Beginning in the 1950s, "Euro Horror" movies materialized in astonishing numbers from Italy, Spain, and France and popped up in the US at rural drive-ins and urban grindhouse theaters such as those that once dotted New York's Times Square. Gorier, sexier, and stranger than most American horror films of the time, they were embraced by hardcore fans and denounced by critics as the worst kind of cinematic trash. In this volume, Olney explores some of the most popular genres of Euro Horror cinema-including giallo films, named for the yellow covers of Italian pulp fiction, the S&M horror film, and cannibal and zombie films-and develops a theory that explains their renewed appeal to audiences today.

Understanding the cult of European horror films

About the Author

Ian Olney is Associate Professor of English at York College of Pennsylvania, where he teaches film studies. His publications on European cinema and horror film include articles in Quarterly Review of Film and Video and Literature/Film Quarterly.

Reviews

Olney does a superb job tracking modern European horror films from Italy, Spain and France, in a style that is at once academically rigorous and at the same time absolutely accessible; in short, this is a theoretical text that doesn't drown itself in artificial systematizing or outdated jargon. Instead, this is a lively, informed, authoritative text on a group of films that have become increasingly influential in horror filmmaking in the United States.

* Frame by Frame *

Olney's wide knowledge and fresh perspective on Euro horror is authoritative and interesting. He complicates conventional views on genre films as well as film criticism in general. This book does film studies a great service in itsvserious consideration of the art and reception of Euro horror, and offers readers much to think about, and explores numerous films that are clearly worthy of further study.

* Quarterly Review of Film and Video *



Book Information
ISBN 9780253006523
Author Ian Olney
Format Paperback
Page Count 280
Imprint Indiana University Press
Publisher Indiana University Press
Weight(grams) 431g