For a Halloween scream, dust off those classic scary movies

Yes, Culpeper, I am one of those annoying grownups who still dresses up for Halloween. This year, I will represent a throwback to the ’80s, complete with big hair and fluorescent fishnets. But a large part of my Halloween is always the “cinematic experience.”

I would like to consider myself a horror movie connoisseur. Not the gory, blood and guts kind, but the true suspenseful, hold on to the dog, type of horror movie.

Possibly one of the original chair-grabbers was Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.” Of course, I hadn’t been born when it was released but first watched it when I was in my teens. The creepy character of Norman Bates was perfectly played by Anthony Perkins. Moviegoers at the time were afraid to take a shower ever again in their lifetimes. A little piece of movie trivia — the blood in the bathtub was actually chocolate syrup. God bless the old black and white movies and a bit of imagination!

Recently, my husband and I let our daughter watch “The Exorcist,” upon her request. I watched it with her, and about 15 minutes into it, she was curled up on my lap with her hand strategically over her eyes. It’s truly an all-time classic, and the added scenes make it even more so. Thank God I never liked pea soup.

In my humble opinion, the king of the horror genre has got to be Stephen King. When he has a hand in the screenplay of his books-turned-movie, it’s a winner. The original “Carrie” still scares the hell out of me, as well as “Pet Sematary.” Quite honestly, the book was enough to keep me up all night as a sophomore in high school, finishing it at 3 a.m.

As cheesy as it is, I must say that “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” still makes me want my mommy. Yes, it’s ’70s camp at its best, but remember, it’s still based on a true story. Those people who lived in that house just creep out anyone with a pulse. As with a lot of movies, the remake didn’t do it justice. Low-budget worked for this original, and still frights to this day.

A movie you’ll probably not see on a “scariest” list, but I highly recommend, is “Candyman,” a movie from the ’90s. Featuring Tony Todd as the Candyman and written by Clive Barker, it was set in the Chicago projects. Tony Todd’s baritone voice is chillingly deep, chanting “Helen,” the lead character’s name. Oooohhh! My husband does a great impression that gives me the willies every time!

Speaking of voices that set your hair on edge, who can forget Buffalo Bill from “The Silence of the Lambs?”

Every time the actor who played Bill, Ted Levine, is on the screen, his voice makes me get a cold shiver. And, please, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Anthony Hopkins and his fava beans with a nice bottle of chianti.

So, Culpeper, it may be worth it to stay in and catch up on your nightmares — whether it’s on Elm Street or Chandler Street. Pour yourself a big bowl of popcorn and remember, “One, two, Freddie’s coming for you.”
Smith’s column runs every Friday on the editorial page.