Today’s contributor is the foremost authority on the golden
age of the horror film, historian and author David J Skal. I first remember seeing him when I caught
the great documentary Universal Horror on Turner Classic Movies one
night in my late teens. Then, when I
went to film school, I discovered his written work. The Monster Show, Hollywood Gothic,
and Dark Carnival were all indispensable tomes during my studies,
and they belong in ANY horror freak’s library.
Even if you haven’t read any of his books, you’re probably familiar with
his work. Remember all of those killer
documentaries that came as special features on the Legacy Collection editions
of the Universal horror flicks? He
wrote, directed, and appeared in most of those. Hell, since I got that, I’ve probably watched the She’s Alive
documentary almost as many times as I’ve watched Bride of Frankenstein. He also wrote one of the definitive books on
the subject of Halloween, Death Makes a Holiday: A Cultural History of
Halloween. So, in addition to
being a fixture of my Halloween viewing, he’s an authority on the holiday we’re
talking about. How could I NOT have him
involved? If you’re a fan of the
monochrome macabre and haven’t discovered Skal’s wealth of knowledge, then
obviously you’re doing something wrong.
I order you to, at the very least, watch The Frankenstein Files and read
Hollywood Gothic immediately. Well,
read what Halloween means to David first, and then go do your homework.
“Although Halloween has its roots in Celtic tradition, it
has become a relentlessly American institution, and for good reason. Unlike
other holidays, which are often endurance tests requiring the wearing of one’s
best false-face, Halloween operates by its own rules. Americans claim as their
birthright the possibility of becoming anyone or anything they can imagine,
often an impossible dream in the course of everyday life, but well within
everyone’s reach very October 31. Popular culture is perpetually awash with the
promises, thrills, and terrors of personal transformation, and Halloween
dependably takes us out of ourselves—or lets our inner selves out. Since horror
and fantasy is my business, I’m usually occupied with some book tour or
promotional activity at this time of the year, so when I’m asked what I’m going
to be for Halloween, my stock answer (delivered in the best Boris Karloff voice
I can muster) is “Why, the most terrifying monster of them all—a talk show guest!”
7 more days ‘til Halloween, Halloween, Halloween. 7 more days ‘til Halloween. Silver Shamrock!
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