 In 1895 the first horror film was made by the well known American inventor Thomas Edison. His movie was titled "The Execution of Mary Stewart” you could say it was based on a true story since it is the historical depiction of the execution of Mary Queen of Scots who was executed July 24, 1567 for treason.  This film lasts only for 15 seconds. It shows a crowed of gathering people to witness the historical event. The executioner then raises his ax and in a fatal swoop chops off her head.

 During the 1920’s, people hates the thought of seeing blood and gore on the television. The uproar had started when ‘Frankenstein’ had appeared onto the screen. Although there was no blood, Frankenstein had thrown a little into the water.  This event had infuriated the viewers and had demanded that viewing of violence should not be allowed. In the end, there demands were accepted and no blood or marking were to be shown throughout the movies.

QaAK5Vof4 The image here is an example of a 1920’s film Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. It is a silent movie and is also in black and white. The link above will take you to the movie of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde and you can either watch the full movie or watch clips.

 Every Horror movie needs music. But during the 20’s, they didn’t have all the special effects we have today. Instead, they used live music for the background music. This could usually proceed during the whole film. Being slower on a calm scene, and getting faster more tense as danger approaches.  The main instruments that were used were violins, flutes, clarinets, harps ect.  The wind pipe instruments were usually used for the faster more dangerous scenes.

 Between the 40 years of the 1920’s and 60’s, horror movies were in black and white. This was because making films in colour back then was to expensive and therefore people resulted to only working with black and white prints.  Only the big companies that were well known were able to afford coloured films. But even that was still rare.

 Again, between the 1920’s and 60’s most movies were also silent. However, this usually occurred during the 1920’s as sound effects weren’t affordable. However, the silence did put people on the edge of their seats as it was more tensifying.

 By the time the 60’s had come along, bright colours and lights were in the fashion. And so was coloured films. But people wanted more than just colours from their favourite horrors. They wanted blood and gore.  They wanted something that would give them the true effect and give themselves that ultimate scare.  There requests were accepted and they eventually got what they were wanting and looking for on the big screen.

A young couple move into a new apartment, only to be surrounded by peculiar neighbors and occurrences. When the wife becomes mysteriously pregnant, paranoia over the safety of her unborn child begins controlling her life.