OSHER 165 - Silent Screams: The Dawning of the Horror Motion Picture (1896-1931)

We will begin with Georges Melies early films dealing with supernatural themes, talk of German Expressionist film, Lon Chaney Sr.s various horror / horror-esque roles, and finish with the first supernatural thriller, Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi. We will examine where horror films came from, why they became popular, and the various sub-genres of horror films (misshapen outsiders, whodunnits, ghosts, vampires, etc.). We will watch clips from full length films such as Thomas Edison's Frankenstein, F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu, Robert Wiene's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Lon Chaney's The Phantom of the Opera, and others. Most importantly, we will explore how the early days led to the golden era of horror films of the '30s and '40s, and conclude with screamers of the modern era.