David J. Skal

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.

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.

A documentary looking at the various conventions and scare techniques of the horror genre.

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.

A documentary from Universal about the movie "The Invisible Man" (1933) directed by James Whale.

The history of Frankenstein's journey from novel to stage to screen to icon.

The outrageous story of 1970s porn icon Jack Wrangler, and how he rose to the top of the gay, and then straight, adult film industry.

The story of Maila "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.

A tribute to the work of Alfred Hitchcock, featuring contemporary filmmakers, writers, performers, and cultural critics.

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.

A documentary from Universal about the movie "Dracula" (1931) starring Bela Lugosi.

Documentary about the making of and legacy of The Creature from the Black Lagoon included in The Legacy Collection box set.

A look at the importance of dreams in relation to Wes Craven's successful A Nightmare on Elm Street horror franchise.

This documentary short explores the origins of the monster movie and how Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" (1963) fits in the genre.

Documentary about the making of "The Tingler" (1959), produced for the DVD release.

Nudism. Esperanto. KING KONG. Sci-Fi. What do all of these things have in common? Simple: Forrest J Ackerman! Who's that? Glad you asked... Forrest J Ackerman was an agent, a notorious serial bit player, and an honorary lesbian. Known the world over as "Uncle Forry," "EEEE," "4SJ," "Dr. Acula," and numerous other pseudonyms (a few none too kind), Mr. Ackerman was perhaps best known as the original editor of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazine, the creator of VAMPIRELLA, and all-around mega-fan. So what? So what! Well you should know that the things you love and people you admire most thought of Forry as a treasure trove of knowledge and enthusiasm: Whether horror, science fiction, fantasy, or just generally being naked, he was there, did it, saw it done, or turned away from it...

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.

A documentary from Universal about the movie Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.

Documentary about the real life inspiration behind the film, serial killer Ed Gein. Produced for "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" DVD. Screened at the 2004 New York Horror Festival.

From myths to monsters to Twilight. Where did 'Vampire' come from? Where is it today? And where is it going next?

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.

Video essay about the 1927 film 'The Cat and the Canary'.

Starting with "The Wolf Man" (in 1941), Universal Studios made five movies featuring The Wolf Man, a character portrayed by Lon Chaney, Jr. Monster by Moonlight! explores these movies. Rick Baker explains how the make-up was done on Chaney's character. Screenwriter Curtis Siodmak took very little from earlier werewolf legends, providing his own story for some of the films. This documentary displays clips from several other movies, including "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948) and "House of Dracula" (1945).

Starting with "The Wolf Man" (in 1941), Universal Studios made five movies featuring The Wolf Man, a character portrayed by Lon Chaney, Jr. Monster by Moonlight! explores these movies. Rick Baker explains how the make-up was done on Chaney's character. Screenwriter Curtis Siodmak took very little from earlier werewolf legends, providing his own story for some of the films. This documentary displays clips from several other movies, including "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948) and "House of Dracula" (1945).

A documentary from Universal about the movie "The Invisible Man" (1933) directed by James Whale.

A documentary from Universal about the movie "The Invisible Man" (1933) directed by James Whale.

A documentary from Universal about the movie "The Invisible Man" (1933) directed by James Whale.

A&E Comprehensive biographies of five of the greatest classic stars of the horror genre. Features lots or archive footage from some the greatest horror films committed to celluloid.

Written, co-produced and co-directed by David J. Skal, THE WORLD OF GODS AND MONSTERS is a behind-the scenes chronicle of the making of the 1998 Academy Award-winning film GODS AND MONSTERS starring Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser and Lynn Redgrave. Narrated by author/ filmmaker Clive Barker, the documentary interweaves the life and career of James Whale, director of the original FRANKENSTEIN, with the making of the acclaimed biopic. Interviewees include writer/director Bill Condon (Oscar winner for best adapted screenplay), Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, and Christopher Bram, author of the novel FATHER OF FRANKENSTEIN, on which the film was based.

Written, co-produced and co-directed by David J. Skal, THE WORLD OF GODS AND MONSTERS is a behind-the scenes chronicle of the making of the 1998 Academy Award-winning film GODS AND MONSTERS starring Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser and Lynn Redgrave. Narrated by author/ filmmaker Clive Barker, the documentary interweaves the life and career of James Whale, director of the original FRANKENSTEIN, with the making of the acclaimed biopic. Interviewees include writer/director Bill Condon (Oscar winner for best adapted screenplay), Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, and Christopher Bram, author of the novel FATHER OF FRANKENSTEIN, on which the film was based.

Written, co-produced and co-directed by David J. Skal, THE WORLD OF GODS AND MONSTERS is a behind-the scenes chronicle of the making of the 1998 Academy Award-winning film GODS AND MONSTERS starring Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser and Lynn Redgrave. Narrated by author/ filmmaker Clive Barker, the documentary interweaves the life and career of James Whale, director of the original FRANKENSTEIN, with the making of the acclaimed biopic. Interviewees include writer/director Bill Condon (Oscar winner for best adapted screenplay), Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, and Christopher Bram, author of the novel FATHER OF FRANKENSTEIN, on which the film was based.

The history of Frankenstein's journey from novel to stage to screen to icon.

The history of Frankenstein's journey from novel to stage to screen to icon.

The history of Frankenstein's journey from novel to stage to screen to icon.

Documentary about the making of 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein."

Documentary about the making of 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein."

Documentary about the making of 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein."

Born Creighton Chaney, this is a biographical documentary on Lon Chaney Jr, the only star to play all four of the classic monsters: the Mummy, the Wolf Man, Frankenstein and Dracula.

Documentary featured on the Classic Monster Collection and Monster Legacy Collection for The Mummy (1932).

Documentary featured on the Classic Monster Collection and Monster Legacy Collection for The Mummy (1932).

Documentary featured on the Classic Monster Collection and Monster Legacy Collection for The Mummy (1932).

A documentary from Universal about the movie "Dracula" (1931) starring Bela Lugosi.

A documentary from Universal about the movie "Dracula" (1931) starring Bela Lugosi.

Documentary about the making of and legacy of The Creature from the Black Lagoon included in The Legacy Collection box set.

Documentary about the making of and legacy of The Creature from the Black Lagoon included in The Legacy Collection box set.

Documentary about the making of and legacy of The Creature from the Black Lagoon included in The Legacy Collection box set.