Movies: David J. Skal

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....

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 att...

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 a...

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....

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. Nar...

Documentary about the real life inspiration behind "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," serial killer Ed Gein....

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

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

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

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

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), ...

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

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

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

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 ...

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

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....

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

Vampira The Movie chronicles the story of Malia "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...

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....