Films for October-- Part 3

Continuing a blog of dependable classic suspenseful films, this is part 3 in a series on October Films:

Shadow of a Doubt (1943): Alfred Hitchcock called this his favorite film. Little Charlie (Teresa Wright) is happy because her favorite uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten), whom she named after, is coming to visit her in the small town where she lives. But is it possible he is really the hunted serial killer known as the “Merry Widow Murderer?” One of Hitch’s best!

Psycho (1960): Another Hitchcock classic, this one features a woman on the run, a reclusive motel owner and his overbearing mother, and a creepy old house. This movie still has people locking their doors when taking a shower! And Bernard Herrmann’s often-imitated score—using only stringed-instruments—adds the perfect touch to this gem.

Frankenstein (1931): After mentioning the 2004 Hallmark version we would be remiss to not suggest this Universal classic. Not to use the term “classic” too loosely, but this film has great atmosphere as well as Colin Clive as the definitive doctor, Boris Karloff as the definitive creature, and Dwight Frye (Dracula’s Renfield) as Fritz, the good doctor’s hunchbacked assistant. Don’t worry that this movie barely resembles the novel or is only an hour and eleven minutes long; director James Whale uses the time to craft a taut suspenseful movie for all time.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935): Four years later, Universal reunited Whale, Clive and Karloff in this sequel that, in many ways, is superior to the first film. Universal stock player Frye also returns as Karl, a grave robber, and Elsa Lanchester as the title character (and Mary Shelley in a prologue recounting the young lady’s idea for a sequel).

Horror of Dracula (1958): If Universal Studios set the standard for classic horror, then England’s Hammer Films redefined the gothic genre. This film, one of their first and best, is a loose retelling of Bram Stoker’s tale set in Germany with no shortage of colorful sumptuous production values. Peter Cushing is Dr. Van Helsing and Christopher Lee is the count, and both appear in several Hammer movies reprising the same roles.

The Thing (1982): This film is being chosen over its tamer first version for two reasons: (1) Master horror director John Carpenter behind the camera, and (2) this film is closer to John W. Campbell, Jr.’s story “Who Goes There?” about a shape-shifting alien who infiltrates a science research base in the arctic and kills the members one by one. But how do you fight a creature that could be your best friend standing next to you? And who do you trust? The movie keeps the same character names from the story (unlike the first film version, The Thing from Another World, although many feel is vastly superior), but delivers several scary moments although some of them are gory. Not for the faint of heart. But a must-see for fans that like a good story while being scared out of their wits. (Rated R)

Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959): Okay, seriously, how can we discuss classic suspenseful movies and not bring this up? Or, how could we bring this up? Arguably one of the worst movies ever made, Ed Wood’s ultimate classic of alien resurrecting the dead has it all: Bela Lugosi (who died two days into filming), a stand-in who covers his face because his forehead was so much like Bela’s, falling cardboard tombstones, pilots who fly without hands on the controls, wooden acting, stock footage, an incoherent police detective, hubcap alien ships dangling from fishing line and corny dialogue. It’s so bad it’s funny. A great cheesefest when in the mood for a late, late movie.