Today In Horror History

June 19, 1964
On this day in Horror History, The Twilight Zone ended its 5 season run on broadcast television. Perhaps one of the most definitive cult television shows in history, 156 Episodes of Rod Serling’s iconic series would air between 1959 to 1964. Inspiring several modernized reboots of the same name, a 1983 feature film, and countless homages littered through some of popular culture’s most recognizable movies and media, The Twilight Zone made an indelible mark on the history of science fiction and the lives of millions of viewers.

“There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.” -Rod Serling 

 

The Twilight Zone - "Where Is Everybody" - Full Episode - Original Pilot  

The Twilight Zone - Opening Title Sequence  

Today In Horror History

June 16,1960
On this day in Horror History, Psycho would premier in New York City. Theatre goers would flock to see what would not only become Alfred Hitchcock’s first horror film, but the most definitive in his career. Loud speakers bellowing a countdown to “Psycho Time” and posters conveying that no one would be admitted in after the film rolled, guaranteed that the masterpiece would be seen in its entirety by a public who couldn’t have anticipated the moment in history that they were about to witness. Arguably the most influential horror film to date, Psycho not only set a standard for the slasher movie becoming one of the most identifiable premises in the industry, it shaped cinema as a whole by testing the limits at which films were rated and what was deemed acceptable in American motion pictures.

Fifty Three years later, the film which brought Hitchcock into horror infamy, continues to invoke terror and a state of unrest in those who indulge upon the ’60 Classic. Placed before the ratings board several times in the last half century, what once was considered to be racy and obscene, and shunned by many of critics for its “distasteful” elements of horror, still holds the same ever-present fright with a now rating that equals that of some Disney films…

Ironically, Walt Disney himself would not allow Hitchcock to film in Disneyland in the early sixties stating the reason being that he made “that disgusting movie, 'Psycho'."

“It's not like my mother is a maniac or a raving thing. She just goes a little mad sometimes. We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven't you?” –Norman Bates

 

 Shower Scene From "Psycho"

"Psycho' Trailer 

Today In Horror History

May 12, 1988
On this day in the Friday the 13th timeline, Tommy Jarvis is released from an institution and returns to the town formally known as Crystal Lake to dig up Jason Voorhees and cremate him. Upon seeing the body of the machete wielding maniac, Tommy loses control and stabs Jason with a fence post out of anger, ultimately bringing him back to life when the object is struck by lightning. (Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives)

“Seeing it won't, but destroying it will. Jason belongs in Hell - and I'm gonna see to it that he gets there.”-Tommy

Today In Horror History

May 9, 1980
On this day in Horror History, Friday the 13th made it’s theatrical debut. One of the quintessential horror films in the annals of cinema, it spawned many of beloved sequels from seemingly unknown and unanticipated origins. Under a working script titled "Long Night at Camp Blood", it would initially have the infamous neglected camper turned homicidal maniac named Jason, as “Josh”, only changed to more sinister sounding name which we all know and love. Unbeknownst to those involved in the groundbreaking horror film, the scorned and vengeful Pamela Voorhees would not only accumulate quite the body count in light of her son’s death, but spawn one of the most lucrative franchises in history

“You see, Jason was my son, and today is his birthday” –Pamela Voorhees

Evil Dead!!!

ARE YOU EXCITED FOR FRIDAY!!!

I AM!!!!


well kids,there is only 2 days left until "Evil Dead" hits theaters!!

Who has their tickets already?


and to get you in the "Evil Dead" mood and amp up your excitement, i've found some interviews with director Fede Alvarez,  Jane Levy who plays "Mia" (which I believe is the "Ash" of this new franchise) and the man who started it all Sam Raimi!

Links below in orange (both from Bloody Disgusting)


"Evil Dead" opens this Friday April 4th with special advanced screenings Thursday at 10.


[Video Interview] Fede Alvarez And Jane Levy On The Physical Punishment In 'Evil Dead' And What's Ahead In 'Evil Dead 2'!!

New 'Evil Dead' Featurette Offers Interviews With Fede Alvarez And Sam Raimi NO SPOILERS!!

Yesterday In Horror History

April 1, 1883
On this day in Horror History,

Lon Chaney was born. As the son of two deaf-mutes, Chaney would perfect the art of pantomime at an early age, making his prowess in the silent film era all the more incredible. A brilliant mind that blessed such films as The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), Laugh Clown Laugh (1928), and The Phantom of the Opera (1925), Chaney would undoubtedly become the first ever horror icon of the silver screen. Proud of his infamy as a character actor, Chaney's son Lon Chaney Jr. would follow in his father's footsteps, ultimately becoming two of the most memorable and influential actors in cinematic history.

“There's nothing funny about a clown in the moonlight.” -Lon Chaney

Today In Horror History

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

"The Birds" Trailer

Today In Horror History

March 15, 1937
On this day in Horror History, Howard Phillips Lovecraft passed away. More commonly known by his pen name H.P. Lovecraft, the works of the literary genius have inspired and intertwined with hundreds of films in the last decade, and thousands of popular culture mediums have paid homage to the brilliance in the macabre that was seemingly fluid to the American Author. Everything from film to music, video games to artists worldwide have been impacted by the tales of Cthulhu and mythology behind the ageless sagas which has become home for horror and science fiction aficionados since Lovecraft’s passing unto today. A life cut short by cancer, it was the perilous disease that would attack Lovecraft’s small intestine and take the author from the awestruck world. Lost but never forgotten, he will always be the irrefutable father of horror, and the mind at which a legacy was born.

“From even the greatest of horrors, irony is seldom absent.”- H.P Lovecraft



Part 2:

 March 15, 1943
On this day in Horror History, David Cronenberg was born. The mind behind such films as They Came from Within (1975), Rabid (1977), Scanners (1981), Videodrome (1983), and The Fly (1986), Cronenberg has become a staple of the horror industry. Given such suitable nicknames as “King of Venereal Horror” and the “Baron of Blood”, Cronenberg has established a following with his eclectic inspirations within film, from the gore and mutant nature to crime and psychological thrillers which have gained fan bases in other genres. A living legend, even with countless cult masterpieces under his belt the Canadian born film-maker will certainly go on to awe us for years to come.

“Civilization is repression. You don't get civilization without repression of the unconscious, of the id. And the basic appeal of art is to the unconscious. Therefore, art is somewhat subversive of civilization. And yet at the same time it seems necessary for civilization. You don't get civilization without art.”- David Cronenberg

 

Today In Horror History

March 11, 1931
On this day in Horror History, Friedrich Wilhelm "F. W." Murnau passed away. As one of the most influential and groundbreaking film-makers of the silent film era, Murnau’s directorial masterpiece Nosferatu(1922) was the unlicensed adaption of the Bram Stoker classic “Dracula” and the predecessor to every vampire film ever made. Cut from another cloth than most directors throughout cinematic history, it was the talent and vision that Murnau embodied that would help shape the future of horror for the rest of time. His ability to convey such sinister and powerfully terrifying emotion in film without the spoken work is a ability that would forever make him one of the most brilliant directorial geniuses in recorded history.

"I think films of the future will use more and more of these 'camera angles', or, as I prefer to call them, these 'dramatic angles'. They help photograph thought." - F.W. Murnau

Today In Horror History

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

Today In Horror History

March 5, 1954
On this day in Horror History, Creature from the Black Lagoon made it’s theatrical debut. One of the timeless Universal Monsters from the golden age of cinema, the gilled creature found in the Amazonian jungle and his vengeance to those who pained him has become one of the most terrifying movie monsters in the dawning of horror. Monster aside, it was the love he finds for the beautiful Julie in the midst of his ancient anger that gave movie goers a glimpse into the eloquent and brilliant being to become a facet of horror history.

“I can tell you something about this place. The boys around here call it "The Black Lagoon"; a paradise. Only they say nobody has ever come back to prove it.” –Lucas

Today In Horror History

February 26, 1920
On this day in Horror History, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari made it’s theatrical debut. Widely considered to be the first horror film regardless of the few elementally similar of the silent film era that preceded it, it is undoubtedly the advent to most all horror films for the stylized and dramatic aura of the sinister that has made it a staple in movie history. Most every media has derived some form of inspiration from the film that was originally scoffed at. Yet it would inevitably play for 7 years straight in Germany. Into today, film-makers, musicians, and artists abound find themselves compelled by the paper props and set design, painted shadows and what was the first film to ever utilize a surprise ending.

“You fools, this man is plotting our doom! We die at dawn! He is Caligari!” -Francis