For 20 years, beginning in the late '50s, moviemakers created a new generation of screen terrors. Nightwalkers discusses, in depth, more than a hundred of these classic horror movies with wit, affection, and a wealth of interesting and amusing detail.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Wright begins his book with an anecdotal definition of horror. For him, horror is a Gothic churchyard in the English countryside he could not enter, the dead among the living, the realm of folklore and mythology. He then uses this definition as the criterion for the inclusion of films discussed in his book, which concentrates on the horror films produced between 1957 and 1976. Wright believes that superior films in the genre were produced at this time?a period that corresponds to the rise and fall of England's Hammer studios, discussed at length in the book. Chapters are divided by theme, e.g., Dracula or Poe, and contain detailed, witty reviews of films that are rated by a "skull" system rather than stars. As he details works of major directors, from William Castle's campy Thirteen Ghosts to Roger Corman's dark Edgar Allan Poe series, Wright's affection for these films is contagious. The epilog considers the uncertain future of the genre, with discussions of Anne Rice and of Kenneth Branagh's film Frankenstein. A lengthy bibliography and 150 illustrations are included. Recommended for public libraries or libraries with film collections.?Lisa N. Johnston, Sweet Briar Coll. Lib., Va.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
Screen horror is profiled in an excellent film coverage which examines the evolution of the modern gothic horror film. Stories of studios and their production choices are compiled in an excellent survey of movies which includes ratings and critical examinations of contents and approaches. -- Midwest Book Review
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
okay but could've been better,
By Lyndon W. Joslin (Houston, TX , CSA (NO, it's not smoggier than LA!)) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Nightwalkers: Gothic Horror Movies (Hardcover)
In NIGHTWALKERS, Wright takes us on a tour of the "modern Gothic" period of horror films, spanning the years from 1957 (the release of Hammer's THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN) to 1976 (the collapse of Hammer). In addition to the Hammer films, he also looks at other, similarly-themed movies of the same period: Roger Corman and "AIPoe"; William Castle's gimmick-driven thrillers; the occasional Continental item (e.g. BLACK SUNDAY); and a few stand-alone pieces such as THE HAUNTING. In addition to brief synopses and critical commentary on the films themselves (including, unfortunately, a silly and unnecessary "4-skull" rating system), he goes behind the scenes to examine the personalities and studio politics involved in the various productions. While he likes some of these films more than I do, and vice versa, at least none of his opinions are downright perverse (he doesn't, for instance, claim that SCARS OF DRACULA is an undiscovered masterpiece). There are some puzzling oversights: he points out that KISS OF THE VAMPIRE was extensively tampered with for American TV, but neglects to observe that the same was true for THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN... and for Hammer's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which he does not review at all! He also omits, in his chapter about Poe adaptations, both THE OBLONG BOX and THE CONQUEROR WORM (retitled British import though it was). Overall, though, his bibliography is extensive, his research is impressive, and his knowledge of, and affection for, these films is obvious. Pity he's not a very good writer. In addition to niggling little errors in spelling and punctuation (which, in all fairness, are also at least partly the editor's and publisher's fault), he indulges in such amateurish techniques as pointless hyperbole (it isn't enough, for example, to say that a certain film has a continuity error; Wright has to refer to it as a "howling goof"), and peppering his commentary with entirely too many instances of "(!)" to indicate surprise on his part. (Sometimes he carries this tendency as far as "(!!)" or even "(!!!)".) He seems to have little or no familiarity with the folklore underlying these films, which leads him, as it has led other erroneous writers before and since, to object to the famous scene in DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE, wherein the Count pulls the stake out of his heart. Worst of all, he tries too hard to be cute and clever: the book is permeated with such an arch, "hip" jokiness that at times it's like listening to a morning DJ discussing these films. I wouldn't mind this tone if Wright (a fellow Texan) and I were discussing these flicks over a beer; but it tends, in writing, to call attention to himself, and, to that extent, away from the subject matter at hand, these wonderful, terrible movies. Read it anyway. It's flawed but informative, and a center section of color pictures, including some wonderful film posters, makes up for a mulititude of minor sins.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
hardly 'the best available' but good,
This review is from: Nightwalkers: Gothic Horror Movies (Hardcover)
There's just too much competition from some of the writers at McFarland and Scarecrow Press for this to be in the top ten. As with the other reviewer's points on what Mr. Wright missed, several Hammer films are rated one or two 'skulls' too low, and his views on Robert Wise's THE HAUNTING are just incorrect for that wonderful, terrifying film. Although Hammer Films trumped the Universal classics (sorry, folks!) he's a bit too dismissive of what Universal accomplished. However, the book is well written and a fun read for the most part, and one that belongs on every genre enthusiasts shelf, despite its drawbacks.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most intelligent, insightful book on horror films avail.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Nightwalkers: Gothic Horror Movies (Hardcover)
Bruce Wright's NIGHTWALKERS is a joy to read for anyone whose blood runs cheerfully cold at the first mention of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing cavorting through the bizarre technicolor landscape of Hammer Horror. But this is more than some gushfest on the level of those insipid articles in Famous Monster Magazine, or the countless detail-lusty geek-driven critiques one may find in the film section of the library. It is a cogent and well-researched critical look at a carefully defined and much-maligned topic: the "Gothic" horror film. NIGHTWALKERS dares to be different from the start by forgoing the usual homage to the wartime classics from Universal, zeroing in on the horror films of the late fifties through the mid seventies. Not only British horror, but the comparable Gothic films of the American Poe cycle are also discussed, title by title. Along the way, not only does Wright provide the expected synopses and tidbits, but he carefully and meticulously cuts and shaves, redefining what makes and what undermines good horror. There is honest admiration evident in his descriptions of Peter Cushing's best roles or as Wright recounts the brilliant production design of Bernard Robinson, the man most responsible for the look that came to be known as the "Hammerscape;" there is scholarly and unforgiving critique when Wright discusses where so many of the Gothic horror films miss their mark- a technique certain to raise the ire of many a die-hard fan. Along the way, Wright is instructive in more than the Gothic horror film, taking the time in the first chapter to *define* horror. (What is horror? Is Friday the 13th horror? Is Halloween? Is Dracula?) His definition is brilliant and some of the most cogent critical writing I've read in years. I wouldn't dare spoil it; the book should be bought. Sumptuosly illustrated,with a title-by-title discussion of every Gothic horror film there is(including the positively rotten), NIGHTWALKERS has become a regular part of my movie reference library, a title I pick up costantly and reference, and read. For horror buff or fanatic, and especially fans of Hammer, I cannot recommend a book more highly. Jason Henderso
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