Fascinating read and collection of inspired essays about 1930s Horror movies beyond "Dracula" - author is a known University lecturer and her intention was apparently to scratch under the surface and to point at other movies made in aftermath of "Dracula" success, many of different directors, actors and film-makers in general who worked in than-new genre still uncluttered with what today we recognize as formulaic. Peirse purposely avoids any discussion about "Dracula" since tons of material was already written about it and goes on into detailed analysis of its successors, like "Mummy", "Island of Lost Souls", "The Black Cat', "White Zombie" and such.
Author's love for these old movies is infectious and I found myself making notes and making my own Internet research immediately - not to mention getting back to movies that I already have in my collection, as "The Black Cat" where Peirse interestingly points at importance of architecture (modern architecture seems to have been accepted at work places but people still prefer traditional-style houses, on the screen modern architecture is significant as a sign of something decadent and dangerous) or use of classical music (negative characters love classical music). Perhaps the most interesting is insight about lesser known British Horror production of 1930s and how British cinematography in general was seen as something amateurish and provincial compared to far more advanced Hollywood (even American guest stars in British production would often give disparaging comments about their experiences when "on loan" in UK) - did you know that Brits actually had "Wolf Man" long before Americans made it to the screen? Yes, "Werewolf of London" was made some six years before famous, now classic "The Wolf Man". The book has seven chapters and I would gladly have double amount of this, its really enlightening and inspiring read.
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