I was the Director
It is wonderful to read how many people enjoyed, and remembered this film. It was my first feature film, and I had a great cast and crew.
share
@ JohnMoxey
"You know, my name..."
MovieChat Forums > The City of the Dead (1962) Discussion > I was the Director
[deleted]
Yes, and you also make the classic 'Night Stalker' as well as having directed many of my favorite TV shows from the sixties and seventies. I remember your name fondly. I'm one of those oddballs who always checks out the names on the credits, and even though I'm an occasional actor myself, I am more interested in the directors, writers, cinematographers, composers, etc. names than I am the actors. Too bad you didn't do more feature films. But then in those days some of the stuff they were doing on TV was better.
Life sucks, then you're reincarnated
Mr. Moxie, if you are still following this thread, let me weigh in as yet another devoted fan of Horror Hotel, as I know it. Being a huge Christopher Lee fan, I purchased it as part of a DVD set of classic horror films. I have always been a horror fan, and I probably saw it in the early 60's, when I was a teenager. More recent viewings have made me really appreciate what a treasure it is - just the kind of horror I like, more cerebral than gory! Less is definitely more in this case.
This is one of the most sinister horror films I have ever seen, elegant in its simplicity. It does owe a lot to Psycho, both in its restraint and atmosphere and the sudden disappearance of the main character in the middle of the movie. Creepy, disturbing, all the fog and the B&W cinematography and the witch who refused to die (until the end, that is)! I was a big fan of Black Sunday, too, and this compares favorably, although they were made by different studios.
I was so surprised to see that you directed so many TV movies and series episodes that were dear to me over the years. You are a very, very talented man. I am glad I have this opportunity to tell you how much I appreciate your talent - which will become your legacy. You should be proud, as I know you probably never worked with unlimited budgets but managed to turn out very high quality work that is still so highly respected today.
Hello Mr. Moxey. I just wanted to stop by & say this is an excellent film. you apparently had the magic touch from the get go. the reason im writing is because today October 19th 2014 would have been My Best Friend Alfred R. Cardin's 54th Birthday. he passed away in late January. Horror Hotel was his absolute Favorite film of all time. he must have seen it 100 times! Al had a Tough & often Unhappy Life. I Wanted to Thank You for Both of us for the Enjoyment you brought to him via this film. whenever he watched it, he was in his ''comfort zone''. much Respect to you always Mr. Moxey. God Bless.
THE OLDSCHOOL HERO!
I love this film (and the Rifftrax version also), but I wish the ending was different. I know that the times pretty much required a happy ending (unhappy endings not becoming popular until the late 60's-70's), but every time I watch this movie, I just want to smack Elizabeth Selwyn and her sidekicks.
If -- as Professor Driscoll noted -- Nan had an "appreciation" of all things witchy, then why not try to make her ONE of them? Nan was a "pure" person (she didn't appear to have any vices ... well I mean, other than wearing sexy lingerie!), so "corrupting" her and making her one of them would have been a far better "sacrifice" to Lucifer than just killing her outright. ("Pure" souls would go to Heaven upon their death, so what "victory" would the devil win by killing one?) And then Nan in turn could have lured more people to Whitewood for the two witch holy sacrificial days.
Maybe we should crowdsource a reboot of this film. I'd love to know the director's two cents on my idea at any rate. :)
I'm watching as I type this, a treasure!
share