Old Masters Of The Macabre

Slowly, they come forth in mind: Lon Chaney Sr. and Jr. both, Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Bela Lugosi, Claude Rains, masters of promoting fear in my mind as a kid! Later, no fear, but the entertaining part became more important.

Some, notably Vincent Price, played both possible horror depiction, such as murder, and impossible stories like "The Fly". I think Lon Chaney, Sr, played the "Phantom of the Opera", maybe still in silent movies. A "possible" theme, unlike his son's portrayals of "Wolfman". Vampires? Depends on your individual "slant".

Have I missed some important others, surely?
Frank

 

Boris Karloff was noted for his role as Frankenstein. all of em made me pee in my pants

 

LOL Gary - put a on me face

 

Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins in Dark Shadows was one of my favorites when I was little. It was very scary.

 

My favorite was Vincent Price! Thanks for the reminder @Frank Sanoica ...Ive forgotten about most of them.

Of course now I feel ancient.

 

always had me back in the corner biting my nails. it's in my collection

 

This was the guy that gave me the creeps ..............

Especially, the Beast with Five Fingers
He kept saying - the hand - the hand ...............
Now, I would laugh me head off ...................... I think

 

I love those old scary movies but no one wanted to see them with me because when the music got scary and the person was going into a location [in the dark] alone and my friends were getting afraid I would say no problem the camera man will help him/her

 

He is the one with that funny laugh, isn't he?

 

He is and he sort of mutters in a strange voice - but I liked him, unique !
@Von Jones

 

@Gary Ridenour
Speaking of whom, a guy named Bobbie "Boris" Pickett, who did a good impersonation of Karloff, after experiencing numerous turn-downs by recording producers, final found backing, and "Monster Mash" was born. 1962. Even Count Dracula is quoted in it.....,



Interesting story here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Pickett

 

and Werewolves of London. drinking a pina colata at trader vicks



stay away from him he'll rip your lungs out Jim !!

 

@Frank Sanoica - I love this song and Bobby Boris did a great job of it
Thanks Frank

 

Peter Lorre was the first to mind for me.
You might add
Richard Widmark ---established himself as an icon of American cinema with his debut in the 1947 film noir Kiss of Death in which he won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination as the killer "Tommy Udo".



And Christopher Lee fer shur.
John Carradine was usually a baddy.

Want to 'hear' Lorre? Go to 1.5 minutes in the Spike record.
My Old Flame Peter Lorre voice youtube

 

One of Peter Lorre's often recalled remarks was repeated in our household:

"Did you ged the infor-may-zhion"?

Why did you not ged the infor-may-zhion"?