Horror is one of the most enduring and controversial of all cinematic genres. Horror films range from subtle and poetic to graphic and gory, but what links them together is their ability to frighten, disturb, shock, provoke, delight, irritate, and amuse audiences. Horror's capacity to take the form of our evolving fears and anxieties has ensured not only its notoriety but also its long-term survival and international popularity. This second edition has been comprehensively updated to capture all that is important and exciting about the horror genre as it exists today. Its new entries feature the creative personalities who have developed innovative forms of horror, and recent major films and cycles of films that ensure horror's continuing popularity and significance. In addition, many of the other entries have been expanded to include reference to the contemporary scene, giving a clear picture of how horror cinema is constantly renewing and transforming itself. The Historical Dictionary of Horror Cinema traces the development of the genre from its beginnings to the present. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries. The entries cover all major movie villains, including Frankenstein and his monsters, the vampire, the werewolf, the mummy, the zombie, the ghost and the serial killer; film directors, producers, writers, actors, cinematographers, make-up artists, special-effects technicians, and composers who have helped shape horror history; significant production companies; major films that are milestones in the development of the horror genre; and different national traditions in horror cinema - as well as popular themes, formats, conventions, and cycles.

About the Author
Peter Hutchings is a Professor of Film Studies at Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. He has published widely on horror film, television and literature as well as on science fiction, crime and other popular genres.

Reviews
This dictionary goes into much more depth and breadth but is still written in a very accessible style....This is a must-purchase for academic libraries supporting a film-studies curriculum. It would also be useful for public libraries whose patrons are interested in horror-film history. * Booklist, October 2008 *
Peter Hutchings, a reader in film studies at Northumbria University, has already contributed to the literature of the horror cinema with several works on the subject including his The Horror Film (Hutchings, 2004) in the Inside Four series from Longman and so he obviously knows his "Exorcist" from his Boris Karloff. He writes authoritatively but has an easy style that will appeal to all those who consult this reference book. * s *
College-level performing art libraries strong in the horror genre must have Historical Dictionary of Horror Cinema ....an in-depth survey. * Midwest Book Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9780810855854
Author Peter Hutchings
Format Hardback
Page Count 432
Imprint Scarecrow Press
Publisher Scarecrow Press
Weight(grams) 726g
Dimensions(mm) 227mm * 149mm * 34mm