Don't Overlook the Classics this Halloween

I am proud of my son for many, many reasons. He’s a straight A student, he volunteers, he’s a gifted self-taught musician, he loves to read, he’s polite and he’s my buddy. Our podcast was his idea and I was initially hesitant and only committed to do it once a month, but we’re both having so much fun that now we do it as often as possible.

I’m also proud of him because he is not captive to his generation. He appreciates the classics including music from decades ago (his favorite band is Motley Crue!) and he loves older horror movies. He began his journey in the genre we both love as I did with Universal creature features and then, on his own initiative discovered Hammer films.

How many teenagers these days claim Creature from the Black Lagoon as his favorite horror film or, when I brought up genre films from 1972 (the year I was born) asked, “Really? Other than Last House on the Left and Blacula, what do you have in mind?” A teenager these days who knows and appreciates Blacula??? I love the kid!!!

Like my mini-me as I used to refer to him before he dwarfed me in height, horror fans should not ignore the classics this Halloween. Sure they may not contain the jump scares and gore that so many of you adore but they are truly worthy of your time.

Those who enjoy analyzing films from a psychological perspective should find Cat People (1942) a treat. Those who understand the zeitgeist of the 1950’s will find the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers compelling. If you’ve watched the amazing documentary Horror Noire, you will look at King Kong (1933) in a whole new light. Of course, Nosferatu (1922), Fritz Lang’s “M” (1931), Psycho (1960), The Haunting (1963) and Night of the Living Dead (1968) are all masterpieces as are many of the Universal films (don’t overlook The Black Cat (1934). Even some films that are only so-so have scenes that will stick with you like The Leopard Man (1943) and the opening to Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968).

I’ve been jumping back and forth from new releases to classics. I would humbly recommend you give it a shot as well.