This is a haphazard continuation of my previous post, although this time the emphasis isn't exactly on horror films - but rather on some of my favorite old creepy, bizarre films.
When I think of creepy cinema, director Tod Browning (1880-1962) comes to mind. Born in Kentucky, he left his well-to-do family at age 16 to join a circus. He worked in carnivals and circuses for many years - including as a clown for Ringling Brothers. Later, he incorporated creepy carnival themes into numerous films.
Tod Browning is probably best remembered for directing the original 1931 Dracula film (starring Bela Lugosi), but he began directing around 1915 and some of his silent films are his best.
My ultra-favorite Browning silent film is a genuinely bizarre 1927 gem entitled The Unknown, featuring Lon Chaney and a young - almost unrecognizable - Joan Crawford.
Sounds like a match made in heaven, huh? Unfortunately Chaney eventually murders Joan Crawford's father. Crawford witnessed the crime but didn't see the murderer's face. She only saw his hand with two thumbs.....
To maintain his criminal secret and desire to marry Crawford, Lon Chaney goes to a corrupt surgeon and has his arms removed!!
I won't reveal the unnerving ending, but it's not exactly a happy one.
Want something even more bizarre? Check out Tod Browning's 1928 film West of Zanzibar (starring Lon Chaney and Lionel Barrymore). A crippling accident, betrayal, revenge, deception - all in a horrifying South Seas setting.
Lon Chaney in West of Zanzibar (1928)
Freaks, anyone?
Tod Browning's 1932 movie Freaks could have been a potent horror classic, but it was mercilessly cut by the censors. All that remains of the 90 minute film is about 60 minutes.
The most unnerving aspect of this film is that Browning used real circus freaks for the cast.
The shocking ending was also butchered by the censors, but it partially remains: in a torrential rainstorm the freaks pursue their two tormentors and horribly mutilate them.
They castrate the circus strong man Hercules and drastically disfigure his wicked lover Cleopatra.
some of the cast members of Freaks (1932)
the wedding banquet scene from Freaks
This post is getting long and I haven't even scratched the surface.
I spent a lot of time on American director Tod Browning, but wanted to include some other creepy favorites of mine. Here are a few:
Two silent classics from Germany
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919)
directed by Robert Weine
starring Werner Krauss and Conrad Veidt.
A chilling expressionistic tale of somnambulism, murder, and an insane asylum. The surrealistic sets are haunting.
Nosferatu (1922)
directed by F.W.Murnau
starring Max Schreck and Gustav von Wangenheim
Classic vampire tale based on Dracula - with creepy shadows and a genuinely ghastly vampire.
Max Schreck as the vampire
Vampyr (1932)
directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer
starring Julian West (whose real name was Nicolas de Gunzburg) and Maurice Schutz.
This Danish film has sound but very little dialogue. The plot is profoundly confusing and almost non-existent - but the visuals are haunting. The entire film unfolds like a dream (or perhaps nightmare).
I couldn't end this post without mentioning the 1962 American low-budget cult classic
Carnival of Souls
directed by Herk Harvey
starring Candace Hilligoss
Is it an exasperating dream or an after-death experience? Whatever you choose to believe, this film is ultra-haunting and deliciously unique - - with unforgettable creepy visuals.
All of these films are available for free on the Internet. Try YouTube or perhaps Daily Motion.
Happy Halloween!
