When Did You Last Watch A Classic Universal Monster Movie?

[horrorhunter]

Never heard of that one. I'll have to check it out. Isn't Vince Vaughn in that?

I heard that involved chicken abuse.

[Mord]

I heard that involved chicken abuse.

THAT'S IT!!!! I heard that Anne Heche masturbates in the bathtub or something.

[geezer butler]

Never heard of that one. I'll have to check it out. Isn't Vince Vaughn in that?

Actually there's a show called "Bates Motel." I bet the movie is based on the tv show.

The funny thing is: I've actually had similar conversations with students like this. I remember when the Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street reboots came out, some of my students were going to see these films and had no idea they were remakes. Freddy? Jason? Never heard of 'em. And when they finally watch the classics, they can't stand them. I've heard "Nightmare of Elm Street is stupid," "The Exorcist is funny," "Alien is boring," "Halloween is cheesy. . ." And you can forget about these students watching B & W films. They wouldn't tolerate that for 5 minutes. To be fair though: the students I'm describing are casual horror fans---poseurs is the term we used back in the day. And I do meet some younger people that are true monster kids and are just as likely to watch "Bride of Frankenstein" as they are "Saw V." So I guess it balances out.

[Mord]

 Funny, I've had the exact same experience with students (I work at a high school). At least most of them hate "Twilight" as much as I do.

[Haunted hearse]

Never heard of that one. I'll have to check it out. Isn't Vince Vaughn in that?

Yes, before he was born in 1970, Vaughn had an important part in that film, where in his previous life he played the part of the receiver of the pieces of the torn up note that Norman attempted to flush.

[geezer butler]

Last night watched "The Black Cat" and "Son of Frankenstein." Great Karloff/Lugosi double feature. For me, watching these two in "The Black Cat" is like the Pacino/De Niro face-off in "Heat."

Watched "The Invisible Man Returns" this afternoon.

My wife is picking up my sister in law from the airport right now. She told me "no monsters tonight." So I have to be social and polite. Hopefully everyone goes to bed early enough and I can get back to business.

[Mord]

 I think "The Black Cat" is the very best pairing of horror greats ever. It has the most insane plot of any film of its time and is bizarre even by today's standards. Great double bill, GB.

[zombiehorror]

My wife is picking up my sister in law from the airport right now. She told me "no monsters tonight." So I have to be social and polite. Hopefully everyone goes to bed early enough and I can get back to business.

There are plenty of classic horror films that technically don't feature monsters in them.

[geezer butler]

There are plenty of classic horror films that technically don't feature monsters in them.

Good point zombiehorror---I should hire you as my lawyer!

Actually, the ladies went out last night so I was able to get more monstering in after all:

"Tarantula!"

"House of Dracula" 

[John Pertwee]

Watching  the BluRay Dracula, and will follow up with Frank, Mummy, and Creature tonight.

[Anthony Caranci]

I'm sure these qualify as "classics" yet - but they are all Universal:

The Mummy 1999
The Mummy Returns 2001
The Mummy - Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. This film looks good on Blu-ray.

Running "modern" horror films first this year, that way I'll have nothing but the "cream of the crop" for the last week of October.

[Mord]

"Monolith Monsters" - Something very scary about tall, motionless rocks.

[geezer butler]

Watched "Abbot and Costello Meets Frankenstein" on Blueray last night. The version looks awesome. Really cool David J. Skal documentary in the bonus features.

Also watched "The Mummy's Hand" (1940). Always have mixed feelings about this film. George Zucco is great and Tom Tyler is a cool Mummy, but I still don't get the "Babe" and "Solvani" characters. They distract the viewer from an otherwise decent monster movie IMO.

[Mord]

Watched "Abbot and Costello Meets Frankenstein" on Blueray last night. The version looks awesome. Really cool David J. Skal documentary in the bonus features.

Also watched "The Mummy's Hand" (1940). Always have mixed feelings about this film. George Zucco is great and Tom Tyler is a cool Mummy, but I still don't get the "Babe" and "Solvani" characters. They distract the viewer from an otherwise decent monster movie IMO.

A lot of good horror gets watered down by comedy relief. From "Murders in the Zoo" to "Scream", the scares are diluted by misguided attempts at humor.

[geezer butler]

A lot of good horror gets watered down by comedy relief. From "Murders in the Zoo" to "Scream", the scares are diluted by misguided attempts at humor.

I agree Mord. "Misguided" is the key term here. A & C meets Frankenstein works because Abbott and Costello are actually funny. But when directors and writers force the issue, it usually doesn't work.