Amber e mailed me and was looking for a party idea that wasn't the typical Halloween Party. No kiddies or costumes, just a fun evening with the 20-something friends. (Or fiends, if you hang out here at The Manor) Classic Horror Movie Night sounds like it just might be what you're looking for.
So get in the mood to watch some good old classic horror movies, and why not make a party out of it? This is one of my favorite theme parties to do. It's sooo easy and all you need is a few scary props, some good munchies, creepy cocktails, and a stack of dvd's! Here are my top 20 favorites.... in no particular order:
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
A family-friendly choice and you'll remember why you loved these guys! Very funny, and even scary.
Munster Go Home! (1967)
Who doesn't love the Munsters? Sure it's goofy, but the Munsters are in color and it's fun to watch! Another good one for the kiddies, too.
The Birds (1963)
Leave it to Hitchcock to turn a flock of birds into malevolent monsters! And I love the outfits!
The Black Cat (1934)
A psychological horror film based on a Poe story, the first joint effort for Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi.
Frankenstein (1931)
It's a classic and make it a double feature with The Bride of Frankenstein! A double feature Frankenstein party is a guaranteed good time!
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)Considered even better than the original, the movie boasts a great campy performance by Elsa Lanchester. One of my personal top 5 favorites!
The Fly (1958)
Half man, half fly, with Vincent Price thrown into the mix. Pretty scary at the time.
Halloween (1978)
Still my number 1 favorite of all time! I actually saw this at the movies when it came out. Yes, I was a teenager in the 70's! Very nostalgic for me. (Not a good one for the kiddo's) This early John Carpenter effort set the tone for many slasher flicks to come. None of the sequels measured up! And to this day, the scene where Jamie Lee is trapped in the closet, still freaks me out!
The Haunting (1963)
One of the greatest of all haunted house movies makes its point without ever really showing us a ghost. Avoid the recent remake at all costs.
Horror of Dracula (1958)
The first of the Hammer horror films, with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee together for the first time, is thought by some to be the best vampire movie of the classic era.
House On Haunted Hill (1959)
Another one in my top 5! A sinister host, played by Vincent Price offers a group of people $10,000 each if they'll spend the night in his macabre mansion, then does his best to see that no one collects. Directed by the legendary William Castle. (B&W and colorized versions are available, but B&W is much better!)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
When I was a kid, this was the first horror/sci-fi film that I was forbidden to see (probably had something to do with the word "body" in the title). The 1978 remake wasn't bad, either.
The Invisible Man (1933)
Directed by the legendary James Whale (Frankenstein), this original version of the H.G. Wells tale stars Claude Rains, who is a scary character, even though he's rarely seen in the flesh. The film also stars Gloria Stuart, of Titanic fame.
The Legend of Hell House (1973)
Roddy McDowall and Pamela Franklin star in this haunted house film that's a somewhat weaker version of "The Haunting," though still plenty scary and entertaining.
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
This one I wouldn't suggest for the kids. But George Romero's seminal but low-budget 1968 zombie flick is still about as scary as they get, because in spite of the black and white, it looks real. 1978 sequel was better, but this was the first.
The Pit and the Pendulum (1961)
One of Vincent Price's best classic horror vehicles, based loosely on the Poe story.
Poltergeist (1982)
A very scary film, with an excruciating climactic final scene taking place in a muddy pit full of decomposed corpses!
Psycho (1960)
Hitchcock might not be happy to hear that he started the slasher flick craze, but this is still his most popular film, and one which influenced generations of filmmakers.
The Shining (1980)
We couldn't forget this one by Stanley Kubrick, who teams up with Jack Nicholson for a Gothic tale with a difference. Come on, you know those little girls freaked you out!
The Wolf Man (1941)
One of a handful of the most remarkable horror films. Lon Chaney, Jr.'s best-known role. The rest of the cast is excellent, as well.
Don't forget to turn out the lights, pop some popcorn, and light a few candles to set the perfect party mood. And make sure to scream real loud at the scary parts!
