Dracula ~ Bram Stoker ~ 3/00 ~ Horror Export

DRACULA

Were you mesmerized by Dracula, chilled by the huge monster, Frankenstein, and horrified by Mr. Hyde?
Then come and join us as we talk about books like these, starting with that darkest of villains, Count Dracula, and more recently, Anne Rice!
We will be discussing books by Edgar Allen Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Mary Shelley , Robert Louis Stevenson., right up to more recent horror story writers, like Stephen King, Jeffrey Deaver, James Paterson, Dean Koontz, and many more.

Pull up a coffin, pour yourself some witches’ brew, and join us in talking about your latest reading of some of these famous horror stories! Everyone is welcome, even the faint-hearted!

"A classic story of an evil as old as time, and yet forever young."
--Publishers Weekly

Discussion Leader: Lorrie Gorg

Come and Join us in this discussion.

Everyone Welcome!

Welcome, welcome, all you lovers of things that go bump in the night!! Let's all sit around here and scare each other to death with comments about scary books we've read, and let's start off with that old favorite, DRACULA!

FORGET the wooden stake. Don't bother with the crucifix or worry with the holy water. As for the garlic, it's just going to make people turn up their noses at you. Face it - there's no protection from vampires this year. The immortal bloodsuckers have turned into popular-culture leeches. No need to travel to Transylvania. They're hanging out at the movies, on television, at the bookstores, in role-playing games and comic books. THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!

Lorrie

Has anyone out there ever read, truly read, Bram Soker's "Dracula" by flashlight? Well, I did, in a tent one night when we were camping out, and if you think that wasn't scary, you're wrong! And then when Bela Lugosi made the original movie, it was Hog Heaven! I was delighted. Does anyone remember a particular book or story that seemed to stick in his memory? Like the monster Frankenstein, or the evil Mr. Hyde?

Lorrie

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!!!!

Welcome to this discussion. It's so good to be back and hear from you! Its been a long wait and we never gave up seeing you in here when the Books folder was repaired!!

Lorie, I both read the books and saw the movies of "Dracula" Bela Lugosi, and "Frankenstein"-Karlof. But I enjoyed the movies much more than the books. When I read Shelly's "Frankenstein" it was different that I really did'nt care for it. How about you?

I really enjoy reading Stephen King's works. I'm finishing Bag Of Bones But,you know, I'm still weighing the pros and cons with Clive Barker. I have mixed emotions about his books, "The Great Works Of Art", "Evervile" and "Sacrement," I enjoyed but at the same time I found them a little disgusting. I'll take King.

I don't know if I go too much for horror but I do like Edgar Allen Poe.

Robby

Well...Great little Drack-in-a-Box, Lorrie. Reminds me of the late, great Screamin' Jay Hawkins who just recently passed away in Paree. "Put a Spell on You..."

Just read recently that they're beginning to look to cast the next Anne Rice (not Tom Cruise, this time) - Queen of the Damned

Charlie, you devil, you! And I do not use the wod lightly. Who can ignore that writer who writes with such grace about vampires and things. I'm talking about Anne (with an e) Rice. She makes her bood-thirsty heroes so damnedly attractive, doesn't she?

Bilsom, yes, I didn't care for Shelley's book, either. I liked the Frankenstein movie, even felt sort of sorry for the monster until he threw the little girl in the water.

And Robby, who among us can't remember that epic poem "The Raven?"

Bilsom, by any chancd did you read The Green Mile? I think that was absolutely the best of Stephen King's books. I haven't seen the movie, bur they tell me it's just as good.

Lorrie

Lorrie:

Will I forget that poem? NEVERMORE !

Robby

And who can ever forget F's Monster's immortal words: "Food. Good."

You two are a riot!! I'm sitting here laughing my head off when I should be shivering and shaking in terror. Well, I am, in a way. I'm in terror that one of you two, or both, is going to throw out another one of those one-liners.

Lorrie

There is a beer and frankfurther concession in my local mall (I'm telling the truth, so help me!!) called Frank 'n' Stein. Is this a chain? Have any of you see this? Speaking of horror - the pun is HORRIBLE.!

Robby

I knew it! I'll bet you've been waiting months for the proper occasion to throw that out, Robbie! I'm glad i could provide the wherewithall. I sort of like it. Lorrie

Have many of you readers been following the adventures of the different characters in the novels by Anne Rice? I've been a fan of hers ever since I read "Interview With a Vampire." When you read her books,don't expect the usual stake-in-the-heart story; Rice is creating a new vampire mythos, mixing ancient Egyptian legends into her narrative, and weaving a rich and unforgettable tale of dazzling scenes and vivid personalities. These extraordinary books outclass most contemporary horror fiction and are to be savored

Lorrie

Anne Rice is, above all a New Orleans writer. What a milieu she creates!!

And, yes, ROobie. It IS a chain. I've seen them!

Lorrie,

Yes, I read the "Green Mile"--terrificand yes,again, the picture is very good. Don't miss it. Ya gona luv it.

But,Lorrie, when the Frankestein monster thru the little girl in the water he didn't know he was committing a horrible act. He was following the example set by the little girl when he saw her throwing the flower petals in the water. He just followed suit.

Robie,

It must be a chain. We have one in our local, too.

Gotta leave now. Time for the gym.

Well, here I am at "creature feature." Oh , Lorrie, as much as I loved the book , "The Green Mile," I felt the movie was far superior. Perhaps it was because of the visual presence of Mr Coffee. (like the drink Boss- spelt 'da same.) Robert & Charlie: You are joking with us, trying not to let your terror of the unknown show.

I was a horror movie freak, as a kid, whose favorite was the dreaded Bela Lagosi. His alluring eyes riveted on mine in the dark theatre, enticied & drew me into his web. I became entangled into the mania. I loved it! I also loved and feared the beautiful vampire women who walked the nights. Their arms would raise and their billowing gowns would start to flutter. They became almost imperceptible as they walked into the surrounding mist, beckoning me. Boris Karloff was like a friend. I did not fear him, I pittied him . I hated the deplorable Dr. who made him suffer to such extremes. Go figure, huh? My respect for physicians hasn't changed all that much.

Hurry back, Bilsom!

Oh, Alf, it's good to see your name. I was also a Bela Lugosi fan. Do you remember the way the horror was brought out without any crashing musical background, just the bats flying around, the mist,(always that mist) and yes, those flowing gowns of the women. I think it was Lugosi who first introduced the sexual overtones of his particular Count, brought even further by Anne Rice, in her vampire books. There was even one Count Dracula, Frank Langella, I think his name was, who portrayed the vampire as a sensuous,mesmerizing lover, and what a good job he did!

Lorrie

Lorrie How could I possibly resist the invitation to join this group. I may be ostracized right up front because I have NEVER read or saw the movies of Dracula, Frankenstein, etc. and I have never been a fan of this genre.But I am an ardent fan of Stephen King, especially his "The Stand", "Shawshank Rebellion" and "The Green Mile". I am also reading three other books right now, so if I just lurk an pop in once in a while, I hope I'll be welcome; you're such a friendly bunch.

Welcome, Gail! It's nice to see another friendly name! Please join in whenever you'd like to--we certainly don't stand on formality here! No, you will not be ostrasized---we're talking about all horror story authors. I'm lso a fan of Stephen King's, and I have a feeling we'll be hearing from a lot of his admirers.

Lorrie

In an earlier post I mentionted the “Green Mile” by Stephen King ( I give this a 5-star review--I don’t know how to mae stars yet), But what I reallly wanted to say was how much the movie remarkably followed the book, more so than any other of King’s movies --It gets a 5 star from me, also.

I thought the descriptive narration of poor little Delacroix’s execution was horrible enough to read, but when I saw the movie’s graphic detail of the Delacroix electrocution I was actually horrifed. (This is definately not for the faint of heart.) When I sat there and watched it on the silver screen all I could think was WOW!! This had to be one of the most horrifying sceins that I have ever watched. Boy did they fry him. Don’t miss it King fians there’s a lot more horror graphics in the movie beside this one.

More on “Frankenstein”, The monster not only said “food good” but he said ”fooood gooood.”

My over all pick of the most horrifying story was "The First Deadly Sin", by Lawrence Sanders. This had to be the most riveting grusom story that I've read. Don't judge it by the movie that fails.

But I'm not sure it's still in print. This was a Literary Guild selection.

Hi Horrror Film Fans, I'm just lurking right now because I'm going through an exasurbation, with my MS. I have been begging someone to take me to see the Green Mile.I have read the book now twice..I don't have any Anne Rice books here, but I saw every scary movie that was out on the silver screen when I was a kid. I hate to admit it , but I even got hooked on DARK SHADOWS in the afternoon and then late night television. I am a big Barnabus Collins fan.. I adore Dean Koontz. Thee Green Mile is my first Stephen King book and I think it's excellent.

~Samantha~

You know I can still see those Frankenstein scenes. They really are quite memorable. The scene with the little girl at the water's edge - innocence and hidden terror. Then the scene in the cottage with the blind violin player? The crowd with their torches chasing F up into the castle tower. This really was a terriffic movie. Has anyobe seen the mvie Gods and Monsters. It's playing now on cable and is supposed to be quite good about the man who directed (??I think) the Frankensteini movies

I was addicted to these movies as a kid. There was a Saturday afternoon feature on tv with a local host going by the name of M.T. Graves, that he hosted from a prison cell, a hook instead of his right hand and all!! What a character.

The 'monster' movies though never really scared me in that really creepy way. That honor was reserved for satanic movies. Seems there's a little dark corner of the mind that says: "well, could be!" Now, Rosemary's Baby could be the all time creepster for me.

Bilsom: Yes, I remember those "Deadly Sins" novels by Lawrence Sanders, and I liked them, too! And we seem to get nothing but favorable reports from readers about the Green Mile, both the book and the movie. I personally think it's Stephen King's finest book--I know I was deeply affected by it.

Samantha: I wish I lived near you so I could hustle you into my car and run you down to the nearest theatre to see "The Green Mile." Don't give up hope, Sweetie, the video will be out before you know it. And i, too, remeber Barnaby in Dark Shadows!!

Charlie: Is Gods and Monsters a documentary? I'll look for it. It was interesting what you said about the monster movies. After you mentioned the various exciting scenes in Frankenstein it all came back to me. They sure knew how to set a scene there, didn't they? Plenty of mood, plenty of atmosphere. And you know, now that I think of it, it's funny---we were scared, of course, but it wasn't an unbearable terror, because back in our minds somewhere the little voice was saying,"This is only a story, remember!" Yes, Rosemary's Baby left me shaken. It all seemed so real!

Lorrie

Charlie, I don't know why the picture of that M.T Graves holding forth from a prison cell, brandishing a hook instead of a hand, cracks me up so. It really wasn't supposed to be funny, was it?

No - It WAS supposed to be tongue in check funny - but aimed at kids. This may have been my first exposure to that kind of humor. Made me what I am today!! One of his recurring schticks was to rail against the "management" of the station. Does anyone else remember 'horror show' hosts on their local tv stations?

Gods and Monsters is a fictionalized account of the last days of the director of the Franskenstein movies. It is out on video now.
Gods & Monsters

OH I am so sorry I missed "Gods and Monsters!" We were at a screening of Elizabeth and the projector broke down and we all left but "Gods and Monstars" was showing and everybody went in there but us and I do so wish I had done, now.

I will rent that thing asap, did not know it was about the Frankenstein films!

I LOVED Bela Lugosi, such an interesting and sad man.

Ginny

I rented the video "Gods And Monsters", but I didn't watch through it's entirety. I didn't like it. It was not at all what I expected.

But that's not to say that others won't enjoy watching it. Give it a try and let me know what some of you think of it.

Samantha,

I'm glad you found Stephen King "The Green Mile." I'm sure you'll like some of his other stores, also. One that come to mind that I think you'll like is "Rose Madder." He may have written this under the Bachman name. But I'm quite sure he wrote this under his own name.

If you don't get to see "Green Mile" at the movies, wait and rent the video when it's released. It shouldn't be too long now before it makes the stores.

What do most of you think about all the different actors who portrayed Count Dracula? Christopher Lee comes to mind, of course, because he was in so many of the films, but through the years other actors have portrayed the count, and much better, in some respects. I personally wasn't at all impressed with Gary Oldham's portrayal in Cappola's magnificently filmed "Dracula," but I was impressed by the visual effects---stunning! And Frank Langella once played the role of Count Dracula with verve, charismatic grace, and an aura of sensual romanticism that I've never seen repeated. Any one else?

Charlie, the only horror show host on TV that I can remember is the one with the gal with long black hair and matching fingernails who would introduce some creepy film. I can't even remember her name, and anyway, M.T. Graves sounds a lot more interesting.

I doubt if all you folks will remember this, because it was probably before your time, but there was a time when horror storis on RADIO were almost masterpieces in the way they produced chilling effects by sound alone. Does anyone remember "Lights Out!" when the intro was simply a low-pitched voice saying,"Lights out, Everyone?" And who can forget that spine-tingling creaking door of "Inner Sanctum?"

LORRIE...are you thinking of ELVIRRA?I'm afraid I don't remember the other ones yoou were talking about.

Thanks BILSON, I'll have to see if I can find "ROSE MADDER".

~Samantha~

Elvira!! That's it! Thank you! Lorrie

Lorrie,

Of all the portrayals of Count Dracula, I vote for Bella Lugosi. I suppose I'm from the old school. Some of the others did the character a little more sophisticated, but who can ever forget the Lugosi accent!

I rember both those radio shows you mentioned, Lights" Out" and "Inner Sanctum." How the family would group around the radio and use their imangination (making things worse by imagining all sorts of things.) It aired on Friday night in our local and I was permitted to stay up and watch it. Radio programs like those brought families much closer.

Thanks for bringing those shows to mind.

Chrlie W.

Quite a while ago we had a horror movie host in our local Pittsburgh area)called Chilly Billy Cardilly--Bill Cardill. He's on the afternoon radio now doing songs from the 40s, 50s and 60s.

Talk to all you folks later.

How many remember going home (in the dark!) after seeing "the Werewolf of London"? Or the others in that gender. Talk about scary for a 10 year old! This in a rural town, where there were few street lights, and many dark patches of brush, where anything could be hiding! And the ground fog - just like in the movie. Those were some of the scary ones! As for many of the modern shows, they may be full of special effects, but they didn't have the atmosphere the old movies had. (Or did I just grow up?)

Hi, Lou D! No, it's not that you just grew up, but I agree with you that the old horror movies had a much more sinister atmosphere, without spending a fraction of the present-day budget! Remember the sudden, quiet appearances of Lugosi, the fog everywhere, the wolves running across the horizon, no wonder we were all scared walking home. I remember when my sister and I shared a bedroom with twin beds, after we'd seen Dracula we'd huddle together in one for several nights.

Today's horror books seem so graphic, somehow. Many of them lack the understated terror of James' "Turn of the Screw," or "The Woman in White."

And think about Poe's "Tell-tale Heart," or "The Cask of Armantillado," a favorite of mine.

Hi, may I join you all? I too am a fan of Frankenstein, the Werewolf (I always felt sorry for Lon Chaney Jr), Lugosi's Dracula and remember the Mummy? I read Shelly's book but preferred the movies. Has anyone seen the TV shows Buffy and Angel on WB? I know they're geared to the younger audience but some of their stories aren't bad and there's plenty of demons to keep things interesting.I haven't been a fan of S. Kings but I am planning on reading The Green Mile.With all the horror movie's I saw the only one that gave me nightmares was one with a pirate with a hook for a hand and he would scratch on his victim's door? Anyone know which one I mean? Many movie's are too graphic today. I agree the subtle environment of mist and howling and shadowy trees in the moonlight were much more effective in building the mood.Rosemary's Baby was the only book I've ever thrown across the room when I finished it.I don't treat books like that so I guess it's obvious I didn't like it. Marj

Anyone ever see The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari? The original, I think, Dracula. Years ago I saw the Langella Dracula in Boston. I remember the stunning set, designed by Edward Gorey.

Caligari was kind of a precursor of Dracula movies. I was thinking of the German classic, Nosferatu - Now, that Dracula was as scary in his own way as Lugosi.

One of my most memorable passages from Bram Stoker’s Dracula is told by Jonathan Harker as he expresses his feelings of repulsion when, looking out the window from his prison bed room in Dracula’s castle, he sees in the moon lit night Count Dracula covered with his dark cloak and face down crawling rapidly down the castle wall like a lizard. I sorta think Jonathan knew he was in trouble!

Speaking of radio mysterys, one of my favortes was the Sherlock Holmes stories (Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce).

I always favored Basil Rathbone as Sherlock untill I saw Jerimy Bret portray him in the more recent TV series. That guy could really come accross.He wa more like Holmes than I could ever imagine.

All you mystery fans lets here about some of your favorite books, movies and the like.

I liked the old horor movies because they were in black and white. I think this gave a more sinister atmosphere to the movie. Yhey could create more dramatic lighting in both the shadows and highlights,giving a feeling of spookiness to them.

Hi, M: Is it Marj? Yes, I've seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but wasn't too enthused aboutit. By all means read The Green Mile--It's a surprising book, because it's not just a book on horror, although the execution scene is prety vivid. But I think you'll love it. Now i really liked Rosmary's Baby. So there's no accounting for tastes. is there?

Charlie, the first time I saw Nosferatu I was impressed with the mastery of the German filmakers, but i thought the vampire was repugnant, with his rodent-like features, and bony frame. In that movie thet stressed more about the plague, didn't they? I remember all those rats running about.

Bilsom, I laughed at your description of Dracula climbing down the wall of the castle! And i couldn't agree more about Sherlock Holmes. I always liked Basil Rathbone until I began to see Jeremy Brett. Wasn't he great?

I do think that somehow black and white movies seem to have a much more sinister aura than color. A true "film noir!"

The fascination with vampires is far from dead. Death, immortality, sexuality, rebellion and temptation. The vampire has embodied many literary and legendary images over the centuries. Whichever holds your fascination, one thing is for certain: the allure of vampires is stronger than ever.
There are very few books that have spawned more motion pictures. than the original Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Only about a dozen genuine adaptations, but the character of Count Dracula and all his progeny have appeared in more than 100 sequels, and some outright farces.
He had different names, of course. Count Alucard, Yorga, Baron latoes, for instance, and the story attraacted talent as diverse as Abbott and Costello, Mel Brooks, even Eddie Murphy.
Hey, remember all the “Blacula”movies? And who can forget the Munsters? Some of them were just plain awful, but a few of them were really funny!

Lorrie

Oops! Sorry, everybody! I was just playing around with red. The color of blood, you know! Hahaha

Lorrie

Lorrie:

Not me - I'm a blue blood.

Robby

What does it mean if you bleed sawdust like a stuffed doll?

Robby: That's absolutely awful!! I might have known. If you and Charlie persist, I'm afraid we'll have to throw you both into that coffin and sit on the lid! Hahaha

Okay, Pat W. I'll bite! (And I use the phrase loosely in this discussion!) Be careful, that coffin can fit three, if need be.

Lorrie

Pat, you've been in the woodshop too long?! hahahaha!

Lorrie, I too loved Jeremy Brett as Sherlock but when Rathbone was available, I liked him just as well. Wonder who will play the next generation of Sherlocks?

I couldn't agree more with you all on the black and white films making a stronger impression on "moir". I still prefer the oldies as they aren't so graphic but let you use your imagination. And just sit there and shiver in a dark room or theatre. I am still a radio fan and leave it on all the time. We also have an oldies station here in Columbus but I'm not sure if its canned(taped) or not. I don't think so. Loved "Inner Sanctum" and "The Shadow" and "The Norths-Pamela and Jerry". And who can forget Jack, Doc and Reggie? Can't think of the title right now.

Has anyone seen the "BLAIR WITCH PROJECT"? IMHO that was one picture they could have done without!! All it did was give me a headache from thhe camera going up and down. I didn't jump or get scarred or anything, now on the other hand my 26 yr. old daughter was with me and she saw and heard things that I didn't. I didn't know what it was supposed to be about until I got home and pulled it up on the computer. Give me an old scary movie anyday!!

~Samantha~

Samantha - Blair Witch: More hype than anything. I went just waiting to be scared to death. Yawn.

I used to love to imitate Bela Lugosi as a kid - in my best Transylvanian accent: "I Vaant...to bite...you-ore naeck" (the girls loved it!!)

CHARLIE...I did fall asleep in a couple of places, I may have well flushed that money. There were several boys that used to go around with that line, some of them wanted to be in school plays...and you know what other ones wanted to do. lol

~Samantha~

robt b and Pat Westerdale

I saw your early A.M. postings, and I thought maybe you two were on a vampire search

A couple more Bram Stoker short vampire novels :

The Lair Of The White Worm. and Dracula's Guest.

I said that in Cafe, too.

Sorry robt b and Pat. As I said in Cafe, I only realized (too late) those eary postings must've been PST times.

New to Senior Net.

That's all right, Bilsom. Maybe all that coffee in the cafe is getting to you! I didn't know Stoker wrote Lair of the White Worm, but then there's an awful lot I don't know.

Samantha, after all the hoopla about The Blair Witch Project, I had almost decided to go see it but a neighbor who did go told me to save my money, and I trust her judgment.

Lorrie

Ann A., Jack, Doc and Reggie were in "I Love a Mystery". Remember when you heard Brahm's "Lullaby" someone had just been murdered? And how about "there's something here in the cemetary with us, and it's not human! Your imagination conjured up all sorts of things, and I believe these things were much more monstrous than anything modern movies show. (And we just knew that thing out there was as we pictured it!)

This being Friday- night my thoughts turn to mystery. Why more so on this night than others I don’t know. Unless it had to do with my grade-school years. I didn’t mind being scared on Friday-night because of no school the next day.

But, seriously, Have any of you mystery and horror fans ever read any of Clive Barker’s books. I have read three of his works: The Great Works Of Art, Everville and Sacrement. He is a tremondusly powerfull writer and you just can’t help being swept along with his story. But sometimes I think he’ll sprinkle a little bit to much “disgust” here and there in his story. If any of you have read any of his books please let me know how you feel about his writing

Speaking of black and white movies<and we were> Rebecca comes to mind. This movie would not have been near as dramatic if it had been in color. I can remember Mrs. Danville runing from room to room while Manderly was on fire. This scene was much more effective filmed in black and white than had it been in color.

I’m finishing up Bag Of Bones and in this book Stephen King’s fictional character writer, Mike Noon, writes:

”Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again. If there is any more beautiful and haunting first line in English fiction, I’ve never read it.”

Lorrie, Yes, Stoker wrote "The Lair of The White Worm." I have the book.

Lou D. I agree with you. The imagination can be much more powerfull in conjuring up ghosts and horror.

Lou D. and Bilsom: I think it's true that the less graphic violence and the use of the reader's imaginations are truly much more effective in mystery and horror stories. For instance, on the radio, when you heard that squeaking door in "Inner Sanctum," all kinds of horrible thoughts could come to you--much scarier than seeing it on the screen.

I'll be back with some more notes on Clive Barker.

Lorrie

Spring Shenanigans is so much fun, I enjoy it so much. I think Inner Sanctum came on Friday nights as I remember. I love it. DRACULA I also enjoyed. The mumies Curse etc. Used to watch them all the time. Burrrrr.

Were you mesmerized by Dracula, chilled by the huge monster, Frankenstein, and horrified by Mr. Hyde? Yes I was.

Oh yes, Inner Sanctum. Does anyone remember the one where Joseph Cotton becomes paralyzed and everyone thinks he is dead? The only thing that he's capable of moving is his little finger. When they move him onto a guerney or some type of table (can't rememeber) they lay him on his HAND. Knowing the consequences of this, a tear courses down his cheek, but no one notices. Ohhhh, I loved that and would love to see it as an adult.

ALF - That was an INCREDIBLE one, but I think it was an Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The whole 1/2 hour was an interior monlogue by Joseph Cotton paralyzed, and just before they bring the sheet up over his head ("NO! NO! PLEASE, NO" he's 'screaming' in his head) they notice the single tear! Brilliant!!

Charlie and Alf: Yeah!! I remember that one--it was one of the most chilling episodes I've ever seen, and I don't know why I didn't remember it until you mentioned it. And not one drop of blood shown. Hitchcock was a real master, wasn't he? I remember how shaken I was after seeing that one half-hour show.

Lorrie

Bilsom, you mentioned Clive Barker. I like his stories, but even though they say he's the next Stephen King, I don't care as much for him as I do King. Here's what Stephen King wrote: “I have seen the future of the horror genre, and his name is Clive Barker." Fortunately, his first novel (Barker has published short story collections) more than bears the weight of King's praise. Barker is a better writer than King, and his characters are just as interesting, say some critics.

Lorrie

A rainy some what gloomy Saturday afternoon creates the mood for thinking of horror movies and books.

I just thought of the Al fred Hitchcock thriller Psycho.</i.> Starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh. This movie was a real shocker...especially the scene at the bottom of the basement stairs that showed a light bulb swinging to and fro and revealing the skeletal-face of Noman Bates’ mother seated in a chair in the basement of a their big old house that sat high on a hill overlooking the Bates motel. And what a shock it was when the chair turned revealing her.

I found this scene more shocking than the shower scene. Another thrilling scene showed the private investigator climbing the long staircase in the old house and when almost reaching the top there was Norman waiting for him with the big knife. I think this movie may have been the thriller of all time.

But I can’t remember if it was filmed in black & white or color. Let me know.

Bilsom, your "trailer" for that movie sounded like it came from the advertising department of some studio in Hollywood. Great!

I believe the first Psycho movie was in black and white.I don't recall that shower scene being in color. Good Heavens, there was enough black blood spattered there, much less red!

Lorrie

Id like to talk here a little bit about Anne Rice. How many of you have read any of her vampire books? What do you think of her talent as a writer? The critics, most of them, have been more than kind to Ms. Rice, and I must say, I liked her book "Interview With a Vampire" very much. I found the character Lestat intriguing. Not the Tom Cruise one. Lorrie

Lorrie,

Last summer at a local Barnes & Noble book store, I was leafing thru the encyclopadia of Stephen King--I'm not sure if that was correct title of the book. And on one of the pages in this book King says that he thinks that Barker is better than he is now.Meaning the present, because some of King's early works were outstanding i.g. "The Stand", "It", and the gun-slinger series...espially "Wizzard and Glass."

But I agree, ClIve Barker is an out standing authur. Would you please suggest some of his other book that you thought were very good

I just had a message from Lorrie and she's having trouble getting into SeniorNet. She'll be here as soon as possible though!

Pat

Ah ha, I'm back! Had a slight glitch getting in here. The coffin kept jamming the door, it was awful! I kept seeing a hand creeping out! Anyway, Bilsom, in answer to your question, two of my favorites by Clive Barker were "Galilee" a sort of horrific tale of a family like in "Dynasty" but with much more mystery, and "Damnation Game," a book that is pretty graphic, at times. Barker's work reads like a cross between Stephen King and South American novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He creates a world where our biggest fears appear to be our own dreams. Some people think he's better than King, but I still like Stephen King more. His last few books have been more than just horror stories, like "The Greem Mile," for instance.

Lorrie

But does nobody care for books by Anne Rice?

I remember a light house and rats climbing all over the out side of it and the people keep going up in the light house until they reach the top and cannot remember the rest of it but it was the scariest movie or what ever I remember as a child that it was terible and I cannot forget it. Was it on Inner Sanctum mysteries or what. Does anyone remember it. If you do please post what you remember.

Thanks Ginger

Well, Lorrie, I've read almost all of Anne Rice's Vampire nad Witch chronicles, although I'm probably done now. Extrememly creative. She created a whole world with a history and mythology. Very fascinating stuff. Makes you CARE about these monsters (Vampires are people too!!)

Ginny: Initially, I loved Anne Rice's creations. Incredibly enticing, to me. The last book of hers that I read, I felt cheated. I felt so cheated, I can't rememeber the name of it.

The Violin, perhaps? I hate that when I have the sense of being hurried thru a novel for the mere purpose of buying the next one. I get the impression that the author is typing words, not stories.

Psycho was in B & W but the scene mentioned re. the inspector climbing the steps, to be confronted by Mad Normans knife scared me to death. I've always feared knives and plug my ears (?)when I see the gleaming and shining light reflected on it. OHhhhhhhh Strange, isn't it? I know I can't out run a bullet, but guns do NOT have that effect on me. The plugging of the ears, makes it a little safer, less auditory efect. I'm wierd.

Clive Barker. I wish I could rmemeber the book of his I read last yr. People eating people. Cannibalism is NOT macabre, to me, it's nauseating.

Ginger: Wow! I missrd that one about the rats, but I'll bet it was really horrrific!

Alf: Cannibalism? Well, I'm glad I apparently missed that one! I think the Ann Rice book that disappointed you might be "Violin." I know I didn'tlike it much, either.

Charlie: Which movie did you mention they were making about a book by Ann Rice? Something about the Damned?

Here's an amusing critique from a Rice reader: "Anne Rice is a writer of enormous ability. She has a masterly way with language, works on a broad canvas, has a vast range of knowledge, brings exoticsettings vividly to life and is wonderfully clever, but these gifts are wasted on vampires. May she find subjects worthy of her talents before these dead guys suck her dry."

Lorrie

But listen, the woman really thinks shes....er....Ann Rice either put the interviewer oN in the interview I saw or she's seriously disturbed, no joke

Ginny

The movie will be Queen of the Damned, Lorrie.

Lorrie,

Thanks for those two titles by Clive Barker. I'll give them a try. Been Meaning to read "Galilee"

Thanks, Charlie! I like the sound of it.

Ginny, you may be right! Have you ever checked her web site?

Here's another good horrific scene.

It's Income Tax Time.

Boy that's the truth, Bilsom!! And then some!! hahahaha

Lorrie, her WEBSITE? nooooo, not really. Not after what I saw on television, noooooo. hahahahha

Ginny

Attn: Stephen King fans

On Tuesday, his latest, Riding the Bullet, will be offered online and only as an e-book. It is a 66 page tale that King describes as "a ghost story in the grand manner". This is the book that he wrote while recuperating from the injuries he suffered after being struck by a minivan last June. The cost is supposed to be $2.50 to download this e-book. You can read more about this and even read (print) out the first three pages from the link on this site.

http://www.stephenking.com/

Lorrie This was posted by Mary Koerner from another discussion, and I thought it might be of interest to King fans here,

I read only true crime stories...they are indeed stranger than fiction! Ann Rule is probably my favorite writer in that genre. I never cease to be amazed the cruelty and/or greed of a small segment of our human population. God help us all from encountering anyone with those tendencies.

Pat Hyne: Welcome to this discussion, Pat! And how true! I tell myself that if I ever really took all these horror stories really seriously, I'd probably end up like some of the characters in them, God Fobid! But it's fun to feel a little thrill when you read all this stuff, knowing it's all somebody's imagination, and that we're all safely tucked away in our own retreats, hopefully! I like the way Anne Rice keeps an aura of romanticism among her vampires, she has a very unique way of portraying them.

Has anyone here ever read any of Lovecraft's tales?

Lorrie

Happy Happy Birthday Sing right along!!! Our Lorrie, and MANY many more!!!

LORRIE...Happy Birthday!!

Lorrie, saw an advertisement for SATIN"S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS @8:00 on ABC tonight. Don't know if it's any good or not. It's suppose to be a remake.

Luv,~Samantha~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORRIE! Hope it is a good one.

Thanks Ginny for telling us that we have a birthday to celebrate.

I enjoyed the Bride Of Frankenstein” as much as the first moive. In this one Basil Rathbone replaced Colin Clive as Dr. Frankenstein. And Elsa Lanchester played the role of th “bride to be” of the monster, but she took one look at him and nixed the whole idea by screaming her head off (who could blame her?) Now, this didn’t set too well with the big guy; his unrequited love did nothing to improve his personality. He demonstrated this by grunting, throwing things and doing all sorts of other fiendish acts.

I can’t remember the actor who played “Igor.” You know, the guy who would rap the side of his neck with his fist and say “...Igor die, now now Igor live.” Lionel Atwill payed the part of the villiage inspector with the wooden arm...the monster tore his arm off ...Lionel vowed revenge. And what was the name of the actress who, without realizing what she was doing, helped the monster out of the well. Then seeing what was on the other end of the hand she was holding screamed so loud that the whole villiage heard her and she took off on the run for home.

Lorrie

Happy birthday, Lorrie And many happy returns of the day.

Happy Birthday, Lorrie!!

Bilsom - I loved Elsa Lancaster as The Bride. I thought the streak in her hair was 'way cool' - she was light years ahead of her time!!

I finally watched a movie all the way through since having my PC. I was pretty inpressed. Did anybody else get a chance to watch it?

BILSOM, CHARLIE, I loved ELSA LANCASTER as the Bride, great movie!!

~Samantha~

Lorrie, Happy Birthday from me too but I've put your card in Spring Shenanigans. Hope you enjoy the ones others have posted as well.

Pat

Bilsom, you are something else! You crack me up wih your descriptions of Igor, and I have to tell you, and Charlie, too, when I first saw Frankenstein's Bride, when Elsa took one look at her bridgroom and let out that blood-curdling yell, I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my seat. I would have yelled, too.

Samantha, I'm so mad at myself. I programmed my VCR to tape tonight's movie Satan's School for Girls, and went to my birthday party downstairs, then came back to find I had forgotten to put it on the proper channel.(Hair pulling time)

Lorrie

i'll have to admit that I found Dracula rather boring. A very famous 20th century writer of ghost stories M.R. James said that if a story takes place in a castle in the 15th century it isn't really scary or spooky, but if it takes place today in the house next-door to yours, that's scary!!!!! Is anybody interested in ghost stories? I have a collection of about 1500 books on ghosts--some old, many new, some very rare, a few in foreign languages and a few for children.

SCOOTERLADY!! Welcome, welcome!! What an interesting point! Now I loved DRACULA, but I understand your premise, have you read HOLY TERROR? It's not what it sounds like, a very literate very good "house next door" type of thing. OH, did you read THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR by Ann Rivers Siddons? How about EF Benson? Did you know he wrote so many ghost stories? I love ghost stories, what would you recommend out of that vast LIBRARY! of books you have, what's your all time No. One Pick, because I start the day with a ghost story and would love to know it.

So glad you're here,

Ginny

Hi, Scooterlady: That's an interesting statement by M. R. James. I think some modern day horror stories are even more frightening! By all means, let us know what your favorite ghost stories are! Did you like "Turn of the Screw" by James?

Ginny, I loved Siddons' "House Next Door!" The horror in that one had a way of quietly sneaking up on you, didn't it?

Lorrie

Ginny, who wrote HOLY TERROR? It sounds familiar, but I can't place it. Lorrie

it's scooterlady again. I like a good book that scares me half to death not horrify me, or make me swear off eating red meat for a while. Of all the ghostly stuff I've read there are four I find outstanding. An American author named Barbara Michaels has written two that scare me every time I read them. They are probably out of print now, but most libraries have copies. One is THE CRYING CHILD although no children are involved. The other is AMMY COME HOME which was made into a movie entitled THE HOUSE THAT WOULD NOT DIE. The other two books are by british authors. One is THE UNINVITED published in the 1940's-don't remember the author's name. The otherther is by a man named Neal-the U S title is SO FAIR A HOUSE. th

LORRIE..I'm sorry you didn't get a tape made. Since I was watching it I didn't make one.

WELCOME SCOOTERLADY!!

Hi GINNY!

~Samantha~

SCOOTERLADY, I've read THE CRYING CHILD and AMY COME HOME and am attempting to get the other two now.

Thanks for the recommendations!

HOLY TERROR is neither? It's by Josephine Boyle and is NOT a book or horror or terror but a very carefully crafted piece of work, much like the altar piece the protagonist is working on. Very well done.

HI SAMANTHA!!!! How are you, I am always DELIGHTED to see your sunny face!!

Lorrie, what sort of category would THE YELLOW WALLPAPER go in? I've always loved that thing.

The scariest thing I ever saw was on television? One of those old horror shows, something or other theater?? There was this old house and these two sisters and the noise downstairs and of course the one sister HAD to get out of bed with the CANDLE of course and go downstairs. And so the footsteps without the light from the candle came back up and the other sister called and fearfully groped for her sister and of course she had been beheaded and the neck stump met her grasp? Of course. Nightmares for years, really, years.

Why o why will they get UP and go OUT to FIND OUT who is downstairs? Why do they never have electricity or a flashlight, and why do they never have a dog?

Ginny

Wouldn't THE YELLOW WALL PAPER be under "Household Hints?" har de har har Good Heavens, Ginny what was that TV program? A headless stump? Sounds like just my thing!

Scooter Lady: I like your recommendations! Keep chiming in, we love to hear from you! I think I've read THE UNINVITED, am going to check now. I like the sound of some of your suggestions!

Lorrie

WELCOME SCOOTERLADY I am enjoying your posts, Thank you and keep up the good work. Ginger

FLASH! WANT TO READ STEPHEN KING'S LATEST? FOR $2.50 YOU CAN SEE IT ONLINE. SEE BELOW:
BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- March 8, 2000--netLibrary, the world's premier provider of eBooks over the Internet, today announced that it is one of the companies selected to distribute Riding the Bullet, the new eBook-only story by best-selling author Stephen King. The eBook will be released on Tuesday, March 14 (12:01 a.m. EST). netLibrary (www.netLibrary.com) is the only eBook distributor allowing consumers to download Riding the Bullet in multiple formats. At netLibrary, readers have the option of downloading eBooks to their personal computers or to a variety of popular handheld computing devices through peanutpress.com, a division of netLibrary. Riding the Bullet, described by King as "a ghost story in the grand manner," will be sold exclusively as an eBook -- no print versions will be sold. The 16,000-word story, priced at $2.50, is a co-publication between Scribner and Philtrum Press, King's own press, and electronically published through Simon & Schuster Online. "We are thrilled that major best-selling authors such as Stephen King are leading the way by releasing their work in eBook form," said netLibrary President and CEO Timothy R. Schiewe. "We are confident that once consumers begin downloading and reading their favorite authors' works in electronic format, they will find eBooks to be a flexible, portable addition to the hardbound and paperback books they normally buy."

Whoops In an early post the title I gave for one of Clive Barker’s books was the The Great Works Of Art. Well no, the correct title is The Great And Secret Show. But at least I got The and <i.> Great right.

Scooterlady, welcome. I didn’t read the book, but I did see the movie The Uninvited and I thought it was great. Keep all those titles coming, it helps refresh my memory.

Lorrie, Thanks for the e-mail. I visited one of the local Barnes and Noble bookstores; and I saw three shelves full of Anne Price books. I thought if Lorrie saw this she’d be in 7th. heaven.

Let's go back in memory a little bit! How many of you remember stoies by Edgar Allen Poe? Now there was a spooky writer! I think everybody knows his poem,THE RAVEN, or ANNABELLE LEE, but did you ever read some of his short stories? THE GOLD BUG, for instance, or THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO, where a victim gets entombed in a wine-cellar grave, or that horror of horrors, THE TELL TALE HEART! What have I forgotten?

Bilsom, when you saw all those books I hope you bought one to read. And that wasn't such a bad blunder--like you said at least you got The and Great right.

Lorrie

Lorrie, yes. The Cask of Amontillado!! Another one I saw on TV that remains an image I can still recall. Don't know the show but I'm sure one of the actors was Vincent Price. Can still see the last few bricks going up and the eyes peering out. Another one this brings to mind was a movie with Ray Milland - don't recall the name - but he's buried alive. Funny. Common theme here. I guess that may be a great fear of mine. I still see Joseph Cotton almost being buried, Ray Milland being buried - both alive - and this guy walled up in The Cask of Amontillado. Maybe that's why cremation appeals more!!!

ALF/Andrea:

Sorry, but I can't refrain from correcting you. The line from the movie was:

"Like the drink (coffee), but not spelled the same (Coffey.)" To misinterpret what Coffey says takes away some of his dignity.

Charlotte

Charlotte: Ah, yes. Those words he utters in explanation every time he gives his name is John Coffey! How I loved that book.

Charlie: Could that have been THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, by any chance? Ray Milland? I keep thinking Vincent Price in that one?

Which reminds me: How about that ham actor? But I loved his movies. He (Vincent Price, I mean) made one movie that I thought was priceless. It was something about "Dr. Phibes," etc. complete with him as the mad doctor extracting his revenge, playing the huge organ, of course, and fiendishly devising different methods of death to all his enemies. Terry-Thomas, a British split-toothed actor I always liked, did a bang-up job as the victim who gets exsanguinized. (sp?)

Lorrie

Yes, Vincent Price. I remember a REALLY cheesy movie (as a teenager, the best kind), called The House on the Haunted Hill. I think they've even remade it. Well, the movie theater was set up so that there was a big box mounted above and to the right of the screen and at the appropriate parts, the box would open and a glowing skeleton would come out and traverse the theater above the audience and go back into it;s box. The balcony was the best seat!!

I seem to remember another movie maybe called Tingler in which a minor jolt went through the theater seats or something...Am I dreaming this??

Ever have to sig a "medical release" to enter a movie theater. Remember those? Loved those cheesy gimmicks.

I just finished reading Bag Of Bones by Peter King. It was very good.

I would be hard pressed to name my number one choice of all the Stephen King books I’ve read, and I think I have read just about all of the full length novels. All of us who read The Green Mile know how good that story was.

I think The Stand was an epoch. And when I closed the back cover on It, well, it was like saying good bye to an old friend at the rail-road station...every time I see balloons I think of that one

Rose Madder. If you like Stephen King novels, you’ll love that one. The gun-slinger novels I thought were great...especially Wizard And Glass (the latest in the series), but if you read this series, I suggest starting with the first one.

There were two King “books into movies” I liked, of course, The Green Mile. That one because of the great story and the great acting. The other was The Shining because of Jack Nicholson. I’ll alwalys remember him saying (after he broke thru the bath-room door with an ax) “Heeere’s, Johnny!! And all that gibberish he wrote with his typewriter. Some times I think of that when I’m composing a post my message! There are just too many more to talk about just now.

Charlie: That one with a boxed skeleton must have been great! And oh, yes, the TINGLER! They even had a nurse standing by in case anyone fainted. Those people really knew what atmosphere meant! Nobody but me liked it when 3-D movies came out. I saw the WAX MUSEUM and it was a real thrill to have one of those wax murderers looming right out of the screen towards you! Remember those funny glasses you had to wear?

Bilsom, I can see you really like Stephen King. He's done some more serious stuff, too, that were made into movies. Like THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, and of course STAND BY ME. He can be a very versatile writ er. Have you seen all the hoopla about his new ebook?

Lorrie

horrors! it's scooterlady again. I want to buy some books from Amazon.com's british branch, but I don't see why my purchases have to be sent airmail. The shipping charges are going to cost more than the books! Does this annoy anyone else? Am I being cheap or thrifty? Someone mentioned stories by E F Benson. I have three books of his work, but I don't know if I have everything. I saw a thick paperback a few days ago--the complete stories of E F Benson. It's a brand new book. Anyone like LeFanu's 19th century ghost stories? I find them awfully boring. After I have read 6-8 pages describing the setting, it would take an unusually scary ghost to frighten me--I am too busy yawning from boredom. They are kind of like Frankenstein - the best cure I know of for insomnia. so long everybody.

Scooterlady:

Try Frankenstein again. It was the only book Mary Shelley ever wrote. She was married to the poet Percy B. Shelley (sp? I didn't dare try to spell his middle name) and was the daughter of Mary Wolstonecraft. MS's mother was a famous feminist, a leader in the Women's Suffrage Movement in England and a contemporary of John Stuart Mill, the economist who wrote a treatise on women's rights. It's a classic. I found the book fascinating. Lent it to someone and unfortunately never got it back. It was one I wanted to keep.

Charlotte

3-D movies. Yes I remember The House of Wax with Vincent Price. Remember the promo with that rubberball-thingy bouncing right out of the screen? I saw Creature from the Black Lagoonalso in 3-d. I even liked 3-d Comic Books for Pete's sake!!

What a nice, well-rounded, normal(?) childhood you had, Charlie!

Lorrie

Ah, shucks. Thankee, ma'am. I even went around for years with those red and green plastic lenses for glasses (just kidding!!)

Lorrie, I read the "Shawshank",but missed "Stand By Me." Was that a full length novel.

Scooterlady shipping charges when buying on line jut about equals, if not exceeds purchasing a book locally. I think buying on line is convenient only if a person lives in the "boondocks"

Hi Charlotte: I got out my old copy of Frankenstein, and started reading it over. I fell asleep and woke up with a pain in my finger - I had fallen asleep with my finger between pages 4-5, and rolled over the book and onto my stomach. I think I need a pot of strong coffee before I read it again,

ScooterLady: It sounds like you need a strong pot of something! I'm glad we're all in agreement about Frankenstein. Or are we? Did you notice how in Mary Shelley's Franenstein, there was so much mention made of the North Pole? Or whatever icy region she was talking about. In the movie version, they skipped all that and centered on the little village where Baron Frankenstein had his lab. Who can forget that castle up on a mountain with that ceiling that was left open to catch a bolt of lightning? That night when he brought the monster to life scared me out of three years' growth.

Lorrie

Lorrie-
Just wanted to say that I don't know if this is what you had in mind - but a fun discussion. Thanks!

BILSOM.. You said you read THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, and you didn't make any comment on it. They show the movie on A&E from time to time, or I'm sure the video store would have it. MORGAN FREEMAN played a rivetting role. This was one case where I thought the movie was better than the book only because of the actors they cast to play the parts. I found it a highly moving movie.

~Samantha~

Charlie, you've grasped the purpose right away! When we first started this discussion, we had thought it would be different to take a more light-hearted look at horror stories, in general, and I'm delighted to see that's what's happening! God knows some of the recent horror stories are grisly enough, but I've found that talking about our favorite ghost stories, "scary movies," brings about a sort of nostalgia,in which we all seem to indulge. I especially like your pithy remarks (pithy?)

Lorrie

Bilsom, if you haven't read STAND BY ME, by all means get the movie. It s well woth watching. The reaction of those kids is something Stephen King does so well!

Hi, Samantha! What "scary" movie do you remember most? Which Dracula did you like the most?

Lorrie

Who is it that does the artistry on these web pages here? I would like to congratulate them on such a great job. I love our little dracula getting in and out of his "bed." How can we take you seriously Lorrie with that caricature?

Samantha

I think "Shawshank" was one of King's finest books. I enjoyed reading it very much and would reccomend anyone's reading it. I,also, saw the movie. They both stand as fine works. The acting in "Shawshank" was great this alone can make it more than worthwhile watching.

Lorrie Thanks, I'll see if I can find the video "Stand By Me."

Hi, Alf: I'm so glad you like our cheerful little greeting in the heading! hahaha I would like to take credit for that, but I owe it all to Pat Scott and Jim S, who work so hard behind the scenes on these things! We had a lot of fun with this one, I don't know where Jim found that coffin, but I love it!

By the way, do you know what one casket said to the other casket "Is that you coffin?"

Lorrie

That was dangerous, Lorrie. You could veer off this discussion into pun limbo!!

Oh Lordie, Lorrie, let us not go there. : -) Oh well CHARLIE, I guess she's entitled. She's worked hard on this site.

I'm sorry---I simply couldn't help myself.

There's one horror story we haven't touched on, one that has been done over and over in the movies. It was written by one of our foremost American writers, can you guess now which one I mean? I'm talking abour Robert Louis Stevenson, and his masterpiece of horror, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Many critics have called the 1920 DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE the best version of the story, primarily because of John Barrymore's riveting performance. Without the aid of spectacular makeup tricks which have highlighted later versions of the film, Barrymore created the personality of Hyde almost purely out of facial expressions. Some dark circles of makeup were added as well as arched eyebrows and buckteeth, but for the most part, the "evil" Hyde was the same person as the "good" Jekyll. This is perhaps a better interpretation of Stevenson's original idea than the 1932 or 1941 films, which utilized extensive makeup to make the two natures seem more like two different people.
An interesting change from this trend was the David Hemmings characterization of Jekyll/Hyde for British television. Did any of you see that? In that play, Jekyll looked old, surly, and almost evil, while Hyde was young, handsome, and dapper. Interesting, because usually Dr. Jekyll is shown as the handsome (good) one, and Hyde (the bad one)ugly side. Hmmmmm!

Lorrie

HAPPY ST.PATRICK'S DAY! LORRIE

Did anybody ever see that horrrible St. Patrick's Day story that they made a goofy movie from? It was about a Leprechaun from Hell! Awful!

LORRIE I saw it and it was terrible. He was mean and evil , but the movie was like a 3'rd rate film, even though it was suppose to be scary I found myself laughing out loud.

I've still not been able to pick one favorite movie, but I did like BELLA LUGOSIA, BASIL RATHBONE, and BARON FRANKENSTEIN.

~Samantha~

Ah, yes, Basil Rathbone and his perpetual sneer! What a great villain he made! That's a thought! Let's all list some of the great villains in the books that we've read. First of all, of course, we think of Dracula, that Prince of Darkness, then Baron Frankenstein (you notice I didn't mention the monster) then Mr. Hyde, of course, then Professor Moriarity (of Sherlock Holmes' fame,) the above-mentioned Basil Rathbone, Vincent Price, etc. who can add some more?

Lorrie

Samantha, you're so right! Those movies weren't even scary, just awful!

What about Peter Lorre? His sniveling perfomance in THE MALTESE FALCON? Sydney Greenstreet?

Lorrie

Hello Lorrie:

Re: Ann Rice...On a trip to New Orleans,I walked to her house in the Garden District. It's a big mansion,sort of antebellum with balconies all around. On the top balcony was a life size resin statue of one of her dogs (big dog). In front of her house a huge black limo was waiting with then engine running, so a group of us decided to wait & sure enough she came out, dressed entirely in black, waved to her fans & drove away in the limo.

If I recall correctly,her house is across the street from the house where Jefferson Davis died.

Re:Vampire movies. For an excellent "vampire" film, I recommend "The Hunger" starring Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon.

Film was made in 1983 and David Bowie (he is really a very accomplished actor) plays Deneuve's lover through the centuries & he shares her secrets until...inexplicably..he begins to age at an accelerated pace.

Susan Sarandon plays the brilliant scientist who tries to treat the supernatural..until she too gets caught up in the web of blood & passion.

It is set in very chic & very modern Manhattan & it weaves a great tale of gothic horror....but more.... Acting is wonderful.lots of illusion..highly charged and loaded with eroticism that is quite interesting. It's based on a novel by Whitley Streiber and directed by Tony Scott.

Re: Peter Lorre...Have you ever seen "The Beast With Five Fingers"?? Another chiller ( made in 1946) where much of the plot is projected through Lorre's eyes....Another 4 star recommendation.

More on Peter Lorre...before he was an American movie star,he made films in Germany. The film that brought him to the attention of American film makers was "M" made in 1931 in Germany,directed by the legendary Fritz Lang ( This was Lang's first "talkie") M is available on tape & is quite an intriguing film.... M is the sign of recognition of a child's murderer who is sought by the police and an underworld organization... The story is based on fact and Lorre displays an amazing range of acting ability.

M was re-made in 1951 by director Joseph Losey and starred David Wayne as the child killer. Not as good as the original,but an interesting comparison vis-a-vis film making technique.

I have several more films to recommend,but I'll save that for another day

Lorrie, thanks! I was able to rent the video "Stand By Me." So, thats what I'll be watching to night.

I don't know if this is relavant to horror, but how about these two guys for villians: The vicious Captain Bly of "Mutney On The Bounty" and the half crazed Ahab of "Mobey Dick" fame, who risked the lives of his entire crew for that whale. Which ultimatley destroyed him. I liked "Mobey" the book more than the picture, but the picture was good because of it's graphs.<Speaking of graphics, Pat Scott and Jim S did a great job on those lead in graphics.

Ed Zivitz you did such a great job describing "Hungar" that I'm goin to rent the video.

How many remember the original "The Thing"? James Arness (of "Gunsmoke" fame) played the monster, and that had some creepy moments. Also "Them!", about the mutant ants. Not too scary, but when they waved the formic acid scent and the little girl screamed, well ......!

I still think the older B&W pictures were better, even though they may not have had elaborate special effects. Can anyone imagine "Casablanca" or "The Maltese Falcon" in color? Or the Frankenstein movies? Even Gene Wilder's "Young Frankenstein", although a comedy, was filmed in B&W> Atmosphere!

Welcome, Ed! What a wonderful post. I've been at Anne Rice's web site, and the description of her home matches what you saw exactly. I like her books, but in real life I read that she's quite eccentric, and active politically, too.

I saw "M" once a long time ago, it was a German film, and I thought it was very well done.I was impressed in the story how all the criminals banded together to catch the horrible child-murderer! I don't remember "The Beast With Five Fingers," I'll have to look into that. Ed, I once almost rented the tape "The Hunger" but passed it by, thinking oh, just another vampire thing, I've seen them all,etc. But from what you said, I'm going to make a point of seeing it. Like Bilsom says here, you made it sound very interesting. That's a stellar cast, by the way!

Lou D: Of course I remember "The Thing!" Wasn't that James Arness' first movie? It was riveting, especially when they had his arm on the table and it was moving! Yup, we all agree that b&w movies are the best for sheer atmosphere! That's one reason I never cared too much for Wes Craven's films. All in color, all that blood!

Bilsom, you picked on some really nasty villains, I like your choices, but let's not forget the horrible Hannibal Lecter! Now there is a personification of evil itself!

Lorrie

Please identify this movie for me. Old. Black and white. I just remember that at some expedition to the North or South pole, the team has dug something up and has it in a tent, something frozen in the tundra...but it's melting. I remember this as a very terrifying wait..waiting for the (whatever it was) to come to life!!

I think that the Alien movies were well done by the way - love Sigourney Weaver.

I agree Ed (good to hear from you again) about David Bowie. The Man Who Fell to Earth was a good one.

Charlie, are you sure that wasn't "The Thing?" That we were just discussing? At least that's where the setting is, Antartica or the North Pole.

I loved the Aliens!One and Two, anyway. I didn't like the last one where she landed in some futuristic prison. What a tough lady that was! And in those movies, I think it was those special effects that made them so horrible! That slobbering monster looked just like my former mother-in-law.

Lorrie

Lorrie, I do believe you're right - the very thing. Here you guys are talking about a movie and it makes me remember some film and it turns out to be the same one!! Funny, I don't remember a thing about what the thing looked like. I only remember the covered table, and the slow melting (someone left the temperature too high??), and the slow camera pan toward whatever it was. What was it??

It was James Arness in his first movie (although nobody could recognize him later) and he came bursting in the door in one scene, a monster that had been unearthed and created by all the fooling around being done with atomic energy, etc. That one scene was enough to jolt you right out of your seat!! Speaking of which, wasn't it electricity that finally "done him in?"

Lorrie

I think it was. Say, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane is on AMC today. That was a good one!

Yup, Charlie, wasn't Bette Davis gloriously messy in that one? Speaking of which, all next week we're going to be talking about some of Bette Davis' movies on Books Into Movies. Cimon over and peek in!

Bilsom, are you there? Do you have cable? Tonight they're showing THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION on TBS, follwed immediately by another favorite of mine, DELIVERANCE, with Burt Reynolds. Both really good movies! I think DELIVERANCE could fit into the horror category if only for that one scene where they meet up with the hillbillys alone! And look for the scene where they have the "dueling banjos!"

Lorrie

Yea, Lorrie, I'm here.

I do have cable and I think I'll log on to Shawshank. I saw "Deliverance" and that scene you described was so tension filled I don't think I can ever forget it.

Last night, Lorrie I watched the video you suggested Stand By Me,Stephen King. It was very entertaining and the acting done by those four kids was great. Talk about talent!

But you know what after I watched the video for four or five-minutes, I realized that I had read the story. It was a novella and the title was The Body,by Stephen King. This story appeared with two or three other novellas in the same book. Now if you thought as I did the vdeo was good. . .then read the story you'll love it. There is so much more to this story. But I do recommend watching the video. A departure from King's horror stories.

Bilson, King has written several books that really have nothing to do with horror, but because he's such a prolific writer of that genre, I'm afraid he'll always be known as "The Master of Horror!"

When we talk about all these movies from the past, the thought strikes me that those old black and white films were much more effective at producing mood, atmosphere, suspense that modern day horror films do. With maybe a few exceptions, some of the recent horror films I've seen or books I've read, after a time begin to seem the same. Only the presentation is different. And as with all the "slash" films, after a while all that blood begins to seem a little redundant.

Lorrie

Oh, Bilsom, I'm sorry you had forgotten you knew the story of STAND BY ME. But I'm glad you enjoyed the movie. In my opinion, THE GREEN MILE was Stephen King's best. At least, that book affected me more than any of his others. It's been a long time since I wept at the ending of a book!

Lorrie

I've been thinking of all the old Japanese movies with the giant insects invading big cities and lifting us poor humans in their tremendous claws. And King Kong clinging to life on top of the Empire State building...and the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Would these all be classified under the "Horror" heading?

Hello, I am new to Senior Net, and am enjoying what I have read here. I am a grandma, who lives in IN, and I read a lot of these books. Has anyone else read Delores Clayborn (I think the spelling is right on the last name) or Storm of the Century? I just finished The Girl who loved Tom Gordon - it is a little different but very good. I read Dean koontz, and other authors also. Nice to meet you

GRANI WELCOME It is so nice to meet you. Pull up a chair and enjoy sharing your reading with us. You have come to the right place.

I live close to South Bend. In. are you close to South Bend?

Ginger

Hello Ginger, We live in Indpls., but have been to South Bend, a few years ago when our sons were in a Gus Macker, basketball compeition (they both have families now

) Who are your favorite authors? Margie

WELCOME, AGAIN, GRANI! I greeted you once before over in our Books Into Movies discussion, but I must say I'm delighted to see you here! I can see you liked Stephen King, too. Storm of the Century was a big hit on TV; I didn't miss one segment of it.

Gail G: Of course! How can we ignore all those Japanese films with their creepy, crawly things! But I don't think they were actually books, first. "Huchback" of course was a classic novel by Victor Hugo, I think, and was a real horror story, yes.

Gail G: And of course we should not forget the massive "King Kong!" The movie was adapted, loosely, from a story be Edgar Wallace, the mystery writer. I remember the thrill and awe of seeing that original movie, and who can forget the scene with the giant ape clinging to the Empire State Building, batting at the planes, like they were flies? I made the mistalke of watching it again, recently, and the vibrant mystery and suspense of the original was dulled with my aging, and the characters seemed nothing but "corny!" A mistake, watching that again!

Lorrie

Hi, Granny,

I'm sorta new to Senior Net also. I'm so glad I found it. I read Dolores Clayborn. I thought it was great. Like I said I would be very hard put to name a #1 Stephen King book.

Bilsom

All you vampire, Jeremy Brett and Sherlock Holmes fans, might be interested in knowing that all of these were rolled into one video. Several years ago on TV’s PBS chanel and even more recently on A & E television there was a very good Sherlock Holmes series, starring Jeremy Brett. The series was based on the storys by Sir A. Conan Doyle, but the titles were changed.

Anyway, the video I have in mind was called “The Last Vampre” (based on Doyle’s “The Sussex Vampire”). It was a two part series and starred Jeremy Brett and Roy Marsden. Quite a few of you no doubt will remember Marsden as Commander Adam Dalglesh of the P.D. James storys, which also had a TV series that aired on A&E. The “Last Vampire” was aired in two parts and it allowed the producers to really sink their teeth into it (no pun intended) and come up with a good show. Both Brett and Marsden gave an outstanding performance.

If you missed this one you may be able to get the video from Blockbuster. They carry several of the video series that played on PBS, or maybe some of the other video rental stores may have this. It is worth while watching.

I read Lou d's post saying how much better some of the old clasics were, since they were filmed in B&W. I read some time ago they were thinking about colorizing CASABLANCA, but they nixed the idea. Thank goodness. Now that would've been a real horror!

Hi again Lorrie, Storm of the Century, was so good even my husband watched it

He likes things like that sometimes. I think this group is great fun.

Bilson: Of course, of course, that two-part showing of the LAST VAMPIRE really would give the producers something to sink their teeth into!! hahahaha Bilson, you're something else!

Grani, we're all a little bit nuts here, but I think it comes from watching all these scary movies. Don't be afraid, though, we don't BITE! Hahaha

Lorrie

We've talked a lot about villains of the past, but how many of you are fond of some of our present-day horror novels? How many of you like the books of Thomas Harris? He, as you know, wrote THE RED DRAGON, BLACK SUNDAY, and of course all about Hannibal Lecter, in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and HANNIBAL. I really liked "The Red Dragon," and "Black Sunday,"and I was fascinated by "Silence of the Lambs,"but i have to tell you I was bitterly disappointed over "Hannibal." We did a review of that book here on Seniornet in another discussion, and it seemed that there were many readers who felt disappointed, also. We all felt cheated, sort of. The impression was given that Harris, to meet a contractual obligation, simply slapped this book together, and then installed a ludicrous ending! Not at all as good as "Silence of the Lambs!"

Lorrie

What? Nobody liked SILENCE OF THE LAMBS? Did no one ever read THE RED DRAGON? BLACK SUNDAY? Does no one here like Thomas Harris? This surprises me!

Lorrie

My other favorite mystery writer is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and, of course, I favor his Sherlock Holmes stores more than his others. The story I like most of all is the HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLS with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.

This story was perfect for B&W film. The lighting of black and white photography added to the drama, mood and atmosphere of this movie. The cinema photographers were masters at creating suspense and tension with the knowledge of their craft.

Two scenes I remember quite well: The early lord of Baskerville Hall, on his horse, chasing the serving maid over the moor through the fog and mist getting closer and closer to the Great Grimpen Mire--the bog that swallowed all that fell into it down to it’s deepest depths. All this while the “hound” howled and howled. The other scene: Holmes and Watson far out on the moor watching the signal light in a window of Baskerville Hall. These scenes were tension filled because of B&W photography.

Bilson, you tell the story of the HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES well! That particular book is almost a classic, among A. Conan Doyle's Sherlock Hollmes stories. Did you ever read the one called THE SPECKLED BAND? This had a lot to do with a deadly snake. By the way, did you know that not only was Holmes an accomplished violinist, but he was also a cocaine addict? I don't think the author tried to hide this fact, he even had him off the drug in a later story.

Lorrie

I read the "Speckled Band", Lorrie, and I saw the TV adaptaion of this story. There was another actor by the name of "Jeremy" in the TV video, but I can't remember his full name right now.

Watson had to put up with Holmes playing the violin even though at times he did'nt want to. And yes, Sherlock was a cocaine addict: "Quick Watson, the needle!" But there are those that said Holmes never said this

There was a movie about this called: "The Seven-Percent Solution." But I don't know who the actor was that played Holmes.

Bilsom, that was a marvelous movie! The Seven Per Cent Solution had some really big names in the cast. Nicol Williamson was Sherlock, Robert Duvall was Watson, and Alan Alda played Sigmund Freud. Wonderful cast! That was when Watson tried to get Holmes to see a psychiatrist (Freud) to lick his habit.

Lorrie

Sherlock Holmes, is another favorite of mine also. I have read a lot of his cases and seen some of them on TV. I always enjoy his disguises. Margie

Another good B&W movie: "Nght Must Fall." With Robert Montgomery. This was a real thriller. I looked over my shoulder more than once on the way home and looked around the bed-room several times before falling asleep.

Bilsom that's another one that was done twice. The first NIGHT MUST FALL had Robert Montgomery in the lead, and the second one had Albert Finney. Needless to say, the first one was the better. Wouldn't you know?

Grani: What other scary books have you read? Do you like horror stories?

Lorrie

Hi it's me

I've read many books by S King, John Saul, Robin Cook, Dean Koontz, The one that S King and another writer worked on together (can't recall his name) Has anyone read Robert R. McCammon? Brought two of his home from Barnes & Noble today. Margie

Margie: (I'm going to call you Margie from here on.) Peter Straub was the man who co-authored a book with Stephen King. And I understand they are doing another one together! Apparently they are very good friends. Peter Straub also wrote a book called either "Ghosts," or "Ghost Story," and it was very good. Did you read it or see the movie starring, of all people, Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, and I can't think of the other actors.

What are some of the titles by McCammon?

Lorrie

Hi Lorrie. Was it ever fun coming in to see your black (is this a first for B&L?) spooky header! The little guy in the coffin looks more like he's drowning in a lake - and he looks so very tired from popping up and down - Someone should just bop him over the head to put him out of his misery and bolt the lid down to keep the fellow quiet!

It was years ago I read a Stephen King, but I can't remember which one and I did enjoy it very much. At the time I was working at a University and was sitting in a lounge reading - several of the college students stopped by to talk about the book, so it must have been a recent one. How does he come out with so many, so fast? I saw him being interviewed on TV one evening and he has matricular degeneration and is going blind, rather sad.

One time, for fun, I got a video of his book "Christine" - about an automobile and was it ever scary! My husband watched it and didn't pop off to nap a bit as he usually does - I still remember it! Has anyone read it?

Smiling at Robbie and Charlie's oneliners, aren't they the funny ones though!

Hi, Grani and Lorri, the book Stephen King co-authored with Peter Straub is "The Tailsman" and I thought it was great.

Ella Gibbons, I read "Christine"--King, and it too was very good. You'd like it. But I was sorry to read what you said about S. King having matricular degeneration. Yes,it is sad.

Hi, Ella! It's so nice to hear from you! It's quite sedate and quiet in here now--I threatened to throw both Charlie and Robby into that little coffin and then sit on it, so they've been quiet ever since.

King's a really prolific writer, yes---I think it's so sad about his eyesight. I have a hearing poblem that I accepted long ago, but I don't think I could take it if I couldn't see! But who knows? None of us knows just how much we can endure, until we're put to the test, right? Stephen King's wife writes that when he was becoming discouraged from all the rejections he'd been getting, she rescued a manuscript that he'd thrown out from the trash and sent it in, and the rest is history! The story was "Carrie," and from there he took off!

Lorrie

I need the name of another title. Elizabeth Montgomery played the role of Lizzy Borden in a move that was made for TV. I think. You know.

Lizzy Borden took an ax
and gave her mother fory whacks
and when she seen what she had done
she gave her father forty-one.

Hi Lorrie, thanks for helping with Peter Straub's name. Glad he and Stephen King, are working together again.

Hi Ella, I read Christine, a long time ago and my husband and I watched the movie. He is sort of a S King fan.

I reread The Stand, a while back and enjoyed it more the second reading.

The books I have by Robert R. McMannon, are Mystery Walk, and Swan Song.

Bilsom, I think the movie you have in mind is "The Legend of Lizzie Borden," with Elizabeth Montgomery, and a great job she did in that one! That murder trial was famous, probably because it was true, and the Borden family was quite well-known. I think the movie was from a screenplay by William Bast, but there have been all kinds of books written about this famous axe-murderer!

Lorrie

Margie: I've made a note of "Mystery Walk," and "Swan Song," and I'm going to check them out. Thank you. By the way, what a nice, cooperative group we have here! It may be a spooky place, but it's a friendly one!

Lorrie

Well, hello, there! Has everyone been scared off by that coffin? Where is everybody?

Lorrie

A few posts back we were talking about Peter Straub's books, and I asked if anyone had seen the movie "Ghost Story" that he wrote? Surprisingly, it had Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. in the lead roles! Anyway, if you're up late, and have cable, tune in at 1:30 a.m. on TBS and watch it. It's well worth staying up for!

Lorrie

Remember when we talked about Peter Straub and his books? Well, if you're up during the wee small hours tomorrow night, tune in to Channel TBS at 1:30 a.m. and see Straub's "Ghost Story!" It has the stranges cast: Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. in the lead roles, and it's very good indeed! So be sure to tape it if you go to bed early.

Lorrie

Hi LORRIE, I'm still having a hard time with the MS, and the keyboard...but I still come in everyday and enjoy the ppost. Does anyone remember a movie that was on t.v.(it could have been a movie at the theather too) It may have been a Hitchcock movie, the only thing that keeps coming to my mind is a pair of binoculars sitting on a table in an apartment, and they had been tampered with and when the owner picked them upp to look out the window nails went in their eyes?? Does anyone remember anything vaguely familiar??? Thanks, ~Samantha~

Samantha: I'm delighted to hear from you again. Yes, I know exactly the scene you described, but for the life of me I can't remember the movie, or even who was in it. I remember the guy, standing at the window, putting those binoculars up to his eyes then screaming! Does anyone else remember this grisly scene?

Lorrie

I'M SEEING RAY MILLAND AGAIN!

Okay, Chollie, I'll bite!!! Which Ray Milland movie showed him with a pair of binoculars rigged to put someone's eyes out? I keep thinking of THE INVISIBLE MAN, but I don't remember anything like that.

Lorrie

Always keep a smile in your pocket

Hi again. Is the movie named Rear Window, by any chance? That is the one that comes to mind. I have just finished a good book that should be included in this discussion: Bad Medicine, by Eileen Dreyer It is written in a mystery style and really makes you think. I hope to find more of her books. It is so nice to be in this friendly group.

Hi Grani! How are things down there in Indiana? I must say you've been coming up with quite a list of books to read. My notepage is getting quite full with all these different titles. The trouble is, every time I settle down to read three or four chapters of a good book, I invariably fall asleep, and getting it read takes that much longer.

I think Charlie's pulling our legs. No, I don't think it was Rear Window, Grani. There were binoculars in that movie, yes, but not the kind that would put your eyes out.

Lorrie

The last couple of days in the 'burgh, were so nice that they compelled me to leave the discussions and do some yard work.

Raking the left over leaves etc... And then!! I realized I was the one that had the monster by the hand. I was griping the handle of the power mower monster, and after a long winter's nap it had climbed out of it's well(the garage) and wouldn't allow me to leave go of it. And no matter how much I yelled it kept dragging me accross the lawn untill all the grass was cut. And this was just the first time.

BILSOM...Glad you got away from the yard monster, now would you please help us shed some enlightening facts about this movie we're dredging up..and surely LORRIE and I aren't the only ones that remembered such a select part of the movie...and we don't have any clues as to the name of it or who was in it..Someone please help!!!!

~Samantha~

I know what Samantha means. It's maddening to try to remember the name of a movie that you know is right on the tip of your tongue. Does anyone remember this scene: It shows a pair of binoculars sittting on a windowsill, then a figure comes up and puts the binoculas to his eyes, not knowing that there is a trick mechanism inside that, when you first try to adjust, a pair of spikes pop out and put out the user's eyes! It's a really horrific scene, but none of us can remember what movie or book that was! Anyone!

Bilsom! Delighted to see you back. That'll teach you to let go of the lawn mower next time. hahaha

Lorrie

Samantha,

The only movies I can think of with Ray Miland,or was it Jimmy Stewart, "spying" on some one from a window was: The Rear Window" or Dial M For Murder. But the instrument I remember the actor using was a 35mm Exacta camera with a large telescopic lens. The reason I remember the camera was because I had one. If I can remember more, I'll post

BILSOM....I am sure it was a pair of binoculars, and I'm almost possitive that it wasn't REAR WINDOW....Come on LORRIE, get that grey matter pumping..Could it have been dial M for MURDER. BTW, SILENCE of the LAMBS is on LIFETIME here, good ole HANNIBAL LECTURE.

Thanks for your input BILSOM.

~Samantha~

The scene in which someone picks up a pair of binoculars and then has his eyes put out by sharp objects first appeared in an Agatha Chriatie murder mystery, then appeared in a movie. Don't recall the title. Go to a public library and look at directory of movies which probably will describe this event.

Samantha, I think i could murder you!! Excuse the expression! Now you've got me searching all over the internet looking for that movie, and haven't found it! No, it wasn't Rear Window, or Dial M for Murder, but there was a movie like that and I did see it, although many years ago. I'm going now to look through Agatha Cristie now, as Scooterlsdy suggested.

Lorrie

Ginger, I missed that one, but it sounds grisly enough to merit mention in this discussion. Did anyone either stay up or tape "Ghost Story" Friday night? That was a real winner from the book by Peter Straub!

Ginger, why don't you veer a little south when you visit Superior? That's right across from Duluth, and we're only a couple hundred miles south of there---I would love to see you!

Lorie

I’ve read, I think, all of S. Kings novels and I’’ve enjoyed most of them But the two that I liked the least were the “Tommyknockers” and “Geralds Game.” This is not to say that they are not good books. They are. They’re written with plot depth and character “feeling.” I just couldn’t get interested in “Tommyknockers” plot. . . maybe it wasn’t my cup of tea but don’t let this keep you from reading “Tommyknockers.” Read it and let me know what you think

While talking with another person in one of the local book stores, I said there is another book by King I didn’t care for, and before I could go on she replied “Geralds Game.” She didn’t like it either. However, when I read “Geralds Game” I had a terrible lower back ache. . . maybe that soured me on the story; it soured me on a lot of things. But again, please read it, because one persons cup of tea may be another persons bowel of cherries, or you may not have a back ache when you read it and you’ll probably think it’s great ha,ha.

Several years after I read the “Tommyknockers, “ they made a video of it. Now, this video was so boorish and so completely alien from the book it made me think of the book as a Pulitzer prize winner.

Samantha, I really wish I could help you with that binocular thing. You've got me curious now. I think I"ll look around the internet too. Here's a thought: Could it have been in one of the "Deadly Sins" books? They were all pretty gruesome.

I saw Ghost Story in the movies and now that I realize Peter Straub wrote it, I'm going to get THAT book. I am sure I'll like the book even better, and I'll be able to give faces to all the chracters.

But wasn't there a "love" story movie with a similar title?

Yep, Bilsom, you're right. There was another Ghost Story a couple years back with Whoopi Goldberg as the psychic, and she was wonderful in that. Tender love story, too, with Patrick Swayze and Debra Winger(?) Samantha, I'm still searching. Nothing under binoculars (deadly) or murder plots, etc. (they're mostly poison) but I'll keep trying. I don't know how to look for a more precise listing of old movie plots. It's a challenge! C'mon all you horror fans! Think hard!

Lorrie

Hello everyone:

A film in which a camera plays a very integral role is the fim "Peeping Tom" directed by Michael Powell.

Its a British film,made in 1960,and although the plot could be considered a bit shoddy,the technicolor and excellent photography and imaginative direction makes it worth watching.

It has a lot of psychological manueverings and its about a killer who is obsessed with the desire to photgraph the terror on the faces of his victims as he kills them.

To say any more would spoil it. Michael Powell directed some great British films, The Tales of Hoffmann...The Red Shoes...and the film that many consider a cult classic....Black Narcissus ( based on a book by Rumer Godden{maybe this should be in Movies from Books})

Black Narcissus was made in 1947 & helped to restore the British Film Industry after WWII...Cast is outstanding...Deborah Kerr..Jean Simmons..Sabu (remember him?) and Flora Robson (remember her from Caesar & Cleopatra?) and David Farrar.

Plot involves a convent in the Himalayas,a group of nuns and the involvement of a man (David Farrar). I think it's a great film..some may find it objectionable however,but if you watch it please keep an open mind.

Lorrie:Instead of meandering among the narcissus,I'll be gamboling around in the orchids.( That should make everyone wonder what's going on)

LORRIE...You want to MURDER me? LOL!! I can't help it, you sound like me, and I know you saw it..by the way you jumped on it to back when I first brought it up..I just have a hard time getting any sleep when I've got something playing over and over in my mind. This group is so much fun, and I appreciate all of you that like the same kinds of things I do..

~Samantha~Edit:

BILSOM & LORRIE <the love story "GHOST" starred WHOOPIE GOLBERG,PATRICK SWAYZE& DEMI MOORE

Ed: LOL! Don't you love to keep people guessing? While you're gamboling around in the orchids, I want to thank you for reminding me of two good (I thought) movies, "Black Narcissus" and "Peeping Tom." I admired David Farrar's caustic comments in that story, and I think the whole cast did a remarkable job. Was it Jean Simmons who played the unstable nun who finally went to pieces? The setting was atmospheric (That remote convent in the mountains, and the slowly growing tension between Kerr and Farrar.) Very good book, too, even though it shocked many people at the time.

Yes, the mention of "Peeping Tom" definitely belongs in this horror discussion. I remember how chillingly macabre it became as we real- ized the twisted reason for this man's voyeurism. Frightening!

Samantha! You can print normally, now. You're out of the doghouse. You know, the faint recollection I have of that movie is that it was a "B" movie, and I think the actor was sort of reddish-haired.

Lorrie

Samantha and Lorrie, Thanks for confirming my thoughts about the other "Ghost Story." I liked that movie.

But I'm shure going to get the one written by Peter Straub!

Binoculars/needles....I don't think I actually saw this movie but I seem to remember the trailer (movie trailers were SO great!!)...So I'll throw this out....what about Vincent Price as Dr. Phibes???

[EDIT] I know the plot involved a series of macabre revenge killings (of a biblical nature)...so maybe one of them was binoculars/needles???

Charlie, I remember tha Dr. Phibes thing with Vincent Price really hamming it up at the organ! There was another "revenge" thing with Terry-Thomas(remember that British actor with the gap-toothed smile?) It was hilarious, but was that Dr. Phibes, too? Anyway, there wasn't anything about binoculars in that one. Samantha, I think we better throw in the towel. I'm afraid the movie we're trying to remember is one of those flash in the pan "B" pictures that were made quickly and then as quickly forgotten.

Lorrie

You're giving up?? Well at keast I learned that a needle and a a pair of binoculars should be part of everyone's survival kit!!!

CHARLIE...Hahaha! LORRIE..you can give it up if you want to and I'll stick it way back to the back of my thoughts, after all that's where it was when it came full force to the front and out of my mouth. Maybe next time it comes up front again..it will bring a little more with it...At least things like this keep rigamortis from setting in my gray matter..Thanks everyone!!

~Samantha~

I started reading Robert Ludlum’s “Apocalypse Watch.” But after reading two-hundred plus pages I gave up. As far as I’m concerned, I found the story a little too shallow and not much depth to the characters.I read some of his other books years ago and I thought he was a very good.If any of you have read this book please let me know what you think of it. Maybe I gave up to soon.

Then I started reading Peter Straub’s “Mystery” and soon realized (again for me) the difference in the two novels. Here, so far as I have read, is a story with depth both in plot and in characters. I’ll admit the two stories are completely different. But the strength of Straubs writing comes through immediately.

ATTENTION, ALL YOU HORROR BOOKS FANS!! I AM EXTREMELY PLEASED THAT, AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A NEW CO-LEADER ON THIS DISCUSSION PAGE! OUR OWN BILSOM HAS KINDLY AGREED TO BE MY PARTNER ON THE BOOKS ON HORROR DISCUSSIONS, AND YOU WILL BE HEARING FROM BOTH OF US A LOT FROM HERE ON IN. PLEASE WELCOME BILSOM ABOARD!

LORRIE

Okay, Partner, I have a question: I know I read Straub's Mystery, but I've forgotten the plot. What was it about?

Lorrie

Bilsom: I gave up on Ludlum when I read the book that came after The Bourne Identity.

I felt that Bourne was his high point & everything after that is too formulaic.

If you like that stuff, are you familiar with The Genesis Code by John Case?? a real page-turner.

Also,Ridley Pearson cannot be beat and for a real thriller try his The Angel Maker...that one is worthy of a discussion because of the theme...good characterization and superb plot.

Ed, wasn't "The Angel Maker" about a cop, or ex-cop, who plays jazz on the piano? If that's the same one I read, then it's a real thriller! Something about selling donor organs, or am I thinking about Robin Cook? Anyway, good book.

Lorrie

Ed Zivitz

I agree with you. I think "The Bourne Idenity" was Ludlum's high point. I enjoyed reading that book. I'll have to preview those other two books you mentioned. They sound pretty good

Lorrie,You really gave me a grand marque introduction. Thank you. I'm only about a hundred pages into "Mystery." When I find out what it's about, I'll post.

I called two chain Video stores--Blockbuster and Hollywood Video--in the hopes that they could geve me an answer to the "binocular" question. No. They didn't know, although they kept me on hold for a while so they must've tried.

I am reading a most weird book. It's called "Nephrilim" and I'm not sure whether this is horror, spiritual awakening, science fiction, or just plain comedy! I happened to pick it up at the library, so while waiting for the books I ordered I started reading it. Parts of it are awful, but right now I feel this curious fascination on what it's really all about I can't put it down. Have you ever had that wxperience? "Nephilim" by L.A. Marzulli. Anybody ever read it?

Lorrie

We were talking about Sherlock Holmes not too long ago. Did you know there was a famous criminal during the Victorian era named Adam Worth, on whom Conan Doyle based his character, Professor Moriarity? There's a fascinating book out by Ben MacIntyre called "Napoleon of Crime," and it's based on this Adam Worth character. We may be discussing this book, among others, in an upcoming discussion in May called True Crime. Watch for it!

Lorrie

Lorrie,I didn't know Conan Doyle based the character Professor Moriarity on any real criminal. That was intresting.

Samantha,I think that "binocular" scene you mentioned in an early post was just a lead-in clip or a lead-out clip in the "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" TV series

Lorrie, if you want to know about the binocular question, especially Agatha Christie, there is a website called Christie, Agatha - MysteryNet.com. It includes a section called Means of Murder. You see in each of her books how the victim was murdered, i.e., poisoned, stabbed, etc. If you click onto the title of each book, it may give more detail, but it takes too long this time of night. Also, the URL does not include WWW so I guess it isn't on the web.

Thanks, Bilsom and Scooter Lady! I'll be checking out Agatha Christie tomorrow, and yes, Bilsom, Sherlock Holmes' arch enemy was always that evil Professor Moriarity. I didn't know either that Doyle based his character on a well-known crook in those days, that's why I want to get that book Napoleon of Crime. Bedtime now, talk to you tomorrow.

Lorrie

I give up! I checked Agatha Christie, no luck, then went to Murder Weapons, no luck on binocular deaths, (I didn't realize there were so many ways to do somebody in. Some of those websites have been taken off---I'll bet they were too good at showing someone how to commit a murder!)To tell the truth, I don't think that scene we were talking about was ever in a book. I think it was a screenplay, and not a very good one, at that.

Lorrie

For all book lovers.

All who have AOL for an Internet provider did you know that you can get the names of all the latest books of all categories and have them placed on your aol calendar.

Here's the path I follow: >AOL >Clendar> >Events directory > Books. Then seleect a category. Then by clicking the authors name you can read a short synopsis of the story and even print it out, if you like. Events directory is found at the top of the Calendar page.

You can have the titles placed on your calendar by checking the small box or boxes of the book you select and then clicking ADD. The titles will then appear on your calendar. The value of having the titles placed on you calendar is that you can click on the names of the books and read the synopsis at your lesiure

The book titles proceed from day to day for about a month.

Hey, Bilsom, that's a wonderful idea! But how do i get my calender? i didn't even know I had one. ( You can see I didn't get that Wndows98 simplified yet. I will, I will!) Duh!

Lorrie

Lorrie,

First you have to have AOL as an internet provider. Then when the AOL welcome screen appears--MY CALENDER will show on the left of the Welcome screen. By cliking on it or typing keyword calender,the calender page will appear and you follow the path I just described.

Thank you, Bilsom. It woks fine! Another new discovery on this AOL!

Lorrie

ATTENTION, ALL YOU HORROR FANS! WE WILL BE LEAVING THE LAND OF THE UNDEAD, AND MOVING ON TO SCARIER AND MORE FRIGHTENING MODERN BOOKS! NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE STARTING A DISCUSSION OF BOOKS BY DEAN KOONTZ, WHOM I'M SURE YOU ALL HAVE READ. WE WILL BE POSTING A LIST OF KOONTZ'S BOOKS, SO TAKE YOUR PICK AND COME IN AND JOIN THE DISCUSSION! OUR LOYAL POSTER BILSOM HAS KINDLY CONSENTED TO BE MY C0-LEADER, FOR WHICH I'M TRULY GRATEFUL! SO WE SAY A FOND FAREWELL TO OUR SNAGGLE-TOOTHED COUNT, AND THE MONSTROUS FRANKENSTEIN! BE SURE TO JOIN IN!

LORRIE & BILSOM

from IN Aways keep a smile in your pocket

Happy you are helping Lorrie, Bilsom. I can hardly wait to start on Dean Koontz books. Have a good day.

LORRIE..Is it just going to be DEAN KOONTZ new books or are we allowed to discuss his old ones? THE WATCHERS was wonderful, and it got me started on his books.

I will be out of town from SUNDAY 4-1-00 thru FRIDAY 4-6-00 I will have limited access to a PC while I'm gone. Will try to peek in.

~Samantha~

Samantha and Grani: We well be talking about all Koontz's books, old and new, I'll have a list up in a day or two, but youdon't have to talk about just one in particular. We'll be looking for you both.

Lorrie

I know we are going to start talking about Dean Koontz, but I just had to put forth this thought on horror.

How many remember the "Exorcist" and "The Omen." I liked the the "Exorcist" especially when the child that was "possesd" turned her in in 180 degree fasion. And remember that congeinal little child Dameon in the "Omen" who caused his mother to fall over the up-stairs rail to her death.

Any thoughts on these two.

Hey, everybody! We aren't moving until next week! Doesn't anyone want to keep me company in my cave tonight? I've been hearing strange noises, and don't tell me it's the wind! There's a full moon and I can see the shadows of bats lurking across, Hark! was that the howl of a wolf? Or something more human? EEEEEEk!!

Lorrie

Bilsom! Hello! Yes, the Exorcist was a real shocker! People talked about that one for years! I read the book first, and believe me, it was better! There was a lot more about the psychiatrist-priest, and a little less of the throwing-up scenes.

And "Omen" was excellent. But to make matters worse, they then made Omen II and then OmenIII, and each one got more silly than the last. The first, with Gregory Peck, was the best of all of them, I think.

Lorrie

Lorrie, yes the following movies to the "Omen" were on the foolish side. Not near as good as the first. But,then, Peck helped make the first good.

Okay, all you horror fans, we'll be moving into Dean Koontz's living room now! As soon as the heading is up, come and join us there!

Lorrie

We lose an hour of sleep to night!!

< TURN THE CLOCKS AHEAD 1-HR. BEFORE GOING TO BED.

An easy way to rember this is:

In the Spring, spring ahead.

In the Fall, fall back.

Oh...............Thanks. I thought it was
Spring Back and
Fall Forward

Let's put Charlie in that coffin and then sit on it, everybody! His own idea, actually!

Lorrie

tap...tap....tap
scratch, scratch, scratch
BANG!BANGBANG!!!

HEY!
HEY!
IT'S DARK IN HERE!!

Did you hear something just now? Naaaaaw!

That was quick thinking, Charlie. I mean the tap. tap. thing.

 

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was reading “Mystery” a novel by Peter Straub.  Some 
one told me they couldn’t remember if they had read this book and I said that I would try 
to refresh the memory after I had read some of it. 

“Mystery” is a novel about a young boy, who, being chased by a bunch of ruffians, is 
struck by an automobile and “dies.”  After “dying” he travels along the customary dark 
tunnel toward a bright light. But just before reaching the “light” long tentacles reach out 
and grab him and bring his spirit back into his battered body.  After recovering and 
growing older he meets up with Lamont von Heilsig--an old private investigator.  
Together they investigate the “mystery.” I still haven’t found out.what the mystery is. 

I find the book a rather slow moving vehicle steeped with a little too much detail in some 
respects and not enough in others. The writer dangles the reader with a little too much 
jumping around vagueness. I suppose and hope he’s building towards an action filled 
conclusion. I’ll reserve my star-rating till after I finish it. As of now it can only get better.

 

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was reading “Mystery” a novel by Peter Straub.  Some 
one told me they couldn’t remember if they had read this book and I said that I would try 
to refresh the memory after I had read some of it. 

“Mystery” is a novel about a young boy, who, being chased by a bunch of ruffians, is 
struck by an automobile and “dies.”  After “dying” he travels along the customary dark 
tunnel toward a bright light. But just before reaching the “light” long tentacles reach out 
and grab him and bring his spirit back into his battered body.  After recovering and 
growing older he meets up with Lamont von Heilsig--an old private investigator.  
Together they investigate the “mystery.” I still haven’t found out.what the mystery is. 

I find the book a rather slow moving vehicle steeped with a little too much detail in some 
respects and not enough in others. The writer dangles the reader with a little too much 
jumping around vagueness. I suppose and hope he’s building towards an action filled 
conclusion. I’ll reserve my star-rating till after I finish it. As of now it can only get better.