Five more-fun-than-frightening Classic Hollywood Films for Halloween
Do you love Halloween but, like me, find most “Halloween films” a bit extreme? If you’re not into horror films or films that are REALLY scary, but still want to get into the spirit of Halloween, here are five of my favorite classic films to watch in October!
I Married a Witch (1942) - Veronica Lake plays a witch (originally burned at the stake) unleashed into the 1940s and follows her as she tries her wiles, both natural and supernatural, on an unsuspecting political candidate, Frederic March on the eve of his wedding to a spoiled socialite played by Susan Hayward. This is a creative spin on the typical romantic comedy, and Veronica Lake is really charming (no pun intended)!
House on Haunted Hill (1959) - This film has two of my favorite things - Vincent Price, and Ennis House, a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece built in the early 1920s. Price is a mysterious millionaire who promises five strangers $10,000 if they can survive a night in a real-life haunted house. The effects are just dated enough to be more silly than scary, so you can watch the campy 1950s special effects without worrying that they’ll stay with you after bedtime.
Frankenstein (1931) - The concept of trolling graveyards for body parts to create the perfect specimen and then animating it is the most horrifying thing about this film. Come for the story, and stay for the career defining-performances of Colin Clive as Dr. Victor Frankenstein and Boris Karloff as the monster.
The Bride of Fankenstein (1935) - A must-watch if you like Frankenstein, and you want to see the real-life inspiration behind all of those Halloween costumes.
Young Frankenstein (1974) - This hilarious spoof on the original Frankenstein is truly classic! The cast is phenomenal (Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Terri Garr, Madeline Kahn, Peter Boyle) and it’s filled with great physical comedy, puns, one-liners and more. Make sure to watch the original Frankenstein beforehand so you catch all the references!
Extra Credit:
Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922) - Despite its title, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is more like a symphony of everything that was great about German Expressionism. The use of moody lighting and distorted angles evoke an uneasy and intense atmosphere for the telling of this timeless tale. Producer Albin Grau created the first on-screen vampire (the film is unofficially based on Bram Stoker's Dracula), and his Count Orlock is one of the movies’ creepiest villains, even 100 years later. This film gives all the Halloweenish feels without leaving you with gory visuals that you can’t unsee.
Pop some popcorn, snuggle on the couch for a spooky October movie night, and relish these films with the knowledge that they won’t give you nightmares that last into November. Let me know your favorite Halloween movies in the comments below!