Halloween approaches! I’ll be posting another list of movies in a few days but here’s ten horror movie recommendations for between now and Wednesday!
Vampire Circus (1972) is a gloriously macabre film that I recommend to everyone. This British film takes place in a Serbian village that a vampire curses with his dying breath. Twenty years later, the village is ravaged by the plague and blockaded by other towns. With the inhabitants basically prisoners in their own home, they are easily tempted by the arrival of a circus. The circus, of course, is not what it seems. This is a stylish film, full of quirky characters, disturbing imagery, and a lot of blood. It’s perfect for Halloween. You can view it on Prime.
Speaking of vampires, Count Yorga, Vampire (1970) features Robert Quarry as a vampire in 1970s California. Apparently, the film was originally envisioned as being a soft-core film that would feature a few horror elements but Quarry insisted that the script be rewritten to emphasize the count’s vampirism. That was probably a good idea as Quarry turned Yorga into one of the most memorable movie vampires not named Dracula. Serious actor Michael Murphy appears in this film as well. It’s interesting to note that Murphy went from battling a vampire to working with Robert Altman and Woody Allen and appearing in some of the best films of the 70s. You can view Yorga here.
In Magic (1978), Anthony Hopkins plays a ventriloquist who is basically at the mercy of his foul-mouthed, foul-tempted, all together foul dummy. This is one of the best examples of a creepy ventriloquist dummy film. Hopkins’s neurotic performance is brilliant and actually far more interesting than his best-known work as Hannibal Lecter. Burgess Meredith and Ann-Margaret offer strong support. Hopefully, the dummy was used for kindling after this film was shot because seriously ….. agck! Magic is on Prime.
Prime also has some of Vincent Price’s classic collaborations with Roger Corman. The Fall of the House of Usher (1961), The Pit and The Pendulum (1961), and The Raven (1963) are available for your Halloween viewing and I recommend them all. It’s not really Halloween without a generous amount of Vince Price, is it? The Fall Of the House of Usher, The Pit and The Pendulum, and The Raven can all be found on Prime.
The Witchfinder General (1968) stars Vincent Price and was released as The Conqueror Worm in the United States but it should not be mistaken for one of Corman’s Poe adaptation. Instead, The Witchfinder General is a visually stunning and intense film that features Price is one of his best villainous roles. There’s very little camp or intentional humor to be found in this film. Instead, it’s just Price giving a genuinely frightening performance. Under its American Title of The Conqueror Worm, The Witchfinder General can be found on Prime.
Earlier, I mentioned that Robert Quarry’s Count Yorga was one of the most interesting not named Dracula. I should also mention that William Marshall made for an equally interesting vampire in 1972’s Blacula. The film may have been a bit campy but William Marshall gave a strong and dignified performance as Count Mamuwalde, who is transformed into a vampire by Dracula (who is not just a bloodsucker but a racist as well) and later finds himself in 1970s America. Blacula was followed by a sequel, 1973’s Scream, Blacula, Scream. The sequel is a mess but worth watching for the teaming of William Marshall and Pam Grier. Blacula and Scream, Blacula, Scream are both on Tubi.
Finally, I have to mention that Bruno Mattei’s 1984 masterpiece, Rats: Night of Terror can now be viewed on Tubi. The film may seem ludicrous but you’ll never get that final shot out of your head! It can be viewed on Tubi.
Through the Shattered Lens 