David J. Skal Movies

A documentary looking at the various conventions and scare techniques of the horror genre.

Narrator Rudy Behlmer guides a look through Universal's place in film history as a source of alien visitation, extraterrestrial life, and other...

The history of Frankenstein's journey from novel to stage to screen to icon.

Starting with "The Wolf Man" (in 1941), Universal Studios made five movies featuring The Wolf Man, a character portrayed by Lon Chaney, Jr. Monster...

Elvira hosts this humorous look at movie monsters and facts about the real animals on which they're based. Included: clips from films; and interviews...

Beginning just before his debut as Frankenstein’s creation, this documentary compellingly explores the life and legacy of a cinema legend,...

A look at the importance of dreams in relation to Wes Craven's successful A Nightmare on Elm Street horror franchise.

A tribute to the work of Alfred Hitchcock, featuring contemporary filmmakers, writers, performers, and cultural critics.

Boris Karloff: The Rest of the Story takes a deeper look at the life and career of Boris Karloff, from 1931 to 1969, exploring films such as The...

Vampira The Movie chronicles the story of Malia "Vampira" Nurmi living on the very edge of show business and her rise to celluloid cultdom 50 years...

A documentary from Universal about their Phantom of the Opera movies.

Documentary about the making of 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein."

A documentary that explores man's enduring fascination with the vampire legend by examining historical accounts, literary works, and as they are...

A&E Comprehensive biographies of five of the greatest classic stars of the horror genre. Features lots or archive footage from some the greatest...

From myths to monsters to Twilight. Where did 'Vampire' come from? Where is it today? And where is it going next?

Written, co-produced and co-directed by David J. Skal, THE WORLD OF GODS AND MONSTERS is a behind-the scenes chronicle of the making of the 1998...

Born Creighton Chaney, this is a biographical documentary on Lon Chaney Jr, the only star to play all four of the classic monsters: the Mummy, the...

As a famous man lies dying, his family—including both his wife and his mistress—gathers inside, while members of the media converge...

This documentary short explores the origins of the monster movie and how Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" (1963) fits in the genre.

A documentary from Universal about the movie "Dracula" (1931) starring Bela Lugosi.