My first contact with this hotel was when I was asked to conduct a paranormal investigation with a local radio station for their Halloween programme.
We were looking for the Lady in Grey and the victim of a murder, maybe the murderer was still about too as there was something not very nice on the back stairs. We found much more than we bargained for, so much so that during a glass moving experiment the glass almost flew off the table! With its rabbit warren of corridors and back stairways I decided a full public investigation was called for which we carried out in March 2006. We were not disappointed.
Hidden behind a Georgian facade, the Great White Horse Hotel is a timber framed coaching inn dating back almost 500 years to the 16th century. Today the original courtyard still remains, though now glazed over.
Originally built on this site in 1518 and previously called The Tavern it gave it’s name to the street it stands on. It was rebuilt, strangley enough, in 1815 and it’s guest list reads like a who's who of historical and famous people.
From 1520 onwards, The Duke of Norfolk, Queen Elizabeth 1st, King George II, King Louis XVIII of France and Lord Nelson (then High Steward of Ipswich) with Lady Hamilton. Charles Dickens was another famous guest, featuring the hotel in the Pickwick Papers. In more recent times Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson (after the abdication) and many more names you will know from your history books.
As for our investigation, the disembodied leather boots of a soldier were seen walking along a back corridor and contact was made with a servant girl, we believe the murder victim we originally searched for. The table on wheels we use for Table Tipping danced around the ballroom, as if the ghost in contact was re-living the memory of a bygone age. Unexplained moans, an uncomfortable energy; we believe may have been the murderer, remained unidentified, weird lights and EVP: (Electronic Voice Phenomena) captured by a customer on their camcorder, completed the weekend.
The strange thing about the EVP is that it was in French. We know that Louis XVIII of France and his entourage stayed there but we were unable to ascertain if one of his staff were killed or died there. The customer was waiting and filming in a corridor with his team ready for their next experiment. One of the team asked if anybody knew if this was the right place. The answer, recorded in French said “File d'attente ici”, translated to “Queue here”. It would seem ‘they still serve those who stand and wait’.
On a more normal note, the artist Jevan Watkins Jones was in residence at the Great White Horse Hotel from September until December 2001. During this time, he recorded and reflected upon the tedium and buzz that a hotel encounters in its daily life. His works; The Housekeeper, the Head Chef, the Night Porter and All – Life at The Great White Horse Hotel, were displayed in The Room Upstairs gallery at Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich: 8th December 2001 – 27th January 2002.
John Blythe is Senior Executive Manager for Haunted Weekend who organise public paranormal investigations in haunted hotels and castles throughout the UK. He has appeared on television with Haunted Weekend clearing a haunted house and has featured in and written for many paranormal magazines. He is also a featured expert on the paranormal for World Reviewer, a website that specialises in unique experiences.
Monday, 29 September 2008
Friday, 26 September 2008
Ghosts Around
Are these ghosts a reality....?
YES....I have seen it once, I have really experienced in my home, in my office...
People have different personal instances to share once you start talking about Ghosts.
Ghost stories are a spicy subject in campus life also. Due to fear or of a neutral personality, majority tends to believe in ghosts; and of course, there are few who do not believe in these stories at all.....If u utter any such ghostly experience, they would daringly challenge such things.
I remember such a story happened to a medical student, who publicly questioned the existence of ghosts and challenged to undergo any such ghostly experience. It was during a general discussion on ghosts, that he strongly disapproved the existence of ghosts and narrated those things as fake and absurd. Sooner, it became strong topic of debate and he entered into a bet with his friends to disapprove their views.
The guy agreed to undergo any fear filled, ghostly experience. And the bet offered him prize money once he is through with the challenge. The guy seemed to be so tough and was ready to take up any daring action.
The bet was like this,
There was a peepal tree near the boy's hostel. And it was a hot topic of discussion during the past years of that hostel. The tree was famous either with suicides or with vampires and related stuffs. It says ghosts usually find their aboard on it. (Not scientifically proved, but great story tellers say so). And here, the guy was asked to pierce a nail on the peepal tree. The time of his daring action was set to be 12: 45 mid night.
It's almost 70 meters distance from the hostel to the peepal tree. As decided earlier, the guy took his determined steps towards the tree with a hammer and nail. It was getting darker when he moved near to the tree. He looked around, the hostel seemed to be a dark chamber from distance, and the screaming of bugs added a horror ambience too.
By then, slowly he could feel the coldness passing through his feet. He ensured twice that he was holding the hammer tightly though his palm was getting sweaty. He thought to hit few strokes and finish the job so fast.
Now, the coldness has passed on to his body and to his finger tips as well. It's totally dark around...The whistling wind moves with a panicking ambience. He felt like its long way to reach near the tree.
With trembling strides, somehow he managed to reach over there...
The moment he reached at one arm distance to the tree, he raised the hammer...fixed the nail.... The wind was blowing bit heavy, and he felt as if the wind will pull him up. He hit the nail with maximum power. When it pierced an inch on the tree he quickly turned back and tried to run away......ALAS.....he couldn't....... some thing is horrifying...
Somebody pulled him from back....his neck was getting tight...He felt like somebody is trying to strangle him. ...ohhhhhh... he screamed aloud. But no sound came out and nobody came to help. Few minutes passed.....
His friends thought that they have lost the bet money. And they waited in anticipation of his successful return. They waited and waited for long. But they couldn't find his return. So they decided to go on search of him. Once they reached near the tree, they found him laying down the peepal tree. Totally lost with senses and movements...They all screamed. Meanwhile somebody brought water and sprinkled on his face.....But no response....Its really ghostly...
Wahhh.... Its...Unbelievable right... but what happened in reality? Due to extreme fear and horror filled ambience, he pierced the nail on the tree along with a corner of his shawl. So once he turned back the shawl on the neck got tight and it pulled him back slightly. Once the inner fear increases, obviously we will experience high stress, right? So here also the slight pull from the hooked shawl felt to him like somebody was pulling from back, thus he lost his mental control and fell faint...
This is just a story to an extend ...But are these things a reality.
There are lots of beliefs in each and every culture. They have something to talk about ghosts. Both oriental and occidental traditions have its on style of narration about horror creatures. Film industry has grown big with ghostly content. And what more to say, even there are specialists who demands controls on all these extra sensitive affaires...and takes a big fee to cure your mind. What do you say? Do you believe? Or daring to take a challenge?
By Pradeep Chamravattom
YES....I have seen it once, I have really experienced in my home, in my office...
People have different personal instances to share once you start talking about Ghosts.
Ghost stories are a spicy subject in campus life also. Due to fear or of a neutral personality, majority tends to believe in ghosts; and of course, there are few who do not believe in these stories at all.....If u utter any such ghostly experience, they would daringly challenge such things.
I remember such a story happened to a medical student, who publicly questioned the existence of ghosts and challenged to undergo any such ghostly experience. It was during a general discussion on ghosts, that he strongly disapproved the existence of ghosts and narrated those things as fake and absurd. Sooner, it became strong topic of debate and he entered into a bet with his friends to disapprove their views.
The guy agreed to undergo any fear filled, ghostly experience. And the bet offered him prize money once he is through with the challenge. The guy seemed to be so tough and was ready to take up any daring action.
The bet was like this,
There was a peepal tree near the boy's hostel. And it was a hot topic of discussion during the past years of that hostel. The tree was famous either with suicides or with vampires and related stuffs. It says ghosts usually find their aboard on it. (Not scientifically proved, but great story tellers say so). And here, the guy was asked to pierce a nail on the peepal tree. The time of his daring action was set to be 12: 45 mid night.
It's almost 70 meters distance from the hostel to the peepal tree. As decided earlier, the guy took his determined steps towards the tree with a hammer and nail. It was getting darker when he moved near to the tree. He looked around, the hostel seemed to be a dark chamber from distance, and the screaming of bugs added a horror ambience too.
By then, slowly he could feel the coldness passing through his feet. He ensured twice that he was holding the hammer tightly though his palm was getting sweaty. He thought to hit few strokes and finish the job so fast.
Now, the coldness has passed on to his body and to his finger tips as well. It's totally dark around...The whistling wind moves with a panicking ambience. He felt like its long way to reach near the tree.
With trembling strides, somehow he managed to reach over there...
The moment he reached at one arm distance to the tree, he raised the hammer...fixed the nail.... The wind was blowing bit heavy, and he felt as if the wind will pull him up. He hit the nail with maximum power. When it pierced an inch on the tree he quickly turned back and tried to run away......ALAS.....he couldn't....... some thing is horrifying...
Somebody pulled him from back....his neck was getting tight...He felt like somebody is trying to strangle him. ...ohhhhhh... he screamed aloud. But no sound came out and nobody came to help. Few minutes passed.....
His friends thought that they have lost the bet money. And they waited in anticipation of his successful return. They waited and waited for long. But they couldn't find his return. So they decided to go on search of him. Once they reached near the tree, they found him laying down the peepal tree. Totally lost with senses and movements...They all screamed. Meanwhile somebody brought water and sprinkled on his face.....But no response....Its really ghostly...
Wahhh.... Its...Unbelievable right... but what happened in reality? Due to extreme fear and horror filled ambience, he pierced the nail on the tree along with a corner of his shawl. So once he turned back the shawl on the neck got tight and it pulled him back slightly. Once the inner fear increases, obviously we will experience high stress, right? So here also the slight pull from the hooked shawl felt to him like somebody was pulling from back, thus he lost his mental control and fell faint...
This is just a story to an extend ...But are these things a reality.
There are lots of beliefs in each and every culture. They have something to talk about ghosts. Both oriental and occidental traditions have its on style of narration about horror creatures. Film industry has grown big with ghostly content. And what more to say, even there are specialists who demands controls on all these extra sensitive affaires...and takes a big fee to cure your mind. What do you say? Do you believe? Or daring to take a challenge?
By Pradeep Chamravattom
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Ghost Videos - Fact or Fiction?
Ghost videos. Have you ever watched one? If you love a good scare, you're not alone. We watch ghost videos or ghost documentaries when they come on TV, or we rent them. Whether you're watching for education purposes or solely for entertainment, many, including me, feel intrigued, or drawn to, ghosts and the after-life.
What intrigues me about watching ghost videos is the thought that these ghosts (or spirits) were alive and real at one time.
What if ghosts walked, talked and ate like any other person? What if they had the same thoughts as other people? Perhaps they themselves even watched a ghost video, or saw a real ghost. What did they think about ghosts and the after-life while they were alive?
What if ghosts are real? Sometimes while I am watching a ghost video , I'm left wishing that I myself could talk to the ghosts and hear what they have to say. What kind of stories would they have to tell me? I personally think ghosts are quite real.
If they are ghosts from history, I'm especially interested in how and where they lived, and how they died. Did they know famous people? Did the ghosts from the Civil War fight with General Robert E. Lee, for instance?
Some people believe ghosts that haunt present-day dwellings or houses where they used to live are ghosts that can't seem to make it to the other side. Something has stopped them, or they just need a little help to move on.
Others believe that these ghosts may want to stay behind and tell us something, warn us about something.
Still others believe that these ghosts don't even realize that they are dead. These ghosts think that they're still living, and that society and fashion, etc. have merely changed a lot in their lifetime, not having a sense of real time, or knowing that time has moved on, perhaps without them.
Whatever the case is, watching ghost videos never ceases to amaze me.
By Krista Brehaut
The Ghosts of Crowley Hall is now available to Buy or Rent from Amazon.com from as little as $1.99
What intrigues me about watching ghost videos is the thought that these ghosts (or spirits) were alive and real at one time.
What if ghosts walked, talked and ate like any other person? What if they had the same thoughts as other people? Perhaps they themselves even watched a ghost video, or saw a real ghost. What did they think about ghosts and the after-life while they were alive?
What if ghosts are real? Sometimes while I am watching a ghost video , I'm left wishing that I myself could talk to the ghosts and hear what they have to say. What kind of stories would they have to tell me? I personally think ghosts are quite real.
If they are ghosts from history, I'm especially interested in how and where they lived, and how they died. Did they know famous people? Did the ghosts from the Civil War fight with General Robert E. Lee, for instance?
Some people believe ghosts that haunt present-day dwellings or houses where they used to live are ghosts that can't seem to make it to the other side. Something has stopped them, or they just need a little help to move on.
Others believe that these ghosts may want to stay behind and tell us something, warn us about something.
Still others believe that these ghosts don't even realize that they are dead. These ghosts think that they're still living, and that society and fashion, etc. have merely changed a lot in their lifetime, not having a sense of real time, or knowing that time has moved on, perhaps without them.
Whatever the case is, watching ghost videos never ceases to amaze me.
By Krista Brehaut
The Ghosts of Crowley Hall is now available to Buy or Rent from Amazon.com from as little as $1.99
Sunday, 11 May 2008
Crowley Hall Review by AngryPrincess
The Paranormal has always fascinated me. Whether it be as a child when it terrified me, or as an adult where it became an obsession to prove to myself that there was something after life besides just death. Have I personally ever found anything concrete…not really only a few what ifs made it to me. Today in our world the paranormal is almost like having a second language, everyone delves in it. I have went to countless cemeteries, abandoned buildings and mental asylums and all I ever manage to get were dust orbs, a few unexplained glowing orbs, and an incident that caused me to run like the wind out of that place and I’ll never forget it.
Crowley Hall was built in the 19th century and served as a hospital. Then from the 1920-1930’s Doctor Leys and his wife Beatrice took over and it became a place for the criminally insane. Dr. Leys was noted as being a key figure in creating new treatments for mental illness in Northern England. Some say Dr. Leys liked to perform sadistic experiments on the more violent patients. It is stated that Leys death was from a heart attack but insiders new better and spoke of an operation gone wrong in which Dr. Leys ended up a victim from the patient he was treating. I guess he should of tied those restraints a tad tighter and he wouldn’t have ended up stabbed in the neck.
The Ghosts Of Crowley Hall is a documentary Arron Kasady and a team of other experts set out with a vengeance to make and you see their determination as well as many parts of this old historic building. When the team holds a séance things start to get interesting and are visited first by a man named Alfred and then by a spirit believed to be Leys himself. If you like shows like Ghost Hunters or if you like old abandoned buildings like me this film is for you. It was a little hard to hear some of the reaction bangs but none the less it was exciting to watch. I sincerely hope they go back and see what other things they can find out about this amazing historic place!
7/10
Crowley Hall was built in the 19th century and served as a hospital. Then from the 1920-1930’s Doctor Leys and his wife Beatrice took over and it became a place for the criminally insane. Dr. Leys was noted as being a key figure in creating new treatments for mental illness in Northern England. Some say Dr. Leys liked to perform sadistic experiments on the more violent patients. It is stated that Leys death was from a heart attack but insiders new better and spoke of an operation gone wrong in which Dr. Leys ended up a victim from the patient he was treating. I guess he should of tied those restraints a tad tighter and he wouldn’t have ended up stabbed in the neck.
The Ghosts Of Crowley Hall is a documentary Arron Kasady and a team of other experts set out with a vengeance to make and you see their determination as well as many parts of this old historic building. When the team holds a séance things start to get interesting and are visited first by a man named Alfred and then by a spirit believed to be Leys himself. If you like shows like Ghost Hunters or if you like old abandoned buildings like me this film is for you. It was a little hard to hear some of the reaction bangs but none the less it was exciting to watch. I sincerely hope they go back and see what other things they can find out about this amazing historic place!
7/10
Monday, 28 January 2008
Angels, Spirits or Ghosts by Rob Daniels
When it comes to the supernatural, few have not had a brush with eternity. Whether you attend church regularly or are the most determined doubter, the miraculous seeks out all at one point or another. Most of us have one or two fleeting incidents which we easily explain away, while an insistent few claim to have regular contact with members of the great beyond. Who are these beings who open the veil and remind us that we are not alone? Are they glorious messengers sent from God, or malevolent tormentors? Tradition gives them names, but what is the distinction between an angel, a spirit, and a ghost?
Stories of angels are as old as history. In virtually every world religion there is an angel figure-a benevolent celestial being who acts as an intermediary between heaven and earth. In scripture, angels visit man on earth to deliver messages. While many Christians believe that angels are the souls of good people who have passed on, official church doctrine generally describes angels as being created by God before the creation of humanity. Instead, saints are defined as virtuous people who have received their immortality. (One exception to this would be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who believe angels are humans who have been resurrected and have bodies of flesh and bone.) Angels are generally virtuous beings, although there are “fallen angels” who become known as demons. Although artists depict angels in glowing robes with halos and wings, the Bible says many entertain angels unawares. If you sense you have been visited by a heavenly being who has delivered an important message, chances are, you have been in touch with an angel.
The definition of spirits is more nebulous. Spirit is used to describe many things, including the part of a living being associated with the mind, will, and feelings. The word spirit is used interchangeably with angel and ghost, although spirits most definitely exist separate from the physical body.
While spirits and angels are almost always part of traditional Western dogma, ghosts are often left out of the religious equation. However, many spiritualists and individuals who have experienced near-death experiences describe ghosts as being individuals who have died, but who have not passed through the “tunnel of light.” They are found in areas they frequented during their lifetimes, and are attired in the styles of their day. Unlike angels, ghosts are in a condition of darkness and lack understanding. They may be confused, may not even know that they have died. Ghosts are almost always associated with haunting-although they may mean no harm. Most ghosts have an attachment to this world, be it unfinished business, emotional trauma, or fears that keep them from crossing over. A visit with a ghost does not have to be frightening. The kindest thing you can do for a ghost is to help him or her to put closure on his or her life and decide to find peace in the next life. A ghost who is particularly evil may have to be exorcized by an authority.
Angels, spirits, and ghosts each serve their own purposes, but one thing they all have in common is they remind us of our own mortality and keep our eyes heavenward.
For more information on the upcoming movie ‘The Ghosts of Crowley Hall’ visit http://www.crowleyhallghosts.com/ – or our MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/crowleyhallghosts
Stories of angels are as old as history. In virtually every world religion there is an angel figure-a benevolent celestial being who acts as an intermediary between heaven and earth. In scripture, angels visit man on earth to deliver messages. While many Christians believe that angels are the souls of good people who have passed on, official church doctrine generally describes angels as being created by God before the creation of humanity. Instead, saints are defined as virtuous people who have received their immortality. (One exception to this would be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who believe angels are humans who have been resurrected and have bodies of flesh and bone.) Angels are generally virtuous beings, although there are “fallen angels” who become known as demons. Although artists depict angels in glowing robes with halos and wings, the Bible says many entertain angels unawares. If you sense you have been visited by a heavenly being who has delivered an important message, chances are, you have been in touch with an angel.
The definition of spirits is more nebulous. Spirit is used to describe many things, including the part of a living being associated with the mind, will, and feelings. The word spirit is used interchangeably with angel and ghost, although spirits most definitely exist separate from the physical body.
While spirits and angels are almost always part of traditional Western dogma, ghosts are often left out of the religious equation. However, many spiritualists and individuals who have experienced near-death experiences describe ghosts as being individuals who have died, but who have not passed through the “tunnel of light.” They are found in areas they frequented during their lifetimes, and are attired in the styles of their day. Unlike angels, ghosts are in a condition of darkness and lack understanding. They may be confused, may not even know that they have died. Ghosts are almost always associated with haunting-although they may mean no harm. Most ghosts have an attachment to this world, be it unfinished business, emotional trauma, or fears that keep them from crossing over. A visit with a ghost does not have to be frightening. The kindest thing you can do for a ghost is to help him or her to put closure on his or her life and decide to find peace in the next life. A ghost who is particularly evil may have to be exorcized by an authority.
Angels, spirits, and ghosts each serve their own purposes, but one thing they all have in common is they remind us of our own mortality and keep our eyes heavenward.
For more information on the upcoming movie ‘The Ghosts of Crowley Hall’ visit http://www.crowleyhallghosts.com/ – or our MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/crowleyhallghosts
Saturday, 26 January 2008
'The Invitation' Music Video by LadyAxe
Multi-talented South African Musician ‘LadyAxe’ presents the music video for ‘The Invitation’, which is the official song from the upcoming horror movie ‘The Ghosts of Crowley Hall’. Directed by herself, the video was shot entirely on location in South Africa, with various clips from the movie being added in later.
The song was written and performed by LadyAxe, and is a personal interpretation of the nightmares that lay in wait at Crowley Hall.
LadyAxe has been singing on stage since she was 19, touring around South Africa with bands such as V.O.D and Stryder. Recently, she has written and directed the short horror movie ‘Ukoyika’, a story about a young Australian girl who disappears after she falls down an abandoned mine shaft. There she encounters the evil that has been buried for the last 80 years.
Both ‘The Invitation’ music video and the ‘Ukoyika’ will be featured on ‘The Ghosts of Crowley Hall’ DVD on its release.
‘The Invitation’
Performed by LadyAxe
Written by LadyAxe and Anushka V
Produced by Watts Productions (Port Elizabeth, South Africa)
For more information on Lady Axe visit her website - http://www.helltic.com/ - or her MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/ladyaxe
For more information on the upcoming movie ‘The Ghosts of Crowley Hall’ visit http://www.crowleyhallghosts.com/ – or our MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/crowleyhallghosts
The song was written and performed by LadyAxe, and is a personal interpretation of the nightmares that lay in wait at Crowley Hall.
LadyAxe has been singing on stage since she was 19, touring around South Africa with bands such as V.O.D and Stryder. Recently, she has written and directed the short horror movie ‘Ukoyika’, a story about a young Australian girl who disappears after she falls down an abandoned mine shaft. There she encounters the evil that has been buried for the last 80 years.
Both ‘The Invitation’ music video and the ‘Ukoyika’ will be featured on ‘The Ghosts of Crowley Hall’ DVD on its release.
‘The Invitation’
Performed by LadyAxe
Written by LadyAxe and Anushka V
Produced by Watts Productions (Port Elizabeth, South Africa)
For more information on Lady Axe visit her website - http://www.helltic.com/ - or her MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/ladyaxe
For more information on the upcoming movie ‘The Ghosts of Crowley Hall’ visit http://www.crowleyhallghosts.com/ – or our MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/crowleyhallghosts
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
Decades Of Horror Movies
Horror movie reviews are famous due to their appraisal of horror movies, which help the audience to decide if they are too horrific for them to watch, or if they are within their limits. Horror films are films of the horror genre that are designed to elicit fright, fear, terror, disgust or horror from viewers. Horror is defined as an overwhelming and painful feeling caused by something frightfully shocking, terrifying, or revolting. Filmmakers would continue to merge elements of science fiction and horror over the following decades.
The horror genre has also offered various types of horror movies that deal with Satan. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the rise of production companies focused on producing horror films, including the British company Hammer Film Productions. Hammer enjoyed huge international success from full-blooded technicolor films involving classic horror characters, often starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, such as The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Dracula (1958), and The Mummy (1959) and many sequels. Hammer, and director Terence Fisher, are widely acknowledged as pioneers of the modern horror movie. . In the 1960s the genre received a notable enlivening by the addition of three important sub-genres: the horror of personality, the horror of Armageddon, and the horror of the demonic, as observed by Charles Derry. Other analysts used terms such as "psychological horror", with less precision. Films of this time seemed to cross lines between horror and thriller conventions, with an especially notable example in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960). For the first time in Psycho, the object of horror does not look like a monstrous or supernatural other, but rather a normal human being. The horror has a human explanation, too, based in Freudian psychology and sex. Films of the horror-of-personality sub-genre continue to appear through the turn of the century, with 1991's The Silence of the Lambs a noteworthy example. Some of these films further blur the distinction between horror film and crime or thriller genre. Ghosts and monsters still remained popular, but many films that still relied on supernatural monsters expressed a horror of the demonic. The Innocents (Jack Clayton, 1961) and The Haunting (Robert Wise, 1963) were two such horror-of-the-demonic films from the early 1960s, with high production values and gothic atmosphere. Hitchcock's The Birds (1963) had a more modern backdrop; it was a prime example of a menace stemming from nature gone mad and one of the first American examples of the horror-of-Armageddon sub-genre. One of the most influential horror films of the late 1960s was George Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968). This horror-of-Armageddon film about zombies was later deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" enough to be preserved by the United States National Film Registry. Other companies contributed to a boom in horror film production in Britain in the 1960s and '70s, including Tigon-British and Amicus, the latter best known for their anthology films like Dr Terror's House of Horrors (1965). These sometimes controversial productions paved the way for more explicit violence in both horror and mainstream films
The first, a minimal approach which was equal parts Val Lewton's theory of "less is more" (usually employing low-budget techniques seen on 1999's The Blair Witch Project) and the emergence of Japanese horror movies which have been remade into successful Americanized versions, such as The Ring (2002), and The Grudge (2004). There has been a return to the zombie genre in horror movies made after 2000.
by Samantha Bennett
More on Arron Kasady’s ghost investigations and the upcoming movie ‘The Ghosts of Crowley Hall’ can be found on our official site - www.crowleyhallghosts.com
The horror genre has also offered various types of horror movies that deal with Satan. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the rise of production companies focused on producing horror films, including the British company Hammer Film Productions. Hammer enjoyed huge international success from full-blooded technicolor films involving classic horror characters, often starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, such as The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Dracula (1958), and The Mummy (1959) and many sequels. Hammer, and director Terence Fisher, are widely acknowledged as pioneers of the modern horror movie. . In the 1960s the genre received a notable enlivening by the addition of three important sub-genres: the horror of personality, the horror of Armageddon, and the horror of the demonic, as observed by Charles Derry. Other analysts used terms such as "psychological horror", with less precision. Films of this time seemed to cross lines between horror and thriller conventions, with an especially notable example in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960). For the first time in Psycho, the object of horror does not look like a monstrous or supernatural other, but rather a normal human being. The horror has a human explanation, too, based in Freudian psychology and sex. Films of the horror-of-personality sub-genre continue to appear through the turn of the century, with 1991's The Silence of the Lambs a noteworthy example. Some of these films further blur the distinction between horror film and crime or thriller genre. Ghosts and monsters still remained popular, but many films that still relied on supernatural monsters expressed a horror of the demonic. The Innocents (Jack Clayton, 1961) and The Haunting (Robert Wise, 1963) were two such horror-of-the-demonic films from the early 1960s, with high production values and gothic atmosphere. Hitchcock's The Birds (1963) had a more modern backdrop; it was a prime example of a menace stemming from nature gone mad and one of the first American examples of the horror-of-Armageddon sub-genre. One of the most influential horror films of the late 1960s was George Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968). This horror-of-Armageddon film about zombies was later deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" enough to be preserved by the United States National Film Registry. Other companies contributed to a boom in horror film production in Britain in the 1960s and '70s, including Tigon-British and Amicus, the latter best known for their anthology films like Dr Terror's House of Horrors (1965). These sometimes controversial productions paved the way for more explicit violence in both horror and mainstream films
The first, a minimal approach which was equal parts Val Lewton's theory of "less is more" (usually employing low-budget techniques seen on 1999's The Blair Witch Project) and the emergence of Japanese horror movies which have been remade into successful Americanized versions, such as The Ring (2002), and The Grudge (2004). There has been a return to the zombie genre in horror movies made after 2000.
by Samantha Bennett
More on Arron Kasady’s ghost investigations and the upcoming movie ‘The Ghosts of Crowley Hall’ can be found on our official site - www.crowleyhallghosts.com
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