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Golden Horrors: An Illustrated Critical Filmography of Terror Cinema, 1931-1939

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Golden Horrors: An Illustrated Critical Filmography of Terror Cinema, 1931-1939

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Overview

From the grindhouse oddities to major studio releases, this work details 46 horror films released during the genre's golden era. Each entry includes cast and credits, a plot synopsis, in-depth critical analysis, contemporary reviews, time of release, brief biographies of the principal cast and crew, and a production history. Apart from the 46 main entries, 71 additional "borderline horrors" are examined and critiqued in an appendix.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786427246
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	02/24/2006
Pages:	528
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.06(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Bryan Senn’s work has appeared in Filmfax, Cult Movies, Shivers, Midnight Marquee Press and Monsters from the Vault. The author of numerous books on the history of cinema, he lives in Montana.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction

The Films
Dracula (1931)
Frankenstein (1931)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)
Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932)
Freaks (1932)
Vampyr (1932)
White Zombie (1932)
Doctor X (1932)
The Lodger (1932)
The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
The Old Dark House (1932)
The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932)
The Mummy (1932)
Island of Lost Souls (1933)
The Vampire Bat (1933)
Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933)
King Kong (1933)
Murders in the Zoo (1933)
Supernatural (1933)
The Ghoul (1933)
The Invisible Man (1933)
The Son of Kong (1933)
The Black Cat (1934)
Drums o' Voodoo (1934)
The Secret of the Loch (1934)
Maniac (1934)
Mark of the Vampire (1935)
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Werewolf of London (1935)
The Raven (1935)
Mad Love (1935)
The Black Room (1935)
Condemned to Live (1935)
The Crime of Doctor Crespi (1935)
The Invisible Ray (1936)
The Walking Dead (1936)
Dracula's Daughter (1936)
Revolt of the Zombies (1936)
The Devil-Doll (1936)
The Man Who Changed His Mind (1936)
Son of Frankenstein (1939)
The Man They Could Not Hang (1939)
Torture Ship (1939)
Tower of London (1939)
The Dark Eyes of London (1939)
The Return of Dr. X (1939)

Appendix A: Borderline Horrors, “Lost” Films, and Foreign Exclusions
Appendix B: The Ten Best Films from The Golden Age of Horror
Bibliography
Index

From the B&N Reads Blog

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Editorial Reviews

When Bryan Senn writes books on cinema, many monster movie fans know he grabs their attention right away and won’t let go”—Scary Monsters Magazine; “interesting...worthy of your attention”—John Kenneth Muir, Reflections on Film/TV; “excellent...essential”—Monsters From The Vault; “the most comprehensive history of 1930’s horror films published to date”—Video Watchdog; “a pleasure to read...an invaluable resource...recommended”—ARBA; “insightfully considers each film’s memorable moments, assets, and liabilities”—Choice; “a valuable and highly recommended addition to all film history and reference book collections”—Midwest Book Review; “informative”—Library Journal; “one of the most astounding books ever done on the horror film”—Cult Movies; “a treasure chest of information, contains well-supported analyses, and most importantly, is fun to read”—Midnight Marquee; “a gold medal”—Filmfax; “a valuable and highly recommended addition to all film history and reference book collections”—Midwest Book Review; “megadetailed examination”—VideoScope;“no fault[s]”—Classic Images; “the selection of photos is top notch, many I’ve never seen before. Films covered are all the favorites”—Little Shoppe of Horrors; “Senn writes with passion and precision.... [He] has a sharp eye for details of camera movement, music, and lighting and often analyzes scenes shot-by-shot.”—Neil Barron, Editor of Fantasy and Horror.

From the Publisher

f photos is top notch, many I've never seen before. Films covered are all the favorites"

Lit

interesting...worthy of your attention

John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Film/TV

Horror film is an increasingly visible topic of research, as demonstrated by these two books, which attempt to balance textual analysis and historical inquiry with different degrees of success. Jancovich (Horror, Trafalgar Square, 1994) targets the 1950s in his scholarly treatment of titles like The Thing from Another World, The Day the Earth Stood Still, It Came from Outer Space, and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Refuting the usual interpretation that such films display Cold War paranoia, he shows how American 1950s horror cinema offered a critique of consumer culture, masculinity, and scientific rationality. His insightful reassessment links 1950s horror cinema to novels and comics and concludes with a section on how films of the period established conventions and themes that would be revisited by Hollywood during the Reagan years. A good addition for most film collections. Senn's filmography of 1930s horror cinema is simultaneously less scholarly than Jancovich and more dubious in its final effect. Golden Horrors contains entries for 46 films, with each entry divided into sections on memorable moments, assets, liabilities, reviews, and production notes. Synopses occupy too much space, and Senn's evaluations comprise a bland mix of fannish enthusiasm and low-level film analysis. His samples from contemporary reviews are illuminating but too often limited to Variety and the New York Times. His production notes are always informative, however. Additional depth would be welcome, especially in one of the appendixes, which supplies more than 50 pages in minuscule type of borderline horrors, rare films, and foreign titles. While Senn (Fantastic Cinema, McFarland, 1992) undoubtedly knows his topic, it is doubtful that the publisher packaged his knowledge in a manner that will benefit any library.Neal Baker, Dickinson Coll. Lib., Carlisle, Pa.

Library Journal

Details 46 horror films released during the genre's golden era, from 1931 through 1939, with entries containing information on cast and credits, plot, time of release, and production history, plus critical analysis, contemporary reviews, and brief biographies of the principal cast and crew. Appendices critique 71 borderline horrors, and list film professionals' and writers' favorite films. Includes b&w photos. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

one of the most astounding books ever done on the horror film

Cult Movies

more horror movies from one era...have been well covered

Movie Collector's World

a pleasure to read...an invaluable resource...recommended

ARBA

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Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

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