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DAVID J. SKAL

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David, my childhood interest in Universal Studio's classic monsters was rekindled about eight or nine years ago when I received, as a gift, the Dracula: Special Edition DVD featuring your exhaustively researched, masterfully articulated and thoroughly enlightening commentary track and accompanying documentary. Your enthusiasm for the subject material is infectious and I, for one, am thankful for your involvement in that project as well as the documentaries for several other classic films. But with respect to Dracula in particular (and with my apologies if this has previously been addressed - I have just discovered this forum), have you had an opportunity to view the 75th Anniversary edition of the film with Steve Haberman's new commentary track? I found it to be a fascinating counter-perspective, particularly in regards to his opinions about the Browning's supremacy when compared to Melford along with Haberman's alternative interpretation of that distracting piece of cardboard affixed to the lamp in Mina's bedroom. I'd be most curious in your response to any of Haberman's counterpoints. Also, while unrelated to Haberman but still related to the Dracula film, I understand that brief Edward Van Sloan segment that concluded the film as part of its initial release is now lost yet there seems to be at least some surviving footage, as a portion of it was included in The Road to Dracula. Is there realistic hope that the complete footage will eventually surface? Many thanks again to you for your undying enthusiasm for these wonderful old films and for your most commendable efforts to keep the fire burning for new audiences. --Charlton from Atlanta

David, I've emailed back and forth with Skylar (Michael), Rosie's youngest stepson. He lives in Boca Roton. He has related stories to me of CR, as he calls Claude. Ii have not had contact with her older sons, but Michael has shared some stories about them as well. When Rosie died, Skylar was essentially turned out and tossed out. His stories about Claude are poignant, sometimes funny, and oftentimes sad. It's amazing that such a brilliant actor and accomplished man as Claude Rains had so many inner demons. It's been awhile since I've been in contact with Michael, let me email him back to ask permission to share his views. I'll be in touch about that matter if I receive a reply. Thank you.

What was the nature of Claude Rains' last marriage, to his sixth wife? She preceded him in death by a couple of years. Her sons have said that Claude did little else but sit around drinking, but that the marriage was a very good one. Did her death devastate him? He chose to be buried by her side. Was the marriage a happy one by Rainsian standards?

I'm not sure that a marriage in which one partner sits around drinking all day can be considered "very good," but he did say that although he had loved many women, only one (Rosemary)loved him back. She was a long-time obsessive fan who decided she was going to marry him before they even met. He was flattered by the attention, starved for companionship, and she certainly took loving care of him until her own health failed. Yes, he was devastated by her death, which was the beginning of his own end. I'm curious about her sons talking about Rains--where? when? I was never able to locate them. Could you post the source of their quotes (or e-mail me directly?) Many thanks.

Are you a fan of the 1953 UPA cartoon version of THE TELL-TALE HEART, narrated by James Mason?

Haven't seen it since the 1960s, but I remember Mason's voice. He should have recorded a whole album of Poe readings.

Your thoughts Mr. Skal, on HELLBOY - the comics and film series.

As I've said elsewhere,I'm out of my depth with anything having to do with graphic novels and their film adaptations. Hope to catch up with HELLBOY and many others soon.

Have you seen THE DARK KNIGHT yet? Such a sensational film!

With luck, I'll see it this weekend. Understand that Heath Ledger gives an iconic, tour-de-force performance.

To my astonishment, I see others here have populated your Forum with questions about Mr. Rains. I have another. Bette Davis apparently loved him. Made no bones about it. Pursued him, according to her own recollections, and Rains gently deflected her. How close was their relationship? It was non-sexual but apparently physical in some more "benign" fashion. Any insight? Did Rains love her in his own phlegmatic fashion?

Davis was definitely obsessed with Claude, but their relationship never went beyond good natured camaraderie with Davis occasionally letting loose a quip along the lines of "You've married all these other women--why don't you marry me?" Rains frankly wasn't comfortable with strong women in his private life, but he and Bette got along fine professionally. He told his daughter that Bette Davis "devoured men the way she devoured cigarettes." In the book, he gives an interesting appraisal of Bette's difficulties maintaining relationships with men.

Hi, Mr. Skal. What is your assessment regarding Claude Rains and his fan base in relation to other stars who have appeared in the classic horror genre? Do you feel he has an equally strong and faithful following?

Claude has an incredibly strong fan base (the word "rabid" comes immediately to mind, however uncharitably) but his base only overlaps slightly with horror fans. His admirers seem to share Bette Davis's unrequited passion for Claude.

I'm sure this will be addressed in your upcoming Claude Rains biography, but was his drinking a problem for him in the 20's and 30's? He was secretive, and it doesn't seem third parties mentioned it until the 1940's and 50's. Just curious if the drinking was an issue for him early in his career as well?

He began drinking early on. The first story he tells has to do with a tense theatre situation where somebody in the dressing room encouraged him to have a couple of glasses of scotch and he went along with it. But for the most part nobody outside his immediate family knew about his drinking until it killed him. Unlike people like Bogart, he never drank on the set or ever appeared impaired to anyone he worked with professionally.

Based on all the research you've done over the years, I wonder if you can confirm or deny the rumor that, in the 1940s, RKO briefly considered putting Elizabeth Russell under special contract and giving her a big build up as the screen's first female horror star? She certainly had the look for it, and was a good actress to boot! She's creepier than Lugosi in THE CORPSE VANISHES, for example.

Can't confirm or debunk--but it would have been a great idea. Hadn't heard it before.

Much of a Castlevania fan?

Geek though I am, I've never played a video game in my life. But I've read the announcements about the upcoming film and am certainly looking forward to it.

Your views, Mr. Skal, on the film THE BRIDE, starting Sting and Jennifer Beals.

A total waste of Quentin Crisp!

Much of a fan of Batman?

Always. Fascinating that the character was partially inspired by "The Bat Whispers" starring Chester Morris. Universal unsuccessfully approached Morris for "Dracula" in 1931.

Mr. Skal. An avid horror fan and moviegoer, I'm compiling a list of films to watch by period. What do you think of this list of films from Germany during the Silent/1920 days? Anymore you would recommend or dismiss from this list: 1. A Night of Horror (the very first vampire film) 2. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari 3. The Golem: How He Came Into the World 4. The Head of Janus 5. Destiny 6. Dr. Mabuse Parts 1 and 2 7. Nosferatu 8. Waxworks 9. The Hands of Orlac 10. The Last Laugh 11. The Student of Prague 12. Faust 13. Metropolis 14. Arlaune

A really good list by me. Happy you included A Night of Horror.

When I asked you the previous question about Harlan Ellison, I had no idea whatsoever just how influential he's been in your life. What was he like as a teacher? Also, do you still keep in touch with him? Does he know just how well you're doing, I hope?

Very demanding as a teacher, especially when he thought you really might have talent. As I remember he had us churning out a story a day during his workshop week. And of course there was a lot of junk turned in, and he let you know exactly why it was junk in his inimitably caustic manner. We've sadly only gotten together a few times in person, but he's given me good business advice from time to time, and once, when I was in a lurch after a canceled TV project, very generously found me some magazine work to weather the storm.

Now that Roy Thinnes is getting some press attention again due to the DVD release of Season One of THE INVADERS, I'm wondering what you think about two other genre projects featuring Thinnes, 1973's TV-movie THE NORLISS TAPES and the early 1990s revival of DARK SHADOWS?

I haven't really followed Thinnes' career (don't remember NORLISS at all) but I loved THE INVADERS and really disliked the return of DARK SHADOWS which was soooo unnecessary.

Your opinion, pro or con, on a man on whom it's virtually impossible to be neutral, Harlan Ellison?

Since Harlan is largely responsible for my wanting to become a writer in the first place, I'm not unbiased. He and Ray Bradbury were my favorite writers, and it was on Harlan's personal recommendation that I was accepted into the Clarion science fiction workshop straight out of high school. I always thought his stylistic influence on mainstream giants like Stephen King has been underappreciated. Read some of King's early stories; the unmistakable similarity of the prose is often uncanny. Dearly wish he had finished THE LAST DANGEROUS VISIONS; the first two books were my bibles.

:( Mr. Skal, looks like some of your documentaries on Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr and Peter Lorre have surfaced on YouTube!

I wrote the A&E scripts for Karloff and Chaney, and was only a talking head in the Lorre. These were flat-fee, work for hire projects so this kind of copyright infringement doesn't really affect me, but I truly don't understand the wholesale posting of protected works.But I guess it's nice that people still want to watch them.

Have you watched any other Faerie Tale Theatre episodes since The Boy Who Left.... Also, ever listened to an episode of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater? Quality program from the 70s and 80s!

Haven't watched any more Faerie Tales (but I am similarly perplexed about the copyright issues--see above. And I completely missed the CBS series.

You played Jonathan Harker? Please tell us about the reading! Set the scene, give us the details.

It was staged by Terry Pace and his Pillar of Fire Productions in a wonderful restored art deco theatre. Very simple staging--everyone at music stands, wearing black, and some incidental music. I'm too old to be Harker, but I think I handled it well enough vocally.

Orson Welles once told Peter Bogdanovich that he played Dracula on stage. Have you ever heard of such a production?

Definitely untrue. I think he also told Bogdonavitch that he had once met Bram Stoker--another tall tale, given that he was born three years after Stoker died. Despite the fibbing, I very much enjoyed the Mercury Theatre DRACULA, which holds up as a performance piece. I participated in a staged reading of the script a few years ago (I read Jonathan Harker)and it still clicks with audiences. I liked the twist Welles added at the end--Mina (Agnes Moorehead in the original broadcast) personally dispatching Dracula.

The website's gone green! Looks very nice, but why'd you make the change? What's your opinion of Jess franco's COUNT DRACULA? I always thought that Lee's performance could heve been definitive if he had been backed up by the proper production values and a less zoom lens-happy director. Also, did you enjoy Orson Welles's radio "Dracula?"

I'm getting ready to add a long-needed update of content, and find that the green is easier on the eye than the heavy maroon, especially when reading text. COUNT DRACULA was a good idea hobbled by a small budget. German shepherds stood in for wolves, as I remember. But it was great to see Lee at least looking like Stoker's character. Re Welles and DRACULA, see above.

Since there seems to be a pretty good chance that it will be available on DVD this Halloween from Warners, I'd be interested to know your thoughts on Karloff's THE WALKING DEAD.

I haven't seen it in years, but my mother was taken to see THE WALKING DEAD by her parents as a little girl, and it scared the hell out of her(and no wonder she gave birth to a horror historian) What I remember most was that the Famous Monsters photos of Karloff with the electrified hair streak were especially cool, and that the film, when I finally saw it on TV, it wasn't as scary as the photos. But I remember being impressed by that haunting piano recital.

Much of an Indiana Jones fan?

Very much, and happy to see the new one getting such good reviews. Can't wait to get to a screening. (It won't surprise anybody that I absolutely loved the Lorre-esque bad guy in the original...)

Hi David, I was just wondering what your thoughts were on the upcoming "Wolf Man" remake.

Beyond what I said about the makeup earlier--scroll down a way, past the point where the right column ends--Jessica Rains is quite happy Anthony Hopkins is playing Claude's role. Curious about the script though--haven't heard exactly what they've done with the story.

Hello David, I know you've addressed whether there will be "shocking revelations" in your upcoming Claude Rains biography. But may we assume the revelations will touch upon both his drinking and his allegedly prodigious (albeit secretive), womanizing? It was apparently well known in the industry but scarcely touched upon in biographical fluff pieces on him.

The fact that his drinking killed him may surprise some readers, but they'll probably have to make up their own minds about the womanizing, since it's all conjecture. What is persuasive, however, are the large number of people who knew and worked with him and assumed he did a lot of sleeping around because of all the swooning attention he received from women all through his career, and the flirtatious way he responded to it. If he did have affairs, however, none of the women ever spoke out.

Your thoughts on the 2004 bomb "Van Helsing"?

More like a video game than a movie, although I did like the banshee-like vampire brides. I hope Kim Newman's "Anno Dracula" gets made into a film as a needed corrective. Starts with Dracula marrying Queen Victoria and impaling Van Helsing's head on a spike atop Buckingham Palace.

Dear Everybody: I'm off to Dublin for a week to participate in Trinity College's popular culture conference "It Came from the 1950s," and won't be attending to this site until I'm back. Keep posting comments and questions, and, in the meantime, check out this link: http://1950spopularculture.homestead.com/index.htm

Hi, David. In reference to Dracula (1958, my all-time favourite horror film), you said that "Warner Home Video butchered the top and bottom of the frame in a weird attempt to "widescreen" it." I have heard this criticism before, but didn't they just matte it as it was supposed to have been matted for the cinemas when it was released? The correct ratio would surely have been something like widescreen, once matted, even if the actual print was nearer 4:3, no? Dave Rattigan

Just take a look at the VHS release and you'll immediately see what was done. The film was shot in the standard 35mm aspect ratio, without heads constantly being clipped by the frame. Both the performers' hair and the cinematographer's original compositions deserve much better treatment.

Would love to know your thoughts on the three John Brahm - directed Fox titles (two with Laird Cregar!)released on DVD last Halloween, THE UNDYING MONSTER, THE LODGER and HANGOVER SQUARE.

THE LODGER is my favorite version of the Ripper story, and seeing Cregar at the piano in HANGOVER SQUARE always reminds me of Victor Buono in WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE. UNDYING MONSTER is a rare werewolf picture that I've yet to see. I'll look for the DVD set.

One of my favorite cinema oldies is the silent/sound version of the 1929 "MYSTERIOUS ISLAND". Originally it was tinted and had used technicolour (two tone) in some scenes. Do you think a time will come when using colorization the film could be restored to its original version instead of the b/w version that is left to us?

Surprised nobody has done this already. If a decent print survives along with and cutting continuity indicating tints, there's no technical reason preventing it. The two-strip technicolor would probably have to be recreated digitally (I assume the nitrate negatives are long gone). But it would be an expensive proposition, which is probably the reason you haven't seen it. It's an obscure film when compared to the silent "biggies" that get red-carpet restorations.

I have noticed that the BFI has restored the 1958 "Dracula" (US "Horror Of Dracula") and had it released in theatres in Europe to critical praise and very good boxoffice. Now some years ago UCLA, as reported in American Cinematographer, has restored the 1943 "Phantom Of The Opera" and yet I have heard of no screenings. Has this print been playing and have you seen or been involved with it?

Hope to see the restored Hammer Drac sometime--Warner Home Video butchered the top and bottom of the frame in a weird attempt to "widescreen" it. The print, however, is gorgeous,and probably the BFI restoration. Another one for the annals of Criminal Shame. Re the '43 PHANTOM, we used the UCLA print for the DVD release. I believe UCLA did a screening at the time of the restoration.

I was surprised to see visual references to FREAKS in, of all things, the DVD of THE FANTASTICKS. What a weird movie! Did you ever see see it?

Having acted and sang in a college production, oceans-of-time ago, I am very fond of the original musical, and after hearing so many horrible things about the film, avoided it until recently, when morbid curiosity just got the best of me. And yes, I too was surprised to see little people and "Yo-Yo the Chicken Lady" (a rather convincing Koo-Koo the Bird Girl stand-in). All in all, the traveling carnival conceit is a good one--who, after all, is going to make a movie that all takes place on a tiny bare stage with a sprinkle of confetti? And the cast just nailed the Bradburyesque characters, even if the voices weren't always up to snuff. But what really derailed the thing was slowing the tempo of every song to a precious crawl (and then dumping some of the best lyrics, apparently to make up time). I was shocked--shocked--at how they butchered the soaring "I Can See It," and as for replacing "It Depends on What You Pay" (the infamous "Rape" song) with pale political correctness...well, you know something's wrong when your popcorn box starts looking like a barf bag. Anyway, I can still try to remember our wonderful old production, and am known to belt out all the songs in the shower any time I want.

Hello, Mr. Skal, I am researching Ernest Richard Schayer (1880-1956), son of Col. George Fredrick Schayer and Julia Scott Thompson. I am seeking biographical information, annecdotes and especially photos of Richard. Can you suggest some sources of this type of information? I would be most grateful. Thank you, Xana Hansen

If this is the same Richard Schayer who headed Universal Pictures' script department in the 1930s, I know that the Margaret Herrick Library of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Library has at least one photograph in its collection. I have never interviewed anyone who remembers or who worked with him. I don't have transcripts in front of me, but I'm pretty sure some of his studio memos are quoted in Rudy Behlmer's DVD audio commentaries for FRANKENSTEIN and THE INVISIBLE MAN. Schayer contributed preliminary treatments of his own for these two films, as well as supervising the work of other screenwriters. James Curtis also quotes some of Schayer's Universal memoranda in his James Whale biography.

With your love of Karloff I was wondering if you enjoyed his television series "THRILLER as much as I did. While "Twilight Zone" and "Outer Limits" are glutted down our throats becoming overkill, Karloff's show is mostly forgotten by mainstream public. I have the laserdisc box set but they only contain about a fraction of the whole run. I hope MCA decides to put it out in new transfers on dvd for the entire run!

I don't know why the whole run of THRILLER was never released on DVD; perhaps another reader has the cryptic answer. Another major crime! I adored the series. My favorite episodes were "The Incredible Dr. Markesan," "The Terror in Teakwood" (both included in the boxed set) and "Pigeons from Hell," sadly only available from collectors in off-air VHS dubs.

Other than Bela Lugosi, who was your favorite Dracula?

Louis Jourdan

Your thoughts Mr. Skal, on the anthology series MASTERS OF HORROR. Just rented my first episodes today - THE BLACK CAT and FAMILY, and absolutley loved them!!

A superb, wonderfully edgy series. A dirty rotten shame Showtime dropped it. I can't imagine how a network version will be able to match anything achieved in MOH's all too short two seasons.Treasure the DVDs; nothing similar is likely to come down the pike.

Please DJS, tell us of your experiences with masturbation!

Please tell us yours first! I'll be happy to give you space!

Its my tragic news to report the death of scream queen Hazel Court :(

Sad news indeed. I'll be looking forward to her autobiography. It was really disconcerting that America Online posted some clips from MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH with her obituary--and they were all Jane Asher, not Hazel.

Being a large fan of Made For Television films there are two-great reviews when broadcasted-now totally forgotten. They were "FEAR NO EVIL" starring Louis Jourdan (Universal/MCA 1969) and "THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE BELL" starring Glenn Ford (Cinema 100). I saw two 16mm prints, in excellent condition, many years ago but I'm wondering if these have been saved? Have you seen these movies and what do you think the chances are they are preserved?

I just barely remember seeing FEAR when it was broadcast, but do recall that it was well-done.If produced by Universal for network broadcast, there are almost certainly archival elements in the vault.Don't know about BROTHERHOOD.

I recently checked Karloff's AND THE DARKNESS FALLS, an anthology he edited in 1946, out of the library and, overall, enjoyed it. Are you familiar with it, or any other of Karloff's literary projects?

I remember being thrilled when I found DARKNESS at the Cleveland Public Library when I was in junior high school, and gulped it all down over a rainy weekend. Karloff's name is on two other anthologies: TALES OF TERROR (1943) and THE BORIS KARLOFF HORROR ANTHOLOGY (1965). Today, of course (turned cynical from too many years in publishing), I realize he just licensed his name. But as a kid, it was fun to think Boris picked all the stories himself--just for me!

Have you heard of an upcoming movie - Monstermania? Looks like a real treat!

No, but I really like the title. Was also the title of a short-lived monster magazine in the 1960s

Would you say that Dracula, as a character in Stoker's novel, is one dimensional?

Yes, and that's the reason filmmakers keep embellishing and "improving" him.

Any plans on coming to Australia?

Sadly, no. But THE MONSTER SHOW makes a guest appearance in an Australian detective novel. Someone is staying up late reading me. It was a gas.

What do you think of The Wicker Man with Chris Lee? Its a shame you did not cover it in The Monster Show :(

I enjoyed it, but since the rest of the book focused on horror's influence on American culture, I ended up slighting many worthy British films. But if I had included a chapter on Hammer and company, it would have stopped the flow of the book.

Would love to hear your thoughts on the film THE COMPANY OF WOLVES.

Too many people still haven't seen it!A terrific film. Especially enjoyed Angela Lansbury.

Are you a Mystie (that is to say, a fan of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATRE 3000)?

I never took to it, but did very much enjoy their send-up of THIS ISLAND EARTH.

Since it's going to be rereleased on DVD sometime in the next few months, I was wondering what you think of James Cagney's MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES?

An interesting film with good performances and some wonderfully theatrical moments (the on-stage poisoning, for example), but quite another matter if you're expecting a real bio. I heard a story that Chaney Jr. called the film a total whitewash. Dramatically, it's saccharine and button-pushy. I've always found the Westmore make-up recreations extremely annoying and terribly unconvincing, but there is one makeup (glimpsed in a still image, I think) of Cagney as Chaney in LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT, that I wish turned up live in the film. Likewise, Tod Browning. However, this film was made by Universal, not MGM, so there was an inevitable bias. Only wish it could be redone with Rick Baker creating the faces.

I'm really intrigued by that FRANKENSTEIN set design photo you're auctioning on eBay (you ARE hollygoth1931, right?)What ever happened to Hall's original sketches? Does Universal have them?

Yes, I'm hollygoth1931, and no, Universal seems to have lost most of their art department archive in one of the periodic floods that used to plague the lot. When I was working at Universal, the earliest design work for the classic horrors I could find were some elevation blueprints for HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, and nothing else. I even contacted one of Hall's surviving nephews to see if the family had anything from the earlier films. Alas, no. I don't know where the FRANKENSTEIN set rendering photo was shot, but it's very striking. I found some newspaper clippings on DRACULA's Los Angeles premiere, and they actually showcased Hall's designs for the film at a bank on Hollywood Boulevard. No photos, of course. I've seen some of his designs for MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE reproduced in books and they were truly amazing. For a Brit, he was a damn good German expressionist!

Your thoughts on the upcoming Wolf Man remake, Mr. Skal?

Don't know what they've done with the story, but Rick Baker seems to have hit another home run with the makeup--from what I've seen, it's a brilliant homage to the Jack Pierce original rather than a re-creation. I'm really looking forward to it.

Now that it's been announced for DVD release in May, I was wondering what you think of a TV show that I think has been rather overlooked in the wake of STAR TREK, namely THE INVADERS?

I enjoyed it very much -- kind of like THE FUGITIVE on acid (thank you, Quinn Martin). Also demonstrated how little is really needed in terms of makeup and effects to hold an audience's attention.

Word has it your Claude Rains book will contain some "shocking" revelations. True?

Lots of surprising things,I hope, but nothing Edward Van Sloan will have to warn the reader about in advance. He was married six times, after all, and people who are described as "intensely private" all through their careers usually have their reasons. But in the last year of his life, he taped some unusually candid reminiscences--about 30 hours worth, which he intended for eventual publication. Hence the subtitle "An Actor's Voice."

I'm surprised you didn't get very far with Ray Harryhausen. I heard he was a lovely man, so maybe he was having an off-day. He delighted fans last year when he spontaneously showed up at a Hammer convention in London. Sorry to hear about the hospitalization - stay well. Dave Rattigan

Hi, Dave. I'm really doing fine,just a bit sore. Re Harryhausen, he's a titanic genius and I guess he was just having a bad day. My admiration of him remains uncompromised.


Is it true you were just hospitalised?

From your spelling, I assume you're one of my British, Canadian, or Australian readers. How the hell you people get this kind of information is beyond me. But yes, I had quintuple hernia repair surgery last week, a procedure I hope you guys--and gals, by the way--all can avoid. It was an outpatient operation and I'm doing fine. Anyone dealing with such a problem can contact me privately for advice and reassurance. This isn't a medical website and I won't address the issue again here. Just know that the problem can build up over years and surgery is your only option.

Have you seen Robert Zemeckis' BEOWULF? A real feast for the eyes!!

Looking forward to it, waiting for a 3D screening--love Robert's work.

Any anecdotes about Ray Harryhausen?

Unfortunately, no. I once tried to strike up a friendly conversation with him at a convention, and failed to engage him, even with my "you created my childhood" story(which I usually save for people like Ray Bradbury and Robert Bloch.) Maybe he just heard that fanboy pitch too many times, I dunno. But he's still one of the greatest fantasists of modern times.

What have you to say about Fairy Tales in the context of the Horror Film?

Boris Karloff once remarked that horror movies were rooted in folktales from all over the world, and that was the basis of their appeal.I'll go on step further and say that horror/scifi entertainment IS our predominant mode of folklore today.

Are you a fan of WITCHFINDER GENERAL?

A tad sadistic, even as horror movies go, but one of Vincent's best performances. The only autographed photo he gave me was from that film, when I interviewed him for my high school newspaper. And, yes, I keep promising to post that picture of us together and will soon (he promised again.

Any personal anecdotes about one of the nicest men I've ever met, and a walking film encyclopedia, the late and VERY MUCH missed William K. Everson? Just as an example: He was once a guest at a horror movie convention that lost money. Well, he quietly took the organizer aside and wrote him a check to cover his losses simply because he wanted the man to keep putting on horror film conventions. I remember taking a summer NYU class with him, commuting every day from Philadelphia. Even though he didn't know me from Adam, he lent me all sorts of rare, expensive books just because he knew I was interested. Not just horror material, but Westerns, noir, you name it. A man in a million.

I wish I had more stories about the legendary Bill K. I only met him once at his NYU office when I started work on HOLLYWOOD GOTHIC in 1989. He was fascinated by the project, especially my trail of the Florence Stoker NOSFERATU controversy, and gave me many helpful suggestions and contacts. Unfortunately, we never hooked up again. Although he was famously generous with his time and courtesies, I was frankly a bit intimidated at the meeting--the first time I had ever sought the help of an academic! I wanted to quiz him more about his evident viewing of the burned studio nitrate print of LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT, but that discussion sadly never happened. I treasured his books as a kid, especially THE BAD GUYS.

In your upcoming Claude Rains book, how do you treat BATTLE OF THE WORLDS?

As the nonsense that it was. Rains' then-wife pressured him to take the assignment as an excuse for an Italian vacation. I include many anecdotes.

I would love to hear your thoughts on Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes" - both the book and film.

An American masterpiece, not far behind FAHRENHEIT 451, my absolute favorite Bradbury work. An enduring classic that ought to be part of every high school English curriculum. The Disney film fell a bit short of the mark--as do most Bradbury adaptations--but I thought Jonathan Pryce was brilliant. My favorite RB short story is "The Jar" and one day a couple years back he let me poke around his basement and, surprise, he still has the original prop from the Hitchcock show! I have a picture somewhere of me lifting the lid and taking a peek inside.

It saddens me to report the death of Ben Chapman from THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. Your thoughts?

I too was saddened, and surprised. He bent over backward to help me with the Universal DVD documentary when I was in Honolulu. A kind and generous man who extended every courtesy to his fans.

Although Rains was excellent, as usual, in PHANTOM, and the Technicolor was stunning, the consensus seems to be: Too much opera, not enough Phantom. Would you agree, David?

The Claude Rains weekend sounds great. Like the cover picture, too. That version of Phantom was the first one I ever saw as a kid, so it has always had a special place in my heart. Since it is generally slated by critics (and I can see why), I was wondering what your opinion of the movie was. Misunderstood masterpiece? Lame duck? Somewhere in-between? Cheers, Dave Rattigan

I'll answer these two together. It's not my favorite Rains film, though his work with what he was given was impeccable, as always. Dramatic mistake to make the Phantom a supporting prop to all the opera (and because of European copyright problems during the war, the rights to more appropriate works like "Faust" and its variations weren't available.) More blood and thunder was definitely called for. The original script treatment intended for Karloff as a shellshocked, mentally disfigured WWI era phantom was much more intriguing, and THE CLIMAX is in its own way a better variation on the operatic horror theme.


What exactly is a "Claude Rains Weekend" and when/where will it happen?

It will be a celebration of all things Rainsian, including screenings, signings, panel discussions, and a staged concert reading of DARKNESS AT NOON, Claude's Broadway triumph, with Jessica Rains and I participating as readers. Location is Florence, Alabama, and the event will be a cooperative effort between Pillar of Fire Productions, the University of North Alabama, and local bookstores and arts groups. The complicated details are still being worked out, but right now we're looking at the weekend of November 1-2.

That beautiful cover photo of Rains IS from PHANTOM, right?

Yes, one of several we considered, but as Jessica told me when she saw the final design, "Really dramatic--just like he was!"

When will the Rains book be available?

Official publication date is early November, but it will start shipping (I'm told) in early October.

The Claude Rains cover is terrific! Were you the designer this time?

No, but the designer will certainly get a grateful acknowledgment when I learn his or her name! Kentucky did a beautiful job. Just got the proof this morning.

Have you seen No Country For Old Men?

Not yet, but high on my list.

"The Monster Show" is an excellent piece of non-fiction. But, if you could go back and expand on your topics or write about new ones, what would they be?

Doubt that I'll ever do another book specifically on horror films, but I've started another biographical project on a well-known character actor assolciated with the genre. Not ready to say who until I secure a publisher.

Re: On the subject of Faerie Tale Theatre, have you ever watched an episode? A rather charming series, though I like Jim Henson's The Storyteller much more. Vincent Price pops up in a couple of them. Kaitlin.

Re: If you havent already located that Faerie Tale Theatre episode, here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=faerie+tale+theatre+the+shivers&search_type= Look forward to hearing your thoughts on this episode.

In response to both posts above, I adored "The Boy Who Left Home. Christopher Lee always had a comic flair nobody ever made good use of. And I've liked everything Peter MacNicol has done since "Sophie's Choice." And his dead-on homage to Dwight Frye in "Dracula Dead and Loving It" was amazingly funny. But for the life of me, I don't understand how all this copyrighted stuff gets posted on YouTube. Strikes me as, ahem, piracy.

My Dream Cast for a new film adaptation of "Frankenstein": Starring Gerard Butler (VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN), Bill Nighy (THE CREATURE), Emily Watson (ELIZABETH), Billy Boyd (HENRY CLERVAL), Dominic West (CAPTAIN WALTON), Emily Mortimer (JUSTIN MORITZ), Robert Hardy (BARON FRANKENSTEIN), James Fox (PROFESSOR WALDEN), Derek Jacobi (PROFESSOR KREMPE) with Vanessa Redgrave (BARONESS FRANKENSTEIN) and Christopher Lee (THE BLIND, OLD MAN). Just thought it would be cool if Lee made a small appearance in such a film, as a homage to his portrayal of the Creature in the first Hammer film.

Another cast worth savoring in the movies of our minds. I'm still waiting for a film in which Victor and the monster are played by the same actor.

A bit off topic, but do you like the show Family Guy?

Yes,very much.

Hey David. I am currently reading "The Devil Rides Out". Have you read this?

Unfortunately not.

I'd love to know your opinion on the new documentary, VAL LEWTON: THE MAN IN THE SHADOWS.

Don't know it, haven't seen it, but glad someone has done it. About time!

My Dream Cast for a film adaptation of "The Hound of the Baskervilles": SHERLOCK HOLMES (Ralph Fiennes), DR. JOHN WATSON (Timothy Spall), SIR HENRY BASKERVILLE (Clive Owen), BERYL STAPLETON (Keira Knightley), DR. JAMES MORTIMER (John Rhys Davies), STAPLETON (Christopher Eccleston), BARRYMORE (Jonathan Pryce), MRS. BARRYMORE (Imelda Staunton) and SIR HUGO BASKERVILLE (an uncredited cameo appearance by Gary Oldman)

Nifty dream cast! Keep 'em coming!

Enjoying browsing your eBay listings. Dracula's castle looked so odd in daylight. I see a photo of Bela Lugosi on stage is dated to the 1950s. Did he continue playing that role on stage after 1931? If so, how often? (I swear I'll buy your book on Dracula one of these days, as I'm sure the info is all in there!) Cheers, Dave Rattigan

The new edition of GOTHIC doesn't have as many illustrations as the old one, but the text is as up-to-date as I could make it. Lugosi appeared on stage as Dracula many times after 1931, usually in the Deane/Balderston play, but also in "spook show" appearances and even in a Las Vegas review.

Interesting you say you're into anything with Davis and Crawford. I am going through a bit of a phase with both of them at the moment. What do you think it is that attracts gay guys to Davis and Crawford? I guess for me the main draws with Crawford are her beauty and her strong, resolute, independent character - I wonder if those two attributes are necessary to each other in some way? Dave Rattigan

Camp fascination is a complicated thing, but one reason Crawford and Davis may be appealing to gays is that they're both powerful, self-created personas, and most gay men have had dealt with putting on an "act" in one way or another.Me, I like the way they walk and talk.

What is your name on eBay? I'd love to see your items!

hollygoth1931

Why are you selling so many things on eBay?

Since I have no plans to start an archive or museum, and have 40 plus years of collecting in storage, in closets, and file cabinets, I've decided to let go of an awful lot, to research libraries, and to individual collectors via eBay. A wiser person once told me the only way to hold onto something was to let it go. I agree.

Just out of curiousity, what do you think of these films (random question I know, but love to hear from you): Tim Burton's Corpse Bride; Peter Jackson's King Kong; Svengali (with John Barrymore); Dragonwyck (with Vincent Price) and Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth

The Burton film deserved more attention than it got. I personally enjoyed it tremendously.King Kong had some wonderful sequences but overall seemed bloated and overall a bit unnecessary. My favorite part about the whole Kong project was Jackson's black and white recreation of the original spider pit scene on the DVD. "Svengali" is wonderful, and that scene where he projects himself mesmerically to Trilby is a knockout. Makes you wish Barrymore had had a shot at Dracula. I saw "Dragonwyck" so long ago (I was a kid)and remember mostly being disappointed that it wasn't a real horror film--with Vincent Price, no less. What a gyp! I'm sure it deserves a re-viewing. Sad to say that "Pan's Labyrinth" is just one of those many, many things I'm going to have to catch up with on cable or DVD.

What is your opinion of The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror episodes?

Always a treat for Halloween!

Re: Have you watched that Faerie Tale Theatre episode yet?

Not yet; still looking for it at the local video stores

What are some of your favorite non horror films?

"Casablanca," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, "Now Yoyager"(You can tell I'm heavy into Claude Rains,my latest biographical project), almost anything with Davis and Crawford, and everything by Hitchcock. Recently, I was totally blown away by "La Vie en Rose".

"The Monster Show" is an excellent piece of non-fiction. But, if you could go back and expand on your topics or write about new ones, what would they be?



Ever harbored a crush for anyone in the old golden age horror films? I've always had a crush on Fay Wray and thought of both Valerie Hobson and Evelyn Ankers as kinda cute.

Believe it or not, even gay guys sometimes get female screen crushes. Mine was always Ingrid Bergman. And, from a gay perspective, I've never had the hots for Karloff or Lugosi (I get asked this all the time)

What do you think of Bette Davis' ventures into the horror/thriller genre: "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?", "Hush...Hush Sweet Charlotte" and "The Nanny"?

She was terrific in both, proving how good she was at reinventing her screen persona to meet changing industry demands. The only other veteran performer who comes close is Angela Lansbury. When I worked with her on the A&E "Biography" show I scripted, she said that Davis once told her "There isn't a role I played that you couldn't play." Imagine a role reversal: Bette Davis as Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd." ,/b>

How long have you and Bob been in a relationship?

Happy to report that 2008 marks our ninth anniversary.

What is your overall opinion of the Carrie musical? I've been listening to bits of the soundtrack lately - some of it's fairly good, some of it's just... dreadful. What was it like being in the audience of such a celebrated flop? Do you know anything about Stephen King's reaction? Thanks!

For sheer camp value, it was the most exciting evening of musical theatre in my life, rather like "Springtime for Hitler" made totally, totally real. The most thrilling train wreck you could ever wish for. The ticket was expensive, but who can place a value can ever be placed the once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness such an extreme disaster close-up and personal?

That said (and I may be repeating myself from earlier postsas well as from "The Monster Show"), the music itself was more than decent and as a longtime theatre professional, it probably wowed them at backers' auditions. Linzi Hately as Carrie had an enormous, Judy Garland-like vibrato (which just added to the overall air of schadenfreude). I saw it near end of previews--it closed after the first performance when they were still futzing around with the effects and blood. Betty Buckley did her best as the mother, but was no match for Barbara Cook, who dropped out, but I did manage to get hold of a bootleg tape of her live British performance.

The flaws of the production were thunderously in the staging, not the music. "Carrie" still remains a great basis for a pop-opera, and maybe somebody will be brave enough to stage (or at least record) a new version based on the original score and lyrics. Curious as to what "soundtrack" you listened to.


David: I’m a big fan of Tobe Hooper’s 1979 film interpretation of Stephen King’s, “Salem’s Lot.” (What do you think of it?) Though different from the novel, I still enjoy the film for its atmosphere and ‘70's style. With the 30th anniversary a few years away, who can fans write to encourage Warner Brothers to release a 30th Year Anniversary version with audio commentary by Hooper, David Soul, and even Stephen King - yourself perhaps. I bet they still make money from the film even though it is in a modest DVD version. Any thoughts or advise? Sincerely, John

I like the novel and both film versions, all for different reasons. Sorry I don't know who's in charge of things at Warner Home Video these days.

It seems to me that because THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN (1964) was distributed by Universal Studios, the film shares several similarities with the Universal cycle, besides the obvious - the weak attempt to emulate Jack Pierce's makeup. 1) The monster is brought to life by the "electrical secrets of heaven" 2) Found in ice (THE HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN) 3) Someone tries to gain control of the monster for their own purposes (i.e. Neiman in THE HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and Edelman in THE HOUSE OF DRACULA) 4) A carnival scene (THE HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN) 5) A burning labratory finale (THE HOUSE OF DRACULA and THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN) 6) A burgomaster character who gets Pwn3d (THE HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN). What do you think, David?

You're totally right--it was a highly derivative film, not one of Hammer's better efforts.

Hello David. What can you tell me about The Satanic Rites of Dracula?

Probably not more than I said in V IS FOR VAMPIRE: "The Hammer series of Dracula films dead-ended in this strained studio attempt to prolong the vampire's life. Peter Cushing, as a descendent of the original vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing, exposes Dracula's updated identity as a corporate tycoon dabbling in germ warfare. At the climax, tangled in a vampire-repelling hawthorne bush, Lee sports a Christlike crown of thorns and stigmata-like wounds,--the kind of isolated, inspired detail that would have been better used in a better picture."

Curious to know, ever seen the "The Boy Who Left Home To Find About The Shivers" episode on Faerie Tale Theatre? Its available in 5 parts on YouTube. Some interesting observations I made from it. It's more of a horror story than a fairy tale. It unites three horror actors: Christopher Lee (The Hammer Horror films), Vincent Price (The House of Wax) and David Warner (The Omen); is set in Transylvania; plays on old Hungarian superstitions (Tod Browning's Dracula anyone?); and Christopher Lee's character King Vladimier is the son of Vlad The Impaler (a reference or in-joke to Christopher Lee's portrayals as Dracula I guess). Also features Jack Pierce-esque Ghouls, spirits and the Grim Reaper. Excellent stuff!

I'm totally unfamiliar with this, but it sounds fantastic and I will definitely look it up. Thanks!

Re: Scariest scene in a horror film. The bat scene in The Abominable Dr. Phibes. "Shudders"

Nah, cheesey fruit bat close-ups, poor things are hardly vampires. My three scariest moments are the banshee in DARBIE O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE (which precipitated the worst nightmare in my life--"waking up" (dreaming) in my bed and the banshee doing her worst from my flung-open closet), followed by the skateboarding crone in the original HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (truly, this was my coming of age moment; I watched the film again and again to get a grip on my fears); and Julie Harris realizing she hasn't been holding hands with anyone in THE HAUNTING.

I know you're not that much of a fan of tolkien-esque universes, but have you seen or read THE LORD OF THE RINGS? I just saw THE GOLDEN COMPASS today and loved Christopher Lee's cameo. You seen yet?

I read the Tolkien trilogy in high school and college just to be part of the pack, but I found it to be tiresome beyond imagination. The films were fabulous, but obviously they suceeded because of their avoidance of Tolkien's deathly verbiage.

My dream, all-star cast for a film adaptation of Dracula: DRACULA ... Ralph Fiennes (whoever suggested that in the previous post is a genius) PRO. ABRAHAM VAN HELSING ... Sir Ian Mckellen MINA HARKER ... Rachel Wesiz JONATHAN HARKER ... Christian Bale DR. JOHN SEWARD ... Clive Owen QUINCEY MORRIS ... Cary Elwes LORD ARTHUR HOLMWOOD ... Tom Hollander LUCY WESTENRA ... Keira Knightley RENFIELD ... Brad Dourif

Big Dracula wet dream for me, too! Have you considered a career as a casting agent?

THE LAST MAN ON EARTH was an interesting film - I certainly liked it a LOT better than THE OMEGA MAN (When my father brought me to see that movie, my mother was still alive. When we got back home that night, she was dead.), but, anyway, would you agree with those who thought that Vincent Price seemed miscast. Or, would you say that his lack of ultra-macho Charlton Heston-type heroics made Price's character that much more believable?

oh my god, what a sad story. My feelings are with you. Hardly seems appropriate to comment on a Vincent Price film at the moment, but I loved LAST MAN and thought it to be one of Vincent's most-sincere, less condescending/campy performances.

How's this Tod Browning film of yours coming along? Being a young filmmaker, the idea greatly appeals to me. I have just finished a film based on a WWI survivor being exposed to the War of the Worlds Radio Drama back in '39, rendered in a B-Grade Horror Film style. I would love to send it to you!

And I'd love to see it, though please understand I'm just an interested fan and not in a position to promote it for you. Contact me by e-mail and I'll give you my postal address. The Browning film has been under option for eight years now, and as much as I appreciate the option money they've paid so far, I'd really like to see it actually be a movie.

Last night I watched a rather excellent film - APT PUPIL, based on the novella by Stephen King. Ian Mckellen was superb as a Nazi war criminal. Have you seen this film? If not, I STRONGLY recommend it.

Don't think it's his greatest moment by a long shot, though it was certainly well produced. I was a bit startled that it was actually screened, with Ian in attendance, for a major Holocaust group in LA.

Do you like the Pirates of the Caribbean films?

Only saw the first one and like Johnny Depp much more in less cartoony roles. He once told an magazine he'd love to play Tod Browning (oh, god, orgasm, scream!) When I interviewed Tim Burton for AMC's magazine a while back, I gave him a signed copy of the first edition of DARK CARNIVAL. So who knows?

INTERESTING OBSERVATION: Do you think Voldemort as portrayed by Ralph Fiennes in the Harry Potter films, bears a striking resemblance to Count Orlock a.k.a. Nosferatu? On that note, what would you think of Ralph Fiennes playing the Count in a new adaptation of Stoker's novel. When I met Fiennes a few years ago he always told me the role he always wanted to play was Sherlock Holmes.

An interesting idea (Fiennes is one of my favorite actors)but the possibility is extremely if not impossibly remote. Agree that he'd be a great Sherlock.

Hello David. What is your favorite Hammer Horror film? I'd say mine would be a toss between The Curse of Frankenstein and The Horror of Dracula. I watched The Phantom of the Opera with Herbert Lom yesterday, and prefer it to the 1940s Universal film. I'm sorry, but the only thing thats a highlight for me in that film is the inclusion of Claude Rains, other than that the film is VERY mediocre and pales in comparison to the timeless Lon Chaney version.

My favorites are BRIDES OF DRACULA and KISS OF THE VAMPIRE, because of their rich psychosexualsubtexts. Agree that the 1943 Rains version is inferior and Karloff (originally announced) would have been superior casting (no reflection on Rains, who was just a bit miscast)

David, what did you think of the latest adapatation of I Am Legend? Particularly interested in hearing your views considering the original novel's inclusion in your "Vampires" book.

Having just returned to the states this week, have not yet seen. I understand that the film is considerably different than Matheson's incandescently brilliant book. Loved the Vincent Price version, which was close to being a definitive adaptation.

If you had to choose a favorite horror acting legend like Karloff, Lugosi, Price, Lorre etc, who would you choose?

My favorite horror legend is probably Lugosi, if only for his ability to conjure an image of pure evil. Karloff was more nuanced than Price, who often descended into deliberate camp. Lorre was probably the most seriously committed actor in terms of his European training. These four men were all exceptionately well groomed performers, and I devoured everything they did. But the single most indelible horror role of them all was Karloff in THE BODY SNATCHER.

Re: I think he means a series of 4 films like the "Aliens Quadrilogy"

Yes, I figured it had to something with four, just wondered what, exactly.

Good eeeeeevening David. I was wondering if you were interested in hearing my ideas for a Dracula Quadrilogy. I will be posting it to your e-mail address.

Not exactly sure what a Dracula Quadrilogy is, but I'll look forward to hearing from you.

David. I've always admired you as a writer. Loved Antibodies!! Just a question ... I'm a closet homosexual. From reading your forum, it appears that you are gay also. How did you come out of the closet and went on to live a (hopefully) comfortable life with your partner?

I was so tormented as a teenager desperate to be "normal" I actually went to a suicide prevention center. Decades later, this all seems ridiculous, but nothing good comes from being closeted. I was fortunate to have spent my early adult years working in creative fields like the theatre where I was under no pressure to declare (or not declare) my sexual orientation to anyone. I also had a period of very fulfilling heterosexual involvements, but in the end I realized that my primary interest was always going to be men, and never fooled around with the idea that I could be "bisexual." Important to realize that gay people face all the same relationship ups and downs and challenges as everyone else. Obviously, I know very little about you. Hope you're not married (a real recipe for disaster), but in any caseyour message indicates a certain degree of distress. Feel free to contact me privately at djskal@aol.com if I can give you more feedback. Understand that my feelings and experiences and opinions are mine and mine alone, but anything I can do to coax someone out of the closet is time well spent.

Hello David! I was just wondering if you ever use to watch "The Milton the Monster Show"? If so I have some very interesting comments. Firstly, (most obviously) the show seems to be a product of the popularity of the Addams Family and the Munsters, which I always thought were products of the the Universal Monster films being resurected again due to the advent of television. And secondly, it always seemed to me that the insidious Dr. Goo Fee in the "Fearless Fly" segments is a caricature of Fu Manchu as portrayed by Boris Karloff.

Somehow I missed "Milton" but I do remember a nifty Saturday morning cartoon show with a Dracula-like villain called "Belly Lagoona." Re the Munsters, I was flabbergasted when Al Lewis told me that Grandpa Munster had nothing to do with Dracula. The character, he said, was just an "elf." Go figure.

Re: Sweeney Todd. Thanks for your comments & glad to hear you are a fan of both the musical and Sondheim generally. I agree Sweeney Todd works brilliantly as a smaller production. In fact, the first time I saw a live production was just this past summer at the Edinburgh Festival, and there was minimal staging and just a single piano for the accompaniment - but it blew me away. Having said that, I am a big fan of Lonnie Price's 2001 concert version, which is the complete opposite, with a sumptuous full orchestra score provided by the San Francisco Symphony. Alas, we won't get the film here in the UK until the end of this month, but I look forward to it. Happy New Year, David! Dave Rattigan

Happy New Year, Dave. Like all classic works, SWEENEY will just grow and prosper with every new rendition. The nineteenth-century stage versions are a real hoot.

I've got to plug my buddies' documentary, AMERICAN SCARY. (www.americanscary.com) It's about horror film hosts. They've even interviewed Maila Nurmi ("Vampira")! Mr. Skal, have you heard of it/seen it? Have a great weekend, everyone!!!

The doc looks fascinating, but for some reason my Quicktime won't play the trailers. I was always hoping some producer would do this topic justice. I enjoyed participating in VAMPIRA: THE MOVIE, which includes not only Maila herself but ultra-rare kinescopes of her original shows.

Hey David & Bob! Are you guys excited about the Wolf Man remake with Hopkins and DelToro???? I hope it's CGI-free. Too much to ask, isn't it?

Haven't heard about this one. Do you have a link?

Hello! I wanted to let you know I'm a fan of your books and commentary. We have similar tastes and I enjoy your wit. It's wry, much like Stephen Jones'. I wanted to wish you and yours all the best this holiday season. Can't wait to read the Claude Rains bio. Have you read, by chance, Bright Darkness: Lost Art of the Supernatural Horror Film, by Jeremy Dyson (yes, the League of Gentlemen writer!) Cheers and Hug, Carrie Strock near NashVega$, Tennessee

Thanks, I'll look for the Dyson book. CLAUDE RAINS: AN ACTOR'S VOICE will be published next fall, and I'll be posting excerpts and photos here shortly.

Hey David. Do you like the Saw films?

The first one, yes, but like many horror franchises, the sequels pale against the original.

Hi, David. Glad to see you are back and that you've cleaned up the out-of-control comments page! So... Are you familiar with the musical Sweeney Todd? Are you a Sondheim fan? And do you have any thoughts about the upcoming film version by Tim Burton? Dave Rattigan

Hi, Dave. Just saw Burton's SWEENEY yesterday and was pretty much blown away by it. I love the musical (and Sondheim generally) but always thought it should be staged as an intimate chamber musical, and not the big, drafty Harold Prince concept(which itself worked better on television, in relative closeup). Burton, Depp and Bonham-Carter really nailed it. As much as I adore Angela Lansbury (who I worked with professionally around the time of SWEENEY, an amazing experience), a gargoylish Mrs. Lovett doesn't make dramatic sense since there's clearly some kind of sexual magnetism between the principal characters. This is why Bernadette Peters was so fabulous as Mama Rose in GYPSY--unlike Ethel Merman or Lansbury, she was at core a babe, however fading. I disagree with the shots many critics have taken at the vocal talents of Depp and Bonham-Carter. They're not opera stars, but they have damn decent voices, especially in an intimate, often sotto voce rendition (impossible on stage). Only things I disliked were the opening credits (a lot less obvious CGI would have been much better), the elimination of "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" and the deletion of my favorite lyric ("the history of the world, my sweet/is who gets eaten and who gets to eat.")

I was curious as to the meaning of your statement in the book that halloween is a holy day for homesexuals.

Topic is so exhaustively discussed in my Halloween book, I don't understand why you can quote it but not understand it. In short, the persecution of gay men in San Francisco after World War II and the SF police department's once-a-year Halloween "amnesty" for gays on Halloween led to the development of Halloween as a "gay high holy day."

What film used the tag line "the monster demands a mate"?

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Were you as embarassed about watching Joan Crawford in something like TROG as a lot of others were?

I was only embarassed for Crawford when she turned up drunk on the Merv Griffin Show when I was a kid. As for her films, she was a trouper to the end, and like Lugosi, gave a professional performance no matter how lousy the material.

First, sorry for all my readers to have been neglecting this web site; the summer has been gobbled up by signficant family/medical problems which have taken priority over everything else.

TROG is a stupid movie, but Crawford makes the most of it, the same way Lugosi did in his last films. Like Vivien Leigh, I can't think of another disturbed personality who made such an impact on Hollywood.

Hey David. Just wanted to know what is the scariest scene in a horror film, in your opinion? For me it will always be the infamous "Help Meeeeeeeeee" scene in the 50s version of the Fly. Still horrifies me to this day. Also, I am interested in hearing your views on some of Bette Davis' ventures into the macabre and horror such as 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane', 'Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte' and 'The Nanny'? And, are you much of a Tim Burton fan, and if so, what is your favorite film of his?

Oh, man. Scariest scene ever is Nosferatu in the Murnau film entering the guy's bedroom. Most primal horror ever put on film, period.I personally found the "Fly" scene to be funny -- so did Vincent Price, who had to act in it, and reported crackng up during repeated takes.

Are you much of a Harry Potter fan? Read the books, seen the films?

I couldn't get through the first book, simply as a piece of writing, but have enjoyed the three films I've seen. I'm just not into Tolkein-esq universes. But I would really love to see Daniel Radcliffe performing nude in EQUUS on stage.

David, have you met Peter Cushing or Christopher Lee?

Never met or corresponded with Peter Cushing, but did meet Christopher Lee under funny circumstances at a convention. We were seated together in the front row, and on stage he told the very amusing story of being spotted by a fan in a wax museum in Italy, who yelled out "It's alive!" or somesuch. He returned to the seat next to me, and said, sotto voce, "You know that story was absolutely true. Nobody could have made it up." I laughed, agreed, and shook hands with Dracula.

Why do you think so many horror/science fiction fans are so obsessive? We HAVE to know EVERY LAST DETAIL about how the old classics were made, for example. Also, no other genre of film supports so many magazines and websites. Why do you think that is?

Oh, for godsake, you're asking for a book (which I'm not going to write, but somebody should). Whatever obsessive pathology is involved, one thing is for sure: without fans and their obsessions and devotions we wouldn't have the history and information on this genre that we do have because of their efforts.

David: I’m a big fan of Tobe Hooper’s 1979 film interpretation of Stephen King’s, “Salem’s Lot.” (What do you think of it?) Though different from the novel, I still enjoy the film for its atmosphere and ‘70's style. With the 30th anniversary a few years away, who can fans write to encourage Warner Brothers to release a 30th Year Anniversary version with audio commentary by Hooper, David Soul, and even Stephen King - yourself perhaps. I bet they still make money from the film even though it is in a modest DVD version. Any thoughts or advise? Sincerely, John

What is your overall opinion of the Carrie musical? I've been listening to bits of the soundtrack lately - some of it's fairly good, some of it's just... dreadful. What was it like being in the audience of such a celebrated flop? Do you know anything about Stephen King's reaction? Thanks!

Now that it will soon be available on a Special edition DVD, I'd be interested to know your opinion of the Michael Reeves/Vincent Price CONQUEROR WORM, a. k. a. WITCHFINDER GENERAL?

Why arent "old school horror" films shown on late night weekend tv anymore......shows like "creature features" or "monster matinee".....

I guess