Freddy Krueger and the Old Gory Classics

By Robert Holcombe, Bookmans Ina Assistant Manager

Many people know and love Freddy Krueger. No, you’re not dreaming. It’s early to bring up this scarred, scary, dream shyster, but I’m doing it anyway. How many horror villains have as much fun as Freddy? Most slash kingpins act with hatred or a sense of other worldly compulsion. Freddy is as evil as Jason but Freddy has FUN!

Freddy uses his imagination to dream up twisted yet original ways to kill helpless sleepers. Who can forget the poor girl who was turned into a bug and squashed in a bug trap? Or the teen who wanted to be a star on television so Freddy welcomed her to prime time by shoving her head in a TV? Classic.

This chaotic circus act brings real world challenges and opportunities. Old horror movies require imagination from viewers. Certainly horror creators need it, but watching Freddy’s arms expand in an ethereal mist or seeing him tear apart a human body by stepping out of it like a suit or viewing a young man worked with his own veins like a marionette, requires the people to imagine the horror of what could come off as campy.

CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) does the work these days. There’s nothing wrong with that. The Avengers wouldn’t be as good without CGI. Therein lies the rub. Part of the beauty of watching old horror movies is that we have to work for it. We must use our noggins to see the artists’ portrayals. The better the artist does, the easier it is. No matter what, imagination plays a part. The viewer and the maker participate in the movie. That’s why old movies, especially horror movies, will always hold a special place in my heart.

All you young ‘uns out there, don’t scoff at or ignore classic horror movies. Embrace them! Embrace Freddy! Pick up an old gory classic, shut off the lights and let imagination take over! Whatever you do, don’t. fall. asleep.

* Bookmans is your store to explore. We hope you will come and browse our horror movie selection, but if you are looking for A Nightmare On Elm Street or another specific title, please give us a call. We’ll check our orange shelves for you.