Five Classic and Must-See Macabre Films

I'll admit, I'm quick to mock most of the movies my parents and grandparents thought were scary in their day, but these are some of my favorites and definitely deserve a watch. October is one month I am glad I have Turner Classic Movies on my satellite for this very reason. Grab some popcorn and start watching!

The Birds (1963)

Hitchcock created The Birds from an article he read in a Santa Cruz newspaper ('Seabird Invasion Hits Coastal Homes') and combined it with his memory of a short story by Daphne du Maurier. The movie surrounds Melanie Daniels as she travels to Bodega Bay. While there, the town is inundated with marauding and homicidal birds. You never know when they'll strike next and the eerie silences in-between will get right under your skin. This was the very first Hitchcock movie I had ever seen and it left a big impression on me (I'm still wondering to this day what in the world made the birds do this as the movie never explains it). By the way, if you are already frightened of birds, I don't recommend watching this.

Starring: Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Veronica Cartwright, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette

Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock -- Running Time: 120 Min -- Rating: PG-13

The Haunting (1963)

Based on the novel The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, The Haunting opens with a mansion in New England, named Hill House. The plot follows four guests who are there to investigate and debunk the rumors of ghosts, death and possession that surround the house. The guests get more than they bargained for when they experience subdued wails and moans, doors that breathe, boisterous pounding noises, writing on the walls and the infamous spiral staircase that seems to be alive. This movie does not feature the blood and gore of most horror movies, especially those made these days, but instead will play on your sensitive abject fears. I found this movie even more fear-provoking than the 1999 remake and you will love the spiral staircase scene.

Starring: Julie Harris, Richard Johnson, Claire Bloom, Russ Tamblyn

Directed By: Robert Wise -- Running Time: 112 Min -- Rating: G

Burnt Offerings (1976)

Based on the Robert Marasco novel of the same name, this movie tells the story of a family of four who rent an old expansive mansion from two elderly siblings for the summer under the condition that they must feed their bed-ridden mother three times a day. Soon they discover not all is right within this house and the effects are felt throughout the entire family. Clocks set themselves, dead plants come back to life, personalities start to change, night terrors ensue, the swimming pool tries to murder those who enter it and much more. This underrated film is exquisite classic horror without the usual blood and gore, and the ending will shock you!

Starring: Oliver Reed, Karen Black, Bette Davis

Directed By: Dan Curtis -- Running Time: 114 Min -- Rating: PG-13

The Fall of the House of Usher (1960)

Based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe, this film is about Roderick Usher (Price), a man tortured and haunted by the decaying lunacy existing within his own ancestry. It's a bit of a B movie in places but remains a classic gothic film in my book, and the remakes don't hold a candle to this version. Also, how can you go wrong when Richard Matheson (I Am Legend novelist) writes the script?

Starring: Vincent Price, Mark Damon, Myrna Fahey, Harry Ellerbe

Directed By: Roger Corman -- Running Time: 80 Min -- Rating: Unrated

Psycho (1960)

Hitchcock's most popular and financially successful film, Psycho (which is based on a novel by Robert Bloch) is a story surrounding the Bates Motel, its creepy manager and his murderous mother. The twists and turns of this movie will leave you breathless. Psycho is brilliant (in fact it was the first film to depict such violence on-screen) and Bernard Herrmann's score is iconic!

Starring: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh

Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock -- Running Time: 109 Min -- Rating: R