Classics Review: House of Wax (1953)

In 1932, Charles S. Belden wrote a short story titled, “The Wax Works.” Although never published, he expanded it as an unproduced play, “The Wax Museum.” A Year Later, Warner Bros. adapted it as a horror film called, “Mystery of the Wax Museum.” It centers around the disappearance of people prompting an investigative reporter to […]

The Great Mouse Detective

In 1958, children’s author, Eve Titus published a novel called, “Basil of Baker Street.” Set in the Victorian era, story follows the titular character who’s a mouse is assigned to find missing mouse twins. Basil’s sidekick, David Q. Dawson accompanies him. As they search for the twins, the pair learn the kidnapper is Basil’s archenemy, […]

Classics Review: The Raven (1963)

In 1845, Edgar Allen Poe published a short story on the form of a poem titled, “The Raven.” It’s about a man who descends to insanity when the titular bird torments him. 118 Years Later, the late Roger Corman & Richard Matheson collaborated again adapting yet another Edgar Allen Poe work since “House of Usher.” […]

Classics Review: The Pit and the Pendulum

In 1843, Edgar Allen Poe published a short story titled, “The Pit and the Pendulum.” Set during the Spanish Inquisition, an unnamed man sentenced to death must confront his fears. Suddenly, he wakes up in a dungeon with a bottomless pit, and a swinging pendulum. The man must overcome fear and evade obstacles if he […]

Classics Review: The Fly (1958)

In 1957, George Langelaan published a short story in a Playboy magazine titled, “The Fly.” It’s about a scientist working on a teleportation device in an attempt to push the boundaries of science. One day, the scientist enters a chamber that test it on himself. Unbeknownst to him, a fly entered the same chamber. Emerging […]

Edward Scissorhands

Fresh from the critical and commercial success of Michael Keaton’s “Batman,” Tim Burton worked on his next film. An original idea based on one of his drawings titled, “Edward Scissorhands.” The drawing is a lonely pale man with scissors for hands. He represents Tim’s loneliness lacking friends growing up. Tim hired novelist, Caroline Thompson to […]