If you’re looking for a classic horror film for the Halloween mood, you don’t have to wait for one to play on SciFi channel, many public domain movies are available online, and you can either watch them at your computer, or download them to a mobile device. Read on for some recos from Meljean Brook…
Again, you won’t find many modern movies in the selections (or many in color), but you will find some classics.
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DRACULA — this is the original, starring Bela Lugosi. |
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NOSFERATU — this is the Max Schreck, silent-film version of DRACULA (but here he’s called Count Orlak). |
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PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE — if you aren’t looking for a scare as much as a laugh, this one is your film. This cult classic, filmed by the mad Ed Wood (look up that movie, too — it’s wonderful) has possibly the worst special effects, script, plot, and acting in the history of film … but there’s also something endearing and charming about it all. Maybe because everyone threw themselves into it wholeheartedly, I don’t know. But it’s worth a watch. |
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PUPPET MASTER — This one is in color, and is a gross-out film with puppets. All good fun. |
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NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD — this is George Romero’s 1968 zombie film … but it is so much more than just horror. Civil rights, Vietnam, the Cold War … take your pick, and this film can be seen as a comment on it without ever resorting to pedantry — because, dude, it’s about zombies. You can approach it just as a horror film, but it’s easy to take away more. |
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CASPER, THE FRIENDLY GHOST — for the kiddies, and all of us J.R. Ward fans. 🙂 |
You can find more public domain movies simply by going to Google, and doing a video search with “public domain” as the search terms. Add in “horror” and you’ll get a more specific selection (but be sure to read the descriptions, as some are just fan-created movies and re-makes.)
Have a look at my other Spooktacular post for information on FREEÂ public domain horror books and stories. Comment to either post and you’ll get a chance to win a signed copy from my backlist.
Happy Halloween!
What about that movie “Dolls” where the dolls come alive and kill all the people in the house or “Poltergeist”? To this day big trees, walk in closets and clowns scare the ever lovin crap out of me!
Hi Meljean
I think I’m more of a Rocky Horror Picture Show kind of girl. Of course,much is lost with out the live audience, so not good on line.
I remember a wonderfully horror filled night during college with plenty of popcorn, several friends and The Night of the Living Dead. Ah the memories.
I loved the Puppet Master. It had that visual crack factor.
I only saw the first thirty minutes of Dracula. I can’t wait to see the rest!~
I never read horror stories… but was obliged to read Poe… at school!
I love Gutenberg… I didn’t know there was horror stories… though they had a christmas section!
I watched Bela as Dracula years ago on late-night TV. I’m not much for most horror films. I had no choice but to catch bits and pieces of Night of the Living Dead several times over the years after Halloween parties with family. We’d sleep over after and the guys always make sure to have this one to watch.
There are so many great movies (and books) out there I have yet to see (and read). And I do need more reasons to be online…. don’t I?! Top of the list would have to be Casper I think, as I’ve read JR Ward’s latest very recently.