You forgot to mention Carnival of Souls and Kwaidan, both already in the Criterion Collection. Diabolique sort of, too.
I’ve been trying to suggest some Argento. His first trilogy would be good. The Bird with the Crystal Plummage, The Cat o’ Nine Tails, and Four Flies on Gray Velvet
Anybody heard of the English film “DEAD OF NIGHT”(1945)? It’s a collection of ghost stories. Very moody and creepy. The shadowy B/W didn’t hurt either. All of the four stories were good. There’s a great part where Michael Redgrave plays a ventroloquist, having a domestic crisis with his dummy. It got pretty intense and scary, while the overall ending of the movie had been imitated many times.
I agree with David, it’s time Criterion put out classic Italian Giallo of early Argento as well as Mario Bava. They’re well made, stylish and suspenseful.
Criterion has a variety of scary thriller, though not directly horror films in it’s line up, depends on the definition. Diabolique, Carnival of Souls and Japanese films like Onibaba, Kwaidan and Jigoku.
How ’bout a colection of great HAMMER films?
Halloween (78’) and Susperia deserve Criterion’s already. Wasn’t there a laserdisc Halloween hella days ago? Argento deserves an Eclipse set.
I’m trying to think of rare, unexploited films but I keep getting things like “Dawn of the Dead” or “Alien” in my head. I have never found horror or the sensations of dreading fear in older films (except the Hitchcockness); I grew up scared of Freddy Kruger and Samara from “The Ring”. Now I fear nothing… except Samara. She really creeped me out.
Nice one, Noel. Dead of Night might well be the best anthology in the genre. The ventriloquist angle has been reused to lesser effect, in Devil Doll and Magic, but the original (as well as the other stories and the linking thread) surely deserve a revisit. Bring on a Poe/Corman box set, too!)
Suspiria deserves a release.
TO AKASH KUMAR:
Are you from the Bay area?
Criterion released Night of the Hunter back in their laserdisc days, it’s possible they still retain the distribution rights…
And Jigoku would also fall into the horror category as well.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Hershel Gordon Lewis’ films get the Criterion treatment.
Last House On The Left would be nice and yeah i agree Argento would be great.
Belgian “psychohorrorcomedydrama” The Ordeal (Calvaire) by Fabrice du Welcz. Otherwise I would like to see Argento’s “animal trilogy” get the criterion treatment.
Cat People (1982)- a sexy remake
Exorcist 3 (1990)-very underrated
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)-grandaddy of grindhouse
Dawn of the Dead (1979)-definitive zombies
Last House on Dead End Street (1977)-the work of a very sick, sadistic mind.
The Stepfather (1987)- I have doubts for the 2009 remake
Maniac (1980)-has a scary, nasty chase scene and uncompromising gore effects
Blood Sucking Freaks (1976)- Hostel’s inspiration.
Jacob’s Ladder (1990)-a great mind screw
Phantom of the Paradise (1974)-underrated and rarely seen.
Eden Lake (2008)-the best UK horror movie since The Innocents (1960)- U.S users of this site: this film is coming out on dvd after a shockingly poorly limited cinema release over there. It’s going to be on the Dimension Extreme label next month. It’s a brilliantly made, if very disturbing piece of work- highly recommended.
DEvils Backbone
the brood
and all the horror films written and directed by val lewton. yeah.
Evil Dead
Rosemary’s Baby
Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte
The Shining
These are some great lists. I know if doesn’t fall into the typical horror genre, but I would love to see “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966) included as well.
“Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?”
“Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte”
“The House on Haunted Hill” (original)
The Descent was badass and it’d be nice to see some cool bonus supplements. Deep Red by Argento has to my favorite of his, I’d like to see a good release on that one. I loved The Orphanage, maybe it could be Criterion one day. Day Of The Dead deserves a good release. Event Horizon would be good. Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer would be great too.
I agree with you, Adam. I would love to see “Henry” included!
Just a note to all horror/psychotronic fans out there: the Criterion has added Brian De Palma’s “Sisters!” I hope they include De Palma’s “The Phantom of the Paradise” and “Carrie!”
I’m a huge fan of horror so here goes my list:Cannibal Holocaust just kidding on that one!
-Phantasm
-Candyman
-Re-Animator
-The Omen (original)
-Hellraiser
-Humanoids From the Deep <
You all forget that 90% of these films have been given awesome treatment. Grindhouse and Anchorbay (once again about 90% of the films rattled off) have done great jobs. 3 disc Susperia set. 2 disc Cannibal Holocaust, with PLENTY of extras. Isn’t there a four disc set for Dawn of the Dead, with three different presentations of the film?
All I’m saying is there are plenty of other films not mentioned here that could be released well, that haven’t already been.
Dear Adam Griswold:
I’m familiar with all of the films on your list except “Cannibal Holocaust.” Is it any good?
Cannibal Holocaust is a straight grindhouse classic. It’s about a group of documentary film makers who like to stir up trouble to get more controversial footage. The movie was filmed with ultra-realism in the gore. The gore was so realistic the director Ruggero Deodato was arrested for murder.
Dear Adam Griswold:
Wow! Sounds interesting. I’ll have to check it out.
Someone’s been watching too many horror films: Deodato wasn’t arrested for murder regarding “Cannibal Holocaust”- he was arrested for potential obscenity after the Italian premiere, but no charges were brought and he was cleared of any wrong doing, and this was only after a member of the audience at the premiere complained to local law enforcement.
Six animals were actually killed, but no charges were substantiated to Deodato.
Next you’ll be saying the makers of “Cannibal Ferox” or “Snuff” have been jailed for making what is clearly unrealistic, despite the intentions to be otherwise.
It’s these types of myths created about films that adds to their notoriety, but also adds to an air of irresponsibilty.
How about a little Roger Corman/Poe/Vincent Price – especially the Pit and the Pendulum, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Masque of Red Death, Haunted Palace, and The Tomb of Ligeia. Also throw in the supremely atmospheric The Premature Burial with Vinnie’s “replacement” Ray Milland and with the much missed Hazel Court. And pull in the magnificent Barbara Steele again (from the already mentioned P and P) for her performance in Bava’s best – Black Sunday.
Oh yes – Hammer please! Dracula: Prince of Darkness, The Mummy, Curse of the Werewolf, Quartermass II, The Abdominable Snowman, The Brides of Dracula, The Gorgon (atmo plus),
Hey, Andrew. I know he wasn’t technically arrested for murder. He was arrested as you said, but the actors signed contracts so that they weren’t allowed to be on any sort of film work and basically disappear for one year to give the film the realism that real people were killed. After viewing the film the judge really thought he had the four actors killed on film. No formal murder charge was made, but it was leaning that way. That’s why Deodato had to break the contracts the actors signed and have them come forth and prove they weren’t dead. In the end, Deodato had a suspended sentence of 4 months and a fine of $300 for the whole ordeal.
To All:
I just finished watching “The Honeymoon Killers!” I had heard of this film, but never got a chance to watch it. If you have time, and dig low-budget horror films like I do, I strongly recommend it!
the cabinet of dr caligari
*the cabinet of dr. caligari
*halloween (original)
*rosemary’s baby
*some argento for sure
*nekromantik (‘the first postmodern horror film’…..)
*night of the living dead
Blake GOBLE
Any ideas for underseen, awesome horror films that deserve the Criterion treatment? Either because they’re obscure, or you think they deserve the deluxe treatment. Criterion’s got “Eyes Without a Face” and “Silence of the Lambs” which is great. But there could be a little more. Preferably no Asian torture porn? Or torture porn if you like.
Here are few ideas:
“Motel Hell” (way forgotten, and cooler if the remake’s on the way)
“Cat People” (yeah, it’s a classic, but man does it deserve like an hour long doc on either the themes, photography of Val Lewton)
“House on the Edge of the Park” (dirty, dirty little Italian produced flick)
“Basket Case” (just amazing in its absurd premise and poor 1980’s decisions)
“Night of the Hunter” (yeah, it’s more of a drama/thriller, but the MGM DVD feels so outdated, and this needs to regain a fresh audience out silly film classes. It’s just that scary)
Other ideas?