Classic Halloween Movies To Watch With Your Tween

Source: Gary Dennis

(26 ratings)

Back in the glorious days when there were only seven channels from which to choose, when UHF was alternative viewing, and when those who were fortunate enough to have a TV in their room had a small black & white set, we would see an up-tick in the number of scary movies available for viewing this time of year. Wow, have times changed!

Historically speaking, every era of the golden age of Hollywood put forth a menu of horror choices. Each era and movie studio had it's own recognizable style. The 1950's had a fantastic share of horror pictures with not-so-hidden messages: The Day The Earth Stood Still conveyed an Anti-War sentiment; Invasion of the Body Snatchers correlated with McCarthy-ism; The Blob, appeared to be a veil for Communism (after all, The Blob is red and grows larger and more threatening each time it consumes something). In the 1930's, during the first wave of sound pictures, we found horror movies that launched countless Halloween costumes, with most of them coming from one studio - Universal Pictures. Universal perfected the designing and telling of the gothic tale. I figured this out as a tween, watching these pictures on "Creature Feature" via Channel 5 on my 7-inch black and white Sony. I was just a little scared! In general, the message of films of this era: Do not mess with nature. Do not attempt to play God. Those who break these rules will be punished.

Dracula (1931), 75 minutes, Black & White.  After the success of the 1922 German picture Nosferatu (based on Bram Stoker's Dracula), Universal Pictures decided to make its own version, referred to as "The story of the strangest passion the world has ever known!" The picture was directed by Kentucky born Tod Browning. Casting Romanian stage actor Bela Lugosi as the undead, ancient Count Dracula typecast the talented Co-Founder of the Screen Actors Guild for the rest of his life. Sadly, Mr. Lugosi found that after establishing one of the screen's greatest personifications of pure evil, his reputation rapidly declined and he ended up playing parodies of his greatest role. He was buried in his Dracula cape.

Frankenstein (1931), 71 minutes, Black & White.  A tagline for this picture was "A monster science created - but could not destroy!" We all know the story. Dr. Frankenstein's quest to make life from something not living creates a monster and several unforeseen complications along the way!

Invisible Man (1933), 71 minutes, Black & White.  In his second appearance in the movies (the first having been a silent picture), Claude Rains took on a role rejected by Boris Karloff (because he supposedly didn't like that he wouldn't be seen until the end of the movie). Director James Whale wanted an "intellectual sounding" voice and discovered Mr. Rains by accidentally hearing a screen test coming from another room. Mr. Rains went on to become one of the biggest stars at Warner Brothers (and, incidentally, being one of two favorite leading men of Bette Davis). The tagline for this picture was "Catch me if you can," which summarizes the plot of a scientist who invents a formula that makes one invisible (and goes "mad" in the process).

Bride of Frankenstein (1935), 75 minutes, Black & White.  Dr. Pretorius, a former professor of Dr. Frankenstein (and an even madder scientist) states, "To a new world of Gods and monsters." He forces his former student to again create life from death in the form of a woman, a companion for his monster.

In summary, these pictures were on television and I saw them when I was a tween. They are scary, but in a 1930-something sort of way...but isn't that part of the fun? It's not surprising, and we basically know what to expect since these pictures are billed as "horror films." I am certainly not recommending these pictures for pre-tweens (although I know a few 6 year olds that would not be phased by any of them!). I am suggesting that you know your child better than anyone and have the best sense of his/her "horror" tolerance. If you think your pre-teen can handle it, wouldn't it be nice to settle down in the dark and watch these pictures together, allowing the fun of getting a little spooked and having a little giggle at the way a horror picture was depicted some 70+ years ago?

The venerable Gary Dennis launched the website, nycmovieplace.com, after closing his retail location, Movie Place, in New York City. Upon the store's closing, he auctioned off what was considered one of the greatest private collections of DVDs and videos ever assembled! Visit Gary's website at  nycmovieplace.com for his truly unique brand of movie suggestions and commentary.