This comprehensive filmography provides critical analyses and behind-the-scenes stories for 600 horror, science fiction and fantasy films from the 1960s. During those tumultuous years horror cinema flourished, proving as innovative and unpredictable as the decade itself. Representative titles include Night of the Living Dead, The Haunting, Carnival of Souls, Repulsion, The Masque of the Red Death, Targets and The Conqueror Worm. An historical overview chronicles the explosive growth of horror films during this era, as well as the emergence of such dynamic directorial talents as Roman Polanski, George Romero, Francis Ford Coppola and Peter Bogdanovich.

From Booklist

In the 1960s, horror films were innovative and exciting. The film industry exploded with many inspiring and now-classic films, actors, and directors. Many of the movies produced in this decade were much more realistic and taboo breaking than ever before. This exhaustive look at the horror films of the 1960s extols the diversity and ingenuity that infused this decade of filmmaking. The book first takes a narrative look at the decade in horror-film history, then breaks down each of the more than 600 films into a detailed analysis. Covering every horror film (as well as science-fiction and fantasy films that have prominent horror elements) released theatrically in the U.S. between 1960 and 1969, entries include year of release, the country of origin, alternate titles, a notation if the film was black and white rather than color, the production company, and a list of key crew and cast members. The final section of the book includes a brief overview of other science-fiction and fantasy films that lack significant horror elements, films produced in the 1960s that did not get released until the 1970s or later, and those that were produced overseas and never released in the U.S. Included in this comprehensive work — which ranges from The Angry Red Planet to X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes— are timeless classics as Night of the Living Dead, The Birds, Psycho, and Friday the 13th. This is a necessary purchase for academic libraries supporting a film- or cinema-studies curriculum. It would also be useful for public libraries whose patrons are interested in film history. --Christy Goodnight

Review

“This exhaustive look at the horror films of the 1960s extols the diversity and ingenuity that infused this decade of filmmaking...comprehensive”― Booklist ; “the guide’s true reference value is found in its filmography. Profusely illustrated. Highly recommended”― Choice ; “meticulously researched...impressively thorough...valuable and useful addition”― Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts ; “Clark and Senn provide a welcome addition to the literature of horror films of the 1960s...a pleasure to read and an invaluable resource to film researchers and enthusiasts...recommended”― ARBA ; “fascinating reviews and overviews...recommend[ed]. Absolutely one of the best books of 2011 or any other year”― Little Shoppe of Horrors ; “immensely readable and is most entertaining”― Scary Monsters Magazine ; “by virtue of its subject, paternity and compulsive readability, SIXTIES SHOCKERS immediately announces itself (before a word is read) as one of the most important horror-related film books of the year. A quick perusal does nothing to counter this impression: it’s well-designed, ably and personably written, it contains just the right balance of photographs, and the entries are conscientious about crediting sources from whence quotes or specific information have been cribbed...compiled with great love, dedication and enthusiasm”― Video Watchdog ; “this beautifully bound reference book from McFarland is well worth [the price]”― VideoScope.

About the Author

Film historian Mark Clark lives in Omaha, Nebraska.

Bryan Senn's work has appeared in Filmfax, Cult Movies, Shivers, Midnight Marquee Press and Monsters from the Vault. He lives in Montana.