David J. Skal Movies

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 la...

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

A documentary that explores man's enduring fascination with the vampire legend by examining historical accounts, literary works, and as they are portr...

From myths to monsters to Twilight. Where did 'Vampire' come from? Where is it today? And where is it going next?

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

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

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

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

This documentary short explores the origins of the monster movie and how Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" (1963) fits in the genre.

A tribute to the work of Alfred Hitchcock, featuring contemporary filmmakers, writers, performers, and cultural critics.

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...

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...

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

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 o...

Documentary recounting the making of Tod Browning's Freaks. Featuring interviews with experts and actual sideshow performers, this film gives a fascin...

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

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

Beginning just before his debut as Frankenstein’s creation, this documentary compellingly explores the life and legacy of a cinema legend, presenting...

Video essay about the 1927 film 'The Cat and the Canary'.