David J. Skal Movies

This documentary short explores the origins of the monster movie and how Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" (1963) fits in the genre.

As a famous man lies dying, his family—including both his wife and his mistress—gathers inside, while members of the media converge...

A documentary from Universal about the movie Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.

Documentary about the real life inspiration behind "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," serial killer Ed Gein.

Actress and neice of Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle, Carla Laemmle recounts the events that occured while filming Phantom of the Opera, The...

Documentary recounting the making of Tod Browning's Freaks. Featuring interviews with experts and actual sideshow performers, this film gives a...

Narrator Rudy Behlmer guides a look through Universal's place in film history as a source of alien visitation, extraterrestrial life, and other...

Video essay about the 1927 film 'The Cat and the Canary'.