David J. Skal

출생 : 1952-06-21, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

약력

David John Skal is an American cultural historian, critic, writer, and on-camera commentator known for his research and analysis of horror films and horror literature.

프로필 사진

David J. Skal

참여 작품

Boris Karloff:  The Rest of the Story
Self - Interviewee
Boris Karloff: The Rest of the Story takes a deeper look at the life and career of Boris Karloff, from 1931 to 1969, exploring films such as The Ghoul, The Walking Dead (1936), Charlie Chan at the Opera (1936), the Mr Wong series, The Climax (1944), Lured (1947), The Strange Door (1951), Grip of the Strangler and Corridors of Blood(1958), The Comedy of Terrors (1963), The Curse of the Crimson Altar (1968), the Mexican quartet, some of his major TV appearances (The Girl From U.N.C.L.E., Wild Wild West, I-Spy) as well as taking a deep look at his often ignored Broadway career in the 1940s and 50's. There is also much time devoted to Karloff's more personal side and his relationship with his daughter, Sara.
Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster
Self
Beginning just before his debut as Frankenstein’s creation, this documentary compellingly explores the life and legacy of a cinema legend, presenting a perceptive history of the genre he personified. Karloff's films were long derided as hokum and attacked by censors, but his phenomenal popularity and pervasive influence endures, inspiring some of our greatest actors and directors into the 21st Century – among them Guillermo Del Toro, Ron Perlman, Roger Corman, and John Landis, all of whom and many more contribute their personal insights and anecdotes.
Vampira: The Movie
Himself
Vampira The Movie chronicles the story of Malia "Vampira" Nurmi living on the very edge of show business and her rise to celluloid cultdom 50 years later. Her big break came in 1954 when she played the "glamour ghoul" Vampira, emerging from the mist to greet viewers of obscure horror movies on the new medium - television. Her newfound fame led to friendships with Marlon Brando, James Dean and Anthony Perkins. But Vampira's show was abruptly cancelled. Nurmi appeared as Vampira again in the 1959 low-budget horror / sci-fi film, Plan 9 from Outer Space, directed by Edward D Wood Jr. and often dubbed "the worst film of all time." But you can't keep a good vampire down and Nurmi's character rose from the dead again in 1993's Ed Wood, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. The movie renewed interest in Maila Nurmi and she has since achieved a Bettie Page-like cult status.
Hitchcocked!
Himself
A tribute to the work of Alfred Hitchcock, featuring contemporary filmmakers, writers, performers, and cultural critics.
Night Terrors: The Origins of Wes Craven's Nightmares
A look at the importance of dreams in relation to Wes Craven's successful A Nightmare on Elm Street horror franchise.
The Perfect Scary Movie
Himself
A documentary looking at the various conventions and scare techniques of the horror genre.
Hollywood's Creepiest Creatures
Himself
Elvira hosts this humorous look at movie monsters and facts about the real animals on which they're based. Included: clips from films; and interviews with scientists and various showbiz types, including directors John Carpenter and John Landis, and actors Jeff Goldblum and Roy Scheider.
Ed Gein: The Ghoul of Plainfield
Himself
Documentary about the real life inspiration behind "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," serial killer Ed Gein.
Tod Browning's 'Freaks': The Sideshow Cinema
Self
Documentary recounting the making of Tod Browning's Freaks. Featuring interviews with experts and actual sideshow performers, this film gives a fascinating insight into the cast members, production and public reaction to this controversial classic.
Carla Laemmle Remembers: An Interview with David J. Skal
Director
Actress and neice of Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle, Carla Laemmle recounts the events that occured while filming Phantom of the Opera, The (1925). Not too much ground is covered here, although we do learn a few things about the creation of Universal Pictures in 1915.
The Universe According to Universal
Producer
Narrator Rudy Behlmer guides a look through Universal's place in film history as a source of alien visitation, extraterrestrial life, and other Science Fiction staples. The piece further looks at the political and social implications, parallels, and escapism in the movie. The piece spends much of its screen time on how 'It Came From Outer Space' echoed and influenced the genre, its legacy, performances, adherence to Ray Bradbury's source material, 3D photography and presentation, score and effects, and more. This is a quality piece that informs and entertains alike, one that fascinatingly examines the film, and others like it, as both entertainment and echoes of real life.
The Universe According to Universal
Writer
Narrator Rudy Behlmer guides a look through Universal's place in film history as a source of alien visitation, extraterrestrial life, and other Science Fiction staples. The piece further looks at the political and social implications, parallels, and escapism in the movie. The piece spends much of its screen time on how 'It Came From Outer Space' echoed and influenced the genre, its legacy, performances, adherence to Ray Bradbury's source material, 3D photography and presentation, score and effects, and more. This is a quality piece that informs and entertains alike, one that fascinatingly examines the film, and others like it, as both entertainment and echoes of real life.
The Universe According to Universal
Director
Narrator Rudy Behlmer guides a look through Universal's place in film history as a source of alien visitation, extraterrestrial life, and other Science Fiction staples. The piece further looks at the political and social implications, parallels, and escapism in the movie. The piece spends much of its screen time on how 'It Came From Outer Space' echoed and influenced the genre, its legacy, performances, adherence to Ray Bradbury's source material, 3D photography and presentation, score and effects, and more. This is a quality piece that informs and entertains alike, one that fascinatingly examines the film, and others like it, as both entertainment and echoes of real life.
The 'Frankenstein' Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster
Director of Photography
The history of Frankenstein's journey from novel to stage to screen to icon.
The 'Frankenstein' Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster
Producer
The history of Frankenstein's journey from novel to stage to screen to icon.
The 'Frankenstein' Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster
Screenplay
The history of Frankenstein's journey from novel to stage to screen to icon.
The 'Frankenstein' Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster
Director
The history of Frankenstein's journey from novel to stage to screen to icon.
Back to the Black Lagoon: A Creature Chronicle
Writer
Documentary about the making of and legacy of The Creature from the Black Lagoon included in The Legacy Collection box set.
Back to the Black Lagoon: A Creature Chronicle
Self / Host
Documentary about the making of and legacy of The Creature from the Black Lagoon included in The Legacy Collection box set.
Back to the Black Lagoon: A Creature Chronicle
Director
Documentary about the making of and legacy of The Creature from the Black Lagoon included in The Legacy Collection box set.
Back to the Black Lagoon: A Creature Chronicle
Producer
Documentary about the making of and legacy of The Creature from the Black Lagoon included in The Legacy Collection box set.
Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed
Writer
Documentary featured on the Classic Monster Collection and Monster Legacy Collection for The Mummy (1932).
Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed
Director
Documentary featured on the Classic Monster Collection and Monster Legacy Collection for The Mummy (1932).
Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters!
Producer
A documentary from Universal about the movie Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters!
Writer
A documentary from Universal about the movie Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Now You See Him: 'The Invisible Man' Revealed!
Producer
A documentary from Universal about the movie "The Invisible Man" (1933) directed by James Whale.
Now You See Him: 'The Invisible Man' Revealed!
Writer
A documentary from Universal about the movie "The Invisible Man" (1933) directed by James Whale.
The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked
Writer
A documentary from Universal about their Phantom of the Opera movies.
The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked
Director
A documentary from Universal about their Phantom of the Opera movies.
Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters!
Director
A documentary from Universal about the movie Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters!
Host
A documentary from Universal about the movie Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Now You See Him: 'The Invisible Man' Revealed!
Self
A documentary from Universal about the movie "The Invisible Man" (1933) directed by James Whale.
Now You See Him: 'The Invisible Man' Revealed!
Director
A documentary from Universal about the movie "The Invisible Man" (1933) directed by James Whale.
The Road to 'Dracula'
Writer
A documentary from Universal about the movie "Dracula" (1931) starring Bela Lugosi.
The Road to 'Dracula'
Self
A documentary from Universal about the movie "Dracula" (1931) starring Bela Lugosi.
The Road to 'Dracula'
Director
A documentary from Universal about the movie "Dracula" (1931) starring Bela Lugosi.
The World of Gods and Monsters: A Journey with James Whale
Writer
Written, co-produced and co-directed by David J. Skal, THE WORLD OF GODS AND MONSTERS is a behind-the scenes chronicle of the making of the 1998 Academy Award-winning film GODS AND MONSTERS starring Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser and Lynn Redgrave. Narrated by author/ filmmaker Clive Barker, the documentary interweaves the life and career of James Whale, director of the original FRANKENSTEIN, with the making of the acclaimed biopic. Interviewees include writer/director Bill Condon (Oscar winner for best adapted screenplay), Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, and Christopher Bram, author of the novel FATHER OF FRANKENSTEIN, on which the film was based.
The World of Gods and Monsters: A Journey with James Whale
Producer
Written, co-produced and co-directed by David J. Skal, THE WORLD OF GODS AND MONSTERS is a behind-the scenes chronicle of the making of the 1998 Academy Award-winning film GODS AND MONSTERS starring Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser and Lynn Redgrave. Narrated by author/ filmmaker Clive Barker, the documentary interweaves the life and career of James Whale, director of the original FRANKENSTEIN, with the making of the acclaimed biopic. Interviewees include writer/director Bill Condon (Oscar winner for best adapted screenplay), Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, and Christopher Bram, author of the novel FATHER OF FRANKENSTEIN, on which the film was based.
The World of Gods and Monsters: A Journey with James Whale
Director
Written, co-produced and co-directed by David J. Skal, THE WORLD OF GODS AND MONSTERS is a behind-the scenes chronicle of the making of the 1998 Academy Award-winning film GODS AND MONSTERS starring Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser and Lynn Redgrave. Narrated by author/ filmmaker Clive Barker, the documentary interweaves the life and career of James Whale, director of the original FRANKENSTEIN, with the making of the acclaimed biopic. Interviewees include writer/director Bill Condon (Oscar winner for best adapted screenplay), Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, and Christopher Bram, author of the novel FATHER OF FRANKENSTEIN, on which the film was based.
Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man'
Writer
Starting with "The Wolf Man" (in 1941), Universal Studios made five movies featuring The Wolf Man, a character portrayed by Lon Chaney, Jr. Monster by Moonlight! explores these movies. Rick Baker explains how the make-up was done on Chaney's character. Screenwriter Curtis Siodmak took very little from earlier werewolf legends, providing his own story for some of the films. This documentary displays clips from several other movies, including "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948) and "House of Dracula" (1945).
Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man'
Director
Starting with "The Wolf Man" (in 1941), Universal Studios made five movies featuring The Wolf Man, a character portrayed by Lon Chaney, Jr. Monster by Moonlight! explores these movies. Rick Baker explains how the make-up was done on Chaney's character. Screenwriter Curtis Siodmak took very little from earlier werewolf legends, providing his own story for some of the films. This documentary displays clips from several other movies, including "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948) and "House of Dracula" (1945).
She's Alive! Creating 'The Bride of Frankenstein'
Director of Photography
Documentary about the making of 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein."
She's Alive! Creating 'The Bride of Frankenstein'
Producer
Documentary about the making of 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein."
She's Alive! Creating 'The Bride of Frankenstein'
Screenplay
Documentary about the making of 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein."
She's Alive! Creating 'The Bride of Frankenstein'
Director
Documentary about the making of 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein."
Lon Chaney: Son of a Thousand Faces
Writer
Born Creighton Chaney, this is a biographical documentary on Lon Chaney Jr, the only star to play all four of the classic monsters: the Mummy, the Wolf Man, Frankenstein and Dracula.
All Over
Reporter
As a famous man lies dying, his family—including both his wife and his mistress—gathers inside, while members of the media converge outside for news of his death in this filmed-for-television staging of Edward Albee's play.