Classic-Horror.com | Reviewing the History of Horror Movies

Our editor-in-chief Nate Yapp is proud to have contributed to the new book Hidden Horror: A Celebration of 101 Underrated and Overlooked Fright Flicks, edited by Aaron Christensen. Another contributors include Anthony Timpone, B.J. Colangelo, Dave Alexander, Classic-Horror.com's own Robert C. Ring and John W. Bowen. Pick up a copy today from Amazon.com!

Review: Bubba Ho-tep (2002)

Submitted by Eric Miller on Fri, 2008-07-04 01:31

If an ancient Egyptian mummy began to menace a retirement home in East Texas, what would he be called? Why, Bubba Ho-Tep of course! And who better to defeat them than JFK and the King of Rock and Roll? This epic battle is the subject of Bubba Ho-Tep, a delightful horror-comedy from director Don Coscarelli, starring Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis. A film that knows when (and when not) to take itself seriously, Bubba Ho-Tep manages to carefully explore its main character, offer some very good laughs, and still have some poignant things to say. It's a charming little film that, while not inspiring chills, leaves the viewer with a chuckle and a smile.(read more...)

Review: Blood from the Mummy's Tomb (1971)

Submitted by Timothy J. Rush on Thu, 2008-07-03 01:01

If there is one thing you will really remember about Blood from the Mummy's Tomb, it is Valerie Leon's bosom. It's rather hard not to notice, since they really make sure you see her breasts from just about every angle, and by the end you've seen just about every inch of them barring her nipples. Beyond Valerie's voluptuousness, however, Blood from the Mummy's Tomb is an enjoyable little Hammer Horror film, providing a bit of fresh variety to a story that was, even in the 70s, a bit cliche.(read more...)

Review: The Mummy (1959)

Submitted by Julia Merriam on Wed, 2008-07-02 01:01

When you get right down to it, most mummy movies are more or less the same. Guy becomes mummy, mummy is awakened, mummy discovers reincarnated princess that he loved back in good ol' Egypt and mummy deals with unrequited love and undead emo. So, when it comes to mummy movies, it generally not the story that makes it a good one. Instead, they have to rely on actors, themes, sets and cinematography. Luckily, The Mummy (1959) has all of this in spades, making Hammer's renowned contribution to the genre not only a good mummy movie, but a damned good film overall.(read more...)

Lon Chaney Jr.

Submitted by Eric Miller on Tue, 2008-07-01 14:10

Most of the classic Universal Studios unforgettable fiends from the 1930s and ‘40s were played, at different times, by multiple actors. Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Mummy, the Invisible Man; all of these characters were played by different actors at different times. However, Lon Chaney Jr. (who at times played all these characters with the exception of the Invisible Man) alone played Larry Talbot, aka The Wolf Man. The son of, arguably, the most famous silent movie star (perhaps Charlie Chaplin was more famous), Chaney Jr.

Review: The Mummy's Tomb (1942)

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Tue, 2008-07-01 09:53

Okay, put away your books. Time for a pop quiz. I know, I know, I promised that you wouldn’t have one today, but isn’t the point of a pop quiz the surprise factor? Don’t worry, it’s brief. Here we go. Established: The Mummy’s Tomb (1942) runs for 60 minutes and 35 seconds. Established: 11 minutes and 27 seconds of that runtime is spent recapping, with extensive flashback footage, the previous film in Universal's Kharis series, The Mummy’s Hand (1940). Resolve: How much actual movie remains after you subtract the recaps? Show your work. Extra credit: Can The Mummy’s Tomb still be considered a feature film? Why or why not?(read more...)

Review: The Mummy's Hand (1940)

Submitted by John Dubrawa on Mon, 2008-06-30 00:12

In the 1940s, Universal Pictures sought to bring another horror franchise to life (as it had with Dracula and Frankenstein previously) with the production of four films based off their 1932 film, The Mummy. After a rushed shooting schedule (less than a month) and last minute editing[1], the first of these films was released. Titled The Mummy’s Hand, the film is a less suspenseful reworking of the deliberately slow-paced psychological thriller that served as the framework for the original Mummy, opting instead for an over-the-top action and adventure flick with bits of supernatural elements tossed in to maintain a swift — and oftentimes erratic — pacing.(read more...)

Theme Week: "Are You My Mummy?"

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Sun, 2008-06-29 23:57

It's time for another good ol' tried-and-true theme week. Five days, five reviews. This time around, we tackle the ancient Egyptian (and occasionally Mayan) menace, the mummy. Swathed in bandages, he roams the desert (or countryside or swamp or whatever) killing anyone who disturbs his tomb (or steals his treasure or absconds with his beloved princess or uses the phrase "Do the needful").(read more...)

Help Select the Cover Art for "Icons of Horror: Hammer Films"

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Tue, 2008-06-24 12:22

Amazon.com is giving Hammer fans the opportunity to select the key art for Sony's upcoming "Icons of Horror: Hammer Films" box set. On a special voting page(read more...)

Sony to Unleash "Icons of Horror: Hammer Films" in October

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Fri, 2008-06-20 11:37

DVD Drive-in has word that Sony Home Entertainment will be releasing "Icons of Horror: Hammer Films" on October 14th. The DVD box set will contain four films (on two discs) from the classic horror studio: The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll, The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb, Scream of Fear (aka Taste of Fear), and The Gorgon. No specifics on special features as of yet, but DVD Drive-in says to expect commentaries, trailers, and newly remastered transfers.

We'll have more details on this set as they are released.

1 comment

DVD Details for "Fox Horror Classics Vol. 2"

Submitted by Nate Yapp on Wed, 2008-06-18 15:59

On September 9th, 2008, Fox Home Video will release "Fox Horror Classics, Volume 2", a three-disc box set of classic thrillers featuring Chandu the Magician, Dr. Renault's Secret, and Dragonwyck. The set will have a suggested retail price of $19.98. Each film in the set will have a number of special features, including featurettes, still galleries, and restoration comparisons. A film-by-film breakdown of each title in the set is below:(read more...)