An artsy take on a classic horror story

The Fall of the House of Usher (1928)
Starring: Hildegarde Watson, Herbert Stern, and Melville Webber
Directors: Melville Webber and James Sibley Watson

Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

A traveler (Webber) is drawn into the existential nightmare-made-real shared by a brother and sister (Stern and Watson).

This 13-minute short film was the first screen adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Fall of the House of Usher". Its creators were more concerned with capturing what they saw as the essence and mood of the story than they were with retelling its plot. As such, this film will make little sense if you're not familiar with the story it's adapted from.

That said, while the film's creators assumed viewers would know the story even if you're not familiar with it watching this film will be an interesting and worthwhile experience. This goes double if you have an interest in film history and cinematic techniques.

What's even better? This creeptacular classic is bound to awaken and/or strengthen the Halloween Spirit within you . The version embedded in this post is one of the visually sharpest ones we could find, and it's got a modern, highly effective score that was composed specifically for it.

Musical Monday with Rachmaninoff

In 1927, actor and filmmaker Castleton Knight created a short horror film that drew its inspiration in equal parts from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Premature Burial" and Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in C-Sharp Minor", which the composer stated was inspired by a nightmare about a premature burial.

       

 

Knight's film, "Prelude", was created to run as Rachmaninoff's "Prelude" was being played, either on a recording or live. As such, Knight ended up creating the first music video in history!

And now, to help you build up the proper Halloween spirit, we present this historic milestone, as it was meant to be seen by its creator! Click below, turn up the volume, and sit back and watch this well-crafted film unfold!

Prelude (1927)

Starring: Castleton Knight

Director: Castleton Knight

Rating: Nine of Ten Stars

It's a Sala Saturday

Today, we've got a rarely seen one-page weird tale by the great Richard Sala. It was never published in any magazines or anthologies, but now you can enjoy it here... and it might even help stir a little Halloween Spirit within you! (Click on the image for a larger, more easily read version.)

 

They only come out at night

If you are in the streets after most sane people are sleeping soundly in their beds, you might see them.

They are the Night Dancers, mysterious and graceful beings who can be seen moving from shadow to shadow, sometimes pausing beneath the streetlights and dancing to music only they can hear. As Halloween draws closer, sightings of Night Dancers become more common.

It is unknown where the Night Dancers come from or where they disappear to, but it is said that those who witness one of them dancing through the night will have good fortune and find happiness in the near future. On the other hand, those who interfere their dance or pursue them are rumored to suffer dark and terrible ends.

Photographer Dane Shitagi is one of the few people who have managed to catch Night Dancers on film. We share some of the more intriguing results of his work in today's post.

If you have had an encounter with a Night Dancer and wish to share it, we welcome you to use the Comments Section below.

You can also let us know if you think any of these songs are close to what the Night Dancers perform to...

'Tale of the Deaf' is full of classic horror vibes

We struck a gothic tone with Anne Hathaway yesterday... and we continue it with today's spooky short film!

Tale of the Deaf (2021)
Starring: Husky and Anton Adasinsky

Director: Philip Yuryev

Rating: Nine of Ten Stars

A mysterious illusionist and organ grinder (Adasinsky) enters a shabby tavern where he takes to the stage to entertain a crowd who just abused the previous performer (Husky).

"Tale of the Deaf" is a fabulous Russian short film that was originally produced as part of an effort to spotlight popular musicians (in this case, a rapper named Husky) in mini-fright films for the Russian counterpart to YouTube. I can't speak to any other entries in the series, but this one soars far and above its gimmicky origins and rises to the level of horror movie greats. If you enjoy those classic, gothic-horror flavored films from the 1920s and early 1930s (and even some of the Hammer Film flicks from the late 1950s), you're going to get a big kick out of this one.

Almost everything about this film is perfect. From the expert use of light and shadow to make maximum use of the black-and-white format (and resulting in visuals that bring to mind the best work of filmmakers like James Whale, Tod Browning, and Benjamin Christensen), the elaborate tavern set, and a collection of background characters that are deftly given depth with some very brief, but well thought-out, touches.

The only reason that this is not a Ten-star film is that there's a bit of the ending that doesn't seem like it fits with what happened earlier in the film. It fits in over all, it's perfect in a twisted poetic justice sense, but I found myself wondering how it was happening. 

(By the way, if you happen to be a DM who runs games using the Ravenloft setting, you REALLY need to watch "Tale of the Deaf". There's a wealth of inspiration to be had from it!)

Halloween is coming...

... and Anne Hathaway is here to help you get in the mood!

Slow Danse with the Dead on a Tuneful Tuesday

Slow Danse with the Dead is the name of a darkwave solo project by Albuquerque-based singer/songwriter/musician Johnny Ray. "Death Upon Your Eyes" is the lead single from his Lost and Alone album, and the video for it tells the story of a spell-battle between witches and has a vibe that put me in mind of the great RKO horror flicks from the 1940s and black-and-white supernatural chillers from early 1960s. The music isn't bad... but the video is excellent!

Check it out... I'm sure you will find it to be great viewing as we build toward the Big Night on October 31st!

It's a Mohammed Monday...

... and Halloween is coming!

THIS WEEK WITH JESUS & MO

Musical Monday with the Linda Lindas

What if B-movie maestro Charles Band (the creator of many oddball doll-driven horror films) was to write and direct a music video? Well, we're pretty sure it would turn like something like the one for "Talking to Myself" by the Linda Lindas.

Talking to Myself (2022)
Starring: The Linda Lindas
Director: Ryan Baxley
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

Sunday Comics from Sarah Andersen

Here are some of Sarah's Scribbles in keeping with the Halloween Season!