David J. Skal

"Creature Features" see a has-been rock star Vincent Van Dahl hosts horror films in his haunted mansion with the help of his stalwart butler Mr. Livingston and quixotic housemate Tangella.

An in-depth look at the history and pop cultural significance of horror films.

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.

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.

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.

"Creature Features" see a has-been rock star Vincent Van Dahl hosts horror films in his haunted mansion with the help of his stalwart butler Mr. Livingston and quixotic housemate Tangella.

An in-depth look at the history and pop cultural significance of horror films.

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).

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 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.

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 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."

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Narrator Rudy Behlmer guides a look through Universal's place in film history as a source of alien visitation, extraterrestrial life, and other Science Fiction staples. The piece further looks at the political and social implications, parallels, and escapism in the movie. The piece spends much of its screen time on how 'It Came From Outer Space' echoed and influenced the genre, its legacy, performances, adherence to Ray Bradbury's source material, 3D photography and presentation, score and effects, and more. This is a quality piece that informs and entertains alike, one that fascinatingly examines the film, and others like it, as both entertainment and echoes of real life.

Narrator Rudy Behlmer guides a look through Universal's place in film history as a source of alien visitation, extraterrestrial life, and other Science Fiction staples. The piece further looks at the political and social implications, parallels, and escapism in the movie. The piece spends much of its screen time on how 'It Came From Outer Space' echoed and influenced the genre, its legacy, performances, adherence to Ray Bradbury's source material, 3D photography and presentation, score and effects, and more. This is a quality piece that informs and entertains alike, one that fascinatingly examines the film, and others like it, as both entertainment and echoes of real life.

Narrator Rudy Behlmer guides a look through Universal's place in film history as a source of alien visitation, extraterrestrial life, and other Science Fiction staples. The piece further looks at the political and social implications, parallels, and escapism in the movie. The piece spends much of its screen time on how 'It Came From Outer Space' echoed and influenced the genre, its legacy, performances, adherence to Ray Bradbury's source material, 3D photography and presentation, score and effects, and more. This is a quality piece that informs and entertains alike, one that fascinatingly examines the film, and others like it, as both entertainment and echoes of real life.

A documentary from Universal about their Phantom of the Opera movies.

A documentary from Universal about their Phantom of the Opera movies.

A documentary from Universal about their Phantom of the Opera movies.

Actress and neice of Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle, Carla Laemmle recounts the events that occured while filming Phantom of the Opera, The (1925). Not too much ground is covered here, although we do learn a few things about the creation of Universal Pictures in 1915.