The Scariest Film You Have ever Seen
The Scariest Film You Have Ever Seen
Tony Alger
I have just watched it again …and It still gives me the creeps ..The 1953 version of the War of the Worlds. My Dad took me to see it at the Essoldo in Caledonian Road and I remember watching the skies for weeks afterwards and shitting myself when I heard any noise that sounded like a flying saucer.
Strange but sadly true, Cheers.
Tam Joseph
The Essoldo, opposite the Cally underground station? Damn, that takes me back
John Tythe
Scrooge, starring Alistair Sim, at Islington South Library in Essex Road. It would have been about 1958.
I managed to loose my ticket and only those with tickets could get in.
The caretaker was collecting the tickets and as he got a handful of them, he placed them in a pile on the staircase which led up to where the film was to be shown. My mates, from Union Square, told me to wait by the side of the stairs and as they passed the pile of tickets, one of them kicked the pile off the stairs towards where I was standing. I quickly started to pick them up, keeping one for myself, before being told to “Get out of it, gis ‘em here.” while the caretaker then picked up the rest of the tickets and resumed collecting from the queue, which I had re-joined and when my turn came I handed him the rescued ticket. I was in!
A scary film for an 8 year old. A little bit of wee came out!!!!
Micky Simmonds
My one will always be Psycho saw with Leo Bissington & David Gardner at the Astoria Finsbury Park followed closely by Wait Until Dark with Audrey Hepburn & Alan Arkin.
Raymond Silk
The Haunting from 1963, directed by Robert Wise, it was on TV not so long ago and in certain parts is still spooky. The silliest horror film was Behemoth the sea monster, I recall it doing the breast stroke up the River Thames, yeh really scary.
Barry Page
I didn't go in for the scary movies; in fact the so-called "Horror" films were sort of taboo in my household. That said, I distinctly remember the flying saucer version of "War of the Worlds", which was a total balls up of H.G. Wells' fantastic story. There was more credulity in the "Classics Illustrated" magazine, which I wish I still had. I have the paperback version in my private library and resurrect it from time to time. I can imagine Tony's fears as a youngster as we were easily influenced by such visuals. The TV production of all the Quatermass adventures were particularly scary, for one.
Paul Kenealy
Interesting. I’m not normally frightened in the cinema. I can remember seeing things like Jaws, Pit and the Pendulum, Psycho etc., and laughed out loud, but the only film that ever left me shitless was ‘The Innocents’ staring Deborah Kerr. I think I bunked in at the ABC Holloway Road with either Bill or Griff in 1961. It was X cert which I think was for over 18’s. I was 14 and looked it.
The film was about a woman who takes a position of Governess to two children in a secluded house with the housekeeper and gardener and only an occasional visit from the children’s uncle. I can’t remember much of the plot, but I just looked at a three minute trailer on IMDb.com and it frightened the life out of me.
Happy days (and nights)
James Sanderson
Interesting thread. I am surprised that no one has mentioned The Exorcist yet. Got to be the best horror film ever.
I agree with Ray that The Haunting is a very good film. Thanks to PK for recommending The Innocents. I shall give it a look.
My first horror film was at ................ you've guessed it, The Essoldo. Went there with Johnny Pearce. He bought the tickets cos he looked older than me. [still does] The Phantom of the Rue Morgue starring Herbert Lom. What a shite film. Undressed women living in garrets having an unknown thing smash through the fanlight [encased in the curtains] and murdering them. Cue camera filming wall as buckets of red paint were thrown across it. The monster was a gorilla and boy, was we scared.
Well, that was what Johnny said.
Johnny Pearce
I forgot I paid for the tickets must be few bob with interest you owe me. And good job it was only your hand I was holding. The horror story continued when I went to Barnsbury and found I was sitting next to you; remember when you tried to copy my answers in that exam when I came 1st.
James Sanderson
Just tell me how much I owe you and I will get Micky Simmonds to send it to you.
You are a classic example of what happens to the memory as you get older. You got the exam copying the wrong way round. Everyone knows that.
Tam Joseph
The Quatermass Experiment was on TV last night. It’s still a great movie although how anyone could believe that a rocket could nosedive until halfway down into mud and concrete AND still remain intact I don’t know.
Tony Alger
Wow Tam that was also one scary film however it's follow up Quatermass and the Pit which I see on the TV some years later made me feel nervous each time I had to use the stairs when the Underground station lifts weren't working. Do you remember using them? The noise, dirt, smells and dark corridors you had to use made me think of this film time and time again. I also remember catching the last tube train out of Angel station. Across the platform on the wall was a full size advert for the film The Children of the Damned. It had pictures of the children who used to kill people with their stare with big glassy eyes that I was certain were following me along the platform. I had nightmares about that one too.
Barry Page
Read John Wyndham's book "The Midwich Cuckoos", which is the book that "The Village of the Damned" is based on - although, again, the film is a balls up of the novel. The scene showing the pregnant mothers of the 'damned' was rather risqué, even then. Yes, the Underground burrows were eerie, and climbing the circular stairs a test of courage.
Tony Alger
I have just watched it again …and It still gives me the creeps ..The 1953 version of the War of the Worlds. My Dad took me to see it at the Essoldo in Caledonian Road and I remember watching the skies for weeks afterwards and shitting myself when I heard any noise that sounded like a flying saucer.
Strange but sadly true, Cheers.
Tam Joseph
The Essoldo, opposite the Cally underground station? Damn, that takes me back
John Tythe
Scrooge, starring Alistair Sim, at Islington South Library in Essex Road. It would have been about 1958.
I managed to loose my ticket and only those with tickets could get in.
The caretaker was collecting the tickets and as he got a handful of them, he placed them in a pile on the staircase which led up to where the film was to be shown. My mates, from Union Square, told me to wait by the side of the stairs and as they passed the pile of tickets, one of them kicked the pile off the stairs towards where I was standing. I quickly started to pick them up, keeping one for myself, before being told to “Get out of it, gis ‘em here.” while the caretaker then picked up the rest of the tickets and resumed collecting from the queue, which I had re-joined and when my turn came I handed him the rescued ticket. I was in!
A scary film for an 8 year old. A little bit of wee came out!!!!
Micky Simmonds
My one will always be Psycho saw with Leo Bissington & David Gardner at the Astoria Finsbury Park followed closely by Wait Until Dark with Audrey Hepburn & Alan Arkin.
Raymond Silk
The Haunting from 1963, directed by Robert Wise, it was on TV not so long ago and in certain parts is still spooky. The silliest horror film was Behemoth the sea monster, I recall it doing the breast stroke up the River Thames, yeh really scary.
Barry Page
I didn't go in for the scary movies; in fact the so-called "Horror" films were sort of taboo in my household. That said, I distinctly remember the flying saucer version of "War of the Worlds", which was a total balls up of H.G. Wells' fantastic story. There was more credulity in the "Classics Illustrated" magazine, which I wish I still had. I have the paperback version in my private library and resurrect it from time to time. I can imagine Tony's fears as a youngster as we were easily influenced by such visuals. The TV production of all the Quatermass adventures were particularly scary, for one.
Paul Kenealy
Interesting. I’m not normally frightened in the cinema. I can remember seeing things like Jaws, Pit and the Pendulum, Psycho etc., and laughed out loud, but the only film that ever left me shitless was ‘The Innocents’ staring Deborah Kerr. I think I bunked in at the ABC Holloway Road with either Bill or Griff in 1961. It was X cert which I think was for over 18’s. I was 14 and looked it.
The film was about a woman who takes a position of Governess to two children in a secluded house with the housekeeper and gardener and only an occasional visit from the children’s uncle. I can’t remember much of the plot, but I just looked at a three minute trailer on IMDb.com and it frightened the life out of me.
Happy days (and nights)
James Sanderson
Interesting thread. I am surprised that no one has mentioned The Exorcist yet. Got to be the best horror film ever.
I agree with Ray that The Haunting is a very good film. Thanks to PK for recommending The Innocents. I shall give it a look.
My first horror film was at ................ you've guessed it, The Essoldo. Went there with Johnny Pearce. He bought the tickets cos he looked older than me. [still does] The Phantom of the Rue Morgue starring Herbert Lom. What a shite film. Undressed women living in garrets having an unknown thing smash through the fanlight [encased in the curtains] and murdering them. Cue camera filming wall as buckets of red paint were thrown across it. The monster was a gorilla and boy, was we scared.
Well, that was what Johnny said.
Johnny Pearce
I forgot I paid for the tickets must be few bob with interest you owe me. And good job it was only your hand I was holding. The horror story continued when I went to Barnsbury and found I was sitting next to you; remember when you tried to copy my answers in that exam when I came 1st.
James Sanderson
Just tell me how much I owe you and I will get Micky Simmonds to send it to you.
You are a classic example of what happens to the memory as you get older. You got the exam copying the wrong way round. Everyone knows that.
Tam Joseph
The Quatermass Experiment was on TV last night. It’s still a great movie although how anyone could believe that a rocket could nosedive until halfway down into mud and concrete AND still remain intact I don’t know.
Tony Alger
Wow Tam that was also one scary film however it's follow up Quatermass and the Pit which I see on the TV some years later made me feel nervous each time I had to use the stairs when the Underground station lifts weren't working. Do you remember using them? The noise, dirt, smells and dark corridors you had to use made me think of this film time and time again. I also remember catching the last tube train out of Angel station. Across the platform on the wall was a full size advert for the film The Children of the Damned. It had pictures of the children who used to kill people with their stare with big glassy eyes that I was certain were following me along the platform. I had nightmares about that one too.
Barry Page
Read John Wyndham's book "The Midwich Cuckoos", which is the book that "The Village of the Damned" is based on - although, again, the film is a balls up of the novel. The scene showing the pregnant mothers of the 'damned' was rather risqué, even then. Yes, the Underground burrows were eerie, and climbing the circular stairs a test of courage.