June 6, 1947
On this day in Horror History, Robert Barton Englund was born in
Glendale California. A cult icon that has invaded the nightmares of
horror fans for the nearly half a century, he has starred in such films
as Eaten Alive (1977), Galaxy of Terror (1981), Strangeland (1998), 2001
Maniacs (2005), Zombie Strippers! (2008), and countless more iconic
movies. His most memorable role would not
only prove his brilliance in character acting, but the soul and love
that he has for the industry and the legions of fans that are its life
blood. As Freddy Krueger he would epitomize what is arguably the most
charismatic horror villain of all time, and would reprise the role for
all subsequent sequels. An inspiration to generation, he will forever be
one of the most pivotal and terrifyingly genius actors in horror
history.
“I get a lot of teenagers going, 'Yo, Krueger,' and
honking their horn and giving me the claw. Yeah, I'm recognized.” –
Robert Englund
May 16,1944
On this day in Horror History, Danny Trejo was born. A celebrated cult
actor for nearly 30 years, Trejo’s dominating personality as well as
being type casted as a tough criminal stems from his early life. After
being in and out of jail for 11 years, a stint for armed robbery and
drug charges would land him in a Rehab program until a chance meeting at
a Cocaine Anonymous meeting would result
in a role in Runaway Train (1985). Since then, his presence in the film
industry has surmounted an incredible resume including The Devil's
Rejects (2005), Hood of Horror (2006), Predators (2010), Machete (2010),
and countless more beloved films.
(2011, on Runaway Train) “I
walked on that movie set as a drug counselor. I was helping this kid I
was counseling. He called me up and said, "Hey, there's a lot of blow
down here." It was 1985, and cocaine was running rampant in the movie
industry. It was crazy. You'd walk into production and there'd be lines
on the table. He just asked me to come down and support him, because
that's what I did. I still do it. I'm going over on an intervention
right now to one of our Hollywood actors. I went onto this movie set,
and he was a PA, and I thought it was cute. I had never been on a movie
set in my life. All these guys were dressed up as inmates, and they were
all trying to act tough. They all had these fake tattoos. I kept
smearing these tattoos. I had to say, "Oh shit, I'm sorry. That stuff
smears." This guy asked me if I wanted to be in a movie, and I said,
"What do I gotta do?" And he said, "Do you want to be an extra?" And I
said, "An extra what?" And he said, "Can you act like a convict?" I
thought it was the funniest thing I had ever heard. I'd been in every
penitentiary in the state. I looked at him and I said, "Well, I'll give
it a shot." He gave me a blue shirt, and I took off my shirt, and I have
that big tattoo on my chest. He said "Leave your shirt off." Then this
other guy comes over and says, "Hey, you're Danny Trejo. I saw you win
the lightweight and welterweight title up in San Quentin." And I go,
"Yeah. You're Eddie Bunker." I had been in prison with him. And he was a
writer. We started talking, and he asked, "Are you still boxing?" And I
go, "Well, I still train." And he said, "Do you want a job? We need
someone to train one of the actors how to box." And I said, "I got a
job. They're going to give me 15 bucks for acting like a convict. What's
this pay?" He said, "It pays $320 a day." So I said, "How bad do you
want this guy beat up? Shit, for 320 bucks-" And he goes, "No, you have
to be really careful, this actor's really high-strung. He's already
socked a couple of people." I said, "For $320, man, give him a stick.
I'll fight Godzilla for 320 bucks." I started training Eric Roberts how
to box. Eric wanted to learn how to box, and I think he was scared of
me, so he'd do whatever I told him to do. Andrey Konchalovskiy, the
director, saw that he would do whatever I told him to do. I guess Andrey
had some problems with it. So Andrey comes over and hires me. He says,
"You be in the movie. You fight Eric in the movie." And that's where it
started. From that day until right now, I've got 183 movies.” –Danny
Trejo
May 14, 1944
On this day in Horror History, George Lucas was born in Modesto
California. Undoubtedly one of the most influential and celebrated
film-makers in history, Lucas has given cinema some of the most
lucrative and historically significant cult films to date. Most notable
for the timeless Star Wars Franchise, his brilliance has also blessed
such films as THX 1138 (1971), American Graffiti (1973),
Labyrinth (1986), and Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
Having revolutionized the Directorial and sound editing process in its
entirety, Lucas is an inspiration to those who have had the privilege of
studying and using his groundbreaking techniques, and to the millions
for the last half a century who have fallen in love with his legacy.
“A special effect is a tool, a means of telling a story. A special
effect without a story is a pretty boring thing.” –George Lucas
April 4, 1979
On this day in Horror History, Heath Andrew Ledger was born. An
inspiring talent in the industry, the young actor had epitomized many of
roles in his short life. Born in Perth Australia, Ledger would go on to
star in such films as The Order (2003), The Brothers Grimm (2005), and
The Dark Knight (2008). It was his leading role as the Joker in the
Christopher Nolan Batman reimaging that
would ultimately become his most sinister and tolling ever, one that is
rumored to have weighed very heavily on the late actor. His final gift
to cinema would be that of Tony in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
(2009). Production halted after his passing, and in an ode to the
budding talent and legacy of Ledger, friends Johnny Depp, Jude Law and
Colin Farrell completed the film playing the same role but under the
premise that Tony’s appearance changed in every different imaginary
world present in the movie.
On January 22, 2008 the world
would be in tears as Ledger was taken from us after an accidental
overdose of prescription medication while at his apartment in New York
City. Heaven received another angel that sordid day. Missed but not
forgotten, Ledger will live on in memory, and a legacy that will not be
forgotten.
“A lot of people think ambition or success and they
think dollars. My ambition is all in my head. I'm on a f---ing journey.
I'm on a walkabout. It's about collecting wisdom of emotions and heart
and self and understanding. Being absolutely comfortable with your body
and life and the earth, sun, and moon being the only truths. That's what
my success is, getting underneath that.” –Heath Ledger
March 28, 1963
On this day in Horror History, Alfred Hitchcock’s classic The Birds debuted in New York City. Based on the story by Daphne Du Maurier, The Birds was the famed director’s return to film after Psycho and a 3 year hiatus while working on ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’. In the presence of many films playing upon the stylized approach and success of Psycho, the legendary director turned the tables on the industry and made the seemingly mundane quite terrifying. With brilliant film-making, the beauty of Tippi Hedre, and the peculiar joy that Hitchcock proved with such antics as speakers bellowing the sounds of birds outside the theatre, the cinematic masterpiece would become one of the most beloved of his career.
“I have never known birds of different species to flock together. The very concept is unimaginable. Why, if that happened, we wouldn't stand a chance! How could we possibly hope to fight them?” –Mrs. Bundy
March 27, 1963
On this day in Horror
History, Quentin Jerome Tarantino was born. A cult director responsible
for some of the most celebrated films of all time, Tarantino has given
the us such classics as Reservoir Dogs (1992), Pulp Fiction (1994),
Kill Bill (2003), and recently Django Unchained (2012). A talent that
breaks the confines of most of the industries finest, he as Directed,
Produced and Acted in countless films, even showing his childhood dream
of being a writer as he is responsible for the Screenplay of From Dusk
Till Dawn (1996) and story of Natural Born Killers (1994). In one way
or another, we have all found a connection to the violent and poetic
cinematic masterpieces blessed upon us by the film-making genius, and
for years to come Tarantino will continue to inspire and bash his
immaculately brutal wit into some of the greatest movies ever.
“Movies are my religion and God is my patron. I'm lucky enough to be in
the position where I don't make movies to pay for my pool. When I make a
movie, I want it to be everything to me; like I would die for it.” -
Quentin Tarantino
March 7, 1999
On this day in Horror
History, the world lost Stanley Kubrick. Perhaps one of the most
influential and visionary film-makers of all time, Kubrick’s brilliance
poured into ever cinematic masterpiece he ever made. Having lent his
genius to such classics as The Shining (1980), A Clockwork Orange
(1971), and Full Metal Jacket (1987), Seven of his last nine films were
nominated for Oscars and he personally was nominated for Best Director
four consecutive times.
The beauty and boundless radiance
within Kubrick and each of his films was and will always be monumental
in the hearts of those who have been captivated by his legacy. The world
was blessed to have Kubrick share himself with each of us, and through
his works we will never forget the legend of cinematic history.
“There's something inherently wrong with the human personality. There's
an evil side to it. One of the things that horror stories can do is to
show us the archetypes of the unconscious: we can see the dark side
without having to confront it directly. Also, ghost stories appeal to
our craving for immortality. If you can be afraid of a ghost, then you
have to believe that a ghost may exist. And if a ghost exists, then
oblivion might not be the end.” –Stanley Kubrick
Part 2
March 7, 1933
On this day in Horror History, King Kong premiered in New York City at
the Radio City Music Hall. The timeless classic that had went through
countless name changes during production including "The Beast”, "The
Eighth Wonder", "The Ape", "King Ape" and "Kong", has become a vivid and
immortal piece of cinematic history. King Kong, one of the most
lucrative films of RKO Radio Pictures catalog,
was also credited as the film that would ultimately save the company
from bankruptcy during the great depression, and would hold many records
with box office sales that would dwarf other blockbusters for decades
to come.
As for our legendary giant gorilla, brought to the
forsaken city of New York... It was his roar which was a lion's and a
tiger's roar combined and run backwards that would captivate audiences
from around the globe, even becoming the favorite film of Adolf Hitler.
From a time when it was mandated that every movie monster had to die by
the end of the film, the 40 lives that were lost by the misunderstood
monster and the tragic fate that would befall him will always be one of
the most adored films of all time.
“And now, ladies and
gentlemen, before I tell you any more, I'm going to show you the
greatest thing your eyes have ever beheld. He was a king and a god in
the world he knew, but now he comes to civilization merely a captive - a
show to gratify your curiosity. Ladies and gentlemen, look at Kong, the
Eighth Wonder of the World. “ -Carl Denham
