Halloween

'Tis the season for watching scary movies, at least for me.

Here are a few recommendations:

Nosferatu (1922). Ground-breaking film from German director F.W. Murnau, with a fascinatingly ugly vampire (played by Max Schreck).

The Avenging Conscience (1915). The great Henry B. Walthall gives an outstanding performance as a man who has murdered his domineering uncle. Frightening dream sequences and hallucinations in this Poe-inspired Griffith film.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1924). John Barrymore plays the title characters. According to rumor, the appearance of Mr. Hyde caused the cameraman to faint.

The Man Who Laughs (1928). Not a horror film per se, but dark and richly atmospheric. Conrad Veidt is an English nobleman, Gwynplaine, whose father fell afoul of the King of England. In revenge, Gwynplaine (as a child) has been forced to undergo a surgical procedure in which a permanent smile is carved on his face. Outstanding performance by Veidt, and even Mary Philbin, as his love interest, is very effective.

The Penalty (1920). Another non-horror film, but hard-hitting and thoroughly gripping. Lon Chaney plays a man whose legs were amputated in childhood; as an adult, he has become a much-feared crime boss. Chaney's legs were strapped behind him for this role, and he really does appear to be legless.