What’s invisible, into torture and made from the harvested parts of hookers? Why, it’s this week in horror history of course! As we celebrate Memorial Day, we can also remember Claude Rains, The Invisible Man, who passed on in 1967. We can also look back at the prolific pontificator of sadism, the Marquis De Sade, who was born in 1740. We can also enjoy the absurd campiness of the cult classic, Frankenhooker (seriously how can a movie be bad with a title like that?) that came out in 1990. Let’s look back at the horror history we have this week.
May 30
Does this face bring back any memories? Try closing your eyes… how about now? If some bells are ringing, it’s because Claude Rains was the Invisible Man back in the 1933 theatrical release. After a long and illustrious career in acting, Claude’s body unfortunately decided to call it quits on this day. As his Casablanca counterpart, Humphrey Bogart, once said, “Here’s lookin at you kid”.
Claude Rains (actor in many horror films) died in 1967
May 31
Mary, Mary, Mary! This bizarre tale of a medical student in search of easy money is somewhat of a cult classic now a days. If you haven’t seen it, check your Netflix queue and get on it!
American Mary released in 2013
June 1
For the longest time I tried to get the teenagers at the local video store to rent me this movie, but I guess I was too young and baby faced to rent a movie called Frankenhooker. Go figure! Basically, a mad scientist rebuilds his girlfriend from body parts he harvests from prostitutes. Definitely a family friendly movie. Grandma will love it!
Frankenhooker released in 1990
June 2
The words sadism and sadist are derived from his name. HOW COOL IS THAT?! de Sade is often depicted in American popular culture as a horrific villain. In actuality, he was a revolutionary politician, philosopher, and writer.
Marquis de Sade born in 1740
June 3
Norman Bates is back after 22 years of psychiatric care. I’m just going out on a limb and say 22 years wasn’t enough. This sequel’s success led to two other Psycho movies, but I wish it didn’t.
Psycho II Released Theatrically in 1983
June 4
THEY’RE HERE! Back in 1982, this movies release got us all wondering if our homes were built over Native American burial grounds. If your house shifted, resulting in weird noises… NATIVE BURIAL GROUND! This successful movie also spawned less than desirable sequels, and a remake. Let’s forget those.
June 5
If you’re like me, you loved Insidious. You’re all more than likely like me, because we all went to see the original, and it’s haunting success gave life to several sequels. This 3rd chapter was set before the haunting of the Lambert family. Yes, a prequel. If prequels have taught me anything (*cough*George Lucas*cough*), it’s to go in with low expectations. Boy, did that help.
