by Ashley Jane Davis & Jaime Davis, Staff Writers

We love old things. And well, dead things, I suppose. We would like to mention that our favourite ghost movie is The Innocents (1961), but Ashley Jane already wrote about that here. Please enjoy a few more recommendations for old (and dead) ghost movies. Happy Spooky Season!

Ashley’s Picks

The Haunting (dir. Robert Wise, 1963)

I saw this for the first time only about a year ago, and I was so super pumped about it, I was wondering what took me so damn long to check it out! It’s based on the Shirley Jackson story, “The Haunting of Hill House” (which I also love), and is wonderfully queer and spoooooky. Would you be a part of this experiment to stay in a haunted house? I would! My heart goes out to the main character, Eleanor. Julie Harris has what I like to call big “Deborah Kerr one second away from combusting from repression” energy. You know, BDKOSAFCFRE. It also has Russ Tamblyn (!!!), who I just love because I am so YOUTHFUL. Remember RUSS TAMBLYN? Please don’t mess with the remake. Trust me (and Russ).

(Psst…Tori also wrote about The Haunting this week! -Editor)

The Uninvited (dir. Lewis Allen, 1944)

For the best breakdown of this absolute gem, please listen to my Classic Co-Coroner, Rosalie Kicks’ Cinematic Crypt episode. I love every little thing about this movie. Also, there is romanceeeee~~~ (and one of my favourite séance scenes in film). Add this to my list of houses I would like to inhabit, as a human or otherwise.

The Haunted House (dirs. Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton, 1921)

Oh Buster Keaton, you ol’ so and so. You won’t see a “ghost” until halfway through the film, but if you’re like me, you won’t mind taking the long way (it’s only 21-minutes long anyway). This has many memorable characters such as skeleton twins, a devilish Faust fellow, a man built out of a mannequin, and a 16th century-looking couple. You know, all the folks you would expect to see in a haunted house!

Tower of London (dir. Roger Corman, 1962)

This may not be the greatest Roger Corman / Vincent Price collaboration, but I have a soft spot for it, having watched it at a memorable slumber party as a kid. It is truly weird that we watched this, in like 1993. I was the only one who didn’t fall asleep during the movie. It was just me, Vinnie, and the ghosts. This is one of those spooky castles with torture devices, chains, and more candles than you can even imagine. Home sweet home. Slapback delay effects on ghosts laughing? Brilliant. Every time. Vincent Prince without a moustache? Weird. Every time. Ghost children? No. Every time.

Ugetsu (dir. Kenji Mizoguchi, 1953)

“That’s the voice of my late father,” is just about the scariest line I can think of. Staying somewhere haunted by dear ol dad? Merci, NO. There is a lot going on here, but it’s truly scary how easily folks will sacrifice everything meaningful to feed their lust and obsession for money and power. Sometimes dreams turn into nightmares.

Jaime’s Picks

Les Revenants (The Returned) - the tv version! (2012-2015)

I was beyond obsessed with this French tv series (adapted from the 2004 film of the same name) about residents from a sleepy French enclave who start magically returning years after their (tragic) deaths. They have no idea what’s happened to them, where they’ve been, nothing. Are they dead? Ghosts? Reanimated? The acting is so haunting, perfectly complementing the twisty Twin Peaks-ian vibe.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1947)

Do not get me started on how wonderful this film is. The way they talk to each other! How Mrs. Muir comes alive under his (initially cold, dead) eyes! The dialogue! This is one of the most romantic films of all-time, with perhaps my favorite movie ending ever. (editor’s note - this flick is also featured on MovieJawn Podcast Network show, Cinematic Crypt - if you are looking for a deep dive after you watch. It even features Jaime’s adoring wife, Ashley Jane!)

Poltergeist (dir. Tobe Hooper, 1982)

I first watched this as a kid and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same. Poltergeist still scares the absolute heck out of me - it’s super hard for me to watch, no matter how much I love it. My fascination with the sad circumstances of the film’s young actresses, Heather O’Rourke and Dominique Dunne, definitely plays a role in my love for this entire series. I once spent an entire summer rewatching Poltergeist III because I just. Couldn’t. Look. Away. (Also because Tom Skerritt). Zelda Rubinstein Forever!

Personal Shopper (dir. Olivier Assayas, 2016)

I wrote about PS for MJ a couple years back, but my love for this unique ghost story hasn’t waned. I appreciate how the film deals with ghosts, yes, but also everything from passivity to toxic masculinity to the evils of celebrity as well as spiritualism. Kristen Stewart is wonderful as a woman in mourning hoping to reconnect with her dead brother’s spirit.

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (dir. Osgood Perkins, 2016)

I absolutely love, love, love Oz Perkins. I love him as Osgood Perkins, the actor, and his iconic nerd role in Legally Blonde. But I adore him more as a director, especially when he acts as both writer and director. On the surface, this is a pretty straightforward gothic horror; but upon further examination, you have what feels like an ode to the novelist Shirley Jackson wrapped up in a deep exploration of the pain his father, actor Anthony Perkins, endured. There are so many layers to Pretty Thing - it’s not just another scary movie.