Happy Halloween! Nothing better on Halloween night than watching one of those old Bela Lugosi or Boris Karloff classic horror films! From Dracula to Frankenstein, The Mummy to The Wolfman. It was hard, but I’ve narrowed it down to my top 5.
circa 1932: Hungarian-born actor and film star Bela Lugosi (Bela Ferenc Blasko, 1882 – 1956). Acclaimed for his performance in ‘Dracula’ on Broadway in 1927, Lugosi began acting in feature films in 1930. His appearance in ‘Dracula’ in 1931 marked the start of a long career in horror films. His career subsequently declined due to the effects of drug addiction. He was buried with his Dracula cape. (Photo by Mabel Livingstone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Now don’t get upset. You won’t find Michael or Freddie, or Jason on this list. No no, this list is strictly for the old Hollywood classic horror films that Universal Pictures put out way back in the 1930’s and 1940’s. No jerk! I’m not THAT old, but when I was a kid in the early 80’s up in North Jersey, they used to run them on Saturday Nights at Midnight on channel 13. Used to scare the snot right out of little Jimmy! I don’t know what concerned my mom more, me watching Chiller Theater, or whatever it was called, or watching old WWF wrestling, or perhaps Eddie Murphy on Saturday Night Live!
Hey when you are a 12-14 year old boy, that’s literally the best time on earth! I mean who doesn’t like to watch Drac, Frankie, Wolfie, and all the rest at that age?? No, no, it couldn’t have been just me! No way. These classic films have a charm, and quality in the filming and acting that are timeless, even nearly 100 years after they were filmed. As far as Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff go, they were two of the finest horror actors that ever lived!
circa 1933: Boris Karloff (1887 – 1969), the English born horror film actor. He became the epitome of Frankenstein but also played an impressive Captain Hook in ‘Peter Pan’. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Anyway, here is my list, direct from my 1982 bedroom and 13 inch black and white tv! Oh and whatever you do, don’t read this with the lights out…The black and white adds to the fear like you wouldn’t believe. Especially tonight! Boo to you my friend!
