Top Ten Classic Horror Movies Review

Here's a highly subjective short list of the greatest horror movies from Hollywood's Golden Age. For further reading check out my Top Ten Horror Movies of the '60s and Top Ten Horror Movies of the '70s.

1. FRANKENSTEIN (1931): James Whale's adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel is still the definitive take on the tale of Baron Frankenstein and his monster. The film made a star of Boris Karloff, although he was originally listed in the credits as "?" and Colin Clive's performance as Dr. Frankenstein is also iconic. Available on DVD as part of Universal's FRANKENSTEIN COLLECTION.

2. BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935): Actually a better film in many ways than the original, with Karloff and Clive returning, abetted by Elsa Lanchester as the title character, and Ernest Thesiger as Dr. Pretorius. Again, great direction from James Whale, and this time, the monster has dialogue! Available on DVD as part of Universal's FRANKENSTEIN COLLECTION.

3. HORROR OF DRACULA (1958): Although Bela Lugosi defined the role in the original DRACULA in 1931, I give the edge to Hammer's color remake for several reasons: it's scarier, with more overt sexuality, and because of the presence of Christopher Lee, the ultimate screen Dracula, who played the part in nine more films. Also, Peter Cushing's Van Helsing is equally memorable. Available on DVD as part of Warner Home Video's HAMMER HORROR COLLECTION.

4. THE WOLF MAN (1941): Lon Chaney (Jr.) in his most famous role as Lawrence Talbot, a nice-enough guy who becomes a werewolf when the mooon is full, terrorizing the countryside. Chaney returned to the role in several sequels, but the original is the one to see first. With Maria Ouspenskaya, Bela Lugosi, Evelyn Ankers, and Ralph Bellamy. Available on DVD as part of Universal's THE WWOLF MAN COLLECTION.

5. THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933): Another James Whale production, from the novel by HG Wells, with Claude Rains in the title role as a chemist whose invisiblity serum makes him both transparent and terribly insane. Great special effects, and more than a little humor, add to this tale of madness, murder, and mayhem. Available on DVD as part of Universal's THE INVISIBLE MAN COLLECTION.

6. DRACULA (1931): Bela Lugosi is iconic in his career-defining role, and Dwight Frye is outstanding as Renfield. Adapted from the stage play based on Bram Stoker's novel, the theatrical origins of DRACULA are apparent, which is why I gave the Hammer remake the edge, but the original is still the gold standard by which later vampire movie were judged. Lugosi only played the role once more, in 1948's ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN. Available on DVD as part of Universal's DRACULA COLLECTION.

7. THE MUMMY (1932) and THE MUMMY'S HAND (1940): A tie, because although the original, with Boris Karloff, defined the genre, it was the sequel that expanded upon the theme, adding humor to the mix, and was the basis for both the Hammer remake and the more recent franchise starring Brendan Fraser. Available on DVD as part of Universal's THE MUMMY COLLECTION.

8. SON OF FRANKENSTEIN (1939): Although made to cash in on the popularity of Universal's monster series, this sequel has a lot going for it, namely a stellar cast, and key additions to the Frankenstein mythology. Basil Rathbone, in the title role, picks up where dear old dad left off; Boris Karloff, in his final appearance as the Monster, is suitably menacing; and Bela Lugosi, as the hunchbacked henchman Igor, is genius. Available on DVD as part of Universal's FRANKENSTEIN COLLECTION.

9. THE CAT PEOPLE (1942): Universal Pictures did not have a complete monopoly on classic horror movies, as this film, released by RKO, certainly proves. Produced by Val Lewton, directed by Jacques Torneur, and starring Simone Simone, THE CAT PEOPLE has an absurd premise, but the letter-perfect execution and shadowy atmosphere suspend disbelief nicely. With Kent Smith as Oliver "Ollie" Reed. Remade in the '80s with Natassia Kinski in the lead role, and a cool theme song by David Bowie. Available on DVD as a two-fer with CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE from Turner Home Entertainment.

10: CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957): The movie that put Hammer Films on the map, this reimagining of the original FRANKENSTEIN, directed by Terence Fisher, makes great use of color photography, and the talents of Peter Cushing (as the Baron) and Christopher Lee (as the Monster). Lee's make-up is particularly effective, looking a lot more like a reanimated corpse than the Universal-era variations on the monster ever did. Stanley Kubrick used a clip from this film in the drive-in scene in 1962's LOLITA. Available on DVD as part of Warner Home Video's HAMMER HORROR COLLECTION.

Honorable Mention:

ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1948): Bud Abbott. Lou Costello, Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi.

THE BLACK CAT (1936): Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff.

THE BODY SNATCHER (1945): Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi

CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE (1944): Simone Simon, Kent Smith.

CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (1961): Oliver Reed.

FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943): Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi.

GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (1942): Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi.

HORROR HOTEL a/k/a CITY OF THE DEAD (1960): Christopher Lee, Patricia Jessel.

HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1944): Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, John Carradine.

NOSFERATU (1922): Max Schreck.

THE RAVEN (1935): Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi.

SON OF DRACULA (1943): Lon Chaney.

WHITE ZOMBIE (1932): Bela Lugosi.