Books in French are on www.livres-cinema.info
Smirk, Sneer and Scream
Great Acting in Horror Cinema
by Mark Clark
(0 vote)Average rating:
| 0 | rating |  = We can do without |
| 0 | rating |  = Good book |
| 0 | rating |  = Excellent book |
| 0 | rating |  = Unique / a reference |
Your rating: -
Book Presentation:
While you may think the old adage about oil and water being unable to mix applies perfectly to the cinema of terror and the craft of great acting, many a grease-painted scare and fluid performance have been combined in the strange alchemy that is the horror film. From the silent mastery of Lon Chaney’s The Phantom of the Opera to the cultured cannibalism of Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs, the genre has seen an impressive number of noteworthy portrayals, far removed from the stereotypical leering monster and terrified maiden.
Part One of this work highlights the stars of this screen style—those whose numerous roles and outstanding performances made their names synonymous with horror cinema. Part Two covers actors who, although not normally associated with the genre, still contributed to its history. Part Three covers the great actresses in horror films and highlights their acting achievement. An appendix lists all the Academy Award nominations and winners in the horror genre.
About the Author:
Film historian Mark Clark lives in Mentor on the Lake, Ohio.
Press Reviews:
"a good book…illuminating…a fine critical study…indepth"—Classic Images; "refreshing…the author is at all times personable, credible, and literate…too interesting, well-written, and just plain fun to be passed over"—Monsters From The Vault; "devour this book from cover to cover"—Little Shoppe of Horrors; "a beauty…balanced between the old and new…insightful…heavily recommended…a fun read"—Midnight Marquee; "well-researched"—VideoScope; "readable, well reasoned…clear, concise writing"—Scarlet Street; "flawless"—Video Watchdog; "interesting"—B Monster Bulletin; "great book"—www.horrorreview.com.
See the publisher website: McFarland & Co
> From the same author:
Sixties Shockers (2025)
A Critical Filmography of Horror Cinema, 1960-1969
by Mark Clark and Bryan Senn
Star Trek FAQ 2.0 (2013)
Everything Left to Know About the Next Generation the Movies and Beyond
by Mark Clark
Subject: One Film > Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)
Star Trek FAQ (2012)
Everything Left to Know About the First Voyages of the Starship Enterprise
by Mark Clark
Subject: One Film > Star Trek (TV Series)
> On a related topic:
They Fought in the Creature Features (2014)
Interviews With 23 Classic Horror, Science Fiction and Serial Stars
by Tom Weaver
Karloff and Lugosi (2017)
The Story of a Haunting Collaboration, with a Complete Filmography of Their Films Together
Subject: Actor > Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff
Tales from the Cult Film Trenches (2007)
Interviews with 36 Actors from Horror, Science Fiction and Exploitation Cinema
by Louis Paul
Subject: Actor
The Screen Chills Companion, 1931–1939 (2025)
Films of the Golden Age of Hollywood Horror
The Screen Chills Companion, 1940–1946 (2025)
Films of the Golden Age of Hollywood Horror
Back
