Shell Shock Cinema-New Book!

Jill Carrington has given us a "heads up" on this fantastic, award-winning resource for your term papers. Carol Scamman, our research librarian, has rush-ordered a copy for us, and it will be available at the library in the next few weeks!

September 30, First Exam: The Silents of Germany

Our first exam is this Friday. As stated, in order to be best prepared, you need to know the lecture material, have read chapters 1-3 in your textbook and know the 4 major films we've viewed thus far: "The Man Who Laughs", "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari", "The Hands of Orlac" and "Pandora's Box". Study hard, and I'll see you in class!

Silent Horror: Section II...Fall 2011!

....That's right, kiddies....we'll be running part 2 of our class in the Fall, so better sign up while you can..the slots are going fast! Same set-up, for the most part, as part 1, but we'll cover films we couldn't get to in the first part: The Man Who Laughs, The Golem, The Hands of Orlac, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Unholy Three with Chaney are some of the classics I plan on covering...several other surprises in store as well.

It's always a little bit heartbreaking to part ways with a great class, but many of you have signed up for the second portion, so that's good. It is my greatest hope that these films will be part of your lives, now that you are "in the know", and you'll do your best to spread their joy to other people!

I hope you will explore many of the art movements that have influenced these films as well; German Expressionism, Futurism, Dada, Surrealism, Romanticism, and many others. As discussed in class, these films were not created in a vacuum, and, if not for these movements in art, there would be little on the screen to catch your eye.

This particular class has done very well on enthusiasm, attendance and grades...you should be proud of your hard work. Be prepared for the final test and review the films for it. Have your term papers ready for me as well.

See you Friday the 13th at 2:00 (there will be a bonus screening at the conclusion of the final test...stay tuned for the very entertaining mystery film)!

Friday the 13th...How Lucky Can One Be?

An amazing photo of Max Schreck taking a break on the set of Nosferatu (thanks Sarah!). Not so sure I even believe this photo: I've never encountered it anyplace in 35 some-odd years of horror research, but that's no indication of anything. There's just something about it that seems "photoshoppy", but then again, I'm probably wrong and it's as amazing (and rare) as it appears!

As we wind down, we have a lecture on Mr. Tod Browning, Bela Lugosi and the film Dracula; a "talkie" that is a natural extension of the silent horror film. Then, Friday the 6th, we cover Carl Dryer's Vampyr, and talk about the final test which is rolling around on Friday the 13th!

You can't have a luckier day to take a test in a horror cinema class!

A Wealth of Silent Horror Classics...Priced to Collect!

The quality may not be Kino or Criterion, but for only a few dollars you can purchase dvds of a ton of rare silent horror films. Alpha Video may be known for "bargain bin" cheapies, but how else are you going to score a double feature of Lon Chaney for 6 bucks? Those of you living the "virtual download" life, may see little value in owning the thing on plastic, but for the few (like myself) who have to own a hard-copy to feel like you own something, then this may be a good way for you to "mop up" some of the harder to find titles. Holy cow, just check out their "Classics of Early Cinema" set: Cabinet of Dr. Caligari/Phantom of the Opera/The Golem/Nosferatu/The Hunchback of Notre Dame/Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.....all for 10 bucks!! Click on the oldies.com link to the right to access the Alpha catalog!

Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages

This Friday we will be covering "Haxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages". This remarkable 1922 Danish/Swedish film investigates the misunderstandings around mental stress and illness as it was mistaken for witchcraft historically. In addition, we'll discuss your term papers. Be narrowing in on what topic you wish to cover for this important paper! See you all in class.