History of Horror

Let’s follow horror to its’ roots. The history of horror is a vast and probably a foolish thing to take on.  As I said last month, horror is somewhat unique among the film genres.

As we look at how the horror genre has changed over time, we must not think of its’ history as something under strict guidelines. New films borrow from old films creating a constant remix of subgenres and new practices to make something for modern movie lovers - such as yourselves. 

Faces of Horror
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So who did the first horror films borrow from? Monsters, murderers, demons and beasts have been around forever.  Ghost stories have been told around camp fires since we learned how to talk. But the roots of horror films were based off of Gothic Horror.  This type of writing was developed by writers in both Great Britain and the United States.  The Gothic part of the name refers to the buildings that these stories took place.  Imagine old castles on dark and stormy nights surrounded by gloomy forests, dungeons and secret passage ways.  The perfect beginning to any horror film. 

Preview of Poster Selection
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In 1896 Georges Méliès created what is considered to be the first horror film ever made.  Check out a segment of the "The Manor of the Devil" – if you dare. *Witch cackling* Although, this film was one of its' kind at the time, horror films made a break through when they learned how to scream. Sound transformed the cinema in the 1920's.  Your favorite horror films wouldn't be the same without sound.  From there horror movies went on to be divided into sex, psychology, and gore.  While the first horror films to present day slashers can be divided into these categories, a horror film still has the potential to swoon movie lovers. 

Don't Forget

This week BOS is holding a sale on our stock of vintage horror film posters.  Our friends at allposter will be helping us out with the sales process. Follow the link and find your favorite classic horror film poster – the selection is endless. All proceeds will go towards the winner of our Jamie Hanson Halloween party makeover drawing. Not sure what that means? Then you didn’t get a change to listen to Box Office Smash’s fist official podcast. Check it out here à https://soundcloud.com/bosmash/halloween_drawing. Follow the instructions in the podcast to be entered into a drawing to work with our personal interior designer Jamie Hanson this Halloween.  The winner will be announced through Facebook and Twitter October 30^th, so don’t forget to check in throughout the week.