John Whitehead's Commentary

"To a new world of gods and monsters."--Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

The public mood had changed--and radically. "The crack in the fabric of reality known politely as the year A.D. 1931," writes David J. Skal in his book The Monster Show, "appeared to many Americans to be the end of all possibilities." The sting of the Great Depression of 1929 was about to hit bottom. But within a year, the world's unemployed population would reach an estimated 30 million people. A popular song of the time, "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries," had the hint of sour grapes. As one author noted, "The phrase came into common use because it expressed a common state of mind. The bottom had fallen out of the tubs into which America had poured its hopes and faiths; the great horn of plenty had voided itself and all that was left of its unimaginable riches was a bowl of cherries."

Much like today, bitterness, despair and fear ruled the cultural landscape. Millions awaited a scapegoat or a deliverer. Instead, a monster in the flesh--Adolf Hitler--was about to wreak havoc on the world. It is little wonder, then, that 1931 would be the year that the modern horror film was born.

Such has been the history of both horror and science fiction films, which reflect the angst, fear and paranoia of the times. This is true of the present horror genre. How else can one explain such modern films as The Ring (2002), Saw (2004) and Descent (2006)--all focusing on the darkness, chaos and cruelty of human beings and the demonic nature of modern technology? As such, the horror genre has much to teach us about ourselves and our culture.

However, much modern horror--with its abundance of blood and guts--is not for the faint of heart. Yet this was not true of the early horror films, many of which have now become classics. The older black-and-white horror films, while encapsulating their times, are as entertaining as they are fun to watch. Here are some of my favorites:

• Dracula (1931). Bela Lugosi in his most famous role as a vampire who terrorizes the countryside in search of human blood. The influential film The Last Man on Earth (1964) is a fine adaptation of the vampire tale.


• Frankenstein (1931). Adapted from the Mary Shelley novel about a crazed scientist who creates a terrifying but strangely sympathetic monster. This film introduces us to the legendary Boris Karloff as the monster. The classic sequel Bride of Frankenstein (1935) is a gem.


• The Mummy (1932). It took eight hours of extraordinary make-up to turn Karloff into a macabre Egyptian mummy. The mummy, a 4000-year-old priest who was disgraced and buried alive, comes to life and seeks a girl whom he believes is the reincarnation of his long-lost love. The Mummy (1959) is an effective remake of the classic.


• The Wolf Man (1941). Lon Chaney becomes a werewolf when he is bitten by a gypsy, played by none other than Bela Lugosi. Still one of the best werewolf movies ever made. But the very gory Dog Soldiers (2002) rivals any film version of the werewolf saga.


• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941). Spencer Tracy plays a schizophrenic physician who resorts to his primal animal nature to stalk and kill women. Great supporting cast, including Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner. Mary Reilly (1996) is an intriguing take on the Jekyll/Hyde story.


• Cat People (1942). A Balkan immigrant believes in a curse that will change her into a deadly panther that must kill to survive. From classic director Jacques Tourneur. The 1982 remake is somewhat disappointing.


• I Walked with a Zombie (1943). Another from director Tourneur about an American nurse who travels to Haiti to care for a catatonic woman. The plot thickens when the nurse takes her patient to a voodoo ceremony. Night of the Living Dead (1968) is considered the best modern tale of the walking dead.


• The Uninvited (1944). A man and his sister buy a home that they soon realize is haunted by spirits. This chilling film is one of the first to deal seriously with ghosts. Stars Ray Milland. The Haunted (1991) is also a well-made ghost story.


• Curse of the Demon (1957). A psychologist (Dana Andrews) investigates the death of a colleague and enters the world of demonology. This superb thriller from Jacques Tourneur attacks our modern notion of a rationalistic world. Creepy film. The Exorcist (1973) is one of the most frightening demon movies ever.


• Black Sunday (1960). A witch (who also happens to be a vampire) and her lover are executed in 1630. Two hundred years later, they are accidentally resurrected and seek revenge. Disturbing at points. Burn, Witch, Burn (1962) is a suspenseful spin on witchcraft.

Unlike most horror films in the theaters today, you won't have to worry about gore or blood--especially since most of these films are in black and white. In other words, unlike most modern films, you'll have to use your imagination. However, there are some genuinely chilling moments in all these classic movies. And all are available on DVD.

Welcome to the world of gods and monsters.

ABOUT JOHN W. WHITEHEAD

Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. His most recent books are the best-selling Battlefield America: The War on the American People, the award-winning A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State, and a debut dystopian fiction novel, The Erik Blair Diaries. Whitehead can be contacted at staff@rutherford.org. Nisha Whitehead is the Executive Director of The Rutherford Institute. Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at www.rutherford.org.

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