David J. Skal
Biography: David John Skal was an American cultural historian, critic, writer, and on-camera commentator known for his research and analysis of horror films and horror literature.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: June 21, 1952
Deathday: January 01, 2024
Popularity:
Known For
Vampira: The Movie
2006-10-31
Vampira: The Movie
Overview: Vampira The Movie chronicles the story of Malia "Vampira" Nurmi living on the very edge of show business and her rise to celluloid cultdom 50 years later. Her big break came in 1954 when she played the "glamour ghoul" Vampira, emerging from the mist to greet viewers of obscure horror movies on the new medium - television. Her newfound fame led to friendships with Marlon Brando, James Dean and Anthony Perkins. But Vampira's show was abruptly cancelled. Nurmi appeared as Vampira again in the 1959 low-budget horror / sci-fi film, Plan 9 from Outer Space, directed by Edward D Wood Jr. and often dubbed "the worst film of all time." But you can't keep a good vampire down and Nurmi's character rose from the dead again in 1993's Ed Wood, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. The movie renewed interest in Maila Nurmi and she has since achieved a Bettie Page-like cult status.
Genres: Horror Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-10-31
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The 'Frankenstein' Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster
2002-11-01
The 'Frankenstein' Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster
Overview: The history of Frankenstein's journey from novel to stage to screen to icon.
Genres: Documentary Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-11-01
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Vampires: Thirst for the Truth
1996-01-01
Vampires: Thirst for the Truth
Overview: A documentary that explores man's enduring fascination with the vampire legend by examining historical accounts, literary works, and as they are portrayed in film and television.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1996-01-01
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The Real Vampire Files
2010-09-07
The Real Vampire Files
Overview: From myths to monsters to Twilight. Where did 'Vampire' come from? Where is it today? And where is it going next?
Genres: Documentary TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-09-07
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Now You See Him: 'The Invisible Man' Revealed!
2000-08-29
Now You See Him: 'The Invisible Man' Revealed!
Overview: A documentary from Universal about the movie "The Invisible Man" (1933) directed by James Whale.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-08-29
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The Road to 'Dracula'
1999-12-21
The Road to 'Dracula'
Overview: A documentary from Universal about the movie "Dracula" (1931) starring Bela Lugosi.
Genres: Documentary Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1999-12-21
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Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters!
2000-01-01
Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters!
Overview: A documentary from Universal about the movie Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-01-01
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Back to the Black Lagoon: A Creature Chronicle
2000-08-29
Back to the Black Lagoon: A Creature Chronicle
Overview: Documentary about the making of and legacy of The Creature from the Black Lagoon included in The Legacy Collection box set.
Genres: Documentary Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-08-29
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The Birds: Hitchcock's Monster Movie
2012-11-06
The Birds: Hitchcock's Monster Movie
Overview: This documentary short explores the origins of the monster movie and how Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" (1963) fits in the genre.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2012-11-06
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Hitchcocked!
2006-08-11
Hitchcocked!
Overview: A tribute to the work of Alfred Hitchcock, featuring contemporary filmmakers, writers, performers, and cultural critics.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-08-11
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Boris Karloff: The Rest of the Story
2022-10-18
Boris Karloff: The Rest of the Story
Overview: Boris Karloff: The Rest of the Story takes a deeper look at the life and career of Boris Karloff, from 1931 to 1969, exploring films such as The Ghoul, The Walking Dead (1936), Charlie Chan at the Opera (1936), the Mr Wong series, The Climax (1944), Lured (1947), The Strange Door (1951), Grip of the Strangler and Corridors of Blood(1958), The Comedy of Terrors (1963), The Curse of the Crimson Altar (1968), the Mexican quartet, some of his major TV appearances (The Girl From U.N.C.L.E., Wild Wild West, I-Spy) as well as taking a deep look at his often ignored Broadway career in the 1940s and 50's. There is also much time devoted to Karloff's more personal side and his relationship with his daughter, Sara.
Genres: Horror Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2022-10-18
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Hollywood's Creepiest Creatures
2004-10-30
Hollywood's Creepiest Creatures
Overview: Elvira hosts this humorous look at movie monsters and facts about the real animals on which they're based. Included: clips from films; and interviews with scientists and various showbiz types, including directors John Carpenter and John Landis, and actors Jeff Goldblum and Roy Scheider.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2004-10-30
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Ed Gein: The Ghoul of Plainfield
2004-09-07
Ed Gein: The Ghoul of Plainfield
Overview: Documentary about the real life inspiration behind "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," serial killer Ed Gein.
Genres: Documentary Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2004-09-07
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All Over
1976-04-28
All Over
Overview: As a famous man lies dying, his family—including both his wife and his mistress—gathers inside, while members of the media converge outside for news of his death in this filmed-for-television staging of Edward Albee's play.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-04-28
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Tod Browning's 'Freaks': The Sideshow Cinema
2004-08-10
Tod Browning's 'Freaks': The Sideshow Cinema
Overview: Documentary recounting the making of Tod Browning's Freaks. Featuring interviews with experts and actual sideshow performers, this film gives a fascinating insight into the cast members, production and public reaction to this controversial classic.
Genres: Documentary Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2004-08-10
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The Perfect Scary Movie
2005-10-29
The Perfect Scary Movie
Overview: A documentary looking at the various conventions and scare techniques of the horror genre.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2005-10-29
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Night Terrors: The Origins of Wes Craven's Nightmares
2006-01-01
Night Terrors: The Origins of Wes Craven's Nightmares
Overview: A look at the importance of dreams in relation to Wes Craven's successful A Nightmare on Elm Street horror franchise.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-01-01
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Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster
2021-09-17
Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster
Overview: Beginning just before his debut as Frankenstein’s creation, this documentary compellingly explores the life and legacy of a cinema legend, presenting a perceptive history of the genre he personified. Karloff's films were long derided as hokum and attacked by censors, but his phenomenal popularity and pervasive influence endures, inspiring some of our greatest actors and directors into the 21st Century – among them Guillermo Del Toro, Ron Perlman, Roger Corman, and John Landis, all of whom and many more contribute their personal insights and anecdotes.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2021-09-17
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Mysteries Mean Dark Corners
2024-04-24
Mysteries Mean Dark Corners
Overview: Video essay about the 1927 film 'The Cat and the Canary'.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-04-24
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