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Product Description
In this book Carlos Clarens, author of Crime Movies (also available from Da Capo/Perseus), George Cukor, and many articles in film magazines, brings his encyclopedic knowledge of films and filmmakers to the subject of horror and science-fiction films of the classic era. Whether discussing the erotic aspects of King Kong, examining the works of Val Lewton, contrasting the directors attitude toward the monster in Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, accounting for the special genius of Lon Chaney, or comparing the various versions of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, Clarens entertains as he enlightens. Supplemented with a new introduction by J. Hoberman, Village Voice film critic and coauthor of Midnight Movies (also available from Da Capo/Perseus), and an extensive filmography listing complete credits for over 300 films, this fascinating study illuminates both the genre and the reasons for its popularity.
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The muses were late for the birth of the movies. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The muses were late for the birth of the movies. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
This book first came out in the late 1960s and was one of the earliest to take a serious look at fantasy, horror and sci fi films.
It still reads well today however some of Clarens' opinions are based on memory and film versions available at the time. In the age of DVD, serious film restoration and new eyes some of his opinions seem strange - he dismisses Nosferatu, but celebrates Dracula - which is contrary to current attitudes (of course opinion is subjective)and one should bear this in mind. Some films were lost at the time of his writing but have since been rediscovered, equally some films that were still available in the 1960s have since been lost. These factors apart the book is easy to read entertaining and enjoyable.
Nick Caffrey
It still reads well today however some of Clarens' opinions are based on memory and film versions available at the time. In the age of DVD, serious film restoration and new eyes some of his opinions seem strange - he dismisses Nosferatu, but celebrates Dracula - which is contrary to current attitudes (of course opinion is subjective)and one should bear this in mind. Some films were lost at the time of his writing but have since been rediscovered, equally some films that were still available in the 1960s have since been lost. These factors apart the book is easy to read entertaining and enjoyable.
Nick Caffrey
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
A Classic to Read and Remember--Not For Skimming!
30 Oct 2001
Format:Paperback
Like another reviewer, I first read the '67 edition of Clarens' book when I was in high school. Already a horror movie fan, I needed context and appreciation of the genre, and that's exactly what this wonderful book provided, then and now. This is a book for the serious fan in search of a history of both the technique and ideas behind horror films. Clarens' observations about specific films' production, actors' performances, and even camera tricks will stay with you and help you to enjoy horror movies, old and new, even more than you did before. It is illustrated well, but it's an illustrated history, not an annotated photo catalog. Thus this is a book with terrific words and ideas, plus images--it's not intended to be a glossy fan mag with captions. Approach it with an expectation of ideas plus a few images, and let your imagination work its magic. Read the book to understand the big picture--not just to savor a few illustrations. I'm thrilled with the re-issue, and expect the book to support intelligent fans as well as cinema scholars. It's a book to keep, appreciate, and savor.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Certainly the place to start-- the very best survey
24 Jan 2000
Format:Paperback
I read this in its original 1967 edition when I was very young, and it inspired a life-long love of horror films (at that time the Science Fiction content was not in the title, though it was found in the book). Clarens' effort is clear and concise-- not too much on any one thing, but he manages to hit all the necessarys and high spots. It's really indispensible for the fan who's starting out in a serious study of the subject-- or who just loves horror.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Most influential book on Horror Films ever made!
31 Jan 2009
Format:Paperback
Carlos Clarens pioneering book,"A History of Horror and Science Fiction Films",has never gone fully out of print since it's publication in 1967.
An absolute classic,this was one of the only books at the time to give an in depth,intelligent view of the genre.
This and Drake Douglas'"Horror!" were the only books on the subject at the time.
Clarens gives a close examination of the Fantastic film,providing an entire chapter on the genre's godfather,the great George Melies and moving on to the impact provided by the German film industry and Lon Chaney.
Of course,the Universal classics are than covered and there contemporaries,but what made this book unique was also it's appraisal of neglected classics like Freaks(1932),White Zombie(1932),Island of Lost Souls(1933) and an entire chapter(The Dead Next Door) dedicated to Carl Dreyer's Vampyr(1932).
Clarens even goes over the Science Fiction films and Hammer films of the 50s and 60s.
These films were never recieving any such critical assessment at the time,and it made this work that much more commendable.
Ironically,over forty years have passed since it's inital publication,but Claren's views on the genre still remain very relevant and true,making this history an essential part of any Film Studies and any Film lover's collection.
A truly important book,well worth seeking out.
An absolute classic,this was one of the only books at the time to give an in depth,intelligent view of the genre.
This and Drake Douglas'"Horror!" were the only books on the subject at the time.
Clarens gives a close examination of the Fantastic film,providing an entire chapter on the genre's godfather,the great George Melies and moving on to the impact provided by the German film industry and Lon Chaney.
Of course,the Universal classics are than covered and there contemporaries,but what made this book unique was also it's appraisal of neglected classics like Freaks(1932),White Zombie(1932),Island of Lost Souls(1933) and an entire chapter(The Dead Next Door) dedicated to Carl Dreyer's Vampyr(1932).
Clarens even goes over the Science Fiction films and Hammer films of the 50s and 60s.
These films were never recieving any such critical assessment at the time,and it made this work that much more commendable.
Ironically,over forty years have passed since it's inital publication,but Claren's views on the genre still remain very relevant and true,making this history an essential part of any Film Studies and any Film lover's collection.
A truly important book,well worth seeking out.
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