#pre-code horror

A word to the wise. If you tend toward criminal or maniacal behavior and possess uncontrollable, if warranted, jealousy, stay away from exotic animals, their habitats, and zoos. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. The Classic Movie Blog Association (CMBA) is hosting the Early Shadows & Pre-Code Horror blogathon this week and I could not resist the topic. So much so, in fact, that I chose two classics…

AMERICAN PRE-CODE HORROR WITH A TWIST OF SCIENTIFIC DEPRAVITY -- SCI-FI/HORROR RISING IN HOLLYWOOD'S GOLDEN AGE.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on Criterion Collection box art to "Island of Lost Souls," the 1932 American science fiction/horror film directed by Erle C. Kenton, based on H.G. Wells' 1896 novel "The Island of Doctor Moreau." The film was re-released on Criterion Blu-ray & DVD in fall 2011 as Spine #586. Artwork by Aesthetic Apparatus.

OVERVIEW: "A twisted treasure from Hollywood’s pre-Code horror heyday, Island of Lost Souls is a cautionary tale of science run amok, adapted from H. G. Wells’s novel The Island of Dr. Moreau. In one of his first major movie roles, Charles Laughton is a mad doctor conducting ghastly genetic experiments on a remote island in the South Seas, much to the fear and disgust of the shipwrecked man (Richard Arlen) who finds himself trapped there. This touchstone of movie terror, directed by Erle C. Kenton, features expressionistic photography by Karl Struss, groundbreaking makeup effects that have inspired generations of monster-movie artists, and the legendary Bela Lugosi in one of his most gruesome roles."

-- CRITERION COLLECTION, c. fall 2011

Horror movie recommendations from pre-code Hollywood (ca. 1929-1934).

Where to Start:

Dracula (1931) - Duh and/or obviously. Dracula has all the elements you want in a pre-code horror film: starring Bela Lugosi, directed by Tod Browning, thick fogs, bats-on-strings. Origin of so many vampire tropes.

Frankenstein (1931) - Another film from Universal that launched a thousand cultural touchstones, as well as Boris Karloff’s career! Directed by James Whale, probably the only classic horror director more famous than Tod Browning, and--dare I say it--the only man gay enough to really *get* Frankenstein.

The Mummy (1932) - Boris Karloff returns! Lovers of The Mummy (1999) will appreciate how much of the plot comes from the original: Imhotep, killed for attempting to resurrect his dead lover, Ankh-esen-amun, is accidentally brought back to life by archaeologists and disguises himself as a mortal to search for Ankh-esen-amun’s reincarnation. Plus it stars David Manners, perhaps the only man cute enough to parallel Brendan Fraser.

The Invisible Man (1933) - This movie slaps. It’s almost 90 years old but the special effects still hold up. Claude Rains is perfect as a man slowly going mad with the power of invisibility. Marvelous accents from the supporting cast. Maybe the Universal picture that stays the most true to its source material... like you could watch this instead of reading H.G. Wells and probably write a perfectly accurate report.

King Kong (1932) - Claymation at its best. Fay Wray screaming her little lungs out. “It was Beauty killed the Beast.” I honestly McFreakin’ Lose It at the end of the T-rex/King Kong battle every time.

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1931) - Probably the most f*cked up movie on this list. Fredric March (my beloved!) is a great/horrible Jekyll/Hyde, whose Hyde keeps Miriam Hopkins as a sexual play thing-cum-abuse victim. It is not particularly graphic in its depiction, but it is pretty damn disturbing, imho. Make up and lighting effects are so original, tiktokers are still using the same tricks.

Deep Dive:

Island of Lost Souls (1932) - Another great H. G. Wells adaptation! Bela Lugosi in prosthetics, Charles Laughton being sinister and charming, and Kathleen Burke as the sensuous ‘Panther Woman’.

The Most Dangerous Game (1932) - ‘Hunting humans for sport’ is one of my favorite horror tropes and it got its cinematic start in The Most Dangerous Game. Fay Wray is back and shrieking to beat the band. Also Joel McCrea, who is genuinely talented and really elevates this from B-movie territory.

White Zombie (1932) - This movie, on the other hand, is pure schlock and I love it. Bela Lugosi is making voodoo zombies in Haiti (for some reason), you get to see Madge Bellamy in lingerie (for some reason), I think someone gets crushed in a sugarcane press... A classic.

The Black Cat (1934) - I love this movie. Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, David Manners, a plot by Poe, a cult--what more do you need? When Bela says “Supernatural? Perhaps. Bologna? Perhaps not,” I am filled with unbridled, candycorn-scented joy. Everyone wears very nice robes at one point, too.

Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933) - I LOVE THIS MOVIE. Yes, it is the same plot as the Vincent Price remake (and presumably the one with Paris Hilton from the early 2000s), but this movie is pure 1930s. Glenda Ferrell is a spunky, fast-talking lady reporter with a nose for a good scoop. She’s also roommates with Fay Wray who, you guessed it, screams and is pretty.

The Ghoul (1933) - Ancient Egyptian curses starring Boris Karloff Mach II. This time Boris is an Egyptologist who has himself interred using the olde magicks, which means he can return for revenge when someone inevitably desecrates his grave. I like this one more than The Mummy.

Doctor X (1932) - Two-Strip Technicolor, my beloved! As the Rocky Horror Show puts it: Doctor X will build a creature. Another horror movie where a plucky reporter saves the day.

The Old Dark House (1932) - James Whale directs the Ur-’we shouldn’t have stopped here’ situational horror. Think Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets an atmospheric gothic tale.

Honorable Mentions (not *technically* pre-code, BUT...)

Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - Elsa Lancaster as the bride can step on me. Also really into the tiny people in jars.

Dracula’s Daughter (1936) - The Hayes Code was no match for the inherent lesbian eroticism of lady vampires.

Son of Frankenstein (1939) - Bela, Boris, and bonus Basil Rathbone. First appearance of the Ygor character who goes on to play a big role in Frankenstein/mad scientist tropes.

The Devil Doll (1936) - Lionel Barrymore shrinks people and makes them do his evil bidding. (idk i just really like tiny things)

The Dark Eyes of London (aka The Human Monster) (1939) - Maybe I’m biased because I saw it at a formative age, but this is Bela Lugosi’s best performance.

Bonus:

Night Nurse (1931) - A straight-forward thriller, not a horror film. But who can forget:

Horrific #1 (Comic Media, 1952)