When you were a kid, did you go see the frightening
movies shown around Hallowe’en?
I was a major wuss, but one year my best friend
and I braved our way to the theater. Since we couldn’t drive yet, that meant
convincing my mom to drive us and then come back for us. My mom and dad went to
bed as soon as the ten o’clock news was over. Convincing her and my dad to
drive us there was not hard, but staying up to come after us took some
convincing.
The first scary movie I remember seeing was “Murders
in the Rue Morgue.” It was old even when I was a kid, but we didn’t realize it.
For one thing, we didn’t see that much for covering our eyes. I suspect we saw
the 1932 version starring Bela Lugosi and Arlene Francis, which had little to
do with the original Edgar Allen Poe story by that name first published in Graham’s Magazine in 1841. The 1954
version starred Karl Malden and Patricia Medina. Thinking back, I am pretty
sure Bela Lugosi was in the version we saw at a cut rate theater.
The second feature was “Phantom of the Opera.” Yes,
there was an earlier version.
Remembering the hairdos and filming, I think it was much, much earlier. ☺
It starred Lon Chaney as Eric, and I think it was made about 1925, but I’m not
certain. It’s on YouTube in its entire 106 minutes, but the film is so dark and
blurry that I couldn’t read the date clearly. I have to admit that I didn’t
stick with the video to see if quality improved. Here’s the link if you want to
try.
I guess I don’t have to tell you that I never went
to see “The Excorsist,” do I? ☺
In more recent years, I remember once when my
husband was out of town and my youngest daughter and I went to see “Sixth
Sense.” Oh, my goodness, that was scary for me. I was thinking about going home
in our very dark rural area to a dark house where I had forgotten to leave on a
light. My husband traveled off and on for most of our married life and I was
never afraid. Except that night. It had been bright sunshine when we went into
the theater. It was dark when we came out. We turned around and bought tickets
to the Steve Martin movie, "Bowfinger". After laughing for an hour and a half, I was fine to
take my daughter to her home and go to mine.
I don’t like being scared, yet I watch some movies
over and over. “Sleeping with the Enemy” is a nail-biter for me. That type
movie is much more nerve-wracking than some guy with a chainsaw. I suppose there are actual cases of beserk men
chasing someone with a motorized murder weapon. More likely, though, is the psychologically
vicious spouse who terrorizes and intimidates. Yep, for me, “Sleeping with the
Enemy” is fright at its worst.
What is it that makes us volunteer to be frightened?
Is it the same gene that makes people ride roller coasters and go bungee
jumping? I guess I’m missing that chromosone or gene or whatever it is.
What does this have to do with the Old West? So glad
you asked. ☺ Actually, not a thing. Sorry, I am simply trying to be seasonally
topical. Another of the Sweethearts of the West had already covered ghost towns, so there you are.
Now, I will mention something about the Old West. I’m
happy to announce that my next western historical romance, THE MOST UNSUITABLE
COURTSHIP, will released October 30. It will be available in print
and ebook.
Here's the blurb:
Storm Kincaid wants justice;
Rena Dmitriev wants vengeance.
When Storm’s best friend and
the friend’s wife are murdered, Storm secures a temporary appointment as
Federal Marshal so he can capture the killers. He follows them to twenty one
year old Rena’s home, which is in flames when he arrives. She has survived by following
her elderly husband’s strict instructions and watched in hiding while the men
murdered him. Storm intends to take her
to the nearest town where she will be safe. She can identify the men who killed
the person who had been her husband in name only and like a grandfather to her,
and she vows to kill at least one of them. Whether or not Storm allows her to
accompany him, she assures him she will go after the murderers. She is the only person alive who can identify
the evil foursome whose policy has been to leave no witnesses. Storm agrees to take
her with him. She’ll be safer with him to protect her than she would riding
alone.
As a powerful and passionate
love blossoms, they unite to rescue three orphaned children, fight the
elements, and encounter the killers. Will their love be enough to protect them?
Available at Amazon and Smashwords.
