Satanists.....split personalities obsessed with felines.....mental institutions abusing their patients....corpse thefts for medical research....obsessions with the undead. Just some of the subjects of the Val Lewton unit at RKO that lasted only four years. The dream-like photography of these cult thrillers fascinate film students to this day, and are studied by horror filmmakers who have utilized many of the aspects that these films have made legendary. If there is a genre called horror noir, then Val Lewton created it.
A great look at the life and career of this cult film figure, exploring the concepts of the technology that to some aspect is really the star. Big names like Karloff, Lugosi, Simone Simon, Tom Conway and Henry Danielle added box office interest, but ultimately it is the look of the film that remains the focus of conversation with aficionados of his work. Photography, lighting, editing, shadowing and music are important aspects of his work, revealing more than the words of the characters even do.
If you ever have the chance to see his films on a big screen, I highly recommend it. The echoes of silence become so much more frightening in what he has his technical crew doing. What makes these films more fascinating is that there is a sensuality in the themes, and much is left to the imagination. More ironic is the fact that Lewton only produced these films, directing only the director, and many of those men went onto impressive careers of their own.
You can tell by the narration of legendary modern director Martin Scorsese is that he was greatly influenced into going into filmmaking by seeing these films as a kid. Certainly, the earlier horror films of James Whale and Tod Browning had some influence on the technology that Lewton took a step further. I can get watch his films over and over and pick up something new every time. Make that his movies and this documentary.
A great look at the life and career of this cult film figure, exploring the concepts of the technology that to some aspect is really the star. Big names like Karloff, Lugosi, Simone Simon, Tom Conway and Henry Danielle added box office interest, but ultimately it is the look of the film that remains the focus of conversation with aficionados of his work. Photography, lighting, editing, shadowing and music are important aspects of his work, revealing more than the words of the characters even do.
If you ever have the chance to see his films on a big screen, I highly recommend it. The echoes of silence become so much more frightening in what he has his technical crew doing. What makes these films more fascinating is that there is a sensuality in the themes, and much is left to the imagination. More ironic is the fact that Lewton only produced these films, directing only the director, and many of those men went onto impressive careers of their own.
You can tell by the narration of legendary modern director Martin Scorsese is that he was greatly influenced into going into filmmaking by seeing these films as a kid. Certainly, the earlier horror films of James Whale and Tod Browning had some influence on the technology that Lewton took a step further. I can get watch his films over and over and pick up something new every time. Make that his movies and this documentary.