The best horror films in history (30's and 40's)

The 1930s and 1940s were important years for Classic Horror films. Most notably were the screen appearances of Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy and the Wolfman.

In 1931,Brahm Stoker’s “Dracula” came to life in the form of Bela Lugosi. Lugosi’s Dracula used his powerful facial expression and European charm to create a vampire who endures on the screen as scary yet enticing.

Also in 1931, the “Frankenstein” monster, based on Mary Shelley’s character, hit the big screen and caused raving reviews. Boris Karloff portrayed the monster as innocent yet driven to vengeance and violence due to the prejudice and hatred of others, including that of his mad scientist creator.

Karloff next portrayed “The Mummy” in a 1932 film, which introduced moviegoers to Egyptian mystery and ancient tombs.

In 1935, Frankenstein is engaged to be married in “Bride of Frankenstein” to a woman made just for him. Unfortunately, she rejects him and all hell breaks loose.

The early 1940s have split personality character played by Lon Chaney Jr. We meet the tortured soul by the name of Larry Talbot, who was cursed to become a Werewolf when the moon is full. We follow the doomed Talbot as he searches for a cure for his problem, in between bloodthirsty lunar binges. This film touches on psychological topics of madness, predestination and rehabilitation.

In 1942, a film bringing together Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman is made entitled “Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman”. In this film the Wolfman is resurrected and continues his quest for a cure for his hairy condition. Along the path, he must deal with the other monsters that get in his way.

In 1948, this trio of monsters team up to scare Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in “Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein”. Bud and Lou play deliverymen who must delivery mysterious cartons to a haunted house. Both Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. reprise their roles as the monsters, however another actor plays the Frankenstein monster. A special treat at the end of the movie is a short appearance by Vincent Price as “The Invisible Man”.

The characters of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy and The Wolfman have been recycled again and again in movies meant to frighten or make us laugh. Either way, these characters, introduced on screen in the 1930s and 1940s remain the classic characters of Horror.

Written by Virginia Franco