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Cinema of mystery.
First paperback printing. 7" x 10" trade paperback in very good condition. Dust spotting to the upper page block and toning to the page edges. Some dampening to the upper edges has resulted in slight waviness at those edges.
First published January 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 10, 2025
This book covers Edgar Allan Poe’s influence on the cinema. Movies that are based on his works, however loosely, are discussed. Two hundred+ photos, all b&w except for a 4 page color section of posters. Poe’s stories, poems and even an essay(Maezel’s Chess Player) are written about with plot summaries and excerpts. The poem, The Conqueror Worm, found in the story, Ligeia, has the 3rd, 4th & 5th stanza reproduced. The poem, City in the Sea, has the 2nd + 3rd stanza reproduced. According to the author, Bela Lugosi recites, The Raven, in that movie of 1935. The scope of the movies are international including both silent and sound. Besides the movie stills, there are illustrations from the Poe books featuring such artists as Aubrey Beardsley and Arthur Rackham. Illustrated postcards you’ll find as well. Chapter 6 is devoted to the detective C. Auguste Dupin. There should have been an index! Make your own! In the long run, old time radio drama’s may have been better suited to adapt Poe’s short stories. Bonus info not in the book reviewed: page 15 illustration is from, King Pest; page 111 is from Premature Burial.
October 6, 2024
What an exciting view on Poe's tales with all those fascinating films from the past. With so many great chapters, movie stills, photos and illustrations. Rest not in peace, omen of Death, Island of Lost Souls, The Raven, The Tell-Tale-Heart, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Walking Dead, the track of the beast, Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Black Cat, The Haunted Palace, himself the undead... you won't get more treats on his tales. Highly recommended for the season and for every horror fan!
September 11, 2023
Interesting (and very subjective) book about Poe's influence on cinema. The author even links him to the detective Shaft.
Sometimes the author gets facts wrong (calling the director Richard Oswald by the name Michael Oswald). But definitely worth a read.
Sometimes the author gets facts wrong (calling the director Richard Oswald by the name Michael Oswald). But definitely worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews