Top 10 Most Disturbing Horror Films (Pre-Code Era)

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  • Опубліковано 21 бер 2024
  • Let's head back to the early days of horror, specifically the early 1930s when there was very little censorship or control. By mid-1934, The Hays Code laid down the rules for what can and can't be shown in motion pictures, so lets look at some of these more daring and risky horror features from that less compliant era!
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 529

  • @DanGamingFan2846
    @DanGamingFan2846 2 місяці тому +596

    We're getting Monster Madness a whole six months early? Hey, I'm not complaining.

    • @kdusel1991
      @kdusel1991 2 місяці тому +19

      Neither am I! Aside from the nerd videos and other movie reviews, this is what I look forward to the most from James!!

    • @adamyounce8487
      @adamyounce8487 2 місяці тому

      but its all stuff that hes covered before. you should know this is you truly a fan of the monster madness videos. non the less, i do hope you enjoy what you get@@kdusel1991

    • @cybercop0083
      @cybercop0083 2 місяці тому +2

      When inspiration strikes, the muse will turn into a kissing whure!

    • @GawrGurasBathTubPizza
      @GawrGurasBathTubPizza 2 місяці тому

      4:17 funfact this was done on a getsmart episode

    • @MovingVanFromMars
      @MovingVanFromMars 2 місяці тому

      It’s like Halloween in March! Better than Christmas in July!

  • @aurthurpendragon1015
    @aurthurpendragon1015 2 місяці тому +367

    It's been so long since James has done a genuine, narrated top 10 list. This was awesome.

    • @Underhownd
      @Underhownd 2 місяці тому +29

      This did sound like the old James who wrote his own scripts back in the day. Sure he has UA-cam handcuffs on now, but the passion for the horror genre still shows.

    • @D2MightyDucks
      @D2MightyDucks 2 місяці тому +4

      I agree 🙏

    • @aurthurpendragon1015
      @aurthurpendragon1015 2 місяці тому +1

      @@kennyboggs3676 I was talking about the top 10 lists that he made between 2008 and 2012. I miss them.

  • @michaelchauvin7219
    @michaelchauvin7219 2 місяці тому +378

    Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde finally makes #1 on a Cinemassacre list.

    • @whippetrun
      @whippetrun 2 місяці тому +76

      Hey, I heard there's a video game based on this.
      James should check it out, I'm sure he will appreciate and love it 😊

    • @julesgamingnstuff
      @julesgamingnstuff 2 місяці тому +8

      ​@whippetrun for real, I thought he was gonna say the best part was THE VIDEO GAME!

    • @LucTaylor
      @LucTaylor 2 місяці тому +10

      @@whippetrunThe video game maintains the true horror of the original - it is just that the victim is the player, not a character in the game

    • @RobbieLugos
      @RobbieLugos 2 місяці тому +5

      Top 10 worst nes games?

    • @ThePreciseClimber
      @ThePreciseClimber 2 місяці тому +3

      I feel like he should review the Jekyll & Hyde PC game from 2001 which is just as bad as the NES one.

  • @ivanxnerd
    @ivanxnerd 2 місяці тому +334

    Oh yes, Monster March Madness.

    • @ArthurSanford3706
      @ArthurSanford3706 2 місяці тому +3

      My two favorite things

    • @artbargra
      @artbargra 2 місяці тому +2

      *Monster Marchness

    • @101Volts
      @101Volts 2 місяці тому +2

      The monster madness marches on.
      I enjoyed this installment.

  • @JReybabay
    @JReybabay 2 місяці тому +189

    James’s roots are in horror. I learned most of what i know about horror movies from him!

    • @IWillScoop
      @IWillScoop 2 місяці тому +9

      I absolutely hate horror movies but I'll gladly watch his videos on them.

    • @kdusel1991
      @kdusel1991 2 місяці тому +2

      Me too!!

    • @Scarshadow666
      @Scarshadow666 2 місяці тому +2

      Same here! James was among the many people that helped me get into horror movies! ^^

    • @leperface
      @leperface 2 місяці тому +2

      A horror historian.

    • @alexbones95
      @alexbones95 2 місяці тому +3

      I picked up my love of classic horror from James too!

  • @patrickoehlke9984
    @patrickoehlke9984 2 місяці тому +190

    You watch these movies thinking it will be tame because of how old it is but when the violent stuff happens and it just catches you off guard, it just makes them more terrifying!

    • @geoffreyrichards6079
      @geoffreyrichards6079 2 місяці тому +7

      If by “lame” you mean “restrained”, because there’s still a lot to admire about these older films despite the obvious censorship. From the performances to the cinematography to the music and everything else. If the violence and gore are all that really matters, then what separates them from the average dreck we see in today’s horror films?

    • @gsdavis91
      @gsdavis91 2 місяці тому

      He said tame not lame.@@geoffreyrichards6079

    • @animeking1357
      @animeking1357 2 місяці тому +2

      ​@@geoffreyrichards6079 I think you misread man. He said tame not lame.

    • @geoffreyrichards6079
      @geoffreyrichards6079 2 місяці тому

      @@animeking1357 I could've sworn it read "lame".

    • @LordPichuPal
      @LordPichuPal 2 місяці тому

      @@geoffreyrichards6079It does say it was edited, so he must've typed it by accident and fixed it to say tame. I'm only seeing it now when it says "tame" so I can assume that's the case.

  • @cpl.barbarusc4814
    @cpl.barbarusc4814 2 місяці тому +93

    Fritz Lang's M is a freaking Masterpiece of a film. It was an amazing addition to the list.

    • @mrmoshpotato
      @mrmoshpotato 2 місяці тому +3

      True. I was surprised by its addition though since it would not be subject to the Hayes Code.

    • @101Volts
      @101Volts 2 місяці тому +3

      @@mrmoshpotato That's the whole point of this list, except for "Mad Love." Pre-Code means before the middle of 1934.

  • @Tadicuslegion78
    @Tadicuslegion78 2 місяці тому +42

    I think part of the reason Pre-Code horror is so disturbing is they had to do so much of it for real or as near real as they could with 1930s special effects

  • @jpenir
    @jpenir 2 місяці тому +95

    Looking back on Frankenstein, it actually makes the monster MORE sympathetic by showing him throwing the girl in the water. By not knowing what happened as a kid I always assumed he choked her to death

  • @RobbieLugos
    @RobbieLugos 2 місяці тому +31

    10:59 The best thing about the movie adaptation is that the cane actually works as a weapon.

  • @sansthedrummer
    @sansthedrummer 2 місяці тому +13

    I'll always have a nostalgic love for AVGN, but these are the videos I come back for. I always enjoy listening to James talk about film. You can hear thats where the passion lies even to this day.

  • @mortalkombatgal2
    @mortalkombatgal2 2 місяці тому +24

    This feels so genuine and what I remember growing up watching from you James. You've inspired me to become a filmmaker myself and it's been fun going from learning about these classic movies from you back then, to being excited seeing them on these lists already knowing them. Thank you for all that you do.

  • @CountGremlin
    @CountGremlin 2 місяці тому +23

    Love it when Monster Madness comes in March Madness, I can listen to James all day talk about classic films

  • @shadowlinkbds
    @shadowlinkbds 2 місяці тому +61

    Monster madness in March? Sure why not? It should never be too late or too early to talk monster like videos here on Cinemasacre.

  • @themockbustercanada
    @themockbustercanada 2 місяці тому +25

    More content like this James. Love to hear something that you’re genuinely passionate about.

  • @monkeyboy90100
    @monkeyboy90100 2 місяці тому +13

    I’d love to see more content of James talking classic film. Whether it’s Horror or not, I always love hearing James talk about film history.

  • @brandonryder5873
    @brandonryder5873 2 місяці тому +14

    I'm a horror fan who's not interested in the blood and gore anymore, so these movies are right up my alley. Thanks

  • @MissSallyB1
    @MissSallyB1 2 місяці тому +16

    I'm willing to bet that HOW they actually turned Cleopatra into the bird lady was part of the footage that had to get cut is now lost forever

    • @TheRealNormanBates
      @TheRealNormanBates 2 місяці тому +4

      They didn't film it.. but what _did_ get cut (heh heh) was the implication that the Freaks castrated the highwire man.

    • @101Volts
      @101Volts 2 місяці тому

      @@TheRealNormanBates No wonder why my parents wouldn't show me most of that film when I was a kid.

  • @Grandmas_Table
    @Grandmas_Table 2 місяці тому +21

    Always love listening to James talk about movies!

  • @RavenHouseMystery
    @RavenHouseMystery 2 місяці тому +69

    Thanks for the list, James. These films are surely the best examples of "less is more" in the horror genre.

  • @jekw23
    @jekw23 2 місяці тому +7

    Really interesting. I love when James goes in depth into horror movies. Some delve into individual scenes or shots and the depth of research is fascinating

  • @wstine79
    @wstine79 2 місяці тому +43

    " Gooble gobble. Goobble gobble, one of us one of us!"

    • @FilmTrekk
      @FilmTrekk 2 місяці тому +2

      I quote this daily lol

    • @robgronotte1
      @robgronotte1 2 місяці тому

      Was it really supposed to be "gobble"? I always thought it was "gabba" - meaningless, but that's the way they put it in the Ramones' song Pinhead.

  • @kevindragon3883
    @kevindragon3883 2 місяці тому +23

    James, it's thanks to you that I've gained such an appreciation for classic films and video games. Thanks for being awesome for all these years, and I look forward to many more years of your content.

  • @James.Sunderland
    @James.Sunderland 2 місяці тому +8

    I miss vids like this from you! I been rewatching your horror related lists for MONTHS!

  • @stimpsonjkat5925
    @stimpsonjkat5925 2 місяці тому +15

    It's always Halloween on Cinemassacre

  • @kurtkaiser1374
    @kurtkaiser1374 2 місяці тому +26

    If only movies nowadays go this far with the make up

    • @river_acheron
      @river_acheron 2 місяці тому

      Oh they do! But you gotta look for Indy horror. There's some AMAZING horror movies out there..just stay away from Hollywood. :)

  • @BleachFan9891
    @BleachFan9891 2 місяці тому +12

    It’s never too early for a monster madness video

  • @technodumpsterinc
    @technodumpsterinc 2 місяці тому +39

    When James talks about old horror movies we all know - he's back in home territory

    • @FilmTrekk
      @FilmTrekk 2 місяці тому +3

      the same 5 movies over again

  • @wastehazey6468
    @wastehazey6468 2 місяці тому +8

    3:16 such a wonderful shot, the gaze of a madman

  • @michaelsamerdyke108
    @michaelsamerdyke108 2 місяці тому +4

    So glad to see love for "The Most Dangerous Game." To me, the scene where the Count's servant is impaled on Joel McCrea's trap is very powerful.

  • @nightingale3632
    @nightingale3632 2 місяці тому +4

    THESE are the videos that James should be doing more often

  • @cybercop0083
    @cybercop0083 2 місяці тому +4

    10:56 Look at that! James praising a „Jekyll & Hyde“

  • @DropkickMurphysFan01
    @DropkickMurphysFan01 2 місяці тому +15

    I miss this kind of content!

  • @jippalippa
    @jippalippa 2 місяці тому +4

    Finally I understand where the Mr Tinkentrain videoclip intro was taken from!

  • @Supernova--88
    @Supernova--88 2 місяці тому +11

    You should make this a regular thing

  • @rickm8343
    @rickm8343 2 місяці тому +2

    The unmasking scene in Mad Love is one of the creepiest, most terrifying moments ever committed to film.

  • @Lasnewtube
    @Lasnewtube 2 місяці тому +7

    That dude from Mad Love looks like one of the Cenobites.

  • @Top10WizardReviews
    @Top10WizardReviews 2 місяці тому +9

    Love these types of vids from James.

  • @AubreyTheKing
    @AubreyTheKing 2 місяці тому +3

    JAMES!! I don't care if it's not Monster Madness or October, you talking and discussing about horror and classic horror will NEVER, EVER get old! Aside from AVGN, this is my favorite content from you!! Your love and passion for horror films! And thanks to you, I couldn't love the old classics even more! THANK YOU!

  • @shawnshoptaugh4907
    @shawnshoptaugh4907 2 місяці тому +3

    The scene in Vampyr from 1932 in which the main character sees himself carried in a coffin, that was one of the most unnerving things for me. The entire movie had a creepy feel, thanks to the soft focus, but that one scene sticks with me

  • @peterharris6409
    @peterharris6409 2 місяці тому +5

    Hard to believe these are basically 100 years old. Crazy

  • @James.Sunderland
    @James.Sunderland 2 місяці тому +6

    More stuff like this, please! Most accurate to the book Frankenstein movie video next!?

  • @aranbuzzas8000
    @aranbuzzas8000 2 місяці тому

    Fantastic list James! Love it when you make these kinds of videos, thanks very much!

  • @anthonymalerbo322
    @anthonymalerbo322 2 місяці тому +4

    Can you you do a video about “William Castle” like a “retrospective video” or a “recommendation list” about his movies?

  • @Volttikoira
    @Volttikoira 2 місяці тому +3

    9:00 Boris Karloff was low key in great shape. Lean and mean.

  • @steveille1428
    @steveille1428 2 місяці тому +3

    Im surprised James didn't mention how many of the sets from "most dangerous game" were re-used from King Kong as well as the actors

  • @WaltherPPK007
    @WaltherPPK007 2 місяці тому +1

    Thank you for all the countless hours of entertainment over the years James! Nobody on UA-cam has done it better than you man!

  • @victorchapa6307
    @victorchapa6307 2 місяці тому +2

    Old school Cinemassacre. Keep ‘em coming, James. 😄👍🏼

  • @BryGuy2Fly15
    @BryGuy2Fly15 2 місяці тому +1

    Love when you do these kind of videos!! You could seriously be a film teacher. Could listen to you talk about movies anytime

  • @joedirtbag6662
    @joedirtbag6662 2 місяці тому +1

    please james keep making these horror reviews i luv this stuff so much

  • @brunosoares1500
    @brunosoares1500 2 місяці тому +1

    I'll always watch these reviews/rankings. Love you man.

  • @PipEnigma
    @PipEnigma 2 місяці тому

    I adore these videos so much, I can’t explain it. I’m so glad to have them outside of October.

  • @syedasadtirmazi67
    @syedasadtirmazi67 2 місяці тому +1

    Great video. I love watching James discuss old-school horror films.

  • @qazmko22
    @qazmko22 2 місяці тому +5

    March Monster Madness?
    Monster March Madness?
    Moshter Madness?
    There is something there.

  • @SamuraiMotoko
    @SamuraiMotoko 2 місяці тому +7

    I can see a lot of people still getting upset and shocked of this

  • @maiocruz6562
    @maiocruz6562 2 місяці тому +1

    Great list James! Loved it

  • @stalhandske9649
    @stalhandske9649 2 місяці тому +2

    This list was much appreciated and added to my watch list some convincing pieces of cinema previously unknown to me.
    The ones I have already seen have without exception been pleasant surprises as well - while not able to reach the levels of jump scare in more modern films of the genre, these oldies often managed to create a disturbing atmosphere, something being "not right".
    And that, I believe, is wherein true horror lies

  • @Kevmaster2000
    @Kevmaster2000 2 місяці тому +1

    My favorite videos of yours are the ones where you talk about classic horror films. Especially ones about the history of them. Like the lantern man of Phantom of the Opera, or the cardboard in Dracula for example.

  • @jorisfauconnier1365
    @jorisfauconnier1365 2 місяці тому +1

    More videos like this please! This is top notch Cinemassacre. Greetings from Belgium

  • @splint480
    @splint480 2 місяці тому +2

    Ive never seen any of these films but I recognise the plots because almost all of them have been parodied in Simpsons Treehouse of horror episodes. Those writers mustve really loved vintage cinema.

  • @elliottevans7231
    @elliottevans7231 2 місяці тому

    This is my favorite kind of video from you!! I wish there were monthly old school horror vids

  • @dottiegillespie8067
    @dottiegillespie8067 2 місяці тому +1

    Thank you sir I needed a horror video from you!!!! Sending you much appreciation!

  • @panterathx
    @panterathx 2 місяці тому +1

    Freaks still haunts me. My grandma showed it to me when I was a kid and that final act still burns into my mind.

  • @MrSuperrob0Gaming
    @MrSuperrob0Gaming 2 місяці тому

    Fantastic video I love it when James talks about classic horror films

  • @skottlee8959
    @skottlee8959 2 місяці тому +2

    I just learned about the hays code after looking up tv couples sleeping in separate beds. I closed that tab, opened youtube and here was this video at the top. Weird.

  • @bloodrunsclear
    @bloodrunsclear 2 місяці тому

    You know do much about this genre, this era. I’ve learned so much from these videos!

  • @TheHauntedMouth
    @TheHauntedMouth 2 місяці тому

    That was a nice surprise! I usually don't get the urge for spooky stuff until around May, but this really made me feel it, even this early in the year.

  • @AriSafari293
    @AriSafari293 2 місяці тому

    thank you for all your hard work. my fav YT ever. You’re the best.

  • @ricarleite
    @ricarleite 2 місяці тому

    Awesome compilation. Thank you!

  • @anthonyrausofficial
    @anthonyrausofficial 2 місяці тому

    Yes! Love these videos! Would love a post code follow up!

  • @annnnonnymous
    @annnnonnymous 2 місяці тому +1

    Really solid list, and I like to use these as shopping lists in case there is some film Ive missed. Just need to be sure Ive watched Mad Love, it didnt seem familiar and an honorable mention is enough to put it on the watch list for me. Thanks!

  • @DiestroCorleone
    @DiestroCorleone 2 місяці тому +1

    Holy cow. This 12 minute video about moveis that are almost a century old felt more disturbing than most horror movies nowadays.
    I'm still shocked by the movies I've just discovered, and I don't even feel strong enough to watch many of them.

  • @James-Foster
    @James-Foster 2 місяці тому

    This was a great video I hope we get a Top 20 I do love horror but James is right there's just something special with how they did it back then recent horror films that genuinely frightened me were Smile & Halloween Kills.

  • @bullsdeephook1832
    @bullsdeephook1832 2 місяці тому

    Awesome video as always James.

  • @GLSnifit
    @GLSnifit 2 місяці тому +1

    Love seeing Monster Madness outside of October. Would love to see more of these lists.

  • @nemesisofeden
    @nemesisofeden 2 місяці тому

    As someone who has been reviewing horror movies both new and old for 2 years. I GREATLY appreciate this list. Most of these films I was aware of, but a bunch caught me by surprise. I will be checking them out when I can!
    Thank you for this and all you do!

  • @waywardlaser
    @waywardlaser 2 місяці тому

    Proud of myself for having seen most of these. James got me into classic horror so I always love listening to him discuss it.

  • @xRussianbishop
    @xRussianbishop 2 місяці тому

    I needed this James thank you

  • @park4park592
    @park4park592 2 місяці тому +1

    Love the Midnight Club nod! It was a great watch but kinda didn't go anywhere.

  • @indieemil
    @indieemil 2 місяці тому +1

    This felt like classic Monster Madness, and I love it. James just listing off some great horror classics 💜🤗

  • @Lady.Luthien
    @Lady.Luthien 2 місяці тому +3

    Is the irony lost on anyone else that your most hated game is also your favorite old-timey horror film?

    • @KetsubanSolo
      @KetsubanSolo Місяць тому +1

      Probably explains why he hates the game so much

  • @estrabetenovomultilaser1936
    @estrabetenovomultilaser1936 2 місяці тому +1

    I love you James, you're one of my inspirations

  • @noremorseproductions
    @noremorseproductions 2 місяці тому

    YES! I love this videos! Thank you so much James!

  • @Randomlad.0737
    @Randomlad.0737 2 дні тому

    This feels like a classic Cinemassacre from the late 2000s, and I love it.

  • @ICESTORM5150
    @ICESTORM5150 2 місяці тому

    Well done James ! Love it ! 🤘

  • @burritosequal8877
    @burritosequal8877 2 місяці тому +1

    i love you james, thanks for your past videos i love the glitch gremlin video

  • @SerpentNight
    @SerpentNight 2 місяці тому +1

    3:45 Cutting part of the lake scene tended to just make things works. Maria's body being carried through the village by her father led some to imagine the Monster had done something much worse to her without the tossing scene to clarify it.

  • @sarcastanaut
    @sarcastanaut 2 місяці тому

    You're back!!! Hooray!!!

  • @thehsproductions3276
    @thehsproductions3276 2 місяці тому

    Awesome video James!!

  • @animeHEAT
    @animeHEAT 2 місяці тому +2

    Apparently Boris Karloff became friends with the actress who played the little girl and she insisted that he drive her to the set on the day the drowning scene would happen.

  • @alexfraser8352
    @alexfraser8352 2 місяці тому +5

    IT'S CINEMASSACRE'S MARCH MADNESS

  • @chzzyg2698
    @chzzyg2698 Місяць тому +1

    I'm not sure I would've ever gotten into the classic Universal monster movies, or classic cinema in general if it weren't for James. Thank's for showing me the art side of movies that so many people ignore.

  • @JohnnyProctor9
    @JohnnyProctor9 2 місяці тому +1

    Tod Browning's Freaks is such an amazingly wonderful film...

  • @moonstoneuniverse8516
    @moonstoneuniverse8516 2 місяці тому

    Jame’s with his horror reviews terrified me as a kid and now I can’t get enough 🖤🖤🖤 thank you James 😈

  • @special_kitty7195
    @special_kitty7195 2 місяці тому

    Keep on cranking these out.

  • @wardengentles53
    @wardengentles53 2 місяці тому +2

    Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde being #1 is surprising seeing how the NESgame gave you high blood pressure!😂😂😂 Keep up the great work guys

  • @googlegoogle9712
    @googlegoogle9712 2 місяці тому

    These old movies are really disturbing not only because the genre but also seeing all those dead actors in movies made before WW2. It’s so eerie. Love the videos!

  • @kevinpalan1127
    @kevinpalan1127 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for everything you do for us

  • @pestmonolith
    @pestmonolith 2 місяці тому +1

    Thank you, James! The movie stuff is what you're best at.

  • @Cincinnatijames
    @Cincinnatijames 2 місяці тому +1

    I saw M at the historic 1926 Tampa Theater about a decade ago. Such a appropriate place to see a pre-code horror movie.