31 Days of Horror: Frankenstein (1931)

To follow the definitive vampire, Dracula, 31 days of horror continues with the definitive portrayal of Frankenstein's monster by Boris Karloff. Starring Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, and Edward Van Sloan, Frankenstein was Universal's follow up to their enormously successful version of Dracula. Frankenstein was to have originally been directed by Robert Florey and starred Bela Lugosi with a script that was very different from the one eventually used. Due to the rather one dimensional, robotic portrayal of the monster in the original drafts, Lugosi eventually quit the picture, and Flory was soon replaced by James Whale. Once Whale came on to the production, he greatly revised the script and cast Boris Karloff as the monster. Whale's new vision of the picture, combined with Jack Pierce's makeup and Karloff's sympathetic portrayal of the monster, gives us the image of what will always be first to come to mind whenever someone says "Frankenstein".

31 Days of Horror: Dracula (1931)

This month I'll be featuring a different horror film for everyday of the scariest month of the year. These aren't in any particular order, but are all perfect for Halloween viewing!

I'm kicking off 31 days of horror with the first "talkie" horror film: Dracula. Directed by Tod Browning and starring Bela Lugosi, Edward Van Sloan, and Helen Chandler, Dracula is most significant for shaping the modern image of the vampire. The look and sound of Bela Lugosi's portrayal of The Count became the standard for all that followed. Sorry, but the sparkly, brooding vampires of Twilight don't count.

Happy Birthday, Peter O'Toole!

Happy birthday to one of my all time favorite actors!

Born on this day in 1932 in Connemara, Ireland

Happy Birthday Peter Lorre!

A brilliant character actor, Peter Lorre was born on this date in 1904 in Hungary. The picture above is from his first American film, "Mad Love" from 1935.

TCM Cruise 2013 - Part 3

One of the best parts of the cruise was getting to hear all of the great interviews

Debbie Reynolds was hilarious! She was so funny that you would almost miss some of the things she'd say because you were laughing so hard!

Rich Little was a surprise guest, and a very welcome one!

Having the opportunity to hear all of his stories and to hear him do all of his voices was an incredible treat and highlight to the cruise.

And of course, trivia with Alex Trebek was a can't miss event!

Our team came very close to winning, but even though we lost, we had a blast!

Unfortunately, it all ended too soon. But Thomas and I are still together and are already booked on the next TCM Cruise in December!

This time it will be on the Disney Magic and the ship looks incredible! Of course, the big draw is to see who the special guests will be. That announcement won't be for quite a while so until then I'll just be counting the days!

TCM Classic Cruise 2013

Photos are the property of Heidi T

TCM Cruise 2013 - Part 2

The theme of this cruise was The Roaring 20's, so of course that meant dressing up!

The Hollywood Hotshots!

The Hot Sardines! They were soooo much fun and such a great band!

The next day at the Cayman Island Turtle Farm, I actually got to wade with and hold baby turtles!

Then I got to see Hell!

Then in Cozumel I got to swim with and kiss a stingray...

and then got to see some very affectionate parrots!

Last part coming soon!

Photos are property of Heidi T

TCM Cruise 2013 Part 1

To FINALLY start to catch up on everything, here is a visual tour of my time on the TCM cruise!

My hotel, The Chesterfield, which was absolutely fabulous and in The Art Deco district!

Fabulous Miami beach!

The Celebrity Constellation

Setting sail!

I went on this trip only with the intention of enjoying a fabulous TCM event, but on the first night I met someone who I've been with ever since!

More coming soon!

Photos are property of Heidi T

Group photo is from TCM