An Illustrated History Of Horror And Science-fiction Films [Paperback]

Carlos Clarens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 1997

In this book Carlos Clarens, author of Crime Movies (also available from Da Capo/Perseus), George Cukor, and many articles in film magazines, brings his encyclopedic knowledge of films and filmmakers to the subject of horror and science-fiction films of the classic era. Whether discussing the erotic aspects of King Kong, examining the works of Val Lewton, contrasting the director’s attitude toward the monster in Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, accounting for the special genius of Lon Chaney, or comparing the various versions of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, Clarens entertains as he enlightens. Supplemented with a new introduction by J. Hoberman, Village Voice film critic and coauthor of Midnight Movies (also available from Da Capo/Perseus), and an extensive filmography listing complete credits for over 300 films, this fascinating study illuminates both the genre and the reasons for its popularity.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This classic study of horror and science fiction movies was first published in 1967, the year before films such as Rosemary's Baby and 2001: A Space Odyssey transformed both genres. Readers interested in the many horror and science fiction films made before the modern era of graphic violence and special-effects extravaganzas will be enthralled by An Illustrated History of Horror and Science Fiction Film. It summarizes the plots and relates the importance of a wide variety of relevant films, from the early work of Georges Méliès and the German expressionists to Universal Pictures horror movies such as the original Dracula and Frankenstein to the suggestively atmospheric work of Val Lewton and the sci-fi classics of the 1950s. Clarens makes fascinating observations about the mythical value of these films and their cathartic effect on viewers. His insights are so powerful and expressive that J. Hoberman, who wrote an introduction to the book's 1997 reissue, found that "this idiosyncratic genre history was really an idiosyncratic history of the commercial cinema as it had developed, in Europe and America, from the 1890s through the mid-1960s." An Illustrated History of Horror and Science Fiction Film contains scores of terrific black-and-white illustrations and a detailed filmography.

About the Author

Carlos Clarens wrote An Illustrated History of the Horror Film, George Cukor, and many articles in Sight and Sound and Film Comment. His books include The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir (also available from Da Capo Press/ Perseus Books Group).

Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (August 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306808005
• ISBN-13: 978-0306808005
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,002,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic to Read and Remember--Not For Skimming!, October 30, 2001

By 

Ann L. Weber "Psych Prof" (Asheville, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Illustrated History Of Horror And Science-fiction Films (Paperback)

Like another reviewer, I first read the '67 edition of Clarens' book when I was in high school. Already a horror movie fan, I needed context and appreciation of the genre, and that's exactly what this wonderful book provided, then and now. This is a book for the serious fan in search of a history of both the technique and ideas behind horror films. Clarens' observations about specific films' production, actors' performances, and even camera tricks will stay with you and help you to enjoy horror movies, old and new, even more than you did before. It is illustrated well, but it's an illustrated history, not an annotated photo catalog. Thus this is a book with terrific words and ideas, plus images--it's not intended to be a glossy fan mag with captions. Approach it with an expectation of ideas plus a few images, and let your imagination work its magic. Read the book to understand the big picture--not just to savor a few illustrations. I'm thrilled with the re-issue, and expect the book to support intelligent fans as well as cinema scholars. It's a book to keep, appreciate, and savor.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Certainly the place to start-- the very best survey, January 23, 2000

By 

Chris Ward (Costa Rica) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Illustrated History Of Horror And Science-fiction Films (Paperback)

I read this in its original 1967 edition when I was very young, and it inspired a life-long love of horror films (at that time the Science Fiction content was not in the title, though it was found in the book). Clarens' effort is clear and concise-- not too much on any one thing, but he manages to hit all the necessarys and high spots. It's really indispensible for the fan who's starting out in a serious study of the subject-- or who just loves horror.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most influential book on Horror Films ever made!, January 31, 2009

By 

James Simpson "James Simpson" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Illustrated History Of Horror And Science-fiction Films (Paperback)

Carlos Clarens pioneering book,"A History of Horror and Science Fiction Films",has never gone fully out of print since it's publication in 1967.

An absolute classic,this was one of the only books at the time to give an in depth,intelligent view of the genre.
This and Drake Douglas'"Horror!" were the only books on the subject at the time.

Clarens gives a close examination of the Fantastic film,providing an entire chapter on the genre's godfather,the great George Melies and moving on to the impact provided by the German film industry and Lon Chaney.

Of course,the Universal classics are than covered and there contemporaries,but what made this book unique was also it's appraisal of neglected classics like Freaks(1932),White Zombie(1932),Island of Lost Souls(1933) and an entire chapter(The Dead Next Door) dedicated to Carl Dreyer's Vampyr(1932).

Clarens even goes over the Science Fiction films and Hammer films of the 50s and 60s.
These films were never recieving any such critical assessment at the time,and it made this work that much more commendable.

Ironically,over forty years have passed since it's inital publication,but Claren's views on the genre still remain very relevant and true,making this history an essential part of any Film Studies and any Film lover's collection.

A truly important book,well worth seeking out.