Universal horror: classic horror cinema from Universal Studios

What is the course about?

This online film studies course explores Universal Studios' horror films from the late 1920s and early 1930s to the 1950s. We will note several key phases: the silent films, including The Phantom of the Opera (1925); the cycle of early sound horror archetypes, including Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932) and The Invisible Man (1933); the noir informed 40s horrors and chillers, such as The Wolf Man (1941), and a series of science fiction-horror films in the 1950s, including The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). We will also note the many sequels to, and variations on these films, e.g., Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943) as part of a catalogue of near definitive classical horror cinema.

We will also be looking at the contributions of key personnel, including that of stars Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi and director James Whale, while also thinking about the fortunes of Universal Studios itself during the period and against the backdrop of classical Hollywood cinema in general, the context in which we will consider Universal's commercial operations (as a 'minor-major' studio) and its 'house style' - the horror film.

Films featured on the course will be from the following:
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), The Phantom of the Opera (1925), The Cat and the Canary (1927), The Man Who Laughs (1928), The Last Warning (1928), Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932), The Mummy (1932), Island of Lost Souls (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), The Black Cat (1934), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Werewolf of London (1935), The Raven (1935), Dracula's Daughter (1936), Son of Frankenstein (1939), The Wolf Man (1941), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Tarantula (1955), The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

Prior viewing and reading is not required. The tutor will provide notes for each session and suggest further reading and viewing.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

• Universal horror films from the 1920s to the 1950s
• Key personnel at Universal (e.g., stars, directors and technicians)
• Genre and the classical horror film
• The reception of the films
• Universal Studios and classical Hollywood
• Critical accounts of, and approaches to Universal horror cinema and classical Hollywood.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Identify and evaluate Universal's classical horror films
• Identify key personnel at universal and their contributions to the films
• Assess the relationship between genre as a critical tool and the classical horror film
• Assess the reception of the films
• Describe and assess the operations of Universal Studios in the context of classical Hollywood
• Assess a range of critical accounts of, and approaches to Universal horror cinema and classical Hollywood.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class, but this is not essential.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Please look for other film studies courses at www.citylit.ac.uk/History, Culture and Writing/film studies.