I won't reveal my Halloween costume yet, but I will tell you the movies I've been watching while I've been making it! These are my favorite, must-see Halloween movies that are a little out of the box.... The box in your parents attic, that is. They aren't your usual Tim Burton or Universal Monster choices, these are fun ones to mix up your Halloween screening with!
Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein
This screwball comedy is my favorite Halloween movie. It features almost all the original Universal Horror characters, but is hilarious and quirky too! Perfect for a quiet night in, or if you aren't a big fan of real horror but want to scream anyway. I have to see it every season, it never gets old for me.
From IMDB:
The world of freight handlers Wilbur Grey and Chick Young is turned upside down when the remains of Frankenstein's monster and Dracula arrive from Europe to be used in a house of horrors. Dracula awakens and escapes with the weakened monster, who he plans to re-energize with a new brain. Larry Talbot (the Wolfman) arrives from London in an attempt to thwart Dracula. Dracula's reluctant aide is the beautiful Dr. Sandra Mornay. Her reluctance is dispatched by Dracula's bite. Dracula and Sandra abduct Wilbur for his brain and recharge the monster in preparation for the operation. Chick and Talbot attempt to find and free Wilbur, but when the full moon rises all hell breaks loose with the Wolfman, Dracula, and Frankenstein all running rampant.
I Married A Witch
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A Halloween romantic comedy, this one truly can't be missed by any old movie fan. Completely enjoyable, the plot line is not heavy, but very cute and a great start to a bombshell Halloween! After all, who can resist Veronica Lake?
From IMDB:
In 1672, two witches (Jennifer and her father Daniel) were burned by puritan Jonathan Wooley. In revenge, Jennifer cursed all future generations of the Wooley family, that the sons will always marry the wrong woman and be miserable. In the 20th century, a bolt of lightning frees Jennifer and her father from the tree that had kept their souls imprisoned. Jennifer assumes corporeal form and decides to make up-and-coming politician Wallace Wooley, then unhappily engaged, even more miserable by getting him to fall in love with her before his wedding. Wallace is a straight arrow, though, and Jennifer has to resort to a love potion. As we all know, love potions tend to backfire, with comedic results.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
A classic for film buffs, I first saw this film in a class on Dada and Surrealism during my brief stint in college. I walked out of the classroom stunned, feeling like my life had changed. This film is definitely surreal and powerful, and if its mention in Portlandia hasn't urged you to see it yet, then stop waiting and do it now!
From IMDB:
At a fair in the village of Hostenwall, Dr. Caligari obtains a permit to set up his tent show featuring Cesare the 23 year-old Somnabulist who has slept for 23 years. Francis and his friend Alan visit the popular show and Alan asks Cesare in his trance-like state to tell him his future. Cesare predicts that he will die that night and when Alan is in fact found dead in the morning it seems to be just one of many such crimes recently. Frances is determined to find his friend's killer, all the more so after Cesare tries to kidnap his fiancée. He follows him to an insane asylum but not all is as it seems.
The Little Shop of Horrors
While you may be more familiar with the 1986 remake of this classic, I assure you the 1960 original is just as fun! I'm pretty sure this film is played in my parents every Halloween while they wait for trick or treaters, it's as traditional as the trick or treaters themselves! I can't get enough of it, and I'll give you bonus points if you wear this monster themed dress when you watch it.
From IMDB:
Seymour is a young man who works in a flower store. He manages to create a carnivorous plant that feeds on human flesh. Nobody knows about it, so Seymour and the plant become good "friends". The plant needs food to grow up, so it convinces him to start killing people.
Arsenic and Old Lace
I could watch this anytime of year, but Halloween is most appropriate. Cary Grant dazzles in this quirky tale of love, family, and terror. It should be noted that Boris Karloff played Jonathon Brewster in the original Broadway production! It's a shame he wasn't in the movie, but Raymond Massey fills those creepy shoes very well.
From IMDB:
For the clan known as Brewster insanity runs in the family. Two sweet old aunts take it upon themselves to poison lonely old men with nothing to live for, as an act of charity. Their nephew Mortimer has just got married, and is trying to negotiate his way around the shenanigans of the house, while trying to keep his new bride from fleeing. Shady brother John returns from a world adventure involving using corpses to change his appearance to allude capture. The merry mayhem continues with bugle-blowing brother Teddy who is charged with burial duties.
Happy watching!!
Love,
Rose Darling
