IMDB, don’t read AMAZON reviews. Wait! This is a movie you have to pay attention to, so don’t play it at a party. Wait and watch it with friends, family or alone. Pay attention to the scenes and see if you can pick up on the clues.
Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (1971)
There’s nothing quite like 1970s horror. Somehow it was a magical decade for the genre. The mystery, tone, depth of the characters, and unease it invoked in the viewer has never been replicated. Many times, LET’S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH is overlooked. Part of the reason for the lack of interest, is that it’s a slow burn. You have to wait for the intensity and eerie happenings to get to your mind the way it gets to the lead character.
Jessica (Zohra Lampert) is just released from a mental hospital and goes with her husband and friend to an island. She sees a woman who she’s not sure is real or imaginary. Even when we see the woman is real, the viewer, like Jessica is left to wonder if she’s going crazy or if something is really wrong with the island.
Dead and Buried (1981)
DEAD AND BURIED is one of those flicks you have to see to believe. It’s a bizarre little film about Potter’s Bluff, a small town with a dark secret that Sheriff Dan Gillis (James Farentino) will do anything to find out. Though not the scariest film on the list, it definitely has a creepy feel to it and some intense imagery. The acting and cast are topnotch and the dialogue is fantastic.The conclusion is one of the coolest and surprising I’ve seen. I won’t give anything away, but like HOMICIDAL don’t read any spoilers before watching.
Kingdom of the Vampire (1991)
Though low-budget, I would put this film against nearly any mainstream horror film of the 90s. I’d put it up against practically any vampire film made. First and foremost, when watching make sure you are watching the 1991 version. There was a remake, but it just can’t match the perfect time capsule of the 90s that is the original. This is what TWILIGHT should have been.
Teenage vampire Jeff (Matthew Jason Walsh) has a crush on Nina (Shannon Doyle), but it interferes with his mother’s (Cherie Patry) controlling ways. She’ll do anything to stop the lovelorn couple.
Headspace (2005)
HEADSPACE is a movie that I always talk about, but no one has ever heard of. The main character Alex (Christopher Denham) though highly intelligent, suffers nightmares and becomes unhinged when he begins to see demons around him. Even his friends appear to be changing right before his eyes. This is almost a modern retelling of LET’S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH. In fact, I’d suggest watching them back-to-back to see how the atmosphere within the films are different yet successful and relay the same intent and invoke the same feeling.
Oculus (2013)
I don’t get it. I like SINISTER (2012), but I adore OCULUS. Maybe, it’s because I’ve always been fearful of any lore surrounding mirrors. Hell, even POLTERGEIST III gets to me. OCULUS, unlike POLTERGEIST III, had a solid script, an amazing cast, character depth, and the aspect of time travel that should have brought in some of the sci-fi crowd, but it didn’t.
Though it made over 25 million at the box office and over five times its budget, there’s no sign of a sequel yet. I wish more would give this film a chance.
For those who don’t know the story, it’s about a woman named Kaylie (Karen Gillan). Though, highly successful and in a great relationship she is focused on exonerating her brother and father for her mother’s murder. When her brother is released from an asylum, she convinces him to return to their childhood home and face off against the demonic mirror she’s convinced caused it all.
So, these are my picks for the best Halloween Horror Films that most haven’t seen. Reach out and let me know if you like the suggestions.
