The 1950s were a pivotal decade for ’50s horror, marked by a fascinating blend of classic monster movies and the burgeoning influence of science fiction. As the world grappled with the anxieties of the Cold War, rapid technological advancements, and shifting cultural norms, these fears and concerns found their way onto the silver screen in innovative and often chilling ways. The era produced a number of enduring classics, many of which continue to captivate audiences with their blend of suspense, innovation, and sometimes campy charm. Here are five essential horror films from the 1950s that not only define the genre of the decade but also continue to influence modern horror filmmaking.
’50s Horror ; The Mummy – 1959
Synopsis: In 1895, British archaeologists find and open the tomb of Egyptian Princess Ananka with nefarious consequences.
The Mummy is often the Rodney Dangerfield of classic monsters—he gets no respect. However, Hammer’s sumptuous, beautifully filmed, and acted version is as good as it gets. This film is notable for its meticulous attention to detail, particularly in the recreation of the Egyptian tomb, which is both gorgeous and authentic.
Christopher Lee delivers a near-brilliant performance in the thankless title role, managing to convey a compelling and sometimes touching portrayal through his eyes and body language alone. Peter Cushing, as always, is superb, and Hammer semi-regular George Pastell excels in the stereotypical role of the mummy’s controller in the fez.
The supporting cast is also notably classy for a Hammer production. Sir Felix Aylmer, as Cushing’s father, ages convincingly and establishes himself as one of cinema’s great character actors. Raymond Huntley, playing Cushing’s sensible uncle, brings solid performance, and his interactions with Lee—who would later play Dracula on stage—must have been fascinating. Hammer regular Michael Ripper delivers one of his best performances as a sodden eyewitness to the mummy’s rampage.
Director Terence Fisher, often underappreciated, adds many memorable touches to the film, though none is more striking than the agonizingly slow closure of the stone door concealing the cursed Kharis, which underscores the horror of living burial. Everything in this film works seamlessly, and certain elements, such as the photography and the exceptional music score, surpass even Hammer’s usual high standards. The Mummy might just be the best film produced by the British studio, certainly ranking among their finest works.
’50s Horror ; House of Wax – 1953
Synopsis: An associate burns down a wax museum with the owner inside, but he survives only to become vengeful and murderous.
This film is a remake of Mystery of the Wax Museum—a decent but somewhat dated thriller. In this case, the remake surpasses the original by a significant margin. Although it was initially released in 3-D, don’t let that deter you. Unlike many 3-D films of the time, this one stands strong on its own merits and doesn’t rely on gimmicky 3-D effects.
Vincent Price stars as the initially sympathetic yet monstrous sculptor who creates stunning works of art by encasing dead bodies in wax. Following a disfiguring accident, he can no longer craft these pieces from scratch, but this does not stop him from leaving his wheelchair to commit murders in order to obtain the materials he needs. One of the film’s most memorable scenes involves Price’s character exacting a dramatic and well-deserved revenge on the man responsible for his disfigurement, complete with a noose and an elevator shaft—an execution that’s nothing short of spectacular.
The film is filled with chilling moments and features a compelling plot, making it undoubtedly one of the best horror films of the 1950s. Avoid comparing it to the atrocious remake starring Paris Hilton; that film pales in comparison to this classic masterpiece.
’50s Horror ; The Blob – 1958
Synopsis: An alien lifeform consumes everything in its path as it grows and grows.
This is my first film featuring Steve McQueen in my series, and it’s interesting to note that there aren’t many memorable horror films with him in the lead. That said, watching The Blob is an incredibly fun experience! The plot revolves around a meteorite containing a gelatinous blob that lands on Earth, attaches itself to an old man’s hand, and subsequently engulfs him, a nurse, a doctor, and others. The blob grows into a massive, jelly-like mass that oozes through small openings, consuming everything in its path.
A very young Steve McQueen stars as a small-town teenager who struggles to get the adults to take him seriously. Despite being made on a shoestring budget, McQueen’s performance is notable for his emerging talent and charisma. The other actors range from mediocre to downright poor, but their performances are secondary to the film’s central attraction: the monster itself.
The Blob was pioneering for its time, showcasing a creature unlike anything seen before on film. Certain scenes, such as the Spook Movie festival at the movie theater and the climactic finale at the diner, are particularly memorable and have become classic moments in the genre.
’50s Horror ; Godzilla – 1954
Synopsis: American nuclear weapons testing results in the creation of a seemingly unstoppable, dinosaur-like beast.
If you’ve followed my articles, you know that I am a massive and unapologetic Godzilla fan. One interesting fact you might not know is that the original Godzilla from 1954 was technically considered a horror film in Japan upon its release. Although it is widely recognized as science fiction today, it still holds the horror label, making it qualify as both genres.
Before Godzilla, we had influential monster films like King Kong (1933), one of the earliest examples of large monster cinema, and later, films featuring giant insects. But Godzilla (1954) raised the stakes, presenting a creature that was bigger, more fearsome, and more artistically complex than its predecessors. It set new standards for the genre. The film was based on the story by Shigeru Kayama and derives its name from the combination of “gorilla” and “kujira” (whale). It is undeniably one of the most significant science fiction/horror films in Japanese cinema, as evidenced by the numerous sequels it spawned.
In the film, a giant monster emerges, wreaking havoc on human civilization. While the story might seem reminiscent of other monster tales like Frankenstein (1931), the Japanese perspective offers a different take. Godzilla is not driven by any particular purpose; instead, he represents an unstoppable, blind force of destruction. The film suggests that this creature’s wrath is a form of “payback” from nature itself for humanity’s interference.
The movie features a strong cast, excellent direction, and a brilliant score by Akira Ifukube, who also created Godzilla’s iconic roar. The special effects, done by Eiji Tsuburaya, were groundbreaking for their time. Godzilla remains the gold standard for Kaiju and monster films, a position that is undisputed.
’50s Horror ; Dracula (aka Horror of Dracula) – 1958
Synopsis: Jonathan Harker begets the ire of Count Dracula after he accepts a job at the vampire’s castle under false pretenses, forcing his colleague Dr. Van Helsing to hunt the predatory villain when he targets Harker’s loved ones.
Hammer made several classic horror movies : The Curse Of Frankenstein, The Curse Of The Werewolf, Dracula – Prince Of Darkness, The Devil Rides Out, She, The Quatermass trilogy amongst others. However for me, their first Dracula movie is a true horror masterpiece.
Although based on the novel by Bram Stoker, the movie doesn’t even try to adapt the book. Jimmy Sangster simply took the characters and events he needed, and went off and did his own movie, and it works brilliantly. Jonathon Harker arrives at Castle Dracula under the guise of being Dracula’s new librarian. Actually however, he’s there to destroy the vampire. When he fails, Dracula wrecks vengeance on Harker’s fiancé and family, while Van Helsing arrives in the hope of ending what Harker couldn’t.
As I said, nothing like the novel but it doesn’t matter. This is the best Dracula movie ever made.
To begin with, the set design by Bernard Robinson is superb, with his creation of the castle being particularly outstanding. Jack Asher, the cinematographer, does a stunning job with the lighting, especially during Dracula’s first appearance. James Bernard’s score is wonderfully evocative, enhancing the film’s excitement, dread, and fear. Terence Fisher, Hammer’s most important director, maintains a brisk pace and stages some brilliant set-pieces. Fisher, known for directing early Hammer horror classics such as The Curse of Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Curse of the Werewolf, delivered some of his finest work in this film.
Hammer was particularly fortunate to have Christopher Lee in the role of Dracula. Lee’s performance is captivating; he is charming when needed—his first appearance is a masterclass in menace, aided by the lighting and music—as well as terrifying when stalking Mina and Lucy. Lee’s portrayal also adds a layer of passion, making him a formidable adversary for Van Helsing.
Which brings me to Peter Cushing. He is simply the best Van Helsing ever to appear on screen, played by one of the greatest actors in the horror genre. Cushing infuses Van Helsing with compassion, as seen in the poignant scene with the child in the graveyard, alongside a determined and obsessive drive to rid the world of evil. Despite his extensive career in horror, which might overshadow his versatility, Cushing never delivered a subpar performance. In this film, he is at the peak of his craft, and his partnership with Lee is iconic in the horror genre.
Although some acting may seem wooden or melodramatic by today’s standards, and some effects, especially in the film’s climactic scenes, may have dated, the movie as a whole remains a classic. I cannot recommend this film enough. Despite the Americans’ confusing title change, it remains one of the best Dracula movies ever made.
