Masters of Macabre Legendary Actors, Producers, Writers and Directors of Creepy Cinema The following are my favorites, all of whom have styles distinctly their own. Each includes a short introduction, followed by a list of some of the films they are known for. Tim Burton: This director and producer, whose first major project was Pee Wee's Big Adventure, is one of today's most respected filmmakers. He is best known for his twisted visual style and his penchant for casting Johnny Depp. While not generally working within the horror genre, most of his films do have a decidedly creepy look or tone. Films directed or produced by Tim Burton: Batman (1989) Batman Returns (1992) Beetlejuice (1988) Ed Wood (1994) Edward Scissorhands (1990) Mars Attacks! (1996) The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Planet of the Apes (2001) Sleepy Hollow (1999) John Carpenter: The director of many Halloween classics, including Halloween! Even though most of the titles of his films officially begin with John Carpenter's, some may not be aware that he is responsible for so many great scary films. Films directed by John Carpenter: Christine (1983) Escape From New York (1981) The Fog (1980) Ghosts of Mars (2001) In The Mouth of Madness (1995) Halloween (1978) Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992) Prince of Darkness (1987) They Live (1988) The Thing (1982) Vampires (1998) Village of the Damned (1995) Wes Craven: Another director / producer that changed the face of modern horror. Known for creating the evil spector of Freddy Kreuger and the Scream series of films. Films directed by Wes Craven: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) The Hills Have Eyes (1978) The Hills Have Eyes Part II (1985) New Nightmare (1994) The People Under the Stairs (1992) Scream (1996) Scream 2 (1997) Scream 3 (2000) Shocker (1989) Swamp Thing (1982) Vampire in Brooklyn (1995) David Cronenberg: The Canadian "Baron of Blood". This director brought us Scanners, just so we would no longer have to imagine what an exploding human head looks like. Thanks, Dave! Cronenberg directed many memorable horror / sci-fi films during the 1980's. A recurring theme in his works is the combination of technology and terror. Films directed by David Cronenberg: The Brood (1979) Dead Ringers (1988) The Dead Zone (1983) eXistenZ (1999) The Fly (1986) Naked Lunch (1991) Scanners (1981) Videodrome (1983) Alfred Hitchcock: The director who defined the entire genre of phychological thriller, known for creating films that are incredibly frightening, without the use of graphic imagery or gore. Also known for his dark sense of humor and making cameo appearances in most of his films. The undisputed Master of Suspense. He's dead now, and no doubt quite pleased that I've shared that morbid little fact with you. Films directed by Alfred Hitchcock: The Birds (1963) Dial M For Murder (1954) Family Plot (1976) Frenzy (1972) The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) North By Northwest (1959) Notorious (1946) Psycho (1960) Rear Window (1954) Rope (1948) Vertigo (1958) Boris Karloff: Most well known as the original Frankenstein's Monster, Karloff also starred in many films as doctor or professor type characters, usually engaged in rather gruesome activities. He and Bela Lugosi were the two most popular horror actors of the 1930's, and the influence of their performances can still be seen in many of today's films. Films starring Boris Karloff: The Black Cat (1934) Bride of Frankenstein (1935) Devil's Island (1939) Frankenstein (1931) The Ghoul (1934) The House of Rothschild (1934) The Invisible Menace (1938) The Invisible Ray (1936) Juggernaut (1936) The Man Who Lived Again (1936) The Mummy (1931) The Raven (1935) Son of Frankenstein (1939) The Walking Dead (1936) Stephen King: Horror writer extrodinaire, the prolific author of many bizarre tales that have inspired many equally bizarre movies. Stephen King also enjoys making appearances in many of the films based on his books. Currently, he is working on at least five or six more new novels and films. Films inspired by Stephen King stories: Apt Pupil (1998) Cat's Eye (1985) Children of the Corn (1984) Christine (1983) Creepshow (1982) Cujo (1993) The Dark Half (1993) The Dead Zone (1983) Firestarter (1984) The Green Mile (1999) Hearts in Atlantis (2001) Misery (1990) Needful Things (1993) Pet Sematary (1989) The Running Man (1987) Salem's Lot (1979) The Shining (1980) Sleepwalkers (1992) Stand By Me (1986) Thinner (1996) Bela Lugosi: The other great horror actor of the 1930's and early 1940's. Bela Lugosi was the quintessence of Bram Stoker's Count Dracula. Though equal in stature to Boris Karloff in the quality of his performances, Lugosi is said to have resented Karloff's greater popularity among moviegoers. Lugosi's final appearance was in Plan 9 From Outer Space, the Ed Wood film thought by many to be the worst movie ever produced. His appearance in the film was pieced together nearly two years after his death, from silent test-footage shot for an earlier project. Films starring Bela Lugosi: The Body Snatcher (1945) Chandu the Magician (1932) The Death Kiss (1932) Dracula (1931) The Corpse Vanishes (1942) Invisible Ghost (1941) The Invisible Ray (1936) The Island of Dr. Moreau (1933) Mark of the Vampire (1935) Night of Terror (1933) The Phantom Creeps (1939) The Raven (1935) Son of Frankenstein (1939) White Zombie (1932) Wolf Man (1941) Vincent Price: While Bela and Boris shared the 1930's, Vincent Price alone was the actor of choice for macabre films in the 1950's. Usually starring in horror films that were tinged with dark humor, Price enjoyed enormous success with an acting career that spanned more than five decades. His final feature film appearance was in the 1990 Tim Burton classic, Edward Scissorhands. Films starring Vincent Price: The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) The Bat (1959) Edward Scissorhands (1990) The Fly (1958) The Haunted Palace (1963) House of Wax (1953) The House on Haunted Hill (1958) The Mad Magician (1954) The Raven (1963) Return of the Fly (1959) Scream and Scream Again (1969) Son of Sinbad (1955) Tales of Terror (1961) Theatre of Blood (1973) The Tingler (1959) Twice-Told Tales (1963) Sam Raimi: The director most well known for creating a career for actor Bruce Campbell, beginning with the low-budget shockfest Evil Dead. Raimi is also known for his imaginative camera work and his ability to mix graphic horror with Three Stooges style humor. Films directed by Sam Raimi: Army of Darkness (1993) Darkman (1990) The Evil Dead (1982) Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn (1987) A Simple Plan (1998) Spiderman (2002) Spiderman 2 (2004) Spiderman 3 (2007) |
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