Customer Reviews

50 Years Of Ghost Movies

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"50 Years of Ghost Movies" is a guide to ghost films from 1935-85. It begins with a note from the author, Staci Layne Wilson, explaining her love of ghost tales and how she defines a ghost. Some may disagree on films included or excluded in the guide as Wilson has chosen her own definition of ghost as a spirit that was once a human or an animal. So the vampires in SALEM'S LOT are in, demonic possession in THE EXORCIST is not.

There is also a brief summary of how ghost tales have differed over the decades. The 1920-30s had more romantic themes, 30s, 40s, and 60s were more comedic, and the 50s were more somber. And of course, the 70s & 80s had the ghosts evolving into slashers and were much gorier than their predecessors. My favorite!

The guide includes ghost film staples like THE POLTERGEIST, THE SHINING, DON'T LOOK NOW, and LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH. But it also includes some foreign films like the classic RASHOMON & KWAIDON, and even pervy delights from Jess Franco and Jean Rollin! Classic old school ghost movies include reviews on TOPPER, THE GHOST AND MS. MUIR, and Hitchcock's REBECCA.

Rounding out the movie guide are quotes from ghost films, celebrities recounting their favorite ghost movies, haunted Hollywood attractions, and an interview with Ernie Hudson (GHOSTBUSTERS). But my favorite celebrity quote has to be from David Lynch who, when asked what his favorite ghost movie was, replied, [long pensive, Lynchian pause....thinking....thinking...] I don't know.

My only gripe is that there were only a few reviews, which means I was only treated to a few lines describing the synopsis of most of the movies. The book is rather slim and comes in at only 140 pages. If all the films had reviews to accompany them and alphabetical index in the back for reference, this could be the perfect reference guide for lovers of ghost films. Posters, screenshots, or DVD artwork would have been a nice addition too.

Favorite Quote: "There is no life, my darling, until you love and have been loved. And then there is no death." - Jennie in PORTRAIT OF JENNIE.

Bottom Line: "50 Years of Ghost Movies" was a fun read and had me jotting down a few films it got me interested in. The book only covers the years 1935-85, but leaves us waiting for "Modern Ghost Movies," which is coming out soon.

Horror aficionado, Staci Layne Wilson, has produced a very comprehensive guide to what you need to view on those nights when you need a good spooking. With a listing of every possible ghost movie from the mid-30's to the mid-80's, this book will give you an idea of what exactly will satisfy the craving for a haunted story.

As well as the chronological/alphabetical listing of ghost films, Wilson provides us with various fun facts that pop up every few pages. A regular on the red carpet while compiling this book, Staci had the chance to ask various celebrities what their favorite ghost movies are, the most popular choices being "The Shining," "Poltergeist," and "The Haunting." A movie critic herself, Wilson actually admits that she has never been as much in love with "The Haunting" as most seem to be. Other interesting blurbs that show up in her book are lists of haunted sites in Los Angeles, as well as prominent quotes from many of the ghost movies.

An added ghostly bonus to Wilson's book is an exclusive interview with Ernie Hudson, star of the funniest apparition movie of all time, "Ghostbusters."

Author and movie reviewer, Staci Layne Wilson, has put together a definitive guide to everything ghostly! I read this book cover to cover and thoroughly enjoyed it. The sidebars were often amusing, always interesting. My memory has been jarred, and I'm already looking online to purchase some of the older movies I'd forgotten and would like to see again, along with a few I hadn't heard of but would like to see. This book will stay in the living room on the coffee table for my own use and for the enjoyment of my guests. Highly recommended!

This is a great book for fans of ghosts, or ghost movies. Staci neatly organizes the movies chronologically (alphabetical by year), and has a lot of great quotes from actors, actresses, and directors about ghost movies, plus mention is made of talent who has said they have seen ghosts.

Some movies only get a brief plot synopsis, but the classics get a full treatment (synopsis, comments, trivia, etc.).

For collecting all the ghost movies from the 30's to the 80's, this is better than imdb any day.

I JUST read ALL of (this) book .... and I LIKE IT <3 <3 <3!!

It is very informative... very concise ... and very intresting...

I found movies that I wasn't (even) aware of.

This is a great resource for all things "Ghostly"...

I am sure as the years continue that it will be updated, with more and more information, as more Ghostly items/movies will be found.

RECOMMENDED!! ~ HIGHLY Recommended!

Great guide to all things ectoplasmic! Very thorough guide to ghost movies over the years. Recommended!

I should begin this review by saying that I am a big movie book junkie. In fact, I have a bookshelf full of various movie guides by the likes of Roger Ebert, Leonard Maltin, and John Stanley of "Creature Features" fame. If that's not bad enough, I also love watching supernatural horror films like Stanley Kubrick's brilliant adaptation of Stephen King's "The Shining," Robert Wise's "The Haunting," and of course, the Tobe Hooper/Steven Spielberg classic, "Poltergeist". So, naturally when I came across film journalist, Staci Layne Wilson's guide of "50 Years of Ghost Movies," I was more than curious to thumb through it.

In no time, I was really sucked into the style and structure of the book. Essentially, you could call "50 Years of Ghost Movies" a reference guide of supernatural themed films spanning from 1935 to 1985 that deal with characters of "disembodied souls" that range from such films as "A Christmas Carol" to "The Changeling" to "Ghostbusters". Each film is listed chronologically, providing the information to the credited writer(s) and director(s), as well as the plot synopsis. Many films include brief comments and at times, full reviews. In such cases, those films are followed by Ms. Wilson's personal recommendations for similar-themed films (or in some cases, novels) that you may also enjoy. The only real omission is a cast list, but mostly, the stars of each film are mentioned in their individual synopsis. Some readers may also expect - or desire - a wide array of photos, an alphabetical index or even, more text. However, for a film junkie such as myself, I was more than happy with the flow and styling of the book.

The material I most enjoyed were the factoids that were scattered throughout the 157-page guide. These "factoids" included film quotes, a listing of celebs who claimed to have ghost sightings, as well as listings of alleged haunted places in L.A. and their connected Hollywood spirits. The highlight of the book for me, however, was the various stars revealing their favorite "ghost movie". These celebs include, but not limited to; Jim Carrey, Sam Raimi, Tobe Hooper, Robert Englund, Don Coscarelli, Eli Roth, Guillermo del Toro and Hugh Jackman. Some answers were of the expected variety, but there were also many curveballs along the way. I wouldn't dare spoil them for you, so you must discover those on your own. Now if that was not enough, the book also features a list of some of the earliest "ghost movies" from 1900 to 1925, an exclusive interview with "Ghostbusters" star Ernie Hudson and to top it all off, Ms. Wilson provides us with her own Top 13 Best Ghost Movies of All Time list.

In closing, "50 Years of Ghost Movies" is a valuable reference guide that is an insightful, breezy read that you will certainly revisit. As should be expected, I anxiously await Ms. Wilson's follow-up "Modern Ghost Movies".

*** (out of 4 stars)

Reprinted by permission from the I SEE DEAD website. http://iseedead.com/vbarticles.php?do=article&articleid=105