Ghost Movies

Rating:
Summary: Classics of the Supenatural
Review: Edited by Peter Haining.

Whenever I come across a book with the name Peter Haining, I know that it's a collection worth considering. Haining has edited dozens of anthologies on horror, crime and fantasy and his selections are usually preceded with a knowledgeable introduction informing the reader about the author and the background to the story.

This collection, originally called "Ghost Movies," but also published as "Classics of the Supernatural," follows his usual high standard and authors include James Herbert, M.R. James, John Carpenter, Robert Bloch, Daphne Du Maurier, Shirley Jackson, Nigel Kneale and others.

The premise of this collection is to present original stories on which famous motion pictures are based. Similar to "Reel Movies," a collection by Sebastian Wolfe. Unfortunately, the volume is soured by the fact that he hasn't been able to obtain all the original source material. Some movies were based on novels or scripts, so they are not reproduced here. Instead, he's substituted a similar story by the same author to represent the omission.

So you don't really get the original stories for "Haunted," "The Old Dark House," "The Uninvited," "The Haunting" and "Beetlejuice." This may dissuade some readers from the collection. The "Ghost Movie" title is also a bit misleading as many stories don't feature ghosts.
The ratings below are out of five.

"Halloween's Child" by James Herbert.
A substitute story for the film "Haunted." A driver encounters a strange creature on a lonely road on Halloween night. Gripping little chiller. (5/5)

"Night Sequence" by J.B. Priestly.
A substitute story, with a similar premise, for the film "The Old Dark House." A couple seek refuge in an old house when their car breaks down at night. Dated but amusing ghost story. (3/5)

"Sir Tristram Goes West" by Eric Keown.
Original story for the movie "The Ghost Goes West." A stowaway ghost causes mischief. Disappointing. (2/5)

"A Smoky Lady in Knickers" by Thorne Smith.
An early Topper story to represent the film "Topper." Light, amusing fluff about a couple of ghosts who are husband and wife. (3/5)

"Samhain" by Dorothy Macardle.
A substitute story for the movie "The Uninvited." Atmospheric, creepy story about the festival of the dead. (4/5)

"The Extraordinary, Horrible Dummy" by Gerald Kersh.
Original story for one part of the anthology film "Dead of Night." The segment about a ventriloquist and his dummy. Surprisingly ordinary. (3/5)

"Casting the Runes" by M.R. James.
Original story for "Night of the Demon." Two men are brought together by supernatural occurrences. Dated. (2/5)

"The Bus" by Shirley Jackson
Substitute story for "The Haunting." An elderly woman's bus journey takes some strange turns. Memorable chiller. (4/5)

"The Trespassers" by Nigel Kneale.
The BBC television production "The Stone Tape" was a screenplay but it's concepts were first explored in this short story by the same author. Unspectacular poltergeist-in-the-house tale. (2/5)

"Lucy Comes to Stay" by Robert Bloch
Filmed as a segment for the movie "Asylum." Classic psycho-thriller that plays with reality (5/5)

"Don't Look Now" by Daphne Du Maurier.
Original story for the Nicholas Roeg feature film of the same name. Visually and psychological treat. (5/5)

"Harlequin" by John Carpenter.
Original story from which "Halloween" was devised. Very different from what you'd expect but satisfying in its own right. A rare gem. (5/5)

"Halley's Passing" by Michael McDowell
Substitute story for "Beetlejuice." A cold, calculated serial killer has a hidden secret. Original and surprising. (5/5)

Overall, a solid collection weakened by some lesser stories but worth purchasing for those rated 5/5.