Every Horror Movie from the 1900's
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- A squire strangles a girl and throws her in a river, and is shot by her father.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónOn a fine winter morning, an aristocratic couple of city dwellers decide to have a picnic in the great outdoors, however, everything seems to go wrong, all at once.
- StarsRyutaro Ichiza MatsudairaPerhaps a depiction of the mythic yanagi-baba, or "willow witch", a spirit which emerges when a willow tree is 1,000 years, Featuring the Matsudaira Ryutaro kabuki troupe.
- This picture reveals an old, deserted castle, which is infested with spooks. Two wanderers happen by as night falls, and having no place to lodge they pick out this very desirable looking old house as a place to rest and spend a quiet night. Upon entering the castle they soon discover that they are sadly disappointed in their choice, for immediately they see all sorts of strange objects dancing around them and grotesque spook faces gazing at them from every nook and corner. Too late to retrace their steps, the pair enter the old deserted dining-room, where, standing in the corner, is a closet copiously filled with rare edibles. As they are about to help themselves a lot of fierce looking animals come from the closet and proceed to make life unbearable for the distressed guests. The pair rush into the kitchen and there they meet his Satanic Majesty, who does some of his fine work and calls forth more ferocious beasts, and things are reaching a serious state in the place when, behold, the good Fairy Queen appears and changes everything into the sublime. The animals are all transformed into gallant knights and by a wave of the magic wand a group of pretty maidens appear and the old deserted castle is turned into a most hospitable place where the weary old travelers take advantage of all the courtesy showered upon them.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsJehanne d'AlcyBleuette BernonA young woman becomes the eighth wife of the wealthy Bluebeard, whose first seven wives have died under mysterious circumstances.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothA Chinese magician turns himself into a huge bat.
- DirectorGiuseppe de LiguoroStarsGiuseppe de LiguoroCount Ugolino is sent to hell and Dante tells the story of how he deserves his place.
- DirectorLuigi MaggiStarsMary Cleo TarlariniMirra PrincipiEugenia TorrielliIn the form of an elegantly dressed gentleman, Mephistopheles appears with the intention of working havoc in the heart of a woman, whose devotion to her little daughter embodies all that true affection which only a mother can express for her first-born. Although endeavoring to resist the temptations of the persuasive lover, the woman becomes aware of her weakness against this designing person, who tells her that if she will not give him her love voluntarily, he will steal her heart by force. Then the man's form is mysteriously replaced with that of the Devil, who abstracts the heart of his victim and departs. The little daughter, returning from school, greets her mother with much show of affection, but her parent gives back but a cold response. The Devil has transformed her into a different person. Her affections have been stolen. All the warmth of her soul, all motherly instinct and love have departed. The child is much distressed at the sudden change in her mother, and after many tears, prays to the Holy Virgin for help. Her pleadings are answered by the appearance of a fairy, who comforts the child and explains how she can help to restore the lost bond of love. "Your mother's heart has been stolen," she says, "and this veil I give to you will help you to overcome all obstacles in your search for the person who has taken possession of your mother's love. Go to the Devil's Castle, and there you will regain your mother's heart." Little Elsie sets out upon her mission, and her progress being stopped by a river, the magic veil is brought into use, with the result that a bridge is immediately brought into existence for the help of the little wayfarer. Next threatened by two ill-looking witches, she again employs the fairy's veil, and raises up a barrier of fire and smoke to the defeat of her pursuers. Eventually reaching the Devil's Castle, she wields her wonderful power in overcoming the castle guards, and gains entrance to the sanctum of his satanic majesty. But here she is rudely treated and cast into a dungeon. One of the devil's minions, however, taking compassion upon her, guides her to the Devil's throne, where the great tempter and heart robber is slumbering. Now is the moment of her triumph. Never was a heart sought with greater fervor and desire than little Elsie evinces in her anxiety to regain this lost love of her mother. With a supreme effort she casts the veil over the sleeping demon, and in an instant be is secured in bonds of cord from which he cannot escape. Courageously approaching the Devil, the little girl, by a mysterious power, is able to gain possession of the stolen heart, and in ecstasies of delight returns home with her priceless treasure. With her former affections reinstated, the mother is able to respond with nature's promptings to the caresses and love of her child. The bond of unity being once again firmly established, the machinations of the Devil are defeated.
- DirectorOtis TurnerStarsHobart BosworthBetty HarteDr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterStarsCarl GoliathTopsyThe execution of Topsy, a female elephant, in a publicity stunt advertising the opening of Luna Park on Coney Island. Topsy was originally owned by Forepaugh Circus where she killed a drunken spectator who burned the tip of her trunk with a cigar. She was sold to Sea Lion Park in 1902 which was then sold to new owners who turned it into Luna Park. After they decided they could no longer handle her, the owners of Luna Park announced they would hang Topsy, leading to an outcry by the ASPCA. The owners then decided they would electrocute the elephant, with a backup plan of feeding her cyanide-laced carrots and strangling her with a cable.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterMarguerite is seated before the fireplace, Faust standing by her side. Mephistopheles enters and offers his sword to Faust, commanding him to behead the fair Marguerite. Faust refuses, whereupon Mephistopheles draws the sword across the throat of the lady and she suddenly disappears and Faust is seated in her place.
- DirectorAlice GuyA re-telling of the classic tale of Faust in all of two minutes by French filmmaker Alice Guy (later known as Alice Guy-Blaché).
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónHaving lost their way, two noblemen are seen resting under the ruins of an old castle, when all of a sudden among the crumbling walls an old witch appears, who on looking in their direction makes angry signs, as if she wanted to crush the intruders. No sooner has this horrible vision disappeared than the two knights are seen listening; they evidently hear sounds of distress, for they soon start up and rush to the ruins. One part of the old structure is still proudly setting on its foundations and the two heroes have some difficulty in breaking open the stout oak door. The noise awakens the occupant of the dungeon, who is seen peering viciously through a window, and when he perceives the intruders he gives a wild laugh and disappears among flames. The two soldiers go through many dark passages and into a huge banqueting hall, where they endeavor to find the unfortunate who emitted the despairing cries, when horrible ghosts make their appearance. The knights fight bravely with their swords but at every thrust of their weapons the forms disappear and they go sprawling on the floor. As they are going to leave discouraged the dwarf first seen through the window, appears again, and laughing at their attempts shows them some horrible visions of death, warns them to depart before worse befalls them and vanishes in a cloud of smoke. They only leave the premises, however, after having been convinced by a beautiful woman who appears as if by magic, that they can do no good in remaining. As they reach the porch the door slams to and again they hear heartrending cries for help. Furious at having been deceived, they enter through another door, but fall into a deep cave where ghosts, spirits and ferocious brutes reign supreme. One of the two men is knocked down and the survivor, after fiercely fighting for his life, succeeds in clearing the cave of its monsters and is going to rest when through the thick rock he witnesses what is going on in the castle. A beautiful woman is being insulted by the crippled imp, is compelled to drink out of his cup and forced to kiss his distorted and repulsive face. Then the imp asks for her hand but she rejects him and consequently is brutally beaten by the valet of the wretched wizard. Not being able to stand such a sight any longer, our soldier brings his friend back to consciousness, tells him of his vision and they start their wild hunt for the victim. This time they are more successful, however, and coming on the unsuspecting criminal they soon have him speared to death. The young woman rushes to her rescuers, and the last scene of this mysterious film shows one of the warriors as the happy bridegroom of the rescued belle, while the other is seen flirting desperately with one of the most winning ladies of honor.
- From the 1759 kabuki play, in which Kiyo-hime transforms into a giant serpent. See also entry for Dojoji (1899).
- StarsUdanji IchikawaUnosuke IchikawaA kabuki scene starring actors Ichikawa Udanji an Uchikawa Unosuke. Yoshizawa Shoten, originally a photographic store, became involved in the exhibition of motion pictures in 1897, promoting the first ever film show in Yokohama on March of that year. By 1900 the company was involved in the making of original films, mainly newsreel items.
- StarsKasen NakamuraRecreates a horrific lust-murder sequence from kabuki theatre, starring members of the Kasen Makamura all-girl troupe.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónStarsJulienne MathieuA young woman passing through a cemetery at night is suddenly startled by a voice coming from one of the graves. She wishes to rush away, but the ghost appearing compels her to remain. He explains to the terrified girl that she must go to the kingdom of Satan and get a bottle of the Water of Life, which she must bring back to him. The girl consents to do as he desires and starts forth on her expedition after the precious fluid. She summons a lot of soldiers and friends to her aid, and we follow the whole army down into the bowels of the earth. Arriving at the gate of Satan's kingdom, they mount a chariot of fire and, arriving at the devil's palace, give fight to the demons mounting guard over their king, and after having defeated them rush into the palace. Now Satan, seeing his life in peril, disappears in a cloud of smoke, and thunder, and is seen again as he dashes through his vast domains gathering together his people, and while they await the conquering chariot another fight ensues. The devil is beaten again and the bottle of life is stolen by the leader of the victorious army, and they are all about to depart when a terrible explosion takes place and the chariot and its occupants are dashed to the ground. All are killed: but the brave woman who undertook the expedition, and she goes forth alone, meeting on her way dragons and vampires, who try to stop her progress towards earth. She defeats them all, however, and arriving at the ghost's grave raps on the marble slab, the ghost appears, drinks the water and is immediately transformed into a beautiful prince. The last scene of this interesting film shows the happy marriage of the once-deceased man and the beautiful and courageous bride.
- DirectorDicky WinslowStarsA.W. FitzgeraldMrs. FitzgeraldFive scenes: Maria's disguise, the murder, the dream, the arrest, the condemned cell.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsA compilation of three short trick films by Georges Méliès: The Music Lover (1903) (The Melomaniac aka The Music Lover)(1903), The Monster (1903) (The Monster) (1903) and Decapitation in Turkey (1904) (The Terrible Turkish Executioner) (1904).
- Among the many famous 16th-century samurai who made the leap from myth and ukiyo-e to early cinema screen was sword-master Miyamoto Musashi, previously depicted in prints by Kiniyoshi Yoshitoshi and others slaying an array of grotesque creatures including giant bats, giant lizards, and the mythical tengu. This imagery informed his first screen depiction in Miyamoto Musashi Taiji No Ba, which showed him combatting the mythic white ape of the mountains.
- One of the most popular of all Japan folk-tales is the famous undersea myth of Urashima Taro, the fisherman who is taken by a turtle to an underwater kingdom; in the palace of the Dragon King, he dreams for three centuries before returning to find himself in the distant future. Yokota Shokai was founded by Yokota Einosuke in 1901.
- The first-released film to capture the ghostly legend of Sakura Sôgotô, the subject of numerous gruesome kabuki plays of spectral horror. Sôgorô (also known as Kiuchi), was a 17th century farmer who was tortured and crucified, along with his family, for daring to question the Shogun. He became a legendary martyr, and stories of his ghost returning to seek revenge passed into myth, The Sôgorô saga became one of the most-filmed ghost stories in early Japanese cinema.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothStarsDaniel SmithIt's Christmas Eve. The miser Scrooge and his assistant Bob Cratchit finish their work in the office and go home. When Scrooge is going to open his front door, he sees the face of Marley's ghost in the door knocker. Inside he takes on his night dress, eats his supper, and falls asleep at the table. Marly's ghost shows Scrooge a vision of himself at a Christmas in the past. Then the ghost escorts him to the present Christmas, and the homes and families of Bob Cratchit and Fred, where Scrooge sees Bob and Fred drink to him in his absence. At last the ghost shows Scrooge the Christmas that might be. Here Scrooge has to face his own grave and the death of Tiny Tim. Confronted with this Scrooge regrets his callousness and egoism.
- Perhaps the horrific final scene from the kabuki play Katsuragawa Renri No Shigarami, the double suicide by drowning of a middle-aged man and his pubescent girl lover.
- The first film vision of another seminal Japanese folk legend. Momotarô, the boy who was conceived when his elderly parents ate a magic peach and were rejuvenated for one final night of passionate sex. He proved to be a mighty hero, and an invincible defender of the Japanese people, travelling to the mythic island of Onigashima and killing all its demons.
- DirectorShôzô MakinoStarsTadashi IchinoKomaumeSugawara no Michizane was a poet/politician of the Heian period, who fell from grace and died in exile. It was said that his vengeful ghost was the cause of subsequent plagues, natural disasters, and deaths.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsTwo travelers are tormented by Satan from inn to inn and eventually experience a buggy ride through the heavens courtesy of the Devil.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA traveler at an inn is harassed by a mischievous devil in his room.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsDeep into a vast cavern of the pitch-black inferno, a couple of professional dancers demonstrate the cakewalk that is currently so much in vogue, and now, everyone in the once-gloomy underworld is doing the crazy dance. Who is the best?
- DirectorMillard MercuryStarsEwing TordellaEdith TrublanchetA humongous and obese anthropomorphic swine dressed like a fine gentleman in a fancy dinner attire tries to make a pass at a solitary lady having a picnic.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsThe setting of this fantastic scene represents the hall of an old chateau in which a miser has locked up seven large bags containing his wealth. Satan, who has made his way into the chateau, puts the seven bags in a strong box, and makes with his hands some cabalistic motions. The miser comes into the hall and is greatly astonished to find his fortune missing. He opens the coffer and immediately the bags leap out. He gathers them up and puts them back into the coffer. When he opens it again he finds that they have been transformed into seven young girls, who rush out and chase after him, beating him unmercifully. They shut him up in the coffer from which his gold has vanished. The miser pushes open the lid of the coffer, and to his profound despair finds that both young girls and money have disappeared. (This view is most sensational in its mysterious scenes.)
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaDissatisfied with his life, a desperate man decides to make an unholy pact with the Devil, ignoring the seven deadly sins.
- Patients behave like apes after being given monkey-gland injections.
- DirectorCecil M. HepworthStarsGertie PotterBertie PotterA boy breaks his sister's doll and it mends, grows, tears him up and eats him.
- A stationary camera looks down several sets of tracks; workmen are on either side. A train comes into view: engine, with engineer leaning out, coal car, and four passenger cars. In the upper left of the frame, the moon shines next to a few clouds. The rest of the sky is dark. The train sweeps by. Someone waves from between a couple of the cars. The look is spectral, because we're seeing a print of the negative.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA magnificent Venetian oratory. On the left a large bay window through which may be seen the Grand Canal of the city of Venice. In the centre a colonnade and a hemicycle; to the right is a statue of the Madonna. At the beginning of the scene Romeo in his gondola sings to Juliet a sentimental song, then goes away. Hardly has he departed when the colonnade falls to pieces, disclosing the devil. Juliet, frightened, runs to the window and calls Romeo. The latter attempts to enter and protect his fiancée, but at a gesture from the devil the window is instantly covered with a grating and Romeo makes frantic efforts to break it. The devil begins to dance a wild dance before Juliet, who is beside herself from terror. The devil gradually becomes the size of a giant (a novel effect). Juliet implores the statue of Madonna, which becomes animated, descends from its pedestal, and stretching out its arms orders the devil to disappear. The devil grows smaller and smaller and finally becomes a tiny dwarf, then he is lost in space. The window resumes its first form and Romeo embraces his beloved, with the benediction of the Virgin.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothAn old proprietor is startled by the sudden appearance of a skull. Just as he draws back from the uncanny object, the doors of a mediaeval wardrobe fly back and a hand prods him with a sword. He turns to confront his assailant when it vanishes, and at the same instant the skull flies to the other end of the room. He clutches at the skull, when it turns into the half form of a girl from the waist up, suspended in mid-air. As he gazes in amusement, the other half of the girl, fully dressed from her waist down, walks across the room, and the two halves of the figure join, making a girl complete. In an amorous fashion the old man folds his arms around the girl's waist with the intention of stealing a kiss, but the girl immediately changes into an old woman, who grins in evident delight at the old man's discomfort. In great anger he throws her into the wardrobe and locks the door. Unseen by him, the woman has again become a girl. A great effect is here produced. Through the doors, which are solid and closed, the form of the girl appears through the woodwork. Hastily opening the door, the old man is then confronted by an Egyptian mummy. Other strange things happen. As the pawnbroker flies from the room a large and grotesque head arises from the smoke and slowly advances toward the spectators. Larger and larger the head grows until it fills the entire picture, and appears as though it would swallow the whole audience. A most laughable and mystifying scene.
- DirectorJ. Stuart BlacktonStarsPaul PanzerWilliam V. RanousOn a dark and stormy night, a traveler takes a room at a spooky hotel in the forest. As soon as the proprietor leaves, the room comes alive with ghosts and poltergeists who torment the man as he tries to unpack, eat, and go to sleep.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónHaving checked into a hotel for the night, an inn guest is awakened in his sleep by two hideous monsters who terrorize him; and the room comes to life as furniture disappears into mid air, and chairs multiply themselves.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónThree friends go on a trip and decided to rest at an abandoned house. Everything seems pretty normal until really weird things start to happen.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsTwo demons throw helpless captives into a boiling cauldron, and then try to summon forth their spirits.
- DirectorGeorges MoncaStarsAndré DeedA man behaves like a monkey after its brain is transplanted into him.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsAgainst a moonlit Egyptian backdrop duly encompassing the Sphinx, a narrator explains how a prince hires a mystic to bring back his beloved late wife.
- In this picture some very remarkable effects are obtained by the reversal of the motion of the negative. A man comes home, somewhat under the influence of liquor, and starts to remove his outer clothes. As fast as he removes each article and throws it from him, it immediately flies back, and when he is completely bewildered by this weird proceeding, His Satanic Majesty suddenly appears, and the man collapses.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónFerdinand ZeccaStarsJulienne MathieuA demonic magician attempts to perform his act in a strange grotto, but is confronted by a Good Spirit who opposes him.
- DirectorArthur MarvinA huge fly is bothering an old man, who is trying to take a nap. The old man, after standing the torment as long as he can, jumps up and taking a shot-gun, fires at the fly and blows it to pieces, then goes back to bed to sleep in peace.
- DirectorKichizo ChibaStarsNobuchika NakanoShot by Kichizo Chiba and featuring the Nobuchika Nakano kubuki troupe is one of the earliest Japanese film of the supernatural, and the first to specifically reference to the world of yurei ("ghosts").