Top 10 Most Disturbing Horror Films (Pre-Code Era)

[@aurthurpendragon1015]

It's been so long since James has done a genuine, narrated top 10 list. This was awesome.

[@Underhownd]

This did sound like the old James who wrote his own scripts back in the day. Sure he has KZbin handcuffs on now, but the passion for the horror genre still shows.

[@D2MightyDucks]

I agree 🙏

[@aurthurpendragon1015]

@@kennyboggs3676 I was talking about the top 10 lists that he made between 2008 and 2012. I miss them.

[@DanGamingFan2406]

We're getting Monster Madness a whole six months early? Hey, I'm not complaining.

[@kdusel1991]

Neither am I! Aside from the nerd videos and other movie reviews, this is what I look forward to the most from James!!

[@adamyounce82]

but its all stuff that hes covered before. you should know this is you truly a fan of the monster madness videos. non the less, i do hope you enjoy what you get@@kdusel1991

[@cybercop0083]

When inspiration strikes, the muse will turn into a kissing whure!

[@VTuber_Central]

4:17 funfact this was done on a getsmart episode

[@MovingVanFromMars]

It’s like Halloween in March! Better than Christmas in July!

[@sansthedrummer]

I'll always have a nostalgic love for AVGN, but these are the videos I come back for. I always enjoy listening to James talk about film. You can hear thats where the passion lies even to this day.

[@michaelchauvin7219]

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde finally makes #1 on a Cinemassacre list.

[@WhippetRun]

Hey, I heard there's a video game based on this. James should check it out, I'm sure he will appreciate and love it 😊

[@julesgamingnstuff]

​@whippetrun for real, I thought he was gonna say the best part was THE VIDEO GAME!

[@LucTaylor]

@@WhippetRunThe video game maintains the true horror of the original - it is just that the victim is the player, not a character in the game

[@RobbieLugos]

Top 10 worst nes games?

[@ThePreciseClimber]

I feel like he should review the Jekyll & Hyde PC game from 2001 which is just as bad as the NES one.

[@JReybabay]

James’s roots are in horror. I learned most of what i know about horror movies from him!

[@IWillScoop]

I absolutely hate horror movies but I'll gladly watch his videos on them.

[@kdusel1991]

Me too!!

[@Scarshadow666]

Same here! James was among the many people that helped me get into horror movies! ^^

[@leperface]

A horror historian.

[@alexbones95]

I picked up my love of classic horror from James too!

[@Tadicuslegion78]

I think part of the reason Pre-Code horror is so disturbing is they had to do so much of it for real or as near real as they could with 1930s special effects

[@cpl.barbarusc4814]

Fritz Lang's M is a freaking Masterpiece of a film. It was an amazing addition to the list.

[@mrmoshpotato]

True. I was surprised by its addition though since it would not be subject to the Hayes Code.

[@101Volts]

@@mrmoshpotato That's the whole point of this list, except for "Mad Love." Pre-Code means before the middle of 1934.

[@cube2fox]

@101Volts I think you misunderstood, the Hayes Code only applies to movies in the US. For other movies it makes no sense to distinguish pre and post Code.

[@ivanxnerd]

Oh yes, Monster March Madness.

[@ArthurSanford3706]

My two favorite things

[@artbargra]

*Monster Marchness

[@101Volts]

The monster madness marches on. I enjoyed this installment.

[@patrickoehlke9984]

You watch these movies thinking it will be tame because of how old it is but when the violent stuff happens and it just catches you off guard, it just makes them more terrifying!

[@geoffreyrichards6079]

If by “lame” you mean “restrained”, because there’s still a lot to admire about these older films despite the obvious censorship. From the performances to the cinematography to the music and everything else. If the violence and gore are all that really matters, then what separates them from the average dreck we see in today’s horror films?

[@gsdavis91]

He said tame not lame.@@geoffreyrichards6079

[@animeking1357]

​@@geoffreyrichards6079 I think you misread man. He said tame not lame.

[@geoffreyrichards6079]

@@animeking1357 I could've sworn it read "lame".

[@LordPichuPal]

@@geoffreyrichards6079It does say it was edited, so he must've typed it by accident and fixed it to say tame. I'm only seeing it now when it says "tame" so I can assume that's the case.

[@RobbieLugos]

10:59 The best thing about the movie adaptation is that the cane actually works as a weapon.

[@mortalkombatgal2]

This feels so genuine and what I remember growing up watching from you James. You've inspired me to become a filmmaker myself and it's been fun going from learning about these classic movies from you back then, to being excited seeing them on these lists already knowing them. Thank you for all that you do.

[@monkeyboy90100]

I’d love to see more content of James talking classic film. Whether it’s Horror or not, I always love hearing James talk about film history.

[@CountGremlin]

Love it when Monster Madness comes in March Madness, I can listen to James all day talk about classic films

[@themockbustercanada]

More content like this James. Love to hear something that you’re genuinely passionate about.

[@nightingale3632]

THESE are the videos that James should be doing more often

[@jekw23]

Really interesting. I love when James goes in depth into horror movies. Some delve into individual scenes or shots and the depth of research is fascinating

[@RavenHouseMystery]

Thanks for the list, James. These films are surely the best examples of "less is more" in the horror genre.

[@Grandmas_Table]

Always love listening to James talk about movies!

[@cheneethompson5756]

My least favorite film genre is horror, but I love the history of those films! I'm a big history buff!

[@WaltherPPK007]

Thank you for all the countless hours of entertainment over the years James! Nobody on KZbin has done it better than you man!

[@jpenir]

Looking back on Frankenstein, it actually makes the monster MORE sympathetic by showing him throwing the girl in the water. By not knowing what happened as a kid I always assumed he choked her to death

[@kevindragon3883]

James, it's thanks to you that I've gained such an appreciation for classic films and video games. Thanks for being awesome for all these years, and I look forward to many more years of your content.

[@AubreyTheKing]

JAMES!! I don't care if it's not Monster Madness or October, you talking and discussing about horror and classic horror will NEVER, EVER get old! Aside from AVGN, this is my favorite content from you!! Your love and passion for horror films! And thanks to you, I couldn't love the old classics even more! THANK YOU!

[@wastehazey6468]

3:16 such a wonderful shot, the gaze of a madman

[@brandonryder5873]

I'm a horror fan who's not interested in the blood and gore anymore, so these movies are right up my alley. Thanks

[@cheneethompson5756]

I'm very squeamish! So, I avoid the gorier films!

[@James.Sunderland]

I miss vids like this from you! I been rewatching your horror related lists for MONTHS!

[@joedirtbag6662]

please james keep making these horror reviews i luv this stuff so much

[@michaelsamerdyke108]

So glad to see love for "The Most Dangerous Game." To me, the scene where the Count's servant is impaled on Joel McCrea's trap is very powerful.

[@chzzyg2698]

I'm not sure I would've ever gotten into the classic Universal monster movies, or classic cinema in general if it weren't for James. Thank's for showing me the art side of movies that so many people ignore.

[@MrWillis95]

James talking about old movies is just the best!

[@Top10WizardReviews]

Love these types of vids from James.

[@MissSallyB1]

I'm willing to bet that HOW they actually turned Cleopatra into the bird lady was part of the footage that had to get cut is now lost forever

[@TheRealNormanBates]

They didn't film it.. but what _did_ get cut (heh heh) was the implication that the Freaks castrated the highwire man.

[@101Volts]

@@TheRealNormanBates No wonder why my parents wouldn't show me most of that film when I was a kid.

[@shadowlinkbds]

Monster madness in March? Sure why not? It should never be too late or too early to talk monster like videos here on Cinemasacre.

[@Smile4theKillCam456]

It is March Madness

[@BryGuy2Fly15]

Love when you do these kind of videos!! You could seriously be a film teacher. Could listen to you talk about movies anytime

[@BleachFan9891]

It’s never too early for a monster madness video

[@syedasadtirmazi67]

Great video. I love watching James discuss old-school horror films.

[@googlegoogle9712]

These old movies are really disturbing not only because the genre but also seeing all those dead actors in movies made before WW2. It’s so eerie. Love the videos!

[@rickm8343]

The unmasking scene in Mad Love is one of the creepiest, most terrifying moments ever committed to film.

[@jippalippa]

Finally I understand where the Mr Tinkentrain videoclip intro was taken from!

[@DropkickMurphysFan01]

I miss this kind of content!

[@Wilkenstein1917]

Great Video James! Love when you talk old horror movies.

[@ashleydaniels12]

This is my favorite kind of video from you!! I wish there were monthly old school horror vids

[@stalhandske9649]

This list was much appreciated and added to my watch list some convincing pieces of cinema previously unknown to me. The ones I have already seen have without exception been pleasant surprises as well - while not able to reach the levels of jump scare in more modern films of the genre, these oldies often managed to create a disturbing atmosphere, something being "not right". And that, I believe, is wherein true horror lies

[@technodumpsterinc]

When James talks about old horror movies we all know - he's back in home territory

[@FilmTrekk]

the same 5 movies over again

[@Randomlad.0737]

This feels like a classic Cinemassacre from the late 2000s, and I love it.

[@wstine79]

" Gooble gobble. Goobble gobble, one of us one of us!"

[@FilmTrekk]

I quote this daily lol

[@robgronotte1]

Was it really supposed to be "gobble"? I always thought it was "gabba" - meaningless, but that's the way they put it in the Ramones' song Pinhead.

[@cybercop0083]

10:56 Look at that! James praising a „Jekyll & Hyde“

[@aranbuzzas8000]

Fantastic list James! Love it when you make these kinds of videos, thanks very much!

[@KRhetor]

When Richard Arlen kisses The Panther Woman, and then recoils when she realizes there is something not human about her...THAT'S the single most disturbing moment in Thirties horror!

[@peterharris6409]

Hard to believe these are basically 100 years old. Crazy

[@victorchapa6307]

Old school Cinemassacre. Keep ‘em coming, James. 😄👍🏼

[@salvadoralienday5055]

I've seen some of them, but not everything. I know what to watch next :) Great video!

[@brunosoares1500]

I'll always watch these reviews/rankings. Love you man.

[@jorisfauconnier1365]

More videos like this please! This is top notch Cinemassacre. Greetings from Belgium

[@PipEnigma]

I adore these videos so much, I can’t explain it. I’m so glad to have them outside of October.

[@James.Sunderland]

More stuff like this, please! Most accurate to the book Frankenstein movie video next!?

[@TheHauntedMouth]

That was a nice surprise! I usually don't get the urge for spooky stuff until around May, but this really made me feel it, even this early in the year.

[@mikedinunzio1]

Please bring back rental reviews, I can’t be the only one asking for this. Long live the Nerd! 👊

[@NateB1976]

Love these old horror films and have seen many of those here. I watch them every Saturday night and you can too. If you have METV (cable or streaming) then you can tune in and watch Svengoolie host these great films. Yep he’s still alive and still broadcasting(over 40 years now)!!! Any other Svengoolie fans here???

[@Kevmaster2000]

My favorite videos of yours are the ones where you talk about classic horror films. Especially ones about the history of them. Like the lantern man of Phantom of the Opera, or the cardboard in Dracula for example.

[@nemesisofeden]

As someone who has been reviewing horror movies both new and old for 2 years. I GREATLY appreciate this list. Most of these films I was aware of, but a bunch caught me by surprise. I will be checking them out when I can! Thank you for this and all you do!

[@Volttikoira]

9:00 Boris Karloff was low key in great shape. Lean and mean.

[@maiocruz6562]

Great list James! Loved it

[@qazmko22]

March Monster Madness? Monster March Madness? Moshter Madness? There is something there.

[@johnnybyrd300]

It totally makes sense that James thinks Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is the number 1 scariest pre code movie. He's been scarred by it for so long now, that even the name sends chills down his spine.

[@GLSnifit]

Love seeing Monster Madness outside of October. Would love to see more of these lists.

[@dottiegillespie8067]

Thank you sir I needed a horror video from you!!!! Sending you much appreciation!

[@indieemil]

This felt like classic Monster Madness, and I love it. James just listing off some great horror classics 💜🤗

[@freaknr1]

Jearing James talk about old horror-films is some of my favourite content on the internet!

[@bloodrunsclear]

You know do much about this genre, this era. I’ve learned so much from these videos!

[@Supernova--88]

You should make this a regular thing

[@animeHEAT]

Apparently Boris Karloff became friends with the actress who played the little girl and she insisted that he drive her to the set on the day the drowning scene would happen.

[@annnnonnymous]

Really solid list, and I like to use these as shopping lists in case there is some film Ive missed. Just need to be sure Ive watched Mad Love, it didnt seem familiar and an honorable mention is enough to put it on the watch list for me. Thanks!

[@SerpentNight]

3:45 Cutting part of the lake scene tended to just make things works. Maria's body being carried through the village by her father led some to imagine the Monster had done something much worse to her without the tossing scene to clarify it.

[@waywardlaser]

Proud of myself for having seen most of these. James got me into classic horror so I always love listening to him discuss it.

[@Usagi1992]

can't beat the classics -dyEcmbhA!!!-

[@panterathx]

Freaks still haunts me. My grandma showed it to me when I was a kid and that final act still burns into my mind.

[@RedbullSW]

When I saw Freaks I could not believe it was a film from the 30's. I was so surprised it was not censored

[@steveille1428]

Im surprised James didn't mention how many of the sets from "most dangerous game" were re-used from King Kong as well as the actors

[@TheDanWhoSoldTheWorld]

Peak James is when he is talking about horror, he has a genuine passion and interest and it comes through in the videos.🧛🏻

[@ChrizardsAdventures]

I'm glad you made this. I love precode gangster movies. The cagney movies are top notch.

[@estrabetenovomultilaser1936]

I love you James, you're one of my inspirations

[@brerkris]

I actually bought Dr. Jekyll on KZbin because I genuinely wanted to see it. I'm glad it's on here. Great list and episode!

[@moonstoneuniverse8516]

Jame’s with his horror reviews terrified me as a kid and now I can’t get enough 🖤🖤🖤 thank you James 😈

[@stimpsonjkat5925]

It's always Halloween on Cinemassacre

[@cheneethompson5756]

It's summerween for me right now!

[@James-Foster]

This was a great video I hope we get a Top 20 I do love horror but James is right there's just something special with how they did it back then recent horror films that genuinely frightened me were Smile & Halloween Kills.

[@DiestroCorleone]

Holy cow. This 12 minute video about moveis that are almost a century old felt more disturbing than most horror movies nowadays. I'm still shocked by the movies I've just discovered, and I don't even feel strong enough to watch many of them.

[@Cincinnatijames]

I saw M at the historic 1926 Tampa Theater about a decade ago. Such a appropriate place to see a pre-code horror movie.

[@MrSuperrob0Gaming]

Fantastic video I love it when James talks about classic horror films

[@splint480]

Ive never seen any of these films but I recognise the plots because almost all of them have been parodied in Simpsons Treehouse of horror episodes. Those writers mustve really loved vintage cinema.

[@tonybaggett1984]

These movies tap into the disturbing much better than modern films. People say these are tame but to me not seeing every detail is way worse.

[@Lady.Luthien]

Is the irony lost on anyone else that your most hated game is also your favorite old-timey horror film?

[@KetsubanSolo]

Probably explains why he hates the game so much

[@sarcastanaut]

You're back!!! Hooray!!!

[@PlutoniumBoss]

That's the power of Hyde as an archetype. He isn't some supernatural force that we can't understand. He's the potential for evil living in every human brought to the surface.

[@anthonymalerbo322]

Can you you do a video about “William Castle” like a “retrospective video” or a “recommendation list” about his movies?

[@pestmonolith]

Thank you, James! The movie stuff is what you're best at.

[@kurtkaiser1374]

If only movies nowadays go this far with the make up

[@river_acheron]

Oh they do! But you gotta look for Indy horror. There's some AMAZING horror movies out there..just stay away from Hollywood. :)

[@Usagi1992]

-EEEEEFUDAVE!!!- nothing to do with you, I just have issues

[@burritosequal8877]

i love you james, thanks for your past videos i love the glitch gremlin video

[@danielchavez4403]

I love it when you talk horror movies James.

[@special_kitty7195]

Keep on cranking these out.

[@GTdba]

I'm a simple person: I see James posting a video with Freaks in the Thumbnail, I like, I love it!

[@wardengentles53]

Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde being #1 is surprising seeing how the NESgame gave you high blood pressure!😂😂😂 Keep up the great work guys