The Horror People

by John Brosnan

Profiles of actors and filmmaker: The Chaneys, Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Karl Freund, Tod Browning, James Whale, Val Lewton, Jack Arnold, Hammer Film Productions, American International Pictures and Roger Corman, William Castle, Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Richard Matheson, Robert Bloch, Freddie Francis, Roy Ward Baker, Milton Subotsky, and Kevin Francis. A comprehensive study of the horror-movie genre.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

* Pen names:
Harry Adam Knight, Simon Ian Childer, James Blackstone, John Raymond

John Raymond Brosnan was an Australian writer of both fiction and non-fiction works based around the fantasy and science fiction genres. He was born in Perth, Western Australia, and died in South Harrow, London, from acute pancreatitis. He sometimes published under the pseudonyms Harry Adam Knight, Simon Ian Childer (both sometimes used together with Leroy Kettle), James Blackstone (used together with John Baxter), and John Raymond. Three not very successful movies were based on his novels–Beyond Bedlam (aka Nightscare), Proteus (based on Slimer), and Carnosaur. In addition to science fiction, he also wrote a number of books about cinema and was a regular columnist with the popular UK magazine Starburst.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is initially off-putting because, for the older horror stars, information is simply aggregated from a variety of existing articles and interviews (which is fine, since it's not as if I have access to those articles, but it doesn't necessarily feel like a solid foundation for a book). As we move into the "present" (the book was published in 1976), we get much more interesting material resulting from the author's own interviews. The interviews with Jack Arnold, Robert Bloch, and Milton Subotsky are the highlights, in my opinion.

One thing I took issue with was that Brosnan took so many opportunities to deride the horror films he was discussing in unnecessary editorial asides. Who did he think was going to read this book, if not fans of these very films? Why did he take on the assignment if his taste is so lofty?

PS - As the book was released in 1976, the example of modern horror on every interviewee's lips was THE EXORCIST. It was quite humorous to read everyone's takes. Particularly those who hadn't seen the film, but had decided it was loathsome anyhow!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This big tome from 1976 comes up with everything in black and white you'd expect: excellent photographs, all major classic actors (e.g. Lugosi, Karloff), a section on Jack Arnold (I loved his movies like Creature From the Black Lagoon or Tarantula), Hammer (Ingrid Pitt), William Castle, Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, written horror by Richard Matheson and Robert Bloch, directors, producers... this is the definite inside story into the world of horror movies. Absolutely enjoyed it. If you want to understand present day horror you should go back into the past. Highly recommended!