Favorite scenes of the Classic Horror/Sci-Fi Eras of Films

[Ticonderoga 64]

In the Classic age of horror and sci-fi, there have been moments caught on film, moments that stay with us from when we first viewed them throughout our lives. These scenes are sometimes iconic ones in film history, sometimes they may only be important to the sole viewer, however, there is no denying the interest that they provoke. This thread is for listing your own personal favorite scenes from classic horror and sci-fi movies from the silents through the '70's.

A few of mine:

GOJIRA(1954)aka GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS: Before this film, we had occasional giant beasts on the rampage in civilization, the brontosaurus running amok in London during THE LOST WORLD(1925), Kong's wreaking havoc in New York at the climax of KING KONG(1933) and the Rhedosaurus running loose in Manhattan in BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS(1953). However, until then, we never saw the total devastation unleashed on a city as was shown in Gojira. Godzilla lays waste to Tokyo for the first time and it is a tour de force of destruction. Smashing buildings, setting entire city blocks ablaze with atomic fire as well as decimating Japan's military force, this is really the first time, that moviegoers are shown such devastation on a large scale. There would be plenty of this in the years to come with more Kaiju films, but this was the first, and as such, it still has a great impact when viewed even today.

FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN(1943): Universal and other horror studios had shown grave robbing before(such as during the Frankenstein series), but the opening of this film is one of the most iconic. When ghouls violate the Talbot tomb in Llanwelly Cemetery during a full moon, they bring about the resurrection of the Wolf Man, who proceeds to murder one of them. Atmospheric and chilling, this scene realizes just what we fear most when watching grave robbers desecrating a grave: the return from the dead of the interred who takes revenge. After this, any time we watch a similar scene, there would always be that little bit of "what if?"

BLACK SABBATH(1963): Okay, the "Drop Of Water" story from this film gave me nightmares for years due to the ghost of the dead medium seeking vengeance on the nurse who steals her ring. The scene of her ghastly face in the half light as she glides through the house after the nurse is a eerie sight to be sure. Mario Bava knew what creeped people out to be sure.

Let's hear your favorite scenes!

[RCMerchant]

BLACK SUNDAY(1963): Okay, the "Drop Of Water" story from this film gave me nightmares for years due to the ghost of the dead medium seeking vengeance on the nurse who steals her ring. The scene of her ghastly face in the half light as she glides through the house after the nurse is a eerie sight to be sure. Mario Bava knew what creeped people out to be sure.

Let's hear your favorite scenes!

Not trying to be a nit-picker, but you described BLACK SABBATH (1963)
BLACK SUNDAY (1960), of course, has Barbara Steele. 

Meself, oh dam-so many. But I think my very favorite is in the 1931 DRACULA, when all the weird critters are scurrying around the castle, the 3 vampire brides appear, a hand comes out of a coffin- and there is Dracula- staring right at the camera.

[Allhallowsday]

...
GOJIRA(1954)aka GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS: Before this film, we had occasional giant beasts on the rampage in civilization, the brontosaurus running amok in London during THE LOST WORLD(1925), Kong's wreaking havoc in New York at the climax of KING KONG(1933) and the Rhedosaurus running loose in Manhattan in BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS(1953). However, until then, we never saw the total devastation unleashed on a city as was shown in Gojira. Godzilla lays waste to Tokyo for the first time and it is a tour de force of destruction. Smashing buildings, setting entire city blocks ablaze with atomic fire as well as decimating Japan's military force, this is really the first time, that moviegoers are shown such devastation on a large scale. There would be plenty of this in the years to come with more Kaiju films, but this was the first, and as such, it still has a great impact when viewed even today...

The non-Americanized, original GOJIRA is magnificent! 

I was always spooked by the ending of CARNIVAL OF SOULS (1962) when the car is pulled from the river and the lead character Mary Henry is in the car with the other two dead girls. 

FRANKENSTEIN (1931) had a few scary scenes, like when the father carries the corpse of his drowned daughter into the village. 

DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1931) when MIRIAM HOPKINS first meets Hyde, invited for a drink... it's hard to bear FREDRIC MARCH's Hyde. 

[RCMerchant]

My favorite scene in FRANKENSTEIN (1931) is when the Monster see's light for the first time. He slowly rises from his chair and reaches for the trap door skylight.  Then Clive closes the trap door. The Monster glares at Clive, but is still passive when he tells him to "Sit down!". Karloff, palms out streched, face pleading 'Why?'
Wonderful.

[Ticonderoga 64]

BLACK SUNDAY(1963): Okay, the "Drop Of Water" story from this film gave me nightmares for years due to the ghost of the dead medium seeking vengeance on the nurse who steals her ring. The scene of her ghastly face in the half light as she glides through the house after the nurse is a eerie sight to be sure. Mario Bava knew what creeped people out to be sure.

Let's hear your favorite scenes!

Not trying to be a nit-picker, but you described BLACK SABBATH (1963)
BLACK SUNDAY (1960), of course, has Barbara Steele. 

Meself, oh dam-so many. But I think my very favorite is in the 1931 DRACULA, when all the weird critters are scurrying around the castle, the 3 vampire brides appear, a hand comes out of a coffin- and there is Dracula- staring right at the camera.

You're right about Black Sabbath and the Dracula scenes are fantastic!

[Ticonderoga 64]

My favorite scene in FRANKENSTEIN (1931) is when the Monster see's light for the first time. He slowly rises from his chair and reaches for the trap door skylight.  Then Clive closes the trap door. The Monster glares at Clive, but is still passive when he tells him to "Sit down!". Karloff, palms out streched, face pleading 'Why?'
Wonderful.

This is another great one..and as a follow up, there is the scene from BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN where Dr.Pretorius ushers in the Monster, who tells an upset Henry to sit down as an echo of that original scene.

[Ticonderoga 64]

 

FRANKENSTEIN (1931) had a few scary scenes, like when the father carries the corpse of his drowned daughter into the village. 
 

I had forgotten about that scene. Good call!

[RCMerchant]

BLACK SUNDAY (1960) when the masked vampire claws his way out of the grave. I watched it with my kids when they were like 8 and 9. Scared the s**t out of them!  

When Shemp gets p**sed off at an ironing board-
ah s**t. This is horror movies!


When the old lady in DON'T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT tells the young nurse to  "Get out! Get out! and never, never, come back!"

http://youtu.be/xMCu9jgH_O4
	Small | Large

[Allhallowsday]

...
When Maryilyn Burns bangs at the front door of the farmhouse, and Leatheface opens it, carries her into the back room-that has meathook hanging from the ceiling, and slams the steel door.

Probably the scariest moment in a movie full of scary moments.  TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is truly a masterpiece. 

[RCMerchant]

...
When Maryilyn Burns bangs at the front door of the farmhouse, and Leatheface opens it, carries her into the back room-that has meathook hanging from the ceiling, and slams the steel door.

Probably the scariest moment in a movie full of scary moments.  TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is truly a masterpiece. 

I accidently deleted that when I was modifying my post!

[Ticonderoga 64]

HORROR OF DRACULA(1958): the climax of the film where Van Helsing(Peter Cushing) and Count Dracula(Christopher Lee) have their final confrontation in Dracula's castle and Van Helsing gets the better of him and renders him into dust..fantastic stuff!

MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM(1933): Fay Wray attempts fight off mad sculptor Lionel Atwill and instead manages to shatter his wax face, revealing the hideous burnt face beneath...

[Svengoolie 3]

Bride of Frankenstein.  When Dr.  Frankenstein refuses to leave the lab with his wife and says "I can't abandon them! " referring to the monster and the bride.  Hearing this the monster realizes for the first to e that his creator cares about him, and in joy at finally being cared about forgives his creator and urges him to leave and live.

That was a tragic and beautiful scene.

[The Burgomaster]

THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933) - When the invisible man says, "Ill show you who I am . . . and what I am." Then laughs and unwraps the bandages from his head. There is nothing underneath.

[Svengoolie 3]

THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933) - When the invisible man says, "Ill show you who I am . . . and what I am." Then laughs and unwraps the bandages from his head. There is nothing underneath.

He was generous in victory,  tho.  Handing out souvenirs to the gawking yokels.

[RCMerchant]

THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933) - When the invisible man says, "Ill show you who I am . . . and what I am." Then laughs and unwraps the bandages from his head. There is nothing underneath.

He was generous in victory,  tho.  Handing out souvenirs to the gawking yokels.

Also from the INVISIBLE MAN- when the disembodied pair of pants is skipping through the park, singing " Here we go gathering nuts in May-".