This Week in Fright Film History June 11 to 17, 2017

Brigitte Helm died  on June 11, 1996 at the age of 90. Helm made over thirty other films during her career including Metropolis (1927) and Alraune (1928). Helm was at one time considered for the title role in Bride of Frankenstein before Elsa Lanchester was given the role.

Rosemary's Baby  (1968)  a psychological horror film written and directed by Roman Polanski, based on  Ira Levin’s 1967 novel Rosemary's Baby  was arleased on June 12 1968. The cast includes Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Ralph Bellamy, Maurice Evans, Sidney Blackmer and Charles Grodin. Following the film inspired a string of other films involving  Devil worshippers and black magic, including The Brotherhood of Satan, Mark of the Devil, and Black Noon.

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953) was a science fiction giant monster film directed by Eugène Lourié, starring Paul Christian, Paula Raymond and Cecil Kellaway, and with visual effects by Ray Harryhausen was released on June 13, 1953.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein (1948), horror comedy film directed by Charles Barton and starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello was release on June 15, 1948. This film is often referred to as simply Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and was  the first of several films where the comedy duo meets classic characters from Universal's horror series .

On June 16, 1979, Son of Svengoolie debuted on WFLD, with Rich Koz in the title role.  The “Son of” was later dropped making the name of the program simply Svengoolie. Svengoolie a long-running local program featuring classic horror films in the Chicago area has become somewhat of a sensation after expanding nationally on Me-TV. The program airs Saturday nights at 9pm cst.

Psycho (1960) directed by Alfred Hitchcock starring Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Janet Leigh. The film was written by Joseph Stefano, the screenplay was based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch which was  inspired by the crimes of murderer and grave robber Ed Gein. Psycho (1960) was released on June 16, 1960.

Mesa of Lost Women (1953) directed by Ron Ormond and Herbert Tevos. The film, which featured Jackie Coogan best remembered as Charlie Chaplin's sidekick in The Kid (1921) and Uncle Fester in 1960s sitcom The Addams Family. This low-budget science fiction film was released on June 17, 1953.

The Terror (1963) a low budget horror film produced and directed by Roger Corman and starred Boris Karloff and Jack Nicholson was released on June 17, 1963. The film was also released as Lady of the Shadows, The Castle of Terror, and The Haunting.