No trick, all treats: Horror movies lurk in every corner of classic film. This Halloween, go beyond the usual suspects and sample of few of these frightfully fun movies from the silent era that may not be as well known.
And if you want some classics that are more well-known, check out: 13 classic must-see scary movies to watch in October (or any time)
'The Monster' (1925)
Lon Chaney is the master of the horror genre, of course. He's known for such classics as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "The Phantom of the Opera." But the actor nicknamed "The Man of a Thousand Faces" has a deep well to draw from.
"The Monster" (1925) is a blend of horror and comedy with Chaney playing a mad scientist.
'Warning Shadows' (1923)
Shadow puppets + witches + German silent cinema ... how can you not be scared? Starring some of the same actors as the ubiquitous "Nosferatu" from a year earlier, "Warning Shadows" follows a puppeteer who gives dinner guests a glimpse into their lives if they continue to sin.
'Genuine' (1920)
"Genuine: A Tale of a Vampire" is a spiritual sequel of sorts to the seminal "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," released earlier in 1920. The German silent horror films shared the same director in Robert Wiene, as well as the same writer, cinematographer and production designer.
"Genuine" stars American actress Fern Andra (who got her start as an acrobat) as a vamp who lures men to kill.
'A Page of Madness' (1926)
"A Page of Madness" is a 1926 silent horror avant-garde movie set in a Japanese mental institution and directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa. The film, once thought lost to history, is now gaining status as a cult classic. While many laud its visuals and atmosphere, others find the bizarre exploration of mental illness disturbing (be forewarned!)
'The House of the Devil' (1896)
Movie-goers have always loved a good fright -- even the audiences in film's infancy. Pioneering filmmaker Georges Méliès tackles the devil, phantoms and assorted special effects in 1896's "The House of the Devil." See scary movies' origins with this short, considered to be the first horror movie.
Watch "The House of the Devil"
Bonus: 'White Zombie' (1932)
It's not a silent movie, but still a bit of a hidden gem: Bela Lugosi is widely known as "Dracula," but he was also the star of the first zombie movie. “White Zombie” hit theaters in 1932 with Lugosi as a voodoo mastermind who entrances his victims into zombies. “White Zombie” is considered the first feature length zombie movie, and it became a model for most zombie movies to this day.
More classic scares:
13 classic must-see scary movies to watch in October (or any time)
13 classic must-see scary movies to watch in October (or any time)